Bill Evans OJC vs. XRCD vs SHM-SACD (Bill Evans Trio - Definitive digital versions?) *

The piano is always the thing that bothers me in these great discs RVG recorded in the 50s, that I'm still discovering! Nice to read an explanation!

 

I'm not sure I'm reading your post correctly, but RVG did not record anything for Riverside, Bill Evans' label until the early 1960s. This thread is about the preferred CD versions (OJC or XRCD) of the Bill Evans Riverside albums that were mentioned earlier.

 

Great pic, Steve.

 

Sorry, it just happened that by contributing to your thread, SH answered a question I always had. Thread-crapping (is that the right word?), I'm afraid. Completely un-voluntary. Please go on.

 

It's not my thread

 

Yes, Steve, that is what I meant: The best digital transfer of a problematic tape.

 

I noticed this too. A few months ago I was comparing late '20s/early '30s Ellington tracks from different labels. You hear the piano on the Victors like you would sitting in the audience of a concert hall. One of the others, I think Vocalion, sounded like the mic was put up close. More upfront and dry but kind of boring.

 

I think he went too far with his experimentation. The piano usually sounds weird on Van Gelder's recordings. Nothing like a real piano. Hard to describe in words, anyone unfamiliar with the sound needs to hear it for themselves.

 

Sorry, can somebody direct me to a reference to that disc? Can't find it.

 

Shelly Manne - My Fair Lady - originally on Contemporary

 

I picked this up on your recommendation Hans. Let me tell you, this boxset is absolutely wonderful! I have not yet done any direct comparisons with my current references, but I am digging this set.

 

DCC GZS-1043 1993 Gold CD Manne, Shelley (Shelley Manne & His Friends) Modern Jazz Performances of Songs from My Fair Lady

 

Great I found that answer because I wondered why the Ap 45RPM "Everybody Digs Bill Evans" is so distorted as it sounds as if the cartridge is misadjusted. So it seems to be on the tape and no pressing fault.

Steve, what I wonder is...why is such a recording reissued with such effort, as there might be other better tapes of other recordings around?

When I often read about a decision " this tape was to bad for choosing it for remastering" I wonder why this tape wasn't too bad? Same with Joe Pass/Sounds of Saranyon where bass and guitar is distorted...

 

To make searches easier: Manne's first name was Shelly

 

I'm glad I found this post. I just listened to the Everybody Digs Bill Evans XRCD (0020-2) and I find it almost unlistenable. I have always thought this and posted it in this Bill Evans thread awhile back. I'm certainly not very well versed in the recording process. But Steve's comments of "full of distortion and piano overload" is basically what I found on this recording. I have a fair amount of Bill Evans' CDs, XRCDs and SACDs and this one has to be one of the worst sounding titles of his I own.

Bill

 

I'm looking to get Bill Evans' Green Dolphin Street and was looking at the XRCD version. Is the XRCD the best version or are there other versions that have similar SQ at a lower cost?

Bill

 

Great thread for many reasons..should be required reading.

 

Thanks, Steve . I see there is a SHM-CD but I can't find any information as to the mastering.

Bill

 

The XRCD is OOP Bill, I assume you know that.

 

All of those XRCDs sound great IMO.

 

I have the XRCD of Live at the Village Vanguard and the sound is phenomenal.

 

The classical titles sound great too IMO.