Vince Guaraldi's "Jazz Impressions Of Black Orpheus" SACD vs. DCC Gold CD

I pulled out my DCC copy today and listened to it during the morning commute. It's still probably my favorite of all the DCC jazz titles. Everything sounds so natural. I'll have to listen on the main system tonight.

 

I picked up the K2 of this album as well for $3 during the recent Concord sale, and do not find it bright at all. Sounds very good to me, and I love the album.

 

Thanks for the tip...I have just canceled my eBay account...looks like Amazon will get some of my business.

 

It's not like you can't have bad experiences on Amazon, though. What I do is contact the seller, make sure it's the gold, and ask specific questions about the condition. Good luck!

 

You definitely have to look out for yourself and even when someone seems kosher they may not be. My deciding issue with eBay was not related to the quality of an item but their policy of not refunding shipping & handling on an item never received. That's a story for another thread though...

I think it is good advice when buying a LP or disc at a premium price to ask for pictures of the front & back side along with any artwork and jewel case or sleeves. I'm a music lover and not really a collector so I may accept something cosmetic that a collector wouldn't but I'm not forgiving of poor quality playback. With high resolution images I've noticed all kinds of problems and quietly decided not to buy them.

Let's face it there are a lot of folks that will take advantage of any type of collector...the best thing you can do as a buyer is to be very suspicious.

Now...I'm going to have to think about buying some music!

 

Thanks! The U was throwing me off.

 

Sometimes I get too technical.

 

That's what is on it's way to this place.

 

I would recommend Alma-Ville. It's the last album he released, recorded during his stint on the Warner's label. After Black Orpheus and the two Charlie Brown albums, it's my favorite Guaraldi disc. And the CD on Wounded Bird sounds fine, just a basic no-frills flat transfer.

 

Steve: I am listening to the Vince Guaraldi Trio "Black Orpheus" DCC Gold CD for the first time and there is one thing about it that I don't like--it makes me question all of the vinyl I have bought! It really sounds amazing--with the depth and realism of some of my best vinyl. I think I'm going to have to finally spring for the AP 45 and do a little comparo. As for the AP 45 of Charlie Brown Christmas, would you like to throw us a bone and give us some info on when Chad is going to finally release it? We're anxiously waiting.

 

I second this--I like all of Guaraldi's output on Fantasy that I've heard so far! In Person and From All Sides (recorded with Bola Sete) are quite good, and I have yet to get The Latin Side. If you'd like to hear him as a sideman on a straighahead jazz set, check out Cal Tjader's Jazz At The Blackhawk, which also has Eugene Wright on bass and Al Torre on drums.

 

Derrick Bangs' site is also well worth checking out... a complete listing of every album Guaraldi played on, both as a leader and as a sideman, along with ratings of the quality of the music.

 

Don't mean to derail the thread, but I played the Shelly Manne DCC CD My Fair Lady today and thought I'd throw in a plug for it here, seeing as it's another excellent piano trio CD (Andre Previn on piano) and rarely seems to get a mention. Great music, great sound, and the DCC can be had at regular retail price.

 

Normally I try to stay out of the "XX pressing blows away YY pressing" discussions but I feel compelled to weigh in here: If you like the "Black Orpheus" album you really must try to hear the DCC. Every other CD pressing I have heard uses a dub for the tape source on some songs rather than the actual master tape (as has been noted before.) As a result, there are audible dropouts and a high level of hiss. Both the K2 and the SACD fall into this category.

The DCC sounds so much better than the K2 or the SACD. No fooling.

Just my .02, but I know there are others here who feel the same way.

Chris

 

I'm very happy with the DCC Vince Guaraldi Trio "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" Gold Disc... Great music, love the disc so much.

I don't look for other pressings (Rock/Jazz/Blues)... when I own a DCC pressing (Gold/Vinyl)