Linda Ronstadt/Nelson Riddle

Lewm ...

I have that Sinatra album ... its a killer, especially if you're a little depressed. Great sound. Funny how with a great system the personalities of the singers just comes through along with the music. Sinatra was such a great singer. I've read that he was so good that he'd walk into the studio and do one take ... and that was all she wrote. Good right from the get-go.

Here's another album you guys should get:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANDREAS-VOLLENWEIDER-White-Winds-Original-PROMO-LP-from-1984-CBS-FM-39963-/361281480275?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item541e0de653

Bifwynne ... this album will make your Maggies sing for sure.

Bifwynne ...

I'm happy that you're enjoying the recordings. They're among my favorites.

Here's another must have: Dean Martin's "Dream With Dean." Its just been re-released by acoustic sounds on a two-record set ... 45rpm. But, if you can find a clean copy of the original, its simply magic. This is what you're looking for: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEAN-MARTIN-LP-REPRISE-RS-6123-STEREO-DREAM-WITH-DEAN-/351071651187?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51bd804573

If you get this album, you will be freaking out. It that good.

Lewm ...

Linda was indeed re-doing the old ballads as you said. I was brought up on this music. My Mom was a huge fan of the big bands of the 40's and I got indoctrinated. I have albums by Jo Stafford, Helen Merrill, June Christy Sinatra, Freddy Martin, Dick Haymes, Margaret Whiting, and a ton of others. I thought Linda Ronstadt brought a fresh voice into the mix ... so I bought them all. Even a box set with French pressings. The French pressings are quieter than the domestic ones, but the domestic ones sound just as good.

Bifwynne ...

I'm thrilled that you are enjoying your SE upgrade. Its a real transformation for sure. I have a little over 300 hours on my REF SE now. So, with that said, I have another album recommendation for you guys.

My friend Robert came over last night and he brought with him a very rare Margaret Whiting album. One cut on the album was "I Love You Porgy." About half way through the cut, I commented that as good as Whiting was, this song could only be sung correctly with the proper emotional impact by a Black female singer. Listen carefully to the lyrics and you'll understand why.

So, I got out my rare original mono version of Nina Simone singing the same song. This album has been buried in my collection and hasn't been played since I had the ARC SP-14 and Classic 60 in the system. So, there's been a ton of improvements to the system since then.

Robert and I just sat there awestruck. What a GREAT album this is ... and the sound is amazing. It puts Nina Simone right there in the room. This is the kind of mono record that has you saying ... "who needs stereo?" My suggestion is ... RUN to Ebay to find this album. Only consider the mono version though.The stereo version sucks and so does the CD. This is what you're looking for:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NINA-SIMONE-Little-Girl-Blue-LP-NEW-SEALED-JAZZ-VOCAL-VINYL-/400931511948?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d59615e8c

This one is a reissue. If it were me, I'd try to find a mint original. Here's an original for sale on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NINA-SIMONE-Little-Girl-Blue-LP-BETHLEHEM-BCP-6028-Orig-US-1958-JAZZ-DG-MONO-/261914443289?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfb513e19