Customer Reviews

The Music Of Prohibition (1997 Television Documentary)

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

 

 

When I first saw this CD on the shelf, I snapped it up in an instant. I was a budding new Jazz enthusiast wanting to pick up a few good compilation albums, and when I saw the listing of sings and artists on here, I thought it would be perfect. When I got it home, I popped it in the CD player first thing. To make a long story short, the sound quality is very poor. There is a ton of hiss and you have to crank up the volume to hear the music (thereby amplifying the hiss and distorting the sound even more). I understand that leaving the hiss in makes it more authentic to what records were like, but then again, I'm spoiled by CDs and crystal clear music. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the songs, they are priceless and well worth the little bit of money I paid. I was just dissapointed that the quality was so poor.

I grew up in the 70's. Rock was the thing and I still love it. However this CD is one of my favorites. The only other way to get this sound is getting far away, out of this planet, and try to catch the radio waves still out there, transmitted so many years and years ago. I play this CD on my nostalgia type CD player, it does feel like I am catching an old radio wave. This is exactly what Capone was listening in the 20's. I like every song. Original recordings unaltered are like great looking antique furniture that has not had any restoration done. Not that I like noise or imperfections, (in fact most of my old and antique recordings on CD are almost noise free), but sometimes flaws add originality. The oldest recordings on my Frieda Hempel CD are dated 1909, and I don't mind a little noise. It is not so bad and I know an attempt has been made to eliminate it. A&E's Music Of the Prohibition is great, not only invites you to learn more but it is very enjoyable on its own.

Great songs, with classic editions of each. A classic! The little hisses make it sounds authentic, without taking away from the music at all. You feel like you're right in that great ole time. A good buy!