Acoustic Sound Series: Oscar Peterson: Night Train + Blue Note TP: Donald Byrd

[@nandopelusi7699]

Night Train is a wonderful album with a cover photo by the great Pete Turner. Turner did the Jobim "Wave" cover as well as many others.

[@mbf9690]

I have this album now. It’s amazing. It really is

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Wonderful review

[@Salmonville16]

Thanks Michael - well done video

[@thegoldenstone2047]

HYPE STICKER: Have you noticed: They have modified the hype sticker of the tone poet series. Now they say: "Cut directly from the original analog tapes ". On the old hype stickers they have written: "Mastered from the original analog tapes". An echo of the Mobile-desaster.

[@Daniel-hk3ru]

That Donald Byrd Live Recording is perfect for myself and will hunt that down for sure. From your reveiew it is an easy choice to make. Thank you as always !

[@Tuberadio_vinyl]

Thank you for confirming the „Piano Problem“. Sometimes I’ve thought, I have a problem with my ears…👍

[@rc2257]

Night Train is a nearly perfect jazz record in my opinion. Night Train is very accessible but it offers layers of musical brilliance that you appreciate more and more as you get more familiar with it. As a teenager, my piano teacher encouraged me to transcribe Oscar's solos on some of the tracks, which helped me appreciate his brilliance even better. Night Train is very well-recorded (as are most Oscar Peterson trio recordings in the 1960s - I especially recommend Oscar's recordings on the MPS record label - they are audiophile-grade recordings made by Hans Brunner-Schwer, a brilliant engineer whose goal was to make the best possible sounding recordings with the best possible gear available). I have a few different pressings of Night Train and just now received my copy of the new Acoustic Sounds pressing. I'm anxious to see how it measures up to the others. Based on your excellent video, I have high expectations. Thanks as always for your channel and warmest regards, Ron C. Kenosha WI USA

[@papabear1417]

My favourite episodes of this channel are the jazz, electronica ones.

[@MBowes-nd2vx]

I have a well loved first Canadian stereo pressing of Night Train, and the new Acoustic Sounds series of this just gives it the perfect amount of crack of the rim shot, ring of the piano high note, and , shimmer of the cymbal, and lets out that low left channel bass rumble out. Like Michael says, it replicates my early original from way back in the fore and aft of the trio as they take turns in focus. Lovely to hear all the crackle and pop of my aged copy wiped away. A moment of joy that is impossible to price, and yet one can clearly see the value here. It is marvelous.

[@shengjiewang2683]

Both on their way.

[@toshfriborg4964]

One of the first jazz albums i bought back in the late 60's, still love it. 🙏

[@billyohanluain6600]

Two brilliant releases! Wonderfully reviewed as always! A new record that I just bought today is the sublimely recorded "Your Mother Should Know: Brad Mehldau Plays The Beatles" An absolute beauty of a collection that I am sure you will love!

[@sbom12920]

Hello and thanks for the posting. I had been looking out for this since the Oscar Peterson release on the 4th. I am in the UK and I received my copy on the evening of the 4th. It was like being a little boy again, waiting for Santa to deliver his Christmas presents ! Including Night Train, I have Five of the Verve Acoustic Sounds Series re-issues, namely, Ella Louis, Ella & Louise Again, We Get Requests, Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins. I agree that the packaging, if it's not damaged in transit is very, very good, but I have a few observations to make about a few other things. Of the releases I have, Night Train is the the better of the two Oscar Peterson re-issues from a sound quality point of view. This and the Ellington release are probably on par and I feel better than the other three. All but the Night Train have had minor quality control issues of some kind or other. The Ella and Louise and We Get Requests both required a pencil to be inserted into the centre whole to widen it so the record would pass down the spindle of my Rega Planar 10 Turntable. The Ella & Louise Again pressings are not completely flat and the fold on gatefold sleeve of the Ellington is a touch off ninety degrees so when closed the front face sits a fraction lower than the rear. I am now in my mid sixty’s and have the benefit of having owned various copies of these releases for many years, both on LP and on the Verve Master Edition CD release. I was particularly looking forward to the Oscar Peterson and Ella and Louis releases because my LP copies date from the 1970s and 1980s. My copy of We Get Requests is a Spanish copy on vinyl so thin you can practically see through it and so, perhaps with the weight of expectation, I was really looking forward to these releases being something very special and in truth, I don't find them that significantly better then the LP’s I already have. Yes, they are better, but for the premium price here in the UK not what I was hoping for. Indeed, in a number of cases I think the aforementioned CD’s give an extremely good account of themselves. Verve, I think did a wonderful job with them. Compared to the new LP releases from Acoustic Sounds, they are probably a bit “hot” so they immediately present louder and therefore make an immediate impression. With regards your, as always, entertaining and passionate video, I think I was a trifle disappointed that Night Train did not warrant a video all to itself. Its perhaps regarded as one of Petersons finest records. The Trio in question was at the height of its powers and was regarded by many as the finest of its kind to ever have been. The music on the disc too is equally important. Just over a third of the tracks are composed by Ellington and the alum is rooted in the blues. Its a time capsule in a way of a great period in Jazz and one we are unlikely ever to see again. An opportunity lost, I feel. Looking to the future, if you have an ear for Oscar I recommend you take a listen to his album, “ History Of An Artist: Pablo Super Double 2625 702 ( Stereo ) which was published, I think, in 1974. Also, Oscar Peterson & Stephane Grappelli Quartet, another double lp from 1973 on Festival and distributed by Musicdisc Europe at the time The Reference is Album 329 / MU222. Happy Listening and take care. Steven

