2. analog
  3. 1196616281

"Original Jazz Classics"

I picked up a handful of "OJC" 33 RPM pressings from a major online retailer last week. The short version is three are very good recordings and the other two just stink - tinny and compressed. I'm sure it's the recording/mastering and not the particular pressing. The two I'm not happy with are Getz's "The Brothers" and "In the Bag" by Adderly. Labels are Prestige and Jazzland, respectively.

What is the best way to learn to avoid "bad" recordings? I don't think either of these cases are exactly indicative of the labels themselves - I don't think avoiding the labels is the answer.

I suppose I just really need to research the specific recording I'm interested in before buying if I want to avoid this in the future? Or are there some guidelines I might be aware of?
paulfolbrecht
celtic66
1,653 posts
 
In regards to this issue, a friend and I who trade great jazz and blues all of the time say to each other "it's the music stupid". So while I appreciate your pain when trying to listen through bad recordings as we all suffer, sometimes one does have to look beyond.

Many of the great performers had little or no financial means to control recording quality, mastering and final pressing. Many died near penniless. These circumstances framed many legends.

Nobody appreciates a great performance, recording and mastering than myself, however the reality is oft less than optimal.
Post removed 
rccc
216 posts
 
The OJC's are kid of a crap shoot but they are generally about $10.00 so even if you have a dud its not a huge loss. I have quite a few of them and most are very listenable. If its something I really love (waltz for debbie) Then Im also on the lookout for a better copy (ap fantasy 45 ) but the OJC serves me fine in the meantime and gives me a copy I can play on my "B" system when Im not listening critically. Ive never heard of the scorpio bootlegs, how do you identify them? I buy many "audiophile" pressings and find the reject ratio about the same with the difference being that at $30 to $50 bucks I return those.
stew3859's avatar
stew3859
119 posts
 
I am quite sure if these are in fact licensed (and that's a big if), Scorpio is sourcing the material from digital DATs or cds. Clearly, these are not from the master tapes. Seems to undermine the entire purpose of buying LPs in the first place.
paulfolbrecht OP
603 posts
 
I sure agree about cutting from digital - ugh!

Yes, it's true, at $10/each you can afford to risk and 3 out of 5 good recordings is not bad at all. I don't know if I should send back the other two or not. Hardly worth the shipping.

My copy of Waltz for Deb is Riverside and boy is it just a great recording, just like Village Vanguard. Quiet, dynamic, extended, lovely. Also a $10 record. When I listen to something like that, I always ask myself why the hell we need $50 heavy vinyl/45s.
More to discover