Birth of the Cool

[edski]

OK, I'm here. Thanks to B-3er for getting this going.

I am fairly new to jazz so this is a pretty basic question:

Should I opt for the 2cd Complete Birth of the Cool set or is the RVG edition better in any way?

Also, I am curious about the "In a Silent Way" box set - is the IASW album represented in the box entirely? Will I also need to buy the album to get the original release?

Thanks in advance,

edski

[Chuck Nessa]

You are probably not going to like this, but you may want to buy both. The "Complete" set should be the first choice since you get the live material as well (music over sonics). Then, if you are captivated by the Capitol sides, you will need the RVG for the best sound.

[J.A.W.]

...Also, I am curious about the "In a Silent Way" box set - is the IASW album represented in the box entirely? Will I also need to buy the album to get the original release?

edski

Yep, the IASW album is included in the set in its entirety.

[David Williams]

edski - the RVG was mastered from the newly discovered original tapes, whereas previous reissues were done from 2nd or 3rd generation masters - hence the much improved sound.

[JSngry]

RE BOTC: What Chuck said. Definitely.

Now, if BN hadn't pissed everybody off, there would probably be a market for a THIRD version - one combining the RVG with the live stuff. It might happen yet!

[jacknife]

The IASW box is great, the album is contained on disc 3, but the single disc sacd in multichanel sounds awesome!

[edski]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure the 2cd version wasn't recorded at the wrong speed or anything like that. When I get some audio equipment that will let me hear the sonic improvement, I'll spring for the RVG. Right now, I am all about quantity over quality (music over sonics) unless of course, the sonics were really off in some way.

Now, I can buy the IASW box with confidence. Thanks!

[Big Wheel]

Ed, although Blue Note's website lists the Complete BOTC as a 2CD set, both the live and studio material is actually all packed into only one CD. They goofed.

[Gary]

If you do go for the RVG I'm reasonably sure the live material is on the Young Miles Proper box

[Alexander]

If you do go for the RVG I'm reasonably sure the live material is on the Young Miles Proper box

I think you're right.

I'd go for the RVG, in any case. The sonic improvement is such that you can hear it on ANY system. It's really amazing. It literally knocked me out of my chair the first time I heard it.

I do have the "Complete BOTC" for the live material, and the difference is like apples and chedder cheese...nothing alike, but they do compliment each other in an odd way...

[mikeweil]

Isn't there a Fresh Sound CD with the BOTC live material?

[jazzbo]

I don't know about Fresh Sounds. . . probably. . .but there was a Bandstand cd from Italy. AND a Natasha Import from Stash-Daybreak as well that also had additional material from broadcasts (non-nonet).