John Coltrane - My Favorite Things - My Favorite Mastering Engineers - Head-2-Head - BG vs KG vs RKS
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- After a very excited wait, I have just been listening to the brand new Analogue Productions Atlantic 75 series release of John Coltrane's 1961 blockbuster: 'My Favorite Things'. This absolutely superb new Ryan K Smith all-analogue cut, direct from the original master tapes is presented on 4x45rpm LPs and pressed at the world's number one (in my opinion) pressing plant: QRP.
By way of comparison I also listened to the '60th Anniversary' issue (both stereo and mono cuts) again, remastered from the original analogue master tapes, cut this time, by Cohearent Audio's Kevin Gray. Finally, to make this a true contest between the 'HOLY TRINITY' of mastering engineers, I also compare to the 2010 Bernie Grundman cut Rhino remaster, as with both the others, this release was also cut from the original master tapes.
So, here we have what are in my opinion, the top 3 remastering engineers in the World, all three using the same source tapes to produce hopefully, the ultimate release of this seminal jazz classic.
So, who wins?
I purchased my copy from Acoustic Sounds at: store.acoustic...
My favorite things is probably my favorite release from John Coltrane. It is music that is so easy to listen to and enjoy. I love it.
It wasn’t an album I particularly enjoyed: perhaps 20 years ago I had an earlier reissue which sounded very uninspiring…
Now, I absolutely love it!
Nice review! I bought the 2LP Kev Gray a little while back (having already bought the BG mastered reissue on ORG). I agree that the stereo version of the Kevin Gray was nice, but the real killer and hidden gem was 100% the mono version. To me, it just brought everything together and worked! Glad we agreed on that. I did play it using my mono cartridge as well.
Thanks for the feedback Sammy!
Well that was really interesting. You truly know your music Dave. I've just subscribed, keep them coming please.
Thanks Mike. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Great comparison, thanx. Another Masterpiece cut by Ryan K. Smith is War - Greatest Hits on Analogue Productions 45 rpm. IMO the best AP Release in 2024 so far. Greetings from Germany❤🇩🇪
Glad you enjoyed my review. Thanks for the feedback!
I have the Kevin Gray version of that, cut on his all valve system - absolutely amazing (33rpm). I wonder how they compare…
"I buy them because I've got to have them" well... I've cured myself of that syndrome as there was too much to listen to, however I shifted emphasis. I've always collected UK 1st pressings and some EU & USA 1st pressings but I've shifted from quantity to quality now buying the very expensive pressings that were missing from my collection as I'm getting older, I started collecting in the 1960's and my collection was getting huge. This shift is enabling me to listen to things that are my real favourites. Each to their own of course.
I enjoy the discovery of ‘new’ (to me) music, especially when I get to like albums I previously found challenging.
Thanks for you comment Ergloo!
Excellent, thorough comparison review Dave, really enjoyed it!
Thank you kindly!
That was an enjoyable watch. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for a really interesting discussion. It prompted me to listen to my two reissues - 60th anniversary (Kevin Gray) and the 2x45 ORG Stereo (Bernie Grundman). On my system, the ORG Stereo smokes the 60th.
But.... The Mono version of the 60th is waaaay better than any of the stereo mixes, to my ears, because of the hard right -left panning of the stereo. Interestingly, the ORG is not quite as extreme as the 60th in this respect, but it is still very hard panned.
Maybe you should check out the ORG 2x45 as well, for comparison to the new AP 2x45.
Thanks for this really interesting feedback. It would be interesting to hear the BG 45rpm cut.
Hi, very interesting, only have the K.Gray cut and fully agree between mono And stereo version. Big thanks, I can’t wait for tape vs UHQR shootout! J from Paris.
Thanks Julien!
I enjoyed your review and subscribed. I'm in Canada so the Atlantic series is not easily accessible and it's just as well (otherwise I might be tempted by some of these titles). When they announced the 60th version with both mono and stereo + booklet, it was a no-brainer for me; especially for $42.10 CAD (36.62 + 5.48 taxes)...which is about 30.99 USD or 24.53 GBP or 28.60 EUR. That said, I have no doubt that the Atlantic gatefold and most importantly the 45 rpm version are stellar. I came for the review but stayed for the reel to reel porn. Cheers!
Glad you’re enjoying my channel. Thanks for subscribing!
Thank you for this video Dave. I can recognise your comments from what I recall of playing the BG (US, RTI, heavier card cover version )and KPG cuts. I was also not that impressed with the ORG45 which I took to support the view that the Atlantic recordings weren’t that great technically. When I get my system set up running again (after decorating) I will have to dig out the copies I have and have another listen and maybe save up for the AP75 as I do oh so like JC on Soprano Sax.
Hi Simon, I've not heard any of the ORG label release to be honest, it would be interesting but I am so happy with the RKS cut, I don't think I'll be looking that hard to find a copy. Thanks for the feedback, cheers!
