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Wow...what a record

I'm sure everybody has said that to themselves at one time or another: you just sit there slack-jawed after the record ends, with your tongue hanging down to your waist, in shock and awe at what you just heard.

Here's two for you: the Classic reissues of the Antill Corroborree (Everest) and the incredible Fiedler/Wild disc of Gershwin (RCA Living Stereo) with the Concerto in F, the I Got Rhythm Variations, and the Cuban Overture. The former may be the best-sounding record, bar none, that I've ever heard (in 35 years of listening). The latter is right up there alongside it in terms of sound, and the performance is stunning beyond words--were Fiedler, the Boston Pops, and Earl Wild *ever* in more spectacular form? The Classic reissues of both are glorious beyond words.

If I didn't own a record player, I think I'd have to buy one just to play these records.

Any particular records strike you in this way--that make the whole endeavor seem worthwhile?
bublitchki

Showing 2 responses by dirtyragamuffin

dirtyragamuffin
213 posts
 
I'm really digging on the latest 180g Dark Side of the Moon pressing. The best I've heard so far! Just a very good sounding reissue. I like the Kind of Blue Classic Records 200g as well, and the latest 180g pressing of Portisehead's Dummy. These don't have a ton of panache but they make me sit and grin afterwards, I can tell you that ;) I can't stand to listen to any of the redbook copies now, I've been completely spoiled. Just can't do it :)
dirtyragamuffin
213 posts
 
Bublitchki, yes it's the single-disc 33 1/3, and side one was pitch corrected. I don't want to make too wild of a comparison as the only other vinyl pressing that I've had a chance to listen to somewhat seriously was, if I recall, an oooollld second pressing in "OK" shape. Compared to that one, the Classic Records has a much more airy top end, more "correct" sounding low end (I can hear the timbre of the upright without having to strain) and it's fairly "open." Everything seems wider and I hear more subtlties. There does seem to be more surface noise than I'd like, but I've just gotten new speakers and they are still burning in, so take that for what it's worth--the noise floor wasn't nearly as obtrusive through my old speakers, but their HF drivers weren't as good, either ;) Basically, it's an unfair comparison, but let's put it this way, I'm not left feeling ripped off by spending $40+ on the Classic Records.

There are many different pressings of this album as we know, and I hate say I haven't heard most of them. I was introduced to Kind of Blue on redbook, not sure which iteration, and it was (not surprisingly) very mediocre. I have not heard SACD.
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