[@Harobed1967]

Joyful releases of two of my favourite albums. I always enjoy your enthusiasm 👏🏼

[@adotopp1865]

I am going to collect Night Train

[@jb-uw2vt]

Looking forward to this one.

[@MarkGiannini-Ohio]

Thank you, Michael. I’ve been waiting for your review of the new Night Train release.

[@thomasg.8232]

hello Michael, as always a very interesting contribution for two discs that I personally like very much and already own. However, as an old Oscar Peterson fan, I don't yet have the acoustic sound version, which I will order directly after my vacation. Warm greetings from Kenya/Malindi, Tom

[@joaquinherreroalvarez3454]

Another excellent video about jazz vinyls by Michael. I think that Michael should buy the box set (six vinyls) by Oscar Peterson on MPS label, too. Regards from Madrid, Spain.

[@jazzhead6775]

Thanks Michael for yet more excellent reviews. I own and love both these albums but I returned the Night Train album to Amazon because of wow and flutter which was noticeable on the piano. This was mainly on side one which was slightly warped. I don't have this problem on my other albums so I don't think it's my turntable causing the problem. I have other albums with slight warps but not affecting sound quality. Amazon have sent me another copy which is dead flat on both sides. There is less wow and flutter but still slightly evident on some sustained piano notes. I streamed this album on QOBUZ/ROON and the sound is absolutely perfect so that would suggest the problem is not with the master tape. Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem with this album or any knowledge re what might have caused the wow and flutter?

[@derosa1989]

Stereo sticker - yes, Blue Note would sometimes use a printed catalog number Mono jacket early in the days of stereo releases, and put the gold sticker. Later pressing would normally get the revised stereo catalog BST8 - number printed on the jackets. London Jazz Collector has a nice article on his website about this, and the various artwork logo changes.

[@liammolyneuxmusic]

Thanks for the video Michael. I actually looked at both titles today. But with being a novice regarding Jazz records I tread carefully 😂. Happy I waited for your review. I will definitely pick up the Oscar Peterson , If I enjoy that then maybe the Tone Poet. Great content Michael, See you next time 🙌

[@Lamo2100]

Love Night Train. Didn’t care for earlier releases because Ray Brown was too low in the mix. This one Ray Brown is ALIVE! I ordered two copies.

[@sem1z3u]

Hello, first viewer from Romania! Great job!

[@joaquinherreroalvarez3454]

Rectification, Michael. I absolutely agree with Mr. Domonkos Siegfried. We need 12,50" or 12,75" (I don't know) Dual Pocket Outers with Tuckable Flaps and Gatefold. Those 12" are small and those 13" are very large (Tone Poet, Acustic Sounds, etc.) I wanted my money.

[@musicfan8253]

I wish they would release volume 2 of that Donald Byrd. The CD version is both volumes but I’d love to have the whole thing on vinyl, not just “Vol.1”

[@joaquinherreroalvarez3454]

I absolutely agree. I have this work in two cds too. A Blue Note error.

[@riku5168]

@@joaquinherreroalvarez3454 this was the only reason why I did not buy this copy. Hopping for a 2LP (Vol.1&2) release.

[@joaquinherreroalvarez3454]

@@riku5168 Yeeesss!

[@xentakis]

@@riku5168 Word is they are mastering Vol 2 soon, but it’s going to take a while to get released (maybe 2025).

[@analoguecity3454]

Shame to say I don't have any "Donald Byrd" records! Being a jazz "newbie" is no excuse! I'm getting on it!