Interesting vid. Thanks for this, Dave. I've actually got the Rhino version of this and the Rhino versions of a few other Coltrane albums from his stint at Atlantic and thought they were pretty good considering that they were priced at what today would be considered 'cheap' (about £18ish). Interestingly, a number of years ago, Steve Hoffman (the man himself, not someone on his forum!) said that although the music itself is great, none of Coltrane's albums at Atlantic were very well recorded and that he didn't think they were particularly worthy of any huge effort i.e. any expensive audiophile versions. I wonder if he's heard any of these AP 75th anniversary releases? I suppose, as with many other things, the value is ultimately with the listener!
Hi Norliss. Great feedback, thanks: clearly Steve Hoffman isn't always right! ;-)
You need to open Soultrane. It’s absolutely spectacular!!! Great video as usual
Ok, I’ll make that the next one I open! Thanks for the direction!
You’re video demonstrates the rabbit hole audiophiles go through searching for the Perfect Recording of a album Buying the same copy over and over again with probably minimal difference in sound quality between them is okay if you can afford it as these records aren’t cheap but it’s not worth the money for such small or in some cases no difference between them
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Dave.
I got the AP version this week. It sounds fantastic. Of course that Stoughton jacket is amazing. Look, you cost me money again; I didn't know AP had pressed a Coltrane self titled. I had a Waxtime pressing from 2017, but I bellied up to the shopping cart on that one and also picked up the AP Soultrane along with it. Also, I bought the Shelby Lynn "Just A Little Lovin'" in 45 rpm. I'd like to know if you have the 33 or the 45 of that from AP. I have the 33 and it's freaking jaw dropping. It really will show the flaws with a system and will also show the capabilities of a system. After some discussions online about the 45, I decided to get it. What an album! I'd like to get your feedback on that album if you've got it.
Hi Wilson, glad you enjoyed the video. I know what you mean about your bank balance! There are so many (too many) "I really have to get that" LPs (and tapes) coming along these days.
I don't have the Shelby Lynne, I totally appreciate the phenomenal production quality of it, but it just don't float my boat. Dusty on the other hand... Can't wait for the Atlantic 75 of 'In Memphis'. Thanks for your feedback!
Just to complicate matters further: Org Music did a 2 x 45 cut by Bernie Grundman and pressed at Pallas. I have that and a clean Japanese pressing so I'm good.
I’ve not heard the ORG, thanks for the feedback.
Great video! Have you heard the ORG My Favorite Things mono 45 RPM reissue? I’d love to hear your take on it and how it compares to these other reissues that you just talked about. It’d be great if you could do another video comparing the new analogue productions Giant Steps reissue and the 45 RPM one cut by Bernie Grundman for Rhino
Hi bp, no, sadly that one hasn't come my way. I'll keep an eye out for a copy...
Dave, any chance you could do a video on giant steps?
Hi Chris, it’s in my ‘in pile’ so hopefully I’ll get to it soon.
great video Dave
Thanks Erik
The first album I had was “live at the village vanguard - again!” which is avante garde and very intense. Not very impressed. Then I got some of the more accessible albums, Blue Train, Soultrane and many others. Magic.
I have loads of them now - plenty of AP releases, of course.
Like you, I have multiple versions of this one.
Cool! I’m really looking forward to listening to the albums I’ve not opened yet. Thanks for the feedback Stephen.
You should invite your wife to give her opinion!
This was fun!
Haha! Thanks David, she gives her opinion alright! 😂
What were her ratings, if you and she are willing to provide?
The recording of this record is just so-so. But i prefer most of my jazz is mono. I think the mono smokes the rhino and i didn't buy the 45 because it breaks up the flow and I don't want to get up and change it that much.
Thanks for the feedback Evan.
I owned both BG's and KPG's versions but stuck to KPG because of the mono version wich is for me more pleasant to listen to. For same reason i skipped the AP release :)
The mono is so satisfying, like you I think I will skip this iteration as well.
I have the Org cut. Maybe I'll buy the Atlantic 75 and compare them.
I kinda now wish that KG's mono cut was available by itself as then I'd just keep the Atlantic 75 stereo and KG's mono.
I received the Atlantic 75 release yesterday and I prefer it over the ORG cut. I'm curious now, so I will break out the KG mono today and listen to it.
It's not really a fair comparison to put a 45 rpm record up against a 33 rpm version. I haven't heard 33 beat a 45 all things otherwise being relatively equal. The real comparison to make is between the AP 45 and the ORG 45 mastered by Bernie Grundman, which is still available by the way. That would give you a better comparison. Likewise, you can't really compare a mono record with stereo if it isn't being played with a mono cartridge.
Fair comments however in order to establish whether the 45 is better than the 33 I need to compare them. I wouldn’t assume anything… Same goes with the mono vs stereo thing. Sure they sound different, I only use my mono cartridge for original 50s & early 60s pressings. But until i make these comparisons I don’t know which I prefer.