Last week I found one of my favorite Frank Sinatra albums in a dusty used bin, "Sinatra - Basie." It's a meeting of two giants and the music on display here is sublime. What I love is that this isn't a Sinatra record or a Basie record, but a vastly successful blend of the two talents to create a unique sound. For example, the opening track "Pennies from Heaven"is as much about the orchestra and Sax solo as it is about Sinatra's vocals and the song is all the better for it. Sinatra records are about Sinatra; the band is there for support. But not here, where the band plays a prominent role to add variety to the sound.
"Sinatra- Basie" is a record I had an eye for in used bins because while I did have a copy for a long time it wasn't in the best condition. Great news is that this new copy I found was in much better condition than my previous copy! Score! But I noticed something else. The label looked different than my previous copy:
After a little research I discovered that my new copy, with the Blue/Green label, is an early 60's original pressing of the album while my old copy, with the Tan/Orange label, is a late 60's repress. And the sound? The original is leagues ahead of the repress. The two biggest differences that instantly strike me is that bass is bigger, fuller, and enveloping in the original while the bass in the repress is thin and forgettable. Second, the stereo imaging is far better in the original, while the repress sounds more mono-like. The original is warmer, bigger, more spacious, and a much more enjoyable listen.
Conclusion: For reprise albums, collect the original early 60's Blue/Green labels and avoid the represses.
"Sinatra- Basie" is a record I had an eye for in used bins because while I did have a copy for a long time it wasn't in the best condition. Great news is that this new copy I found was in much better condition than my previous copy! Score! But I noticed something else. The label looked different than my previous copy:
After a little research I discovered that my new copy, with the Blue/Green label, is an early 60's original pressing of the album while my old copy, with the Tan/Orange label, is a late 60's repress. And the sound? The original is leagues ahead of the repress. The two biggest differences that instantly strike me is that bass is bigger, fuller, and enveloping in the original while the bass in the repress is thin and forgettable. Second, the stereo imaging is far better in the original, while the repress sounds more mono-like. The original is warmer, bigger, more spacious, and a much more enjoyable listen.
Conclusion: For reprise albums, collect the original early 60's Blue/Green labels and avoid the represses.
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