[@thepaulh]

I’ve always felt the sound of the ride cymbal was strange on Night Train, kind of a phasing effect. It’s remained that way through all the various reissues so is obviously an artefact of the recording ……. all the AS reissues I’ve had so far have been perfect but this one was warped with quite a number of clicks and pops, currently awaiting a replacement

[@66jodaco]

IMO, the ride cymbal has a much better ping to it with the Speakers Corner pressing. The phase sound issue is more pronounced with the Acoustic Sounds Verve pressing. The overall clarity and weight to the piano is better with the Acoustic Sounds as with the bass.

[@joaquinherreroalvarez3454]

Michael, my friend, you should use your influence at MINT SLEEVES "company" to make 13" Gatefold Outer Sleeves and 13" Single Pocket Outer Sleeves "RESEABLES". We need protect your suggestions (Tone Poet, Acustic Sounds, etc.).😎

[@Domonkos.Siegfried]

Mint Sleeves is already importing the VSS 12,75" gatefold and 13" single pocket outers with tuckable flaps. I hope they will appear sooner or later in Michael's shop as well. I prefer the tuckable ones, the glue on the resealable ones will fail eventually.

[@fernandofigueroa625]

Confirmed by Joe Harley that Vol. 2 will come out but sometime in 2025. Yes, 2025!

[@Domonkos.Siegfried]

I'm unsure what causes the audible, but subtle distortion of the cymbals on Night Train. Maybe a bit over-driven level during recording, as you said. To my ears, it sounds more like a tape deterioration issue, I do not know. The master tapes are old, and because it is a classic album, they were probably used many times. Overall, the sonics on this title are less impressive than on the bests of the Series. The different recording locations and sessions of the tracks are also contributing to the sound quality/clarity variations throughout the album.

[@BadTurntable]

Let's see...no Mazzy, no Waxed, no Rachel....okay I will be able to hear what you have to say today.😂

[@BigE-Ian]

Another fine video Michael! I wasn’t sure if I would like the Donald Byrd, based on hearing some of his later work, but apparently his earlier work is more accessible, as I really like this release! I always enjoy live recordings, even if the source tape may not be the best recorded, but on this I think it is very good and deserves the release it has gotten. The soloing throughout is top notch and between the two releases here, I would definitely recommend this one first if you are debating between the two. As for Night Train, yes it’s a great recording and the musicians perform at a high level. However, I find this and “We Get Requests” as more background music for social occasions or when you’re reading, rather than candidates for “active and critical” listening. Maybe it’s just me (and it probably is) but Night Train and We Get Requests make me feel like I’m snacking on appetizers and having a cocktail in the “Rumpus Room” of a Holiday Inn! These will be albums I will stream here and there, but will not be purchasing to add to my growing jazz collection. Donald Byrd has already taken his place in it!

[@tonynewman1694]

Have you managed to get the new bob Marley's uhqr ? Keep up the good work .

[@Michael45RPM]

yes i got a copy

[@KS-yy2fu]

Michael, how does the Speakers Corner Blue Train sound in comparison? Is the Acoustic Sounds such an improvement? Thx.

[@Michael45RPM]

I dont have the Speaker Corner KS ... Sorry

[@66jodaco]

@@Michael45RPM IMO, the ride cymbal has a much better ping to it with the Speakers Corner pressing. The phase sound issue is more pronounced with the Acoustic Sounds Verve pressing. The overall clarity and weight to the piano is better with the Acoustic Sounds as with the bass.

[@geirantonsen2367]

Nice video 👍 have just received my Oscar Peterson aswell. Do you know why all the All the acoustic sounds covers er slightly larger than everything else? Only albums that don't fit in my usual mofi archival sleeves. Rather irritating ...

[@franksmusic2880]

Michael, what kind of jazz music is this album, is it more blues driven or hard bop or soft lounge?

[@Michael45RPM]

the latter, almost Jazz Pop in a way

[@georgemunteanu4040]

Hello! You had the oppoetunity to talk to Chad Kassem.What did you find about releasing Led Zep Classic Records edition?Any copyright problems or what?

[@VinylPiper]

no more amazon links?

[@KS-yy2fu]

This is offered in his own shop, which is linked. So Amazon is not promoted for certain reasons, I think.

[@wallyallgood]

i’m surprised you’re picking these up after chad mentioned all these would be pressed on 45rpm at some point. are you going to repurchase all of them on 45rpm assuming you’re buying all the 33s?

[@user-sm3ru1fm6g]

Byrd TP has nice flow but don't believe this is the best recording TP around

[@historybuff0393]

In my opinion, the music is great but the sound quality not so much, not audiophile quality. Great music, though.