Customer Reviews

Complete Legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally! The music sans all the "bacon-frying" crackling noise that plagued the inexcusably noisy Sony/Columbia release. The dense and incessant crackling was the one thing that kept me from enjoying, much less even hearing all the music on the Sony release. On THIS import edition, you can actually clearly hear ALL of Gene Krupa's wire brush work on the snares and cymbals. the crackles on the Sony kept me from even hearing the quieter parts most of the time. BTW, I am not one of those magically gifted folk who can somehow "listen through" noise - the degree of impulsive noise on Phil Schaap's edition acts just like glare on a car windshield, preventing me from hearing the quieter parts of the music, just as windshield glare keeps me from seeing the road. So I can heartily recommend THIS much improved edition. BRAVO!

I must say here, that I am intrigued as to how they eliminated the crackle, IOW I'd sure like to know which process they used. The other folks on this forum who find this edition to be too noisy, must not have heard the Sony version.

It pains me to give less than 5 stars to this monumental recording, but the background noises compromise it just a trifle. I've listened to this 1938 Carnegie Hall concert since I was a kid on vinyl, and the vinyl versions, produced in the 60's and 70's, are far superior in sound quality to this. I'm no expert on modern musical technology, but there must be a way to eliminate some of the annoying buzz in the background. I have CD"s of this concert released by other companies and their sound quality was superior to this.

Now, having dispensed with this criticism, the music played on this date is astonishing. Here are the definitive Goodman versions of three of his classic tracks, "Sing, Sing, Sing," "One O'Clock Jump" and the incomparable "Don't Be That Way." This last song is average in the studio-recorded Bluebird version, but this live song is enlivened by some of Krupa's greatest bass beats. This will have you jumpin' out of your seat, guaranteed!

Benny's band was at its apex here and it shows. All too soon, both Gene Krupa and Harry James would be leaving the band. I recommend this disc as an essential popular recording of the 20th century, but beware of the background hiss throughout.

I have a original LP of the 38 Jazz Concert. I feel the new CD is lacking in Quality. I expect better from a CD.
However I am glad to have it.

familiar with the recording. had to have one of my own. not disappointed.

Does anybody know how this new remastering compares in sound quality to the better-known Sony release?

I bought this CD to replace my older CD of the concert that disappeared. Of the various versions of the concert available, this one is among the most reasonably priced and the reproduction quality is fine.