Jim Hall's Concerto

[Brad]

Any views on this one. I heard You'd be so nice to come to on the radio the other day and was impressed. Any thoughts?

[JSngry]

A little bit sleepy overall, but in a not bad way.

Don't know how the cd sounds, but the original lp was one of the best sounding CTIs I've ever heard. In fact, that's the main reason I still pull the thing out every once in a while, to revel in that narcotic sound.

Muiscally, it's ok, nothing horrible or anything, but everybody involved has done what is to me more compelling work elsewhere.

[marcoliv]

based on Claude's recommendations i got the SACD from Mobile Fidelity and the sound is amazing.

i love this album since i was a kid so for me it's a must have. i'm also addicted to the Concierto de Aranjuez so it's a perfect combination.

back in 1983 i went to Aranjuez in Spain just to fulfill my deep passion about this piece. a small but beautiful place with a lovely castle.

the latest edition adds 2 bonus tracks & 3 alternate takes, one of them being You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To btw.

the lineup shows Paul Desmond, Chet Baker, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd and Roland Hanna.

Brad, if you don't like it i'll reimburse you

Marcus

[jazzmessenger]

I LOVE IT!!! You can go wrong with Jim Hall and Paul Desmond playing together. It's a beautiful album.

[connoisseur series500]

I like it also. One of my favorite CTIs.

[skeith]

Leaves me cold, there are so many superior Jim Hall cds to this one.

[mikeweil]

True from a certain angle - but one of the best CTI's! CD sounds good to me.

[mgraham333]

Coincidentally picked this one up tonight. I had been considering the SACD version since it came out, but had yet to pull the trigger on that one. I found the standard CD issue at B&N and bought it along with a few RCA Living Stereo SACDs on the cheap.

I've only listened to a little of Concierto. All of You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To and Concierto de Aranjuez. This group really meshes well. It's some of the prettiest playing by Baker and Desmond that I've heard.

I have to admit I like this version of Concierto de Aranjuez better than the one on Sketches of Spain. It's softer, easier to chill to.

The sound on the CD is excellent. I can't imagine it sounding any better on SACD...although it is a MFSL.

Apparently there is a rave review of the SACD by John Mark in Feb '05 issue of Stereophile.

[clandy44]

Brad-Just bought the vinyl on eBay last month and think it is some of Hall's best work. Like mgraham, I enjoy the Concierto and agree that it is more accessible here than on Sketches. The CTI recording is excellent, by the way.-Chuck

[Claude]

I have the SACD and I prefer it to the standard remastered 1997 CD version, because it has a more fuller and smoother sound.

But as on many CTI sessions, the recording is not that great (too processed), so the difference between the two discs is not that relevant. The MFSL disc is almost 3 times as expensive. But it will certainly become a collector's item as soon as it is OOP.