Hey, I'm looking for the highest quality recordings from the following Artists:

Subjectively of course-If your talking LP's, always a sure bet to go with the period press.

Finding clean copies can be challenging.

Perhaps you're already checking discogs?

Billie Holiday | Discography | Discogs

Chet Baker | Discography | Discogs

Eva's recordings appear to be only on CD

Eva Cassidy | Discography | Discogs

Looking for vinyl for sure!

All three have vinyl  recordings on amazon.

Chet Bakers - Chet Baker Sings is the one I have my eye on.  There are a few different recordings. Have this on cd.

Not sure about Billie or Eva. 

TIA

Also, what's a period pass? 

Billie has a great cd titled Love Songs which I have on cd.  Bunch of vinyl on amazon. Tough to choose.

Same with Eva.

Period press that is...

Billies discography goes back to 78’s, but I’m guessing you’re not into that.

You want a particular album FROM the period it was released.

Example

Billie Holiday - Body And Soul | Releases | Discogs

This album released 1957.

Arguably, the 1st listing generally will be part of the initial run of pressings. It stands to reason it should be the "best" whatever that is.

I’m a period press fan for nostalgia AND what I think was the "best" SQ possible at that time.

I’ll surrender to reissues if an album in unobtanium due to price.

The mono vs stereo thing is also an unsettled argument. If it’s the period of Billie or Chet-mono for me.

Edit-there are some super LP afficionados in here..some will chime in with more detailed info 

 

Thanks!

Good info here!

If available, or reissued, get the Japanese pressings.

%90 of Japanese editions always sound better, better bass, a nice clean album from Japan,will,Trump any us,uk,

 

my .002

If good early pressings aren't available I've found the reissues from Craft Recordings amazing. Albums include:
Chet
Chet in NY
Chet Sings: It Could Happen To You
Chet Plays Best of Lerner and Loewe

You can find them on Discogs. Usually around 2020-22 release timeframe.

And completely agree with the Japanese pressing sentiment. They're always brilliant.

This Chet Baker LP is outstanding!

Acoustic Sounds

And this Billie Holiday gem!

 

Try Better Records. They are kinda expensive but you get a very good sounding album. I have been very satisfied with the 20+ albums I’ve received from them.

‘They are not an investment. You probably could not sell them and get your money back but you have a great sounding album.

Joe Nies

"Chet Baker Sings is the one I have my eye on"

This appears to be unobtanium, but would unquestionably be a "holy grail'

of golden year LP pressing.

1954 45 RPM pressing on the Pacific Jazz label.

Pacific Jazz label was an audiophile pressing before things became an audiophools hobby.

If you can find this in mint condition-start a thread to brag about the accomplishment.

Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings (1954, Vinyl) - Discogs

Play this on your vintage all tube Marantz setup with Altec/JBL horns accompanied with your favorite Scotch.

Take a look at the Steve Hoffman forum for best recording recommendations.

jjbeason14

 

If seeking Vinyl (LP), start with original pressings on original labels.

There is plenty of time to delve into re-Issue(s) and re-Masters.

 

Happy Listening!

Eva Cassidy most certainly did cut at least one LP. I own a copy but can’t tell you the title because I’m away on vacation. As for Chet Baker, look for him on any West Coast jazz album, e.g., Riverside, or with Mulligan, Konitz, Pepper, etc. I personally don’t care for his singing. You’ve gotta develop these tastes for yourself. None of us can tell you what albums by what performers you will like best. 

Eva Cassidy is easy, the 2 CD Nightbird(or the 1 CD version) recorded live at Blues Alley. Easily the most natural(live recording) and dynamic(lack of compression) of all her recordings. And because of that it captures her unique, exciting approach to her renditions. Crazy that she thought it was a poor recording and she didn't want to put it out publicly at first. The world would have been cheated of a spectacular performance.

If i was looking for the best quality on vinyl, The Japanese pressings is what i would be looking for. 

There is a 4 LP release of Eva Cassidy’s Nightbird and it is spectacular. It was out of print for a while but it recently got reissued and should be attainable. 

@arcticdeth Love it!

Great info!

There's a Japanese Check Baker Sings on amazon.

