J.A.W. Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Posted June 28, 2012 Is there a set available on a different label which collects the "cream" of the Ellington 32-40 music? I don't know if I want to pop for the price of the Mosaic. Nothing beats the superb quality of the Mosaic, including the relatively good sound. I expressed some doubts about the sound on the earlier discs earlier on, but after repeated listening I must admit that those doubts are unjustified. If Hans says it sounds OK, then.................it sounds OK You're probably kidding, but please don't take my word for it, I was just expressing my opinion. Let your ears and preferences decide. Quote
jazzbo Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Yes, the only time I've heard the Columbia material sound this good elsewhere is on Smithsonian lps of the material. . . it's vinyl, apples to oranges, but sounds very very good, just as the Mosaic does. Quote
David Ayers Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Is there a set available on a different label which collects the "cream" of the Ellington 32-40 music? I don't know if I want to pop for the price of the Mosaic. Well, in fairness, there WAS an excellent but short-lived set from (European) Sony-RCA on their 'Columbia Original Masters' series from about 2008. It is in excellent sound, about 100 tracks on 4 CDs, but now fetches collectors prices. Not much good to you maybe... Quote
CraigP Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 I appreciate the feedback. I know this is heresy, but I'm not a hard-core "Ellington-ite", so I'd rather get a smaller set of this music if it's available, even if I lose a little in sound quality. Quote
J.A.W. Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Posted June 28, 2012 Is there a set available on a different label which collects the "cream" of the Ellington 32-40 music? I don't know if I want to pop for the price of the Mosaic. Well, in fairness, there WAS an excellent but short-lived set from (European) Sony-RCA on their 'Columbia Original Masters' series from about 2008. It is in excellent sound, about 100 tracks on 4 CDs, but now fetches collectors prices. Not much good to you maybe... That was indeed an excellent set, with good sound. Quote
jazzbo Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 I recently sold that set (cheaply, what I paid for it) and though it sounded good, I think the Mosaic sounds noticeably better. But that may be system dependent. I appreciate the feedback. I know this is heresy, but I'm not a hard-core "Ellington-ite", so I'd rather get a smaller set of this music if it's available, even if I lose a little in sound quality. If you're willing to step down a little in sound quality, there is a Portrait two cd set (I think, Sony Special Products release anyway) "Braggin' in Brass" which has the 1938 material in decent cd sound. And the Columbia "The Duke" 3 cd set that has slightly better sound and is a nice overview of the entire Columbia period, twenties through fifties, nicely chose and annotated. For someone not "hard core" Ellington these may be good choices. Quote
Head Man Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 (edited) Is there a set available on a different label which collects the "cream" of the Ellington 32-40 music? I don't know if I want to pop for the price of the Mosaic. Nothing beats the superb quality of the Mosaic, including the relatively good sound. I expressed some doubts about the sound on the earlier discs earlier on, but after repeated listening I must admit that those doubts are unjustified. If Hans says it sounds OK, then.................it sounds OK You're probably kidding, but please don't take my word for it, I was just expressing my opinion. Let your ears and preferences decide. Only joshing, Hans. It's been many years since my cloth ears were able to distinguish the difference between very good and very, very good sound. They're just about good enough now, to distinguish the difference between good and crap sound! BTW I have the Columbia/RCA 4xCD box set and...it sounds fine to me. Edited June 28, 2012 by Head Man Quote
David Ayers Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 I recently sold that set (cheaply, what I paid for it) and though it sounded good, I think the Mosaic sounds noticeably better. But that may be system dependent. It's also $10 vs $200 dependent! [inc. shipping] Quote
jazzbo Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. Quote
CraigP Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions. That 3 CD "The Duke" overview on Columbia is available as a download on Amazon for $30. Quote
David Ayers Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. I *think* it would be good enough for Craig.... Quote
Head Man Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. I bought it for less than £6 delivered four years ago. In the UK, of course. I see it's going for nearly £80 now....amazing. For that price you might as well spring for the Mosaic set. Quote
CraigP Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. I *think* it would be good enough for Craig.... Are you speaking of the 4 CD Columbia Original Masters set? Because I see it used for $70 and up, not $10-$20... Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 (edited) When it was new many of us got it in the $10-25 range. I see I got it for $14.89 delivered in July 2008. Edited June 28, 2012 by Chuck Nessa Quote
jazzbo Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. I *think* it would be good enough for Craig.... But silly to purchase at current prices. . . . Quote
CraigP Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 When it was new many of us got it in the $10-25 range. I see. Well, decisions, decisions.... BTW, it's great to have this discussion to take my mind off the fact I had surgery two days ago. Quote
CraigP Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Thanks! I had my prostate removed, fortunately they caught the cancer early. Right now I'm listening to a stack of new CDs: Devin grey's Dirigo Rataplan, the new Threadgill, next up the new Eisenstadt Octet...plus that new Cecil Taylor DVD! Quote
David Ayers Posted June 28, 2012 Report Posted June 28, 2012 Sure, but the sound isn't up to the Mosaic standards, and when you've bought this material several times, sound quality matters. And I've never seen it 10 dollars, maybe in Europe, though I didn't see it; I bought it from Europe when released for bout 20. I *think* it would be good enough for Craig.... But silly to purchase at current prices. . . . True enough. Doctor Who could probably get a good deal on it though. I paid under $10 inclusive of shipping....Oh and good luck post-surgery, Craig! Quote
CraigP Posted June 29, 2012 Report Posted June 29, 2012 Oh and good luck post-surgery, Craig! Thanks! Quote
Adam Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 up. Might finally get this set this year. Not a lot of commentary on it in a while. Is it worth getting? Quote
jeffcrom Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 up. Might finally get this set this year. Not a lot of commentary on it in a while. Is it worth getting? The best tracks are masterpieces, the mediocre tracks are excellent, and the worst tracks are pretty damn good. Quote
J.A.W. Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Posted November 21, 2012 up. Might finally get this set this year. Not a lot of commentary on it in a while. Is it worth getting? The best tracks are masterpieces, the mediocre tracks are excellent, and the worst tracks are pretty damn good. Excellent description. Quote
romualdo Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 up. Might finally get this set this year. Not a lot of commentary on it in a while. Is it worth getting? The best tracks are masterpieces, the mediocre tracks are excellent, and the worst tracks are pretty damn good. :lol: Essential IMHO - you won't regret getting this (even if it's not to your liking, once it's OOP, you'll probably double your money on resale) Quote
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