I was at a concert at Massey Hall in Toronto last night which got me thinking about the history of this venue. This morning I dug out my Jazz at Massey Hall Album, a 1953 recording of a concert with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Max Roach and Charles Mingus. While the music is great, the recording is not so great. Just wondering if anyone knows this album and if there are any re-mastered versions on either vinyl or cd that improve on the sound quality of the album. I believe I the album I have is a 1962 Fantasy Records debut series pressing.

Thanks,
Mike O

I was under the impression that the original Debut was the best recording. There is a K2 Remaster available. It was released in 2002 and mastered by Tamaki Beck at JVC Studios. Also, the tape used for this disc was made from tapes on to which Mingus added bass in ensemble passages and some solo exchanges. So, it's not the original mix

Give it a whirl.

Don't know about a newer version Mike but a comment on the venue - great place to hear music.

It's been a few years since I've seen anything there and it was getting pretty rough around the edges last time I was there but I used to love going to see concerts at Massey Hall. The acoustics in there are fantastic and the intimate nature of the place can make the live music experience there truly something special. One of the few places where I didn't mind spending some bucks with the scalpers to get a good center seat.

Who did you see last night?

I have this record. I agree that is is one of the best jazz jams ever. Charlie Parker was listed as "Charlie Chan." I have it as "The Quintet, Jazz at Massey Hall" on Original Jazz Classic label, number OJC --044. OJC was distributed by Fantasy.

I believe this is a pressing from the tapes for the original Debut #124 record. From the OJC liner notes:

"We owe the survival of the music to Charles Mingus, who, along with Max Roach, taped the concert and subsequently issued it on his own Debut label."

That's what I would look for if you are looking for another version. I bought my copy in a used record store. For $1.00. Sealed. Original price $5.98 suggested list.

The sound might not be that much better on the OJC version. I suspect it was originally recorded in 2-track, and it was a live recording after all. You have a rare record there.

Don't know about a newer version Mike but a comment on the venue - great place to hear music.

It's been a few years since I've seen anything there and it was getting pretty rough around the edges last time I was there but I used to love going to see concerts at Massey Hall. The acoustics in there are fantastic and the intimate nature of the place can make the live music experience there truly something special. One of the few places where I didn't mind spending some bucks with the scalpers to get a good center seat.

Who did you see last night?

Hi Bill

I have to agree. The accoustics in Massey Hall are excellent. One of my favourite places to see a concert, although either the seats are getting smaller or I am getting larger and it can get uncomfortable sitting for long periods in there. Last night's concert was Colin James and the Little Big Band. Overall, a great show.

Mike O

I was under the impression that the original Debut was the best recording. There is a K2 Remaster available. It was released in 2002 and mastered by Tamaki Beck at JVC Studios. Also, the tape used for this disc was made from tapes on to which Mingus added bass in ensemble passages and some solo exchanges. So, it's not the original mix

Give it a whirl.

Thanks Drybasement

Just reading up on the K2 Remaster version now and it seems exactly what I am looking for. The version I have is not terrible, and some tracks seem much better than others but I definitely would like to find this album after some restoration work has been done.

Mike O

I believe this album is available on SACD. I do not know how it will compare with the vinyl, but even the CD layer on hybrid discs I have sounds much better than "normal" CD's of the same albums.

SACD, interesting, I'll have to check that out as it seems the vinyl will be hard to come by.

Maybe I will play my OJC reissue in a bit. It has been some time and I never thought to critically listen to it as audiophile material, just for the wonderful music it is.

Carl

The SACD is available at Acoustic Sounds. Hybrid mono.

Folks, this concert, released on Debut, and later remastered, was incomplete. The remainder can be found on Bud Powell's album Jazz At Massey Hall released on OJC 111. But....there's a ceedee released in 2003 titled "Complete Jazz At Massey Hall" which appears to include the whole concert. Saw it over at CD Universe.

Cheers

Confirmed the "Quintet" SACD is on Debut, and is taken from the tapes that Mingus added bass to.

Thanks for the tip on the rest of the concert, drybasement! :thmbsp:

Todd

I'm with CarlV on this -- I always thought the spontaneous combustion and creativity of all involved were foremost on this music. Maybe it's just me, but I would not be partial to the version with add-ons by Mingus. It would be a curiosity, but second (or farther back) in my play order to the original Debut mix.