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Recording quality effect on listening pleasure ...

I love jazz but admittedly I have a problem listening to early gems (say 40s through the early 50s) because the performances typically weren't recorded as well as during 50s and 60s. Now, I fully realize there were some terrible recordings during that time but for the most part I feel the quality of the recording improved substantialy in the later years. The disturbing part is that these wonderful performances are going unlistened to (at least for me) because I can't get past the quality of the recording. Is this just me or does anyone else feel the same way?

Many thanks,

JP
jpstereo
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Have you listened to the Music Matters Blue Note reissues mastered by Steve Hoffman? These are among the greatest recordings I have ever heard and the music represents the best of American Jazz.

You did not mention if your primary playback was LP or CD, but if you can spin LP's, I encourage you to try these.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
recorded music is what it is. enjoy the song...and don't worry about something you can't control....woody herman, benny goodman, and glen miller rock too.
xiekitchen
821 posts
 
JP,
I feel the same way... I am leery of recordings before, say, 1955. I have noticed some VERY good sounding recordings made as early as 1957. In fact, some recordings made around 1959-62 sound better than music recorded around a decade later... who knows why.
casey33
260 posts
 
This is probably not the site to say it,but it's only the music.Get the best music and continually upgrade your ability to play it back.The greatest music,whatever you feel that may be,will touch that part of your soul that seeks it regardless of playback issues.Conversely no matter how good your playback,mediocre is mediocre.
twb2
129 posts
 
"The greatest music,whatever you feel that may be, will touch that part of your soul that seeks it regardless of playback issues." Cassey 33

Very true! And, a great system increases that joy immensely. Nonetheless, I recently was floored by a recording of Rosa Ponselle (1920's) which I have listened to on lesser systems, and did not understand why she was considered so great, but when I heard it on my current system, it really did it come through.
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