Blue Note Tone Poet vs. Original Pressing: Bobby Hutcherson's Stick-Up Comparison

[@joeharley8396]

Glad you're digging what we do....many thanks! Just a couple of points: we have three different hype stickers for the program. Analog master tape RVG, analog master tape non-RVG and digital master (such as the Joe Henderson State of the Tenor albums from the 80s.) That "vocalizing" you are hearing is Billy Higgins, not Hutch. When Billy was really feeling it, you can hear his exclamations on many of the many of the various BN sessions he was on. Indeed, we heard it when he was on one of his last sessions with Charles Lloyd - Hyperion For Higgins and The Water Is Wide, both on ECM. Again, thanks for the stellar commentary!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Thanks for your comment Joe, and for clarifying who I was hearing! It's these little details that help make recordings feel more alive. Come to think of it, I hear a lot of vocalizing on the early Bud Powell recordings as well.

[@therevrockinrollin]

Verse is a magnificent track. Absolutely beautiful and it is a thrill to have it on vinyl.

[@itsvladzino3246]

CLASSIC SERIES: Hi Joe, I believe it is a shame to release these Blue Note albums, in fact BN's masterpieces, in such sub-par jackets (80's type thin cardboard). Blue Note artwork is a fundamental part of the equation and label heritage, and these covers just don't match the brand's equity, artist's talent, nor the quality of the pressed plastic/music. You guys don't need to reproduce these in the high gloss gatefold covers used on MM/TP, but should step up the quality a couple notch, even if this ends up costing 1 more dollar. Perhaps just don't do gatefold, but do it well. CRAFTSMANSHIP and ART is the keyword here. The CLASSIC series covers generate an experience that feels like pouring a wonderful glass of wine or whiskey in a plastic cup.

[@xentakis]

Joe, you must be familiar with the record “Rollin’ with Leo” by Leo Parker, right? I’m not asking any other questions, it would just comfort me to know it’s on your radar.

[@joeharley8396]

@@xentakis Very familiar with it...and it's more than on my radar.

[@muletrane]

Thanks for the vid! Picked this up yesterday. Love it!

[@aian640]

Another great video Chris. Thanks a lot for this detailed comparison of OG and Tone Poet releases.

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Wow! Very cool story of being able to play with Hutcherson!

[@143GADGETS]

Great video! Mine is arriving tomorrow. Can’t wait!!!

[@bmwolverton]

Glad you brought up at the end that you are rethinking buying Tone Poets because I was ready to do a follow up to the comment I had on your shootout of Kenny Burrell record. WE NEED YOU TO GET THEM ALL! Again, you have a unique take and a obviously a great ear and it would be of great benefit to the Jazz VC to have you review them vs any you have an original of. Thank you for this review!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Thank you! Yea, I'm increasingly seeing the value in picking these up. The only problem I face is this idea that I may only start listening to the tone poets, and then what happens to my originals? I could keep them and not play them - which perhaps goes in the direction of vinyl as investments / museum pieces, and I really don't like that mentality. I could sell them and use the proceeds to fund future purchases... which the collector in me has a problem with.

[@danijelsan81]

Thanks for this. Useful information. From the beginning of my collecting days about 12 years ago I focused on getting quality reissues such as Music Matters, Prestige reissues from AP, etc. I knew I couldn't afford to get originals in great condition so the next best thing was to collect quality reissues. Looking back, I'm glad I did that. Some of these reissue series are really beautifully done and I think we'll start to truly appreciate them only when they're not around any longer.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

It seems I've ended up in that space rather than starting there - in terms of prioritizing the well done reissues - but they are so worthwhile. It's a great time for us jazz fans, when you consider MM, Analogue Productions, Tone Poet, Acoustic Sounds' 60th anniversary series, and into some of these Craft Recordings reissues, not to mention some of the more boutique labels that are putting out quality stuff.

[@danijelsan81]

@@jazzvinylcollector Absolutely!

[@scaligula]

I watched an interview with Bobby Hutcherson where the interviewer asked him what more he wanted to achieve. His answer is still with me as he said he "wanted to be more humble".

[@Valleyplant]

This is my favorite Bobby hutcherson album :) so good, I think it really comes alive on the B side

[@pizzaz6171]

Awaiting this as a TP can't afford an OG in VG+ but I'm very excited to get it on the platter. Keep up the reviews! Wow you got a comment from Joe Harley ...very impressive!

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Thank you! this one is definitely worth the purchase. Can't argue with better sound for less money!

[@davidbryanbartlett4071]

How about thr inside seam splits-turns record into $20.00 unless return and wait-wait

[@MZ-io9rl]

Great comparison Chris. Lot of informatorom about first edition. 👌👌👌

[@AsTheTableTurns]

I've heard bassists hum melodies and or emphasize their playing by humming too. It makes more sense to me for a bassist to do it because they might be trying to stay with the melody in their solo.

