Late

The RVGs — for the early Doug Hawkins material, at least — presented tracks in recording order with the exception that alternates were placed (wisely, I think) at the end of a session. I got so used to this presentation that I wasn't even aware of the original vinyl track order. These SHM CDs restore that vinyl track order, as mentioned above, and I'm glad for it. I like the "story" that Alfred's decision for track order creates. (Maybe it wasn't Alfred's decision alone; I don't know. Perhaps Wolff or the artists themselves played into the final decision for track order. Chuck could probably level an assertion in this regard.) For me, a good example of how recording order doesn't work is the Ornette Coleman Atlantic box. While I love that box set, I created CDRs of each album in their vinyl order, with "bonus" tracks at the end. I originally got to know those recordings in their vinyl track order, and couldn't undo the expectation of what I'd hear next. I do understand the appeal of recording order — in that it reflects, to some extent, the evolution of a session — but sometimes recording order, when I listen that way, makes me feel like I've made a sandwich with the contents on the outside and the bread on the inside. I also sometimes think that if Blue Note recording artists from back in the day were to read through a thread like this, they might say: You crazy!!! Still doesn't diminish my enthusiasm for this new series, though. And now you guys have me wondering about the SHM of Odyssey of Iska, one of the few McMasters I was actually content with. Argh!

Anyone listened to this — for cello — in the last ten years that this thread was started? I'll have a go at it this weekend.

Ah — I mistakenly assumed the photo was taken at Atlantic's studio. Is that a rehearsal space they're in?

No kidding. Such a shame that the fire (arson?) destroyed those unheard gems.

Just now read through the interview that Paul posted the link to — thanks, Paul! Man ... the tapes Ornette must have. Sheez. Was that the photo, Colin?

You mean this series? A fantastic, and hugely overlooked, Japanese reissue series.

It just occurred to me that about 50% (maybe slightly more?) of the Elvin Jones Mosaic is now part of this SHM-CD series — as individual titles. Not a bad way to get to hear (some of) those sessions. A few pages back in this thread, mention was made of Larry Young's Unity. I wonder if that title is forthcoming in this series (if, indeed, the series itself is forthcoming). I have Contrasts on pre-order, but passed on Of Love and Peace. What titles would you like to see in this series? I'm especially interested when a new title in this series doesn't have a TOCJ predecessor. And I also like that this series isn't (so far) weighted toward the classic Blue Note hardbop menu (as great as that is).

Just finished listening to the TYCJ of The All Seeing Eye. This is the third time I've purchased this title — first, the 1994 Larry Walsh Connoisseur ed., then the RVG, now the TYCJ. I must say — the re-purchase was worth it. I think this was a well-recorded session to begin with, but rarely (in my opinion) did Rudy get the drums so right. The TYCJ brings a new dimension to Joe Chambers' drums — in particular, the toms. You can "hear" the wood more readily now, if that makes sense. This new edition also has considerable dynamic range — if there is any EQ-ing or compression, it was tastefully handled. Shorter's tone is gorgeous on this outing; the TYCJ would seem to push it considerably up-front (maybe a little mid-range boosting?), which is not going to be to everyone's taste, but I think (i.e. assume) this is in the original recording. Anyway, if you're a fan of this record, you'll probably like this new Japanese edition. For me, Al Shorter's composition — and Wayne's solo on his brother's tune — is the record's highlight. I wish Wayne would have recorded more — a whole album? — of his brother's work. Next up — A New Conception ...

That's a good question. The TYCJ of New York Is Now! sounds like a different mix to my ears, but I don't know. Addey didn't pan the horns out as much (if I'm using the terminology correctly). The TYCJ is very much stereo, if you know what I mean. It's nice to have both editions to go back and forth with. I could be off here, but Addey's edition sounds more neutral over all. I bought the Addey editions of both discs (New York is Now! & Love Call) in 1990 — now almost 25 years ago! Hard to believe. The music hasn't aged a bit. One of the perks of re-purchasing a title (read: here comes the rationalization) is checking it out all over again, and re-connecting with the music. I remember buying those discs for the first time — along with the Elvin Jones Lighthouse discs — and scratching my head and loving them simultaneously. This TYCJ series — according to Google Translate — is being compiled by Michael "Kusu-kuna" and "Whereabouts" Hitoshi.

