Mallette Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Nope. Not Mars, but more "Back to the Future." Began an attempt to begin at least rough classify 78s. What a trip! So many I've never played and I am being introduced to music and musicians new to me and absolutely extraordinary. As most of my stacks remain random, I just took a handful from the front and started. Here are a few revelations: Jose Iturbi - American Concertette and Boogie Woogie Etude I knew the name but considered him largely a classical performer from the 20s to the 60s or so and really couldn't place him well. "American Concertette" is a blues piece by Morton Gould. Incredible performance and excellent sound. The "Boogie Woogie Etude" is also Morton Gould and boogie to the core. I'd never heard of either of these pieces and am in love. Albert Ammons "Shout for Joy" and "Bear Cat Crawl," both extraordinary boogie woogie pieces. Two Pete Johnson discs, all boogie woogie piano solos and Pete was a complete master of the form. "Blues on the Down Beat" was particularly superb. Hattie Hyde - Hard to believe I'd never heard of her. Delta blues at its best with guitar and harmonica. "T N & O Blues" and "Special Question Blues" Sort of "crossover" blues was an acoustic, in pretty bad condition but still a treasure, by Vernon Dalhart, tenor. "The Sinking of the Titanic" and "New River Train," both with guitar and harmonica. Excellent condition and high quality recording of Rosemary Clooney's great hit "Come On-a My House" Eddie Heywood Trio and "The Continental" No vocal, an instrumental treatment of that classic that's the best I've heard. Jack Teagarden - Blazing version of "Dark Eyes" that really makes you want to compare his total ease and incomparable tone to Bix Biederbecke Isham Jones Orchestra, an acoustic Brunswick with '*** Blues" being the best part. Going to spend some more time slipping the surly bonds of time while visiting the stacks of well worn wax this afternoon... Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Jove Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 Dave, I remember first hearing of Iturbi several years ago as I watched an old classic film from the 40's. I believe it was called "Daring Daughters" or something along those lines. I noticed during the credits that Iturbi was playing himself as a conductor, and that made me curious, so I purchased several of his works. Great pianist. Enjoy your time travel/listening. Joseph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Teagarden is amazing! I had the pleasure once of meeting Bud Herseth ( for years lead trumpet with the Chicago symphony - and one of the most respected classical trumpet players in recent history) and it was his opinion that Teagarden's tone and control was second to none. FWIW he is also one of my all time favorite singers. Find a cut of him singing "A Hundred Years From Today" simply awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I need to get my mono system running... the initial investment in a quality tt is stopping me for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 I need to get my mono system running... the initial investment in a quality tt is stopping me for now. If you are talking 78s, quality isn't the same as for LPs. Plenty of vintage tables at low prices that can do the job. Main issue is minimum rumble. Granted, I am using an Empire 598 Mark II but it's way overkill and I think I got it for 300 or so 15 years ago. Stanton 500AL, Shure M44 and such with the right stylus is fine. Think I paid 70.00 or so for the preamp I am using at phonopreamps.com, but even that was a bit much and I spent it because it had something of a "compromise" 78 eq setting that worked better than RIAA. The very BEST investment I made was for the Rek O Cut Re-Equalizer which provides 57 different curves and an excellent manual. Wow...in the "who knew" area. I assure you that folks back when these records were released NEVER heard them this good. Earlier, found another treasure. Freddy Martin Orchestra with...get this...MERV GRIFFIN...singing "The Little Church Near Leicester Square." Superb condition, full range sound and Merv "in your face" close. Had no idea he started as a singer and wondered if it was the same guy until the PAW told me her mother had mentioned that Merv Griffin was once a singer. Another bit one, condition not great but the music transcendental: Paul Robeson (Ol' Man River) singing "Deep River." Ran it...recorded in 1927. These things just don't translate. You gotta play the ball where it lies if you want the experience. I don't know why. I've made some pretty good transcriptions but they NEVER satisfy like that platter spinning at blinding speed. They take over the room like nothing else can and you are THERE. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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