Sinatra / Capitol Sound Quality and General Discussion: In the Wee Small Hours (1955)*

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Davidmk5, Nov 9, 2009.

Page 18 of 50
  1. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    Thanks for sharing!

    Here's a pair of waveforms comparing the title track of the UK '98 CD with the Black Coffee disc, for those who like to see these things. Note that the 1998 disc hits peak one time, while the Black Coffee is at peak several times during the same time period, FWIW:
    aeriuhguoirahgviouajrvar.gif
     
    MLutthans, Mar 14, 2014
    #426
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  2. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    MLutthans, Mar 14, 2014
    #427
  3. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    Any chance somebody who is feeling charitable could take a photo of their 1984 "Dell" LP's label so I can add a nice photo to my web page? (I will certainly credit the photographer.) The photo I have on the page now is lame-o.

    Screen shot 2014-04-07 at 8.52.49 PM.png

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2014
    MLutthans, Apr 7, 2014
    #428
  4. Bob F

    Bob F Senior Member

    Location:
    Massachusetts USA
    Not the greatest iPhone photo, so let me know if you'd like me to try for a better one, Matt...

    WSH-Dell-LP-label.jpg
     
    Bob F, Apr 8, 2014
    #429
  5. funknik

    funknik He who feels it.

    Location:
    Gorham, ME, USA
    I just picked one of these up with the -2/-4 matrix for $7.50 . . . can't wait to get home and check it out . . . unfortunately, I sliced the front cover while opening the shipping box . . . grrr . . . only time that has ever happened to me. Should I be all set with this UK copy, or do I still need to keep my eyes out for a gray label? I have an 'N' cut gray label at home, but it's mostly beat.
     
    funknik, May 6, 2014
    #430
  6. mBen989

    mBen989 Senior Member

    Location:
    Scranton, PA
    So far, the only vinyl I have of this are the four EP's.
     
    mBen989, May 6, 2014
    #431
  7. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    Well, there are other posts about that -2/-4 cut that come after the one you quoted, such as:
    ....and those samples are quite a ways down the page, here: http://www.11fifty.com/Site_108/1955_-_In_the_Wee_Small_Hours.html. Look for the labels that look like this:
    [​IMG]
    and click on them.

    Do you still need a "D" copy? That's up to you, and audio clips of assorted D and N copies are on the same linked page. I think that if you have tone controls on your playback system and are not afraid to turn the treble up a tad, this LP competes with a D pressing just fine. It's a little soft on the top end, but it otherwise (to my ears) utterly excellent. I made a needledrop of mine (with a treble boost) that is now my 'go to' version, FWIW. Member "William Shears" has a -2/-4 cut, and is very happy with his copy. (Posts are back a few pages.)
     
    MLutthans, May 6, 2014
    #432
  8. funknik

    funknik He who feels it.

    Location:
    Gorham, ME, USA
    Thanks a lot! I think for my level of appreciation, 92% there is about 12% more than I'll need - I'm excited to spin this now. Incidentally, my label is different - it looks like the standard maroon US labels of the era.
     
    funknik, May 6, 2014
    #433
  9. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    Any chance you can post a pic?
     
    MLutthans, May 6, 2014
    #434
    funknik likes this.
  10. colormesinatra

    colormesinatra Forum Resident

    Location:
    Malverne, NY
    According to Nancy Sinatra on the SFF, UMG is about to issue a press release regarding a Sinatra vinyl reissue campaign that will run into 2015. WSH is part of the first batch of reissues...

    I hope it isn't the same pressing as the one from 2009. I wonder if they will get this release right. Should I get my hopes up?
     
    colormesinatra, Jul 15, 2014
    #435
    bozburn likes this.
  11. howlinrock

    howlinrock Forum Resident In Memoriam

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Fingers are crossed :)
     
    howlinrock, Jul 15, 2014
    #436
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  12. funknik

    funknik He who feels it.

    Location:
    Gorham, ME, USA
    With all due respect, when I read this, I thought, "Nah, I'm sure I won't even notice" . . . but I feel exactly the same as you do . . . it's just a touch "light" or "off" but it still sounds fantastic.
    I'm just seeing this now, I will be sure to do so and quote your post so you see it. Thanks again.
     
    funknik, Jul 17, 2014
    #437
    MLutthans likes this.
  13. profholt82

    profholt82 Resident Blowhard

    Location:
    West Michigan
    My local record shop has what appears to be the 1959 repress with the rainbow label. It looks like this is the one: http://www.discogs.com/Frank-Sinatra-In-The-Wee-Small-Hours/release/4215715

    Generally, when it comes to Capitol Sinatra, I seek out the dark grey labels, as I know that it's a rocky road when dealing with all of the represses. But, it appears to be in nice condition, and it's priced well. Is this a copy that is worth picking up?



    Edit:
    I also wanted to add that the only version I currently own of this masterpiece is the 1991 CD. Now, the CD sounds very good, (it is the Larry Walsh master) but I generally prefer listening to Sinatra on vinyl.
     