[@ozanselcuk7105]

Great review! Thank you. I hear some vocalization on the first track. Are there other tracks with vocalization? -thank you.

[@NextPlayRecords]

Awesome album! Great review. Selling the OG now?

[@jazzvinylcollector]

If I was a rational person, absolutely. 😁

[@AsTheTableTurns]

Really good comparison! I'm glad the Tone Poet won as mine should be delivered tomorrow and I don't have $200-$300 to spend on a clean original.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

That really seems to be the point of this reissue series too. Make available these great recordings with perhaps better quality sound for a cheaper price. What's not to love?

[@AsTheTableTurns]

@@jazzvinylcollector Yeah, not be a kiss ass because I know Mr. Harley is watching these comments. Haha! But Joe Harley is doing an amazing job! This reissue series in particular celebrates what collecting vinyl is all about. Bringing us closer to the music and musicians than ever before.

[@jackfalco5351]

Check out his 2014 release on blue note entitled Enjoy The View. Fantastic music

[@jazzvinylcollector]

I'll check it out - i've never heard it before!

[@Cookingwithsteveg]

Some very interesting information turning up about this Hutcherson record. You’re the second person to admit the 1968 pressing doesn’t measure up. My other source said his 1968 pressing sounds horrible! I on the other hand have a 1969 reissue with only a matrix number and NO RVG in the dead wax. My copy sounds great! The drums on my 1969 pressing sound great! The mix is wonderful too. I’d love to learn why there is so much variance from one year to the next.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

I'll caveat that by saying the original doesn't sound horrible. I actually find it lacking in some of the same ways that other original pressings from the era are lacking, and it isn't measurably worse than others. Generally though, I think Tone Poet does a great of correcting inadequacies that may be present on the early stuff, whether it comes across through better balance or broader dynamic range. There's always going to be the impact that one's audio setup has too, but we can't account for that in our shoot-outs. I enjoyed yours by the way, even if we came to different conclusions. Always interesting to hear other assessments!

[@Cookingwithsteveg]

My apologies for the misunderstanding. I was referring to my other source who actually used the word ‘horrible’ when stating how his 68 pressing sounds. Sorry for the mix up. I’m still marveling at how you were on stage with Bobby Hutcherson!!! What a great story to be able to share! When I was 18 years old I found myself alone in an elevator, at The Hyatt on Sunset, with none other than Little Richard Himself. I’d never seen so many shiny sequins in my entire life. I did get to jam with him though.

[@xentakis]

You are so right about Dave Pike! I am fine with Bud Powell’s singing, and I’m even usually fine with Keith Jarrett. With Dave Pike it’s way too much and I generally can’t listen to his records.

[@jazzvinylcollector]

Yea agreed. At one point, I actually made a sticker that read "Dave Pike Vocals - on/off" and stuck it over the loudness switch on my marantz receiver as I found it helped reduce them just a bit. It made me laugh, but probably no one else!

[@xentakis]

@@jazzvinylcollector 😂😂😂

[@hardtofindvinyls1079]

TOTAL BULLSHIT !!! This one is BY FAR THE WORST Tone Poet reissue (and I own a lot so I can tell). I own an original 1968 Van Gelder Stereo copy in NM condition, and it absolutely blows it away. This reissue sounds really lifeless compared to my OG copy, which sounds louder and much much more detailed in every way. The picture cover is also very much brighter and very much clearer than this reissue. I cannot recommend this reissue if you want the best sounding of this marvelous album. It's still listenable and quite enjoyable and an alternative for everyone who doesn't own a 60's - 70's copy. But for those who own one of those early copies, do yourself a favor and avoid this reissue !!! ANY JAZZ REISSUE CAN BEAT ORIGINAL RUDY VAN GELDER COPIES.

[@Gabesmusicdiscography]

Were you a wrestler?

[@itsvladzino3246]

CLASSIC SERIES: it is a shame to release these Blue Note albums in such sub-par jackets. Blue Note artwork is a fundamental part of the equation and label heritage, and these covers just don't match the brand's equity, artist's talent, nor the quality of the pressed plastic. BN don't need to reproduce these in the high gloss gatefold covers used on MM/TP, but could step up the quality a couple notch. Just don't do gatefold, but do it well. CRAFTSMANSHIP. The CLASSIC series covers generate an experience that feels like pouring a wonderful glass of wine or whiskey in a plastic cup.

[@davidbryanbartlett4071]

I hope the Tone Poet sounds better -Vinyl today is a lot cleaner-Cutter styli is better-Headphones are better-My older collection before 1500 series are O.K. 1500 series & 4000 series can not compete Audiophile wise,but musically for their generation which is mine, there fine & now to Damn Expensive for no reason other than someone with money WANTS the braggin right of an Orig.silly.