Cal Blacksmith Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 While on vacation two weeks ago, I managed to pick up a few LPs, no big deal in and of itself. I filed them away and when I got home, I set them aside for cleaning and listening. One of the LPs I picked up was a copy of Duke Ellington at Newport, 1956. Sure after cleaning there were the few pops and crackles from a used but loved LP and they were easy enough to ignore but let me tell you that the $10 I spent for the record was some of the best investment in music I could have done! Sure it was a bit high for the LP but MAN is it a WONDERFULL LISTEN!! The Duke had written a number for the festival and it was ok but the audience started to leave after it and he reached back into his music kit and came out with Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue (a 20 year old number) and the people started coming back. It was an AWESOME performance of the number, with Paul Gonsalves playing 27 choruses of a tenor sax solo with the audience demanding four encores! I was fully involved in the performance, part of the audience that was there that night, hanging on each note with my feet jumping while I had an ear to ear grin! Also played that night was âJeepâs Bluesâ which was written for a long time Ellington band member, Alto sax player âRabbitâ Johnny Hodges. His live performance that night was one to remember. To quote a review of his performance, â âJeep's Bluesâ was an Ellington vehicle for his premiere alto saxophonist whom the composer lovingly called âRabbit.â Johnny Hodges was one of Duke Ellington's most faithful band members and was rewarded with several compositions written specifically for him. Over the simple and familiar theme of the song, Hodges played the most embarrassingly sensual solos ever recorded. In addition, particularly in the final chorus, he perfected big band blues playing on the alto saxophoneââ¦â¦. âThe live âJeep's Bluesâ is loud and virile. With a testosterone-fueled swagger, this song builds a dense and perfectly balanced momentum. The studio version of this song is down right bashful by comparison as are Hodges' timid soloing. âJeep's Bluesâ was the highlight- that in the face of fifty years of writing.â The recording has been released on CD and the original LP sold hundreds of thousands of copies, more than any other record the Duke ever made. This has got to be a must have recording for anyone who loves Jazz. I stumbled on to it, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD! If you donât listen to it, it is your fault!! The review I quoted is at: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18624 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Mono does indeed RULE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Wayne, That was a great performance. I'm looking for a better copy myself. Mine is quite worn. Another live at Newport album to look for is Lionel Hampton's "Newport Uproar" recorded in 1967. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodog Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 That piece was one of the featured segments on NPR's 'American Routes' a few weeks back. Nick Spitzer (sp?) had an interview with one of the horn players. That performance was a turning point in Ellington's career, as it took off again after faltering quite a bit. Killer music! I agree! Woo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Yes MONO RULES, however $10 is NOT a lot for an LP! It's practically NOTHING!!!! Glad you like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 I find that with the preamp set to mono, the sound image is centered and large and in many ways is more detailed and solid than a stereo image. $10 for an LP not a lot, I suppose but when you are used to finding them for a buck or less, that is 9 LPs less than I am used to for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 You're lucky to have a mono switch. Most new phono preamps don't have this feature and it's just plain CRAZY if you ask me! Not only is the music more "focused" as you have noticed, but the SURFACE NOISE is lowered by a huge factor as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 AMEN to the surface noise, I was going to mention it but forgot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Using a mono cartridge is recommended too..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 ---------------- On 8/23/2005 11:01:53 AM Guy Landau wrote: Using a mono cartridge is recommended too..... ---------------- I'm about to find out. I have a nice SPU mono that I'm having rebuilt as we speak--new cantilever and conical stylus. It's a later one that can be used with a stereo tonearm--not as good as having a mono-only set-up, but it's the best I can do. I also have a pair of Jorgen Shou tranformers on their way from Denmark--I got a really good deal on them and am anxious to hear them--you know, after hearing and reading all the hype over the years. I don't know if they'll trounce either the Altec/Peerless ones I've had for ten years or the "in the headshell" transformers found in many SPUs, but we'll see (and hear)soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 I had a pair of JS transformers and they were quite nice but not great. Though I didn't use them with an SPU. Who rebuilds your cartridge? New mono SPU's are very good and not too expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 What is the best source for a new one? I see them at 700 Euros and that doesn't seem all that cheap to me! But then I tend to be penurious when it comes to stuff like this--I've gotten too many good deals over the years I suppose! I am just the OPPOSITE when it comes to LPs--I'll plunk down $500 for a record and not even blink. Weird, huh? Mine is being done over in Australia by a fellow who worked for Garrot for many years. He did an SPU-G for me three years ago and I was very happy with the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 ---------------- On 8/23/2005 11:25:21 AM Allan Songer wrote: What is the best source for a new one? ---------------- Try Audiogon member 2juki from Hong-Kong. I'll also ask a friend of mine if he can get them cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Thanks! I have always wanted to try one of the new SPUs, so I guess I should just go for it. I have about a dozen of these things around here! I seem to buy every one that comes my way that seems cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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