Count Basie -- Complete Decca Recordings

[Dmitry]

Which one sounds better - the 1992 GRP set or the 2001 Definitive Classics?

What about the book?

[montg]

It's possible Definitive lifted the GRP transfers, so there may be no difference at all. It's unlikely Definitve went out and found all original 78s, cleaned them and transferred them. They likely lifted them from somewhere.

I like the transfers done by Dave Bennett for a small UK label called Avid.

[Chuck Nessa]

I dumped the GRP set and bought the first six Classics and the first two Neatworks to obtain all the studio Basie/Pres/Decca/Columbia 1936-41. The GRPs are bass thin.

[Dmitry]

Chuck, I'm sure what you'ree referring to is common knowledge, but please explain for me what you got, records, cds?

[Chuck Nessa]

Six cds on the Classics label (1936-41 master takes only) and two cds on Neatworks (1936-41 all the alternate takes).

Classics specializes in the master takes of all the old 'classics'. Neatworks has a series of the alternate takes matching up with the Classics.

[Dmitry]

Thanks. I'll check them out.

[John Delaney]

Do note rule out the Basie Hep CDs which have received the magic touch of John R.T.Davies the world's number one in sound restoration.

John Delaney