Worth buying??

TIA

Chet

And in my opinion, as a singer, he’s a great trumpet player.

Chet Baker is one of my all time favs!

Both as a singer and a trumpet player!

I never get tired of Billie Holiday's Columbia work.

Eva is just amazing!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYTUA6Z/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A25X5FLQ1MMXNX&psc=1 Japanese press. :good?:

Just bought the Chet Baker Japanese Press, but I'll also keep my eye on something better.

Thanks everyone!

 

Any more advice would be greatly appreciated. 

The 45rpm pressings are very good 

 

 

I am a Chet Baker obsessive.  I can only recommend his original pressings or a few Japanese pressings.  I have most all of them.  It took me a few years to put together.  Most were purchased from other countries.  It was expensive.  I have  over $5k invested there.
I have most of his cd's too.  I bought a very complete collection from another Chet collector for $!00.  I have a few cassettes too.
Originals or Japanese pressings for Billie too.  I'm impressed with the Japanese mono lp box set Verve '46-'59!  Hard to beat... on the Bay now

There are some excellent noiseless LP reissues available from Sams Records, a French label, in the original mono. I have 3 with Chet Baker. Many other artists of the late 50s and early 50s are also available. Very highly recommended for any Baker-phile or for Lester Young, etc.

I just checked, “Sam Records”, based in Paris, not “ Sams”. They ship to USA promptly and efficiently.

I meant “late 40s and early 50s”. Sorry. Sam Records are special. Flat as pancakes and on very low noise vinyl. Makes you truly wonder why you’d need stereo.

Eva Cassidy - the album is "Songbird". Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray at AcousTech Mastering on 180-gram vinyl. S&P Records limited edition. Outstanding music and sound quality.

Thanks again guys!

Hey, richmos would you please post a link for the Eva Cassidy Album?  

And Is it available new?

"Outstanding music and sound quality."

This is exactly what I'm looking for!

LOL

 

👍

Is this it?

Both Chet Baker Sings and Chet Baker Plays the best of Lerner and Lowe are wonderfully free breathing uncompresed recordings.

Alone Together, a Chet Baker / Bill Evans collaboration is pretty good too.

In fact I can’t remember hearing a badly recorded Chet Baker album.

 

As mentioned earlier, the Steve Hoffman music forum would also be a great place to look.

Just use the search option and take it from there.

Baker and Mulligan is terrific music. If it was on a wax cylinder and you had to wind up the Victrola it would still be worth pursuing.

Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Alley is excellent. It’s a 2 disc 45 RPM pressing.

I just got a 4 LP set of Billie Holiday, the Complete Decca Recordings. Pretty wonderful. Arguably the best sounding recordings/pressings I’ve heard. 

mosaicrecords.com

I have been in a similar quest, prices are going through the roof, ping me to discuss privately.

I’ll second the recommendation to look at Better Records. The concept makes sense: that even with a great release, the quality of an individual record can be affected by such things as how late in the use of a particular stamper the record was stamped - it makes sense that one of the first few records from a stamper will sound better than one of the last ones made using that stamper. And Better Records spends a lot of time evaluating each record they get in, which to me justifies the rather high prices. One of the first records I bought from them is an original pressing of Mingus Ah Umm that I was able to compare with a recent re-issue. It was miles ahead of the new release in sound quality. They do offer a guarantee so there’s little risk if you aren’t impressed.

To my ears the Billie Holiday Columbia Jazz digital remastered from the original analog tapes sounds great.

If you had to pick one Billie Holiday recording (vinyl) which would you choose?

Also, which Eva Cassidy Songbird vinyl would you choose?  The 33s or the 45?

TIA

Bump

Just ordered  the Eva Cassidy's 33 rpm Songbird recording.

Still searching for a great Billie Holiday recording.

:

Crap!

I didn't get the 180g Eva Cassidy Songbird version.

Anyone have a good link?

ElusiveDisc seems to have it. Is it safe?

What are your opinions on 33rpm vs. 45rpm recordings?

Seems like a pest to keep switching the discs.

:unsure:

Eva Cassidy Songbird 180g is on the way!

 

The Songbird recording is amazing.

👍