Thelonious Alone in San Francisco

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by JeffMo, Jan 27, 2012.

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  1. JeffMo

    JeffMo Format Agnostic Thread Starter

    Location:
    New England
    Tonight we listened to this album at dinner for the first time in ages and I really enjoyed it. I have the Riverside 2005 remastered cd that states "20 bit K2 super coding " on the slipcase, whatever that means.

    The disc sounded good on our cheap Sony boom box in the kitchen - didn't sound overly loud.

    I noticed on Amazon there are two other versions available, a newer 24 bit remaster from last year (2011) and the original presumably non-remastered version from 1991.

    What do other forum members think of these versions, and yes I realize Monk should probably be played on vinyl, but that is in the future!
     
  2. J.A.W.

    J.A.W. Music Addict

    The higher frequencies on those 20-bit K2 remasters sounded boosted to me compared to earlier CD versions. I prefer the OJC of this album. Never heard the 2011 remaster.
     
  3. FrontalLobe

    FrontalLobe New Member

    I agree with this. Avoid the K2s in the red slipcases.

    I prefer the "OJC Remasters" version of this title (the 2011 version to which you refer) to the standard OJC CD, myself.
     
  4. dajokr

    dajokr Classical "Mega" Box Set Collector

    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    I thought last year's remaster was a vast improvement over the original OJC CD (and I needed to replace mine because the booklet got damaged, so it was win-win :D).

    Cheers,
    Dave
     
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  5. Claude

    Claude Senior Member

    Location:
    Luxembourg
    I don't gree with this general dismissal. Most K2's I have heard sound very good. The treble is not more boosted that on many other jazz remasters. In fact, OJC's often have slightly rolled off treble. I found that many K2's come closer to Steve's 45rpm transfers than the OJCs.
     
  6. canyelles

    canyelles Forum Resident

    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Apparently the K2 of 'Monk's Music' is the one to have.

    It is mastered from the mono tapes rather than the stereo and it is said sounds much better for it (there were completely separate mono and stereo recording chains in use that day)

    I have tried to buy it in the past from Amazon sellers but I always got sent the standard version so I have given up trying to buy it.
     
  7. John DeAngelis

    John DeAngelis Senior Member

    Location:
    New York, NY
    Thelonious Monk should be played on any format you can listen to him on. Enjoy! :)
     
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  8. J.A.W.

    J.A.W. Music Addict

    Who mastered the "OJC Remasters"? Joe Tarantino?
     
  9. J.A.W.

    J.A.W. Music Addict

    To answer my own question: it was Mr Tarantino.
     
  10. FrontalLobe

    FrontalLobe New Member

    Maybe Analogue Productions will do a Riverside mono series of hybrid SACDs and include this title. :)
     
  11. JeffMo

    JeffMo Format Agnostic Thread Starter

    Location:
    New England
    Thanks guys. If I come across the newer remaster for a good price I will upgrade, but I think I got my K2 brand new for 6 bucks at Newbury comics and it doesn't sound horrible compared to some other 2005 discs that I have.

    Besides, I really need to add some more Thelonious to my modest jazz collection!
     
  12. SteelyTom

    SteelyTom Forum Resident

    Location:
    Boston, Mass.
    I agree with this assessment. I have TASF in this version as well, and it sounds fine to me (and better than, fwiw, the 24-bit reissue of Monk Plays Ellington, which I find bright and fatiguing).
     
  13. yasujiro

    yasujiro Senior Member

    Location:
    tokyo
    Speaking of vinyl, the cheap OJC sounds surprisingly good. It's a great demo disc.
     
  14. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Having seen the master tapes, the mastering notes for the OJC are about as pure as one can get: No added EQ.
     
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  15. ellingtonic

    ellingtonic Forum Resident

    The OJC CD and vinyl are great low cost choices.
     
  16. SteelyTom

    SteelyTom Forum Resident

    Location:
    Boston, Mass.
    There's a lot to be said for those venerable, un-messed with, humble OJC CDs-- especially now that they can be had for $4-8.
     
  17. JeffMo

    JeffMo Format Agnostic Thread Starter

    Location:
    New England
    It sounds even better on a Sunday morning!
     
  18. Claude

    Claude Senior Member

    Location:
    Luxembourg
    I understood Steve's remarks being on the OJC vinyl.
     
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  19. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    Agreed, best deal in town.
     
  20. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host

    REOPENED BY REQUEST.
     
  21. JeffMo

    JeffMo Format Agnostic Thread Starter

    Location:
    New England
    Six years later I will spin it on another Sunday morning, with a big mug of French Roast.
     
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  22. Lonson

    Lonson I'm in the kitchen with the Tombstone Blues

    What a master Monk was, and solo he is master of his own universe.
     
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  23. JeffMo

    JeffMo Format Agnostic Thread Starter

    Location:
    New England
    I love this album, and since posting this thread back in 2012, I have picked up at least two other Monk solo albums.
     
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