SH Spotlight Do you want to hear two amazing RCA-Victor 78s from 1932? Ted Weems, Isham Jones..

Here's one.

I thought they were made from 1925-35 in the US.Japan may have pressed them as late as '39.

Anybody got any Program Transcriptions? Unfortuately I only have one Stokowski.

 

I've never even seen a program transcription record of that type. I have, however, heard the McMurdo Silver radio in all its glory-- with the 18" Jensen speaker. It made AM sound like high quality FM.

Try to find more Stokowski from this period. This was before he started heavily 'interpreting' the works under his baton.

 

I was always under the impression that Victor used the Trinity Church Studio only for classical recordings. It never occurred to me that popular recordings were waxed there as well.
The church was still standing near the old Nipper building the last time I was in Camden, several years ago. It may be gone now.

 

I agree Kat.

 

I've always thought that 78s sound dreadful... this is indeed a paradigm shift!

 

Very nice sound and even better music!
Thanks for sharing.

- Sushimaster

 

Simply stunning!

 

Be sure to check out everything else on ProZoot's YouTube channel. He's got about 150 78rpm transfers that are all excellent quality!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Prozoot

 

How much of the sound quality is owing to the format itself: more media per second of playback, and having a whole side for only 2:00 minutes or so of recording?

 

Sounds wonderful!

 

See I guess there is something to be said about recording in a Baptist church!

I am amazed that, even on my laptop speakers, how GREAT those youtube videos sounded. You DO realize Steve that you are FORCING me to begin collecting pre-war swing 78's (not to mention a 78's rig!!). I guess it all comes down to mic placement, human ears, and trial and error (and a great sounding room).

 

Wow...that does seem like a lot of fun. You should start a thread Steve on your top twenty 78's

 

Also it's a lot of stuff that has never been reissued on LP or CD because it doesn't have the proper jazz pedigree or whatever. I love that early pre-swing era dance band stuff, even the "sweet" bands are great to hear.

 

Wonderful - both the quality and music. Listen how tight these bands are. I get an ache inside thinking how much great music has passed by already. I may need a few more lifetimes to absorb & indulge it all.

 

Kudos and thanks to Steve for letting the cat outta the bag and posting those links...what wonderful audio chestnuts to hear!!!

 

http://www.vjm.biz/new_page_25.htm

Lots of info here regarding the Camden church/studio.

 

Truer words have never been spoken! I feel the same way

 

FAB site - thanks il pleut!

 

Me too.

Particularly outstanding (and influential) jazz oriented bands of pre- and early-swing were Fletcher Henderson and Glenn Gray and His Casa Loma Orchestra, so if you're not familiar, check them out. For Gray, there's a Best of the Big Bands comp on Columbia which, while not all we'd wish for in mastering, might be easy to get and offers a sample of the range so to speak. Novelties, ballads, 'hot', vocal, instrumental.

Many other bands from then were all but completely forgotten by the '40s. Styles developed, trends took hold and certain influences worked deep (three words: Armstrong, Crosby and Goodman). Which was great in its ways; who knows you might prefer the swing and post-swing era, but it's informing (and a great pleasure) to dig where that came from. One can find many gems and the musicianship and feel is typically bliss to hear. When we can stand the sound; as this thread illustrates only so much of that is inherent and much is due to how we have typically heard it.

Beware that there are loads of crappy sounding reissues and vast amounts of original discs that look fine but have been ruined by destructive playback. Obviously, if you play original discs please be mindful to only play them in a non-destructive method so it can go on offering the pleasure to future listeners. It's sad how people have (physically and in perceptions) trashed so very much of that era.

 

I'm astonished that such high quality sound was produced 80 years ago. This is fascinating!

 

Another fine orchestra from this period was that of Erskine Hawkins (of 'Tuxedo Junction' fame). I haven't come across many 78s by him, but the French RCA Jazz Tribune lps sound quite good.

 

OMG

That sound quality is incredible!

 

Fascinating, as always.