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Leo Wright, sax – Blues Shout – Atlantic SD 1358 (1960)/ Pure Pleasure – vinyl

Leo Wright, sax – Blues Shout – Atlantic SD 1358 (1960)/ Pure Pleasure – vinyl

by | Mar 16, 2017 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Leo Wright, sax – Blues Shout – Atlantic SD 1358 (1960)/ Pure Pleasure PPAN SD1358 (2017) stereo vinyl, 40:33 *****: Leo Wright’s auspicious debut is captured with a compelling vinyl re-mastering. (Leo Wright – alto saxophone, flute, arrangements; Harry Lookofsky – violin; Junior Nance – piano; Art Davis – doublebass; Charlie Persip – drums; Richard Williams – trumpet; Gigi Gryce – arrangements) Many jazz greats emerged from their days with Dizzy Gillespie. Charlie Parker, John Lewis, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke, James Moody, Quincy Jones  and Les Spann all participated in various combos with Gillespie. In 1959 a young Texan named Leo Wright took over for Spain. In the Army, Wright had developed an assortment of musical skills, playing jazz, big band and was part of the symphony. He became proficient on alto saxophone, clarinet and flute. While attending San Francisco State, he got to sit in with Dizzy. After several recordings as a sideman, he was signed to Atlantic Records as a frontman. Here, Wright would develop as an arranger, composer and instrumentalist. Wright’s brilliant Atlantic debut, Blues Shout has been re-mastered to 180-gram vinyl by Pure Pleasure Records. And this analog upgrade is worth it. Both sides […]

Star Wars, remastered – (A New Hope – IV 1977, The Empire Strikes Back – V 1980, Return of the Jedi – VI 1983), Blu-ray (2011)

Star Wars, remastered – (A New Hope – IV 1977, The Empire Strikes Back – V 1980, Return of the Jedi – VI 1983), Blu-ray (2011)

by | Jan 7, 2017 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

The first three Star Wars films in their improved digital versions, and on Blu-ray. Star Wars, remastered – (A New Hope – IV 1977, The Empire Strikes Back – V 1980, Return of the Jedi – VI 1983), Blu-ray (2011) Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse Directors: George Lucas – IV, Irvin Kershner – V, Richard Marquand – VI Music: John Williams Studio: Lucasfilm/ 20th Century Fox (3 discs) (9/16/11) Video: 2.35:1 for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English and made-up languages, DTS-HD MA 5.1, French DTS 5.1, Spanish DTS 5.1 Dubbed: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish Extras: Commentary tracks (2) incl. actual interviews with the cast and crew Length: TT: 387 min. Rating: ***** It was a  more than worthwhile thing to experience the epic story of Star Wars with high definition, re-done cgi digital effects, and pure digital surround sound. (Even though I am much more of a Star Trek fan.) Lucas transformed his films into “special editions” with new scenes and special effects, which were greeted with shrugs by most fans. Lucas also made the new remastered versions the only ones available. […]

BERLIOZ: Symphonie fantastique – Royal Concertgebouw Orch./ Daniele Gatti – RCO/ Avotros 45rpm vinyl (2)

BERLIOZ: Symphonie fantastique – Royal Concertgebouw Orch./ Daniele Gatti – RCO/ Avotros 45rpm vinyl (2)

by | Dec 29, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Amazing fidelity in this 45 rpm vinyl, though perhaps not the best performance. HECTOR BERLIOZ: Symphonie fantastique – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/ Daniele Gatti – RCO/ Avotros 45 RPM vinyl (2 discs) ****1/2: Gatti is the seventh conductor of the famed Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amserdam, and takes an unconventional version of the score which has astonished audience since its premiere in 1830. He has a sense of surprise and freshness based on the thorough knowledge of Berlioz’ score, and the joy of making music with the RCO member players who choose Gatti as their new chief conductor. This a masterful job of remastering at 45 rpm. Unfortunately, the performance – while excellent – doesn’t seem to find anything new in this extraordinary work of Berlioz.  It is also available on a fine RCO multichannel SACD (which I have not heard) but using the pseudo-surround feature on most preamps creates an absolutely enveloping music in surround effect with this magnificent 45 rpm remastering. One writer compared the SACD sonics to the SACDs of the ten Mahler Symphonies released a few years ago by the Concertgebouw. The warmth and ambiance of the acoustically-perfect concert hall come thru either way. You would have to […]

