big bands

[larry7995]

I really love the Big Bands of the brief period from the late 30s to early 40s but they sound really bad on a good stereo. I was wondering if they could colorize them so to speak with modern technology to make them sound like it might have live in a dance hall. I know there were and may still be some Big Bands still touring and playing the old music so there are probably some newer recordings that are good?

 

[skizzerflake]

I really love the Big Bands of the brief period from the late 30s to early 40s but they sound really bad on a good stereo. I was wondering if they could colorize them so to speak with modern technology to make them sound like it might have live in a dance hall. I know there were and may still be some Big Bands still touring and playing the old music so there are probably some newer recordings that are good?

Adding stereo where it isn't originally there is a dubious process at best. With vintage recordings, you just have to get used to what's there. Eventually the tinny, mono sound becomes part of the charm. The originals are probably on disks and when they're that old, they probably also have scratches and surface noise too. When you listen to some of those, you begin to appreciate contemporary recording technology.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

That is the unfortunate thing about great music of the past, recording technology jut wasn't up to the task.
There probably are modern bands playing that material, but can any of them be as great as Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, et al?

 

[Davemcc]

I know what you mean about the sound quality of the originals. It's nice to have as a reference, but hard to listen to sometimes.

I would suggest getting newer recordings by modern big bands playing the standards. One decent example I can suggest is the Swingfield Big Band. I've got them on right now playing Song of India. Sounds good. Another suggestion is to look for the soundtrack from The Benny Goodman Story. I had it on vinyl many years ago. It was a good recording but I can't say 100% if it made it to CD.

I used to play sax and clarinet in big bands many years ago. I still enjoy the music.

 

[rnatalli]

I feel the pain too. I'm a big fan of this music, but there are some decent modern groups out there.

 

[larry7995]

I am watching/listening to a Harry Connick Jr. concert on dvd, I think its awesome.

 

[markw]

while not eactly what you're wishing for, these might help a little.

http://www.dmprecords.com/DMPBand.htm

 

[Brett A]

I really love the Big Bands of the brief period from the late 30s to early 40s

Me too! Small bands also. Check out Teddy Wilson's small group recordings. They were some of Billy Holiday's first sessions.

so there are probably some newer recordings that are good?

It might be worth it to try Benny's later recordings. One that comes to mind is "Benny Goodman Today" It was recorded in 1970. I have it on vinyl and it sounds pretty lifelike; clear, 3-dimensional stereo. And it swings!!

With vintage recordings, you just have to get used to what's there. Eventually the tinny, mono sound becomes part of the charm.

I find this is true for me too.
I make the comparison to walking into a dimly lit room after being outside on a sunny day; eventually the eyes and brain adjust and you can see enough to forget about it. If the content is compelling. my ears will do the same with sub-optimal recordings.

 

[larry7995]

http://www.dmprecords.com/DMPBand.htm

Thanks I put them in my save for later pile at amazon

 

[larry7995]

There is a small group website that is educational and populated with quite a few music files, I think they are real audio.


redhotjazz.com

 

[Pyrrho]

I am afraid you are never going to get what you want. You basically have two choices: Listen to old recordings of great performers, or listen to modern performers trying to recapture the magic. Neither is perfect, and you must decide whether you care more about the quality of the performance or the quality of the recording. One of my favorites performers is Louis Armstrong. And my favorite period for him is the 1920's (not the big band you like). I have found a tolerable release on CD:

http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Fives-Sevens-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B00001ZWLP/

The best modern performers I have found of this sort of music is The Federal Jazz Commission:

http://home.comcast.net/~fedjazz/index.htm

However, I have only heard them live, not on any of their CDs. They are well worth hearing, and their cornet player is great. But, of course, he is no Louis Armstrong.

One problem is that with recordings, one becomes spoiled, as one can hear the world's greatest performers, and often some of their greatest performances, so when one hears someone who is merely great (say, in the top 10 living performers of their type), one is naturally disappointed, as [usually] they are not the best person on a good day, and that is what one may listen to in a recording.

If I had never heard Louis Armstrong (and I have never heard him in person, and obviously never will now, since he is long dead), I would probably be perfectly satisfied with the cornet player in The Federal Jazz Commission. But, unfortunately for him (and, in a way, for me, too), I have heard magnificent performances from the all-time world's greatest jazz cornet/trumpet player when he was in his prime. Who could possibly compete with that?

 

[larry7995]

that redhotjazz.com site has a good selection of Louis Armstrong stuff, I like him too, one of my favorites is Wild Man Blues

 

[larry7995]

I was listening to the 40s on XM Radio on the way home from work today and they played the song Twilight Time performed by Les Brown, thats a pretty cool tune

 

[larry7995]

I got the DMP recording Carved In Stone yesterday, it certainly is a clear recording, sounds pretty good. The only thing I am not real crazy about is one of the trumpet players is often reaching for high notes he doesn't always hit accurately. All in all though its very good and I will buy the other two.

 

[W_Harding]

Please, do not flame me for this recommendation. Time/Life put out a whole set of modern recordings of music called The Swing Era. These modern recording used top quality studio musicians to play the popular tunes of the years between 1936 to 1945 in the style and with the arrangements of the originals. It was a five volume set, with each volume having three LP records and a short book putting the historical era in context. The fidelity is pretty darn good. This may be the closest you will get to hearing the great music of the Swing Era in High Fidelity stereo sound. I bought my copy through that popular internet auction website. They also often show up in used records stores.

 

[larry7995]

Rented Count Basie Live '62 from Netflix the other day. Extremely talented group! I went to Amazon and bought it. Only in stereo but it still sounds pretty good.

 

[100r1]

There are some excellent recordings (and performances!) of Stan Kenton and his various big bands from the 40's, 50;s and 60's. The performances from the 70's were not as remarkable as the earlier bands.

Stan Kenton had a passion for screaming lead trumpet players like Maynard Ferguson in his youth when he played more accurate as a young player than the 70's & 80's with his own MF bands (Theme from rocky junk).

Check out Arturo Sandoval and his band (current) his mentor while in Cuba was Dizzy. Check out his album "I ain't got no kick against modern jazz"

Buddy Rich had good bands and performers. SOme of his albums from the 60's & early 70's had very good studio recordings.

Count Basie, Duke ellington, Mel Lewis, Slide Hamptom all had excellent big bands and very good recordings mastered in the 50's & 60's

If you like more modern day big band there is Bill Waltrous (Trombone player) and how about Quincy Jones (album: The Dude)

Go to: Last.fm.com

You can listen to full tracks and albums of these bands

Check out: PANDORA

type in: LAB BAND, North Texas state University

They have some good recordings of young players in the big band style. This will also get similar performance from University of Miami and other University Jazz Bands.

 

[pzaur]

Maybe not the style you're looking for:

Big Phat Band

Bill Hollman Big Band
(not their website. Just a news article about a festival)

-pat

 

[larry7995]

Satin Doll

I have started back in learning some of the rhythm guitar for some big band songs, left off 30 years ago
anyway I am starting with Satin Doll and I found some interesting lyrics along with the chords online, does anyone know of a vocal version of that song?

 

[cornelius]

Check out Ellington at Newport...