Located my copy of Oscar Peterson "In Transition". The 1st half of the 2 record set is a live 1965 recording at the Trivoli Gardens in Denmark. It is a mono recording and some times the piano is poorly recorded and breaks up or slurs. It is however an awesome display of the trio with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. Great music, OK recording.
The second half is a new trio with Louis Hayes replacing Mr. Thigpen, later in 1965 in the studio. Much better recording. I hear no problems with the piano but the music is more controlled, not as powerful a recording. Still great though.
So I can see if the OP just listened to the live side he may hear problems with the piano.
Btw, this is an Emarcy reissue of the two dates. Anyone with the original feel free to comment on what they hear. That would be interesting.
Could not find the "Rare Moods" at this time. I am not very organized. |
There are some rough sounding cuts on the second LP too. Some good some bad. Definitely not audiophile, but shows the trio "in transition". All the music is worth having. |
I love a old Herbie Mann record, "Evolution of Mann" Side two of the first lp (2 album set) Hebie on flute, Bill Evans Piano, Chuch Israeles on bass and Paul Motian on drums...ok that's 4 but still a small Jazz acoustic format. The rest of the Album is also very good!!! Hard to find in good shape! |
@acman3, your observations are pretty close. The piano sound ion in transitions is much more together on the second lp that was the second recording session. Your description of the piano on the first lp matches my perception of the honky tonk being loose or slury as u put it. Great description. Shame on the sound people since I know 1965 gear can do better. |
First lp was slury like he said. 2nd was better. Wish all the recordings were given more attention. iPhone can be clumsy for submissions. |
Garybx
I have the Bill Evans box set of 45rpm pressings from Analogue Productions. It is a treasure trove of jazz, and it even includes the Cannonball Adderley "Know What I Mean" album with Bill Evans (probably my favorite of all the wonderful albums in this box).
I've only compared a couple of the albums to their 33rpm equivalents, and I think the 45rpm versions give it that extra layer of realism. Ditto here. After hearing a few superb 33 rpm Bill Evans reissues on Riverside, I was quite skeptical about the 45 rpm reissues, but I am a convert after acquiring a 45 rpm copy of "Sunday at the Village Vanguard." The sound has more weight as compared to the 33 rpm pressing, which certainly contributes to that extra layer of realism you perceived. The air, detail, subtlety, it's all there, but the 45 rpm has that feeling of closeness that 33 rpm lacks. Highly recommended. |
i don't believe anyone mentioned the bad plus--purists will shudder since they're far removed from traditional piano jazz and tend to rock dynamics, but they're damn good. and available on vinyl. |
Another +1 for Hank Jones. I have "Hanky Panky" and "Just for Fun." This thread inspired me to dig out Hanky Panky. The trio on that one is completed by Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums. "Just for Fun" has Ray Brown and Shelley Manne, plus a couple of duets with guitarist extraordinaire Howard Roberts.
Somebody already mentioned the Keith Jarrett "Standards" trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette. If you do some looking, you'll find some of these on LP, most likely ECM, which pretty much qualifies them as audiophile pressings as well. |
I am a fan of Marilyn Crispell, who is one of the best post-Cecil Taylor pianists of our time but she's much more lyrical and delicate particularly in her ballads. It's misleading to called her a Taylor follower as the influence has more to do with their classical background than in style. In recent years she has added a sizable output on ballads in her catalog, which is closer to her other influence in spirit, John Coltrane. Here's an artist fusing the aesthetics of Taylor with the spirituality of Trane and her own her sensitivity. Her trio recordings with bassist Gary Peacock and the late great drummer Paul Motion on ECM are not to be missed. The presence of Motion, unsurprisingly, reminds listeners of the famous Bill Evans trio. Here's a tracking called " Voices From the Past" from her excellent album "Amaryllis" from 2001. Not sure if it is available on vinyl, along with her other ECM recordings. It really doesn't matter to me, I just go for the music so I bought the CD. Sigh...so much music, so little time... ______ |
Now that I got my new rega RP6, the weird older / clasic jazz piano sound / issue is gone. :) |
I like Midnight Sugar from Three Blind Mice. It was close-miked with lots of details and dynamic was explosive. Music is nice too. |
Anything with Bill Evans, Gene Harris, Oscar Peterson, Earl Garner, Bud Powell etc. Benny Green has a good one, Live at the Vanguard with Christian McBride and Carl Allen, good sonics and music.
I would recommend you LISTEN FIRST before purchasing anything on the Three Blind Mice label. I believe they are now defunct which means you will pay a premium for admittedly very good sonics but not very good jazz. The music sounds arranged to me. In other words, if you like jazz look for American jazz artists. The Japanese artists just don't get jazz IMHO. I have listened to numerous of these recordings and to a one they were all plain boring to listen to. Music first, right? |
Tubegroover,
I agree one should listen first before buying the Three Blind Mice recordings. I only like Midnight Sugar and Misty. The others have good sonics but music is so so.
I do have lots of American jazz. One good example is "We Get Request" by Oscar Peterson. Another is "Soular Energy" by Ray Brown and Gene Harris. |
Audiolui
Thank you and based on your response, I shall look for and purchase this recording as I haven't heard it AND providing it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I will hold you personally responsible if I categorize it with the bulk of the titles on that label. I will keep you posted on the results of my findings. ;^) |
After looking for this recording, it doesn't by any chance, have a guy named Yamamoto on piano does it? Please tell me it ain't so. I bought one of his recordings, "What a Wonderful Trio" on, I believe, the JVC label. This was based on a recommendation on THIS SITE. It cost me 35 bucks + shipping to listen to well recorded "cocktail jazz", no thanks if that is the guy on your recommendation, I've heard enough from him on that recording to know he doesn't get it. Please take no offense but to my ears this is NOT jazz. It is geared towards good sound, and nothing about jazz.
Again, please take no offense. My response is for the benefit of the OP and is not meant to insult. The reason I MAKE NOTE of this is the prices asked for this ...., I'll bite my tongue. Check out the prices on e-bay or Amazon. |
"Trident," McCoy Tyner with Ron Carter and Elvin Jones. |
I cant believe that there is no mention of the sublime Shirley Horn with Charles Ables on bass and Steve Williams on drums. Sure is my favorite trio! |
05-17-13: Tubegroover: "if you like jazz look for American jazz artists. The Japanese artists just don't get jazz IMHO." I disagree. Music from the Three Blind Mice label might be boring but to blanketly dismiss all Japanese jazz musicians? ______ |