Three Three Muskateers (Silent) (1921/2016)

Three Three Muskateers (Silent) (1921/2016)

by | Dec 25, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

The first Three Muskateers film, starring Doug Fairbanks in 1921! Three Three Muskateers (1921/2016) Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Adolphe Menjou, Mary MacLarn, Nigel De Brulier Director: Fred Niblo Writer: Alexandre Dumas Studio: Verdoux-vision/ Synergy Ent./ Undercrank Productions/ Silent Cinema Presentations Inc. 2016 Restoration: Karl Malkames New theater organ score: Ben Model Video: 4:3 B&W, tinted Audio: stereo PCM Length: 119 min. Rating: **** This is the 95th anniversary remastering of the original Douglas Fairbanks film, and a very good job they have done. The success of The Mark of Zorro in 1920 gave Fairbanks the impetus to create his own production, set in France hundreds of years ago, with lavish sets, a large cast and magnificent costumes. The swashbuckling Fairbanks found his place as a celebrity and creator of fine films with this one. D’Artagnan turned out to be a role Fairbanks was born to play. He looked to the exuberant Gascon young man as his ideal screen self, and this was a sort of a career leap to the sort of action film which is popular today. Fairbanks showed bravery, arrogance and a fine touch of humor thruout the film. He was also a fine athlete who did his own […]

The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3)

The Marx Brothers = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3)

by | Oct 23, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A Silver Screen Blu-ray collection of the first five (and funniest) Marx Bros. movies. The Marx Brothers  = The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, Duck Soup – Blu-ray (3) (1929-1933/2016) Cast: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, Margaret Dumont Directors: Victor Heerman, Norman Z. McLeod, Joseph Santley, Robert Florey, Leo McCarey Studio: Paramount/ Universal Studios Home Ent. 61181320 (10/18/16) Video: 1:33 for 4:3 B&W Audio: English mono PCM Subtitles: English SDH, French Extras: See below Length: TT: 408 min. Rating: *****   At least three of the four Marx Brothers are the reigning kings of comedy on film and they remain one of the most iconic comic teams of all time. And these – their first five films for Paramount – are the most hilarious of all their work – the later ones for MGM get more serious are are not filled with comedy sketches, witty dialogue and plenty of gags like these five. The first one, from 1929, was actually the first all-talking and music sound film – The Jazz Singer only has a part with sync sound. And this was when many films had the sound on separate discs that had to be synced […]

CHOPIN: Etudes Op. 10 Nos. 4, 10, and 11; Etudes Op. 25 Nos. 5, 8, 11, and 12; Ballades Op. 23, 38, 47, and 52; Nocturne No. 1; Nocturne No. 2; Polonaise No. 7, “Polonaise-fantaisie” – Sviatoslav Richter, p. – Praga DigitalsRAVEL: Gaspard de la nuit; Piano Concerto in G; Valses nobles et sentimentales; DEBUSSY: Children’s Corner – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, p. – Praga Digitals

CHOPIN: Etudes Op. 10 Nos. 4, 10, and 11; Etudes Op. 25 Nos. 5, 8, 11, and 12; Ballades Op. 23, 38, 47, and 52; Nocturne No. 1; Nocturne No. 2; Polonaise No. 7, “Polonaise-fantaisie” – Sviatoslav Richter, p. – Praga DigitalsRAVEL: Gaspard de la nuit; Piano Concerto in G; Valses nobles et sentimentales; DEBUSSY: Children’s Corner – Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, p. – Praga Digitals

by | Mar 27, 2013 | Classical Reissue Reviews

Both of these recordings offer valuable insights into the artistry of legendary pianists. For me, though, the Richter is a far more appealing artifact. (Note: these are SACDs.)