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I started out with some Kinks to warm up my system, then onto some Miles in Mono
Kinks- Kinkdom Reprise Steamboat Label First Pressing Mono VG++/EX
Much like the Beatles and Stones, this is a US compilation album of tracks that previously appeared on various UK singles and EPs. It kicks (Kinks ?) off with the single "Well Respected Man" and goes on from there. The album is interesting throughout and is a wonderful slice of Mid 60's Mod/Pop. Recording quality is very good- surprisingly so for a rock album from the era. I understand the mono mix is slightly different from the stereo mix- regardless, bass is moderately deep and articulate. Midrange and vocals have nice depth, without any "grunge", in fact vocals are very clear. Extreme treble is slightly rolled off- but up to the extreme, HF is very clean and clear. Guitars "chime" cymbals shimmer with some decay. US Kinks of this era are available and moderately cheap for VG++/EX to NM copies.
Miles Davis- Workin' Prestige NJ First Pressing NM condition
Yeah Baby this is da' bomb ! So cool it could stop global warming ! Extremely well recorded by Mr. Van Gelder. Miles is close miked so you hear brief intakes of breath just before a note. You can hear air and valves moving in the trumpet, then the sound explode out of the bell and in your face. Paul Chamber's bass is another star on this LP. He has air and space to stretch out and move up and down the long neck of his upright. Bass response does not plumb the depths but there is enough there to provide impact and realism. Treble has nice extension and decay.
Miles Davis- Steamin' Prestige NJ First Pressing VG+ condition
Another in the Prestige trilogy. Sublime recording of Miles' first great quintet. Highlights include "Surrey With The Fringe On Top", "Salt Peanuts" and "When I Fall In Love". Overall tone of this session is a bit more laid back and ballad like than the others. "Surrey" was an homage to Ahmad Jamal who Miles admired. Salt Peanuts shows the telepathic interplay of the band. Not quite the breakneck speed of other versions, but the band definitely puts their stamp on this classic track. "When I Fall In Love" is a standard tune that allows Miles and co to shine. There is a melancholy tone to Miles' trumpet that is echoed by Trane and Red Gardland. Sonics on this one are not quite as good as Workin' but I'm not getting rid of it either. Bass is adequate. Midrange is very clear, with great definition. Treble is rolled off but that may be related to condition as I heard some mistracking during a trumpet solo.
Miles Davis Cookin' Prestige NJ 2nd Pressing. VG+
Yes even more great Miles. To me this sounds the best of the 3, even though it is a 2nd pressing. There is some surface noise that I was able to minimize by switching between L/R channels (love this feature of some preamps). But this pressing had probably the best treble extension and decay of upper harmonics. Bass again was not very deep, but articulate and provided enough foundation to sound real. Midrange was clean and clear. Highlights are "My Funny Valentine", and "Airegin". The former would be revisited in a few years and become a landmark recording. The later looked backward to his collaborations with Sonny Rollins earlier in the decade.
Nice way to spend an afternoon.
Follow Ups:
Ross, thanks for the comments.
I always wonder when anyone reports on listening if they have a true mono cartridge, a strapped mono (stereo based), or mono switch on their preamp?
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." Thelonious Monk
I will purchase a single coil mono cartridge in the near future, and I have a dedicated TT ready to go (Technics SP-15 / AT 1503 arm). I will probably buy a used Ortofon CG25di from Japan, or a vintage ESL/Ortofon and then have it rebuilt. I am intrigued by vintage Fairchild and Grado mono cartridges also. I am REALLY looking forward to comparing true mono to strapped mono !
Interesting segue from the Kinks to Miles but who am I to judge. Nice mini reviews!
...I don't play this Deutsche Grammophon large tulips 3 LP set. The music on these LPs come closest to affirming my belief in the divine. One of my best ever dollar thrift store finds and a desert island disc for damn sure!
Still spinnin'...
;^)
Yep... that'll do that!
A keeper in many if not all ways.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
....which is the kind of thing you can find if you go to enough flea markets and estate sales. I have found a few things, but not that one.
I imagine that with the amount of time spent cruising the thrifts, fleas and estates I've paid full value. It really is just incredible music and is what makes it worth while.
Thanks for your comments.
Still spinnin'...(and searchin')
;^)
Nice suggestion. Thanks!
"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
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