To answer my own question — yes, the new TYCJ has the original Mel Fuhrman overdubs. The disc (I received it this weekend) also has a much wider soundstage than the 1989/90 edition that Malcolm Addey worked on. Both sound good — I'm not going to ditch the 1990 disc. I've always loved Dewey Redman's entrance on "The Garden of Souls" — creepy, and who else has ever played like that? On the new TYCJ, you can hear finer details on how he's achieving that weird sound; soundstage-wise, it "appears" from the top-center, and fairly descends through Elvin's drums. Bizarre, in the best of ways. I think I like how Elvin's drums were handled better on the Addey edition, however, but maybe I'm just hearing how they were originally recorded. The TYCJ's I've heard so far aren't too loud. (They are louder than McMasters.) They (the TYCJ's) compare quite closely with the Blue Note XRCD's I've heard. At times, horns sound too aggressive to me (on the TYCJ's), but I think that's because I'm so used to listening to the Blue Note Works TOCJ's. While I'm enjoying this new series, I won't be abandoning my TOCJ's. For my system and preferences, they're probably still my favorite. But, agreeing with comments above, the Monk TYCJ's sound good, and are a considerable improvement over the RVGs. In contrast, I prefer the Miles Davis TOCJ's to their new TYCJ counterparts. I don't know if any of this helps board members here. My impressions of this new series so far are positive. The artwork is being carefully handled (it's much finer than the TOCJ artwork) — one example is that the TYCJ of New York Is Now! brings back the color artwork that was on the back of the original LP. Nice touch! The inner photos (some of them entirely new to me) are also nicely presented. The bonus tracks are great. I hope this series adds at least another 100 titles.

For those who like hardcopy lists, attached is a Word file of erwbol's original list — re-typed with the catalog numbers first. 100 titles up to February 24, 2014. What will the next 100 titles be? (Or will there be another hundred?) tycj-100.doc

I like how you said "many more" as opposed to "any more" ...

That would be the "Kempff Campff."

Oh great — now your TYCJs are going to sound even better.

I shop through Amazon a fair amount, but almost exclusively through their marketplace. I guess the change had been there for some time, and I just didn't notice it. When I have ordered directly from Amazon, I must admit there's always been a strange pleasure at getting the total just pennies over $25. Kind of like: Take that, Amazon! (Cue image of Zoro.) Now with the $35 minimum, the incentive to purchase directly from Amazon is considerably diminished. And I still cringe somewhat at the $4 marketplace shipping fee for a compact disc, especially when said disc is, say, $2.99. (But, I do recognize, that U.S. residents are spoiled this way.) Remember, back in the day of (the real) Tower, when free shipping came at $20? With a coupon (when those existed more readily), you could get out with a purchase of around $15, and have it shipped for free.

For years it was $25 to ship for free domestically. Now it appears to be $35. Did this just happen today?

Mitsuko Uchida's cycle on Philips gets a lot of rave reviews. I own it; the recorded sound is stunning, but the playing, at least so far in my listening, leaves me a little cold. Maybe I'll change my mind (I hope so) with continued listening. Right now, I prefer Kempff (as far as cycles go) on DG. Kempff's playing might be more polite (maybe some would say "poetic") than "intellectual," but there's also a sense of effortless grace and forward motion. Maybe it's just that I seem to like my Schubert not-too-heavy. Regardless, I would recommend the Kempff box as a good starting point to explore Schubert's sonatas. I'm still very much "learning" them. Richter, of course, has a special way with Schubert. The various titles on Olympia/Regis/Alto are worth picking up.

Good luck with your move, and thanks for the information you've posted to date!

Any new reports on this series? I'm trying to hold off on my first TYCJ purchase until February. (Yeah, right.) I just noticed — no Dex in this series?? (And four Elvin titles!) If the series continues after 81100, it'll be very interesting to see what comes next. Who knows, maybe Tyrone Washington + the damaged locomotive will show up. (OK, probably not, but who saw these hidden alternates coming?) And no Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 2??

Just got done listening to these two records back-to-back. Good feelings.

Don Cherry: Complete Confusion Larry Young: Contacts Larry Young: 7-Eleven on Earth Andrew Hill: Grass Boots Art Blakey: Prosaic Hank Mobley: Dopin' (Lance Armstrong remix) Hank Mobley: Thinking of Homeland Security John Coltrane: Reduced Carbon Footprint Transportation Jackie McLean: A Freakin' Thong Dance

Good points erwbol & etherbored. I would imagine more titles are forthcoming. However unlikely, I pray for some curveballs: Sidney Bechet, early Ike Quebec, George Lewis ... heck, Jackie McLean's Tippin The Scales (with the Japanese King cover)!

Perhaps (if actually not an error) this means the original LP mastering? Didn't Van Gelder remaster some titles that Doug Hawkins recorded? On another note: I just read through the (translated) Japanese EMI page for this anniversary edition, and there's no clear indication that there will be more than 50 titles. Uh? I hope I'm wrong about this. It'd be weird to leave as orphans certain Vol. 2's. Maybe David Weiss could weigh in on this?

Thanks, erwbol, for your information. It'll be interesting to see how many titles this 75th anniversary edition includes. I'm tempted to pick up the Monk titles as I only have them as RVGs. The re-purchase bug continues. (I'm still bummed that Sam Rivers Blue Note titles haven't been included in any XRCD or hybrid SACD reissue ... and now TYCJ? )

I'd be interested in hearing how the new TYCJs compare with the Blue Note Works TOCJs. Anyone here conducted an A/B test? Current Japanese CDs (the last I've purchased anyway) seem incredibly loud. I'm wondering if this is also the case for the TYCJs.