Kenton In Hi-Fi

[MMM]

Has anyone heard the "Kenton In Hi-Fi" Capitol Stereo LP? Maybe Steve has heard it? I have one, but I'm curious what others out there think of it.

[Angel]

I've never heard it, but I know that "Kenton In Hi-Fi" was the first Capitol album to be recorded in three-track stereo.

[MMM]

My buddy John Palladino told me he recorded that album at Samuel Goldwyn. I asked him why, and he said something about recording it there to get a better sound. The back of the LP's say it was recorded in February 1956, the transition period from Capitol's Melrose Ave. studios and the opening of the Capitol Tower. I remember Steve saying somewhere on this forum that Samuel Goldwyn was the best sounding film co. soundstage. If I had a CD burner, I'd make you a copy. I think a friend of mine could do it for me when he gets the time. If you wish, send me via private messaging a way of contacting you (e-mail, etc.) and I'll try to get you one.

MMM

[Angel]

Thanks, MMM. I can get a copy though.

Hmmm, interesting date. Just before the new studio could record three-track. I wonder if the Goldwyn studio could record on tape? Doubt it I assume that it was done on 35mm mag film and then "bounced" to tape.

I guess I should listen to this. The Goldwyn sound is kind of snappy with big decay time, very natural sounding, right?

[MMM]

John never mentioned anything to me about recording it on 35mm mag. He is also 82 years old. After all those sessions, whether engineering or producing, it must be tough at that age to remember everything. I do remember a friend who has the CD telling me that in the booklet someone asked John about recording this album, and (if I remember correctly) that the multitrack was basically experimental, and as he was "mixing" he was concentrating on the mono (which makes sense, since that was all people could buy on LP in 1956). I have to see if he remembers anything about 35mm mag the next time I talk to him.

The sound? It does need a bit of reasonable EQ (IMO) (though what I'm hearing could be just the way my LP is mastered - an LA pressing BTW) - reasonable along the lines of the way Steve EQ's things. Aside from that, I really like the stereo version. If you turn this up to lifelike levels (and that means LOUD for Kenton) and sit just so in the sweet spot, YOU ARE THERE. There is some leakage that I think actually adds to the experience. Very impressive recording.

The guy who I bought this from who's in his early 70's said this was the first copy he's ever seen. There was also a 70's (?) reissue put out by Kenton on his label. I've never heard it, so I can't vouch for it.

MMM