Bill Evans: Riverside Recordings Review

In this video I present and review the Riverside Recording box set - and point out things to observe if you consider getting it.

[@JazzBums]

Great video! And congrats on the box! - mike

[@luigitardini7954]

Very interesting video, pretty well done. I have purchased the big box some time ago, and it still lies 15:23 sealed in the vault.... who Knows. It has been a pleasure to meet you and I'll keep on following you. Thanks. Luigi (fron Italy)

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for your kind words Luigi - and for following me 👍 I have since I bought the box also bought the Craft releases (33 rpm of 4 of the records) - and I think these sounds just as good… The box is still nice - but if Craft continues the series, I guess that would be the better and 1/3-of-the-price way to go.

[@luigitardini7954]

@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner Sure! I have the Craft releases of LIve at the Village Vanguard ad Waltz for Debby, but they are still sealed as well... so I'll wait to see if Craft continues the series: if so, I'll keep the box sealed and I'll try so sell it. Thanks!

[@jameslatham6512]

My new copy of Portrait in Jazz side 4 is warped. I'll be seeking a replacement tomorrow.

[@MelindaMurphy]

The box set is very beautiful. You did a really good job showing all of the details and discussing the pros and cons that you have discovered. I'm so glad to hear that the records sound great but it's a shame that you have a few issues with the vinyl. I just got home from vacation so I am looking forward to listening to mine. Thanks for sharing your opinions. Take care.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks Melinda. I’m sure you’ll love the box set. I recall that you were lucky & fast enough to yours for the $ 600 starting price 😊. Looking forward to watch your review.

[@alitabbal9529]

Thank you for this very detailed and honest video. I love Bill Evans and I have most of his Riverside LPs and the complete on CD, my favorite is also the trios with Scott Lafaro and Paul Motian. I’m still wondering if I should get this beautiful box set but I don’t like the fact that it’s on 45rpm. I’m sure the sound quality is great on 45rpm but I don’t see myself listening to the full Village Vanguard concert (Sunday at VV and Waltz for Debby) flipping and changing records every 10mn, since I have these OJC LPs and they sound really good! Thanks again and I’m looking forward to your next video, I’m a subscriber now. Greetings from France!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for your kind word, Ali - and for subscribing 😊 I totally agree - a 33 rpm-record split in 2 x 45-rpms breaks up the musical experience (for some records worse than others). They should have made a "the-best-we-possible-can-do" 33 rpm box set - I'd have taken that even if the sound quality was a little lower (and it would have bee cheaper as well!). But I don't think this is coming - so I jumped for the 22 LP box... I think it'll keep the value if you want to sell it at some point, so... And I'll keep my different (OJC and others) 33-rpm versions for days when I don't want to break up the listening. Take good care of France, which I love almost as much as my native Denmark 🥰

[@user-fg4fr2bz5y]

Even Joe Harley hates 45rpm. So do I!!

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

I agree. If only I’d known that (some - maybe most/all) would be released as OJCs in great quality, I might not have bought the box…

[@AnthonyCandaele]

Thanks for the elaborate review of the Bill Evans Riverside Recordings boxset. At first I wasn't going to buy it because it was too expensive, but after seeing some videos on the boxset I'm convinced I have to buy it or cry later.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for your comment. I think you are right about “buy now…”. When it sell out, it’ll probably keep it’s market value - or even raise (in case you might sell it some day). Until them I hope you’ll enjoy it 🙂

[@gormyoder4611]

One would expect better quality control on these limited edition box sets given the price.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Agree! And for non-US buyers it’s very expensive to get replacements: Acoustic Sounds will only ship these if you buy something else over $ 50 and pay the shipping cost (plus Import VAT) so between $ 150-200 ☹️

[@user-fg4fr2bz5y]

Nico was around 21 years old at the time of the photo but tragically died at the age of 50.😢

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Yes - that’s sad. She was very pretty here - and a little strange that she later was involved with Velvet Underground.

[@shengjiewang2683]

Thanks for your review. Still waiting for mine to arrive.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

You are welcome - Hope you receive your box in great shape 👍

[@paolo60333]

Too many issues for this box set. And as I have read even scratches on some. I own several Japanese releases of this series and they play wonderful, better than OJC incarnations and MoFi. Not worth the price they ask. I'll not buy it. Thanks for your review

[@bradleykay]

In my experience, RTI struggles to press flat and centered records.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Yes - it seems so. Unfortunately...

[@MrLovell1971]

Great review sorry to hear about the off center I hope you will get replacement. Love your favorite album picks in the box. This box is one I want to get take care . Lovellandrew

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks - yes there seems to be more issues w. this box than one should expect when you consider the price…

[@MrLovell1971]

@@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner I’m still going to get it before it’s gone I have a few of the originals but I love 45rpm pressing I believe the box will be the definitive version down the line .

[@paulcampise3050]

Got mine today.

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Congratulations - hope you’ll love it and that all is in order 😊. I still struggle with what to do with the warped records in my box set since the AS “customer service” policy is really not for non-US buyers.

[@Peoria19581]

I am surprised a set at this cost level having a few poorly pressed records. I wouldn't be happy. I was thinking about investing in it, now that I've heard your experience I'm wondering

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Thanks for your comment, Daniel. Yes - I was surprised too. We know that errors can occur when vinyl records are made (and others seem to have received flawless boxes). The problem in this case is that Acoustic Sounds customers service in very, very poor for buyers outside the US: You'll have to buy another record (> $50 + shipping $ 70 (+ VAT/handling $ 60) = $ 180) before AS will ship replacement records. And if some of the replacements are defective too, you'll have to buy ANOTHER $ +50 record (+ shipping + VAT) to get a new replacement. I fear that this could end up costing almost $ 400 extra - so I've decided to keep the box and try flattening the warped records. This week Michael45 opened a Germany based web shop where EU buyers can get the box (and save VAT and 80 % of the shipping costs). In hindsight I should have waited and ordered there... All this being said: The music is fantastic and the recording & mastering very well done. Jackets are great too 😀

[@davidhaase3179]

Is it true that they will only ship a replacement if you order something else? If so, that's an unconscionable business practice. Some U.S. lawyer would take AS to the cleaners.

[@ClausHensingDenmark]

Hello Dave. Yes - that was what they told me (also the same w. my Kind of Blue 33 rpm some time ago). I was - like you - VERY surprised and disappointed with their business policy. I even has David Bianco (Texas Safe And Sound KZbin channel) who knows Chad Kassem to bring the issue up - but that didn’t change anything 😟. I managed to flatten the worst warps and left it at that - ordering from Denmark/Europe makes it impossible to have replacements send from US (VAT and handling fee of $ 35+ every time…). I’m done with doing business w. Acoustic Sounds.

[@jackfalco5351]

Outrageous for this money you don’t get a flat record

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

Yes - disappointing. I’ve heard that others have had different issues (scratched records etc.). 🙄

[@user-fg4fr2bz5y]

Where is Moonbeams?😮

[@Claus-CaptainPhoenixCorner]

It is there - around 6 minutes in 😊