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Review by miguelito54 April 8, 2008 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
I was almost tempted to describe this as a classic of easy listening jazz, but making music like this, on a high level of musicianship but still entertaining, is so hard to do, and probably a lost art.
Vince Guaraldi was a master at this, one of the most swinging West Coast pianists with a great affinity towards Latin music. Bassist Monty Budwig has a nice rubbery sound, drummer Colin Bailey swings with exuberance and technical aplomb.
I had the Original Jazz Classics CD before this which sounds nice, but flat in comparison to this SACD: there's alot more detail in the sound of brushes and cymbals, more space around the instruments. Sometimes there is a slight decrease of high frequencies, probably caused by tape ageing, and on track 2, the opening piano is heard only on the right channel for a few seconds. I suppose these defects are in the orginal tapes ... The music has so much feeling that I will rather not complain. Lie back and enjoy! The sound is as good as it gets for a 1962 recording: Direct and natural. Ideal to brighten up your day.
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Review by JW November 7, 2004 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing ! And this disc surely swings. It's a delicate, bossa nova flavored jazz, swing. The piano is the star here with tasteful drumming and Monty Budwig on bass almost in a subservient role. Monty can swing with the best of them and I would have liked to hear him a little more prominently here, but that's a matter of taste I guess. The sonics are analog-like, but the piano lacks extension, body and at times distorts in the treble. A quick comparison with piano discs such as Bill Evans - also on APO - reveal a more natural sound. Evans' piano simply sounds more like a piano. The Oscar Peterson discs win in terms of clarity and impact. The tapes are showing their age in Guaraldi's case. My SA-CD also has some drop outs in track 1 and 2. Overall a delightful disc which, while sonically compromised*, never fails to please.
Jw
*take this with a grain of audiophile salt :-) it does not sound bad.
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Review by flyingdutchman August 13, 2003 (1 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics: |
Absolutely wonderful jazz in the samba style. I bought this expecting Guaraldi's similar sounding Charlie Brown Christmas. It is fantastic music-making. The sound is old, but still sounds really good. Buy this w/o reservations.
One thing to note: the SACD layer of this has a defect. I have found out that Sonopress in Germany has admitted to the problem and Acousticsounds.com will replace your discs should you have the problem. I hope mine will be on the way pronto because I love this disc.
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