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United StatesJoyful
For the street where you live.
United KingdomExcellent performance, well transferred as usual
Call me ignorant if you will, but although I was vaguely aware of Andre Previn's early career as a a jazz pianist (alongside his Hollywood day-job of soundtrack composition and scoring) I'd never really given him much thought in this context, until about three years ago when a close friend and fellow music enthusiast bought me a mono vinyl copy of this (a UK edition on Contemporary Records). Despite some initial misgivings about the compositions represented here (as in, "My Fair Lady -- for me -- really?") I was immediately won over by both the music, the performances and Previn's witty and articulate arrangements. So far so fabulous. Technically the recording was clearly well executed with great dynamics and impact, sounding far better than it seems it had any right to given its age. Just a pity it was mono; furthermore there was a hint of flutter in the keyboard tone, suggesting less than excellent speed stability in one of the tape machines it had passed through on its journey from West Coast studio to UK LP. Fast-forward a couple of years from my first encounter, to around 2019, and I chanced upon an original US pressing, which was not only in glorious stereo but also had a much more stable tone - much less flutter in evidence. I was delighted, and the experience led me to seek out further Previn and Shelly Manne recordings of this era, again mostly on Contemporary. Again whenever I was able to compare, the US pressings always sounded more solid, and I can only conjecture that the British LP's were cut (in the UK) from 2nd or even 3rd-generation tapes, with consequently mild but nevertheless audible degradation. Avoid, then, if you will, the UK pressings on Contemporary frm this era! With that back-story in mind, I was therefore delighted to see HDTT had worked their magic on this most wonderful of sessions, and can confirm the results exceed even the best US LP pressings of this performance. Highly recommended indeed, not only for the startling dynamics and thoroughly impressive recording, but also for the wonderful musicianship on display both in the playing and arranging. I'm very much hoping that HDTT will be issuing more Previn/Manne material soon.
BelgiumExcellent recording as usual
Excellent recording as usual
Description:
Title: Songs From My Fair Lady
Artist(s): Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – André Previn
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Recording Info: Recorded by Contemporary Records August 17, 1956, in Los Angeles
Engineer - Roy DuNann
Producer – Lester Koenig
1 Get Me To The Church On Time 4:21
2 On The Street Where You Live 5:37
3 I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face 3:21
4 Wouldn't It Be Loverly 5:33
5 Ascot Gavotte 4:17
6 Show Me 3:40
7 With A Little Bit Of Luck 6:01
8 I Could Have Danced All Night 3:00
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