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2014
    profholt82, Aug 21, 2014
    #438
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  14. bozburn

    bozburn Forum Resident

    Location:
    Atlanta, GA, US
    I think as long as it's 16 tracks, you should be good, and that the Capitol logo is on the left of the disc label, not at top (12:00 position).
     
    bozburn, Aug 21, 2014
    #439
    profholt82 likes this.
  15. MMM

    MMM Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Lodi, New Jersey
    It'll come from correct tapes for sure. If the condition is good enough for you, give it a try.
     
    MMM, Aug 21, 2014
    #440
    profholt82 likes this.
  16. profholt82

    profholt82 Resident Blowhard

    Location:
    West Michigan
    Thanks, guys. I'll pick it up tomorrow.
     
    profholt82, Aug 21, 2014
    #441
    MMM likes this.
  17. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    A couple of things (and sorry that I'm a little late to the party):

    •The Walsh CD has added stereo reverb, so the LP sound may come across as being quite different, but the LP is the one that is "correct" (as originally recorded)
    •For any of the mono-only albums, the gray-label and 9:00 rainbow pressings are essentially the same (no differences in reverb levels, no 1960s-style tweaking) and sometimes the later cuts (rainbow) are even slightly superior to the grays. Even some 12:00 rainbows may be a continuation of the gray-labels cuts, but those 9:00 ones are a pretty safe bet.

    Samples, of course, are available here, about 3/4ths of the way down the page: http://www.11fifty.com/Site_108/1955_-_In_the_Wee_Small_Hours.html

    The rainbow labels on that page are N cuts, so are made from dupe tapes, not masters, but the 16-song "D" cuts -- gray OR rainbow -- are both cut on the same lathes from the same master tapes.

    While we're on the topic of this album again:
    Bob, a belated "thank you!" I've got that photo now posted at the link just above.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2014
    MLutthans, Aug 22, 2014
    #442
    profholt82, Bob F and MMM like this.
  18. Arkoffs

    Arkoffs Remote member

    Location:
    Right behind you
    This may be better discussed in one of the general FS threads, but since Wee Small Hours is included (and this was mentioned upthread last month), here goes. Announced by Universal Music, according to Michael Fremer's website:

    October 7th

    Frank Sinatra – Come Fly With Me (LP)
    Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours (LP)
    Frank Sinatra – Moonlight Sinatra (LP)
    Frank Sinatra – Sinatra and Swingin’ Brass (LP)
    Frank Sinatra – This Is Sinatra! (LP)

    http://www.analogplanet.com/content...lease-schedule-plunges-full-speed-ahead-vinyl
     
    Arkoffs, Aug 22, 2014
    #443
  19. Bob F

    Bob F Senior Member

    Location:
    Massachusetts USA
    Bob F, Aug 22, 2014
    #444
    Arkoffs likes this.
  20. Arkoffs

    Arkoffs Remote member

    Location:
    Right behind you
    Arkoffs, Aug 22, 2014
    #445
    Bob F likes this.
  21. Bob F

    Bob F Senior Member

    Location:
    Massachusetts USA
    No problem, Bob. I actually think this would be the most appropriate thread, but these discussions have a tendency to develop in multiple places:

    —> Frank Sinatra's Capitol and Reprise recordings now under one roof
     
    Bob F, Aug 22, 2014
    #446
  22. MLutthans

    MLutthans That's my spaghetti, Chewbacca! Staff

    Location:
    Marysville, WA, Salina, KS, Los Angeles, CA
    The blurb on the Fremer link pretty funny:

    <<It's really not hyperbole to use the word "astonishing" to describe this release schedule. The volume alone is amazing but more so is the musical eclecticism. There's something (too much!) for every vinyl fan from Kiss to Sinatra, to James Brown, to Bing Crosby to Ella Fitzgerald, Public Enemy and Frank Sinatra.>>

    I guess Sinatra is doubly good??????????
     
    MLutthans, Aug 22, 2014
    #447
    MMM likes this.
  23. Bob F

    Bob F Senior Member

    Location:
    Massachusetts USA
    What did J. Edgar Hoover have against Ella?
     
    Bob F, Aug 22, 2014
    #448
    rangerjohn and MLutthans like this.
  24. profholt82

    profholt82 Resident Blowhard

    Location:
    West Michigan
    :biglaugh:
     
    profholt82, Aug 22, 2014
    #449
    rangerjohn likes this.
  25. paulmock

    paulmock Forum Resident

    Location:
    Hollywood, CA
    It might be interesting to see about the Crosby Christmas LP. I take it that is the old Decca one with him wearing the Santa hat. I have a mid 50's black label reissue of it in damn fine shape. The mono sound is really good, too. Later reissues used the "Electronically Reprocessed to Simulate Stereo" with sounds even worse than Duophonic! :thumbsdow So, let's see if UME will give us a nice, new clear sounding mono copy of that seasonal gem this time around.
     
    paulmock, Aug 22, 2014
    #450
    rangerjohn and MLutthans like this.
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