Founded in 1946, Klipsch is one of America's best-known loudspeaker makers. Klipsch Tape Reissues Vol. II is an analog recording of the Joe Holland Quartet playing Jazz classics in a live recording. Members of the quartet are Joe Holland (drums), Fred Rogers (clarinet), Bill Wallace (piano) and Howard Ward (bass). Songs on the album include Yesterdays, Night and Day, Blue Moon, The Lady Is A Tramp, September Song and Pennies From Heaven.
This album was supervised and engineered by Paul W. Klipsch, founder of Klipsch Loudspeakers. The album has been transferred from Analog Master Tape to DSD 128 Stereo by Bob Witak at High Definition Tape Transfers using the Merging Technologies Hapi Analog to DSD Converter.
Klipsch Tape Reissues Vol. II is now available at the Native DSD Music store in DSD 128 and DSD 64 Stereo. (Purchases of the DSD 128 Stereo edition of the album allow listeners to download the DSD 64 edition at no added cost). It is a DSD Exclusive, Not Available on SACD release.
The album's session notes tell us "In July of 1955 when the music in this album was recorded, none of the principals concerned had any idea that the tapes would one day find themselves on the market. The purpose was merely to record material suitable for demonstrations. As a result the performers were under no strain whatever, and the playing clearly shows a spontaneity and vitality that one seldom hears outside of live and informal performances.
In keeping with the nature of the music, intimate microphone placement was employed with the result that certain extra-musical sounds are clearly audible at times. The usual practice of recording engineers is to edit out sounds of this sort, replacing them with portions of later "takes" of the same piece in which "errors" of this sort do not occur. While editing of this sort might result in a note perfect performance, it is in no sense a natural one. Since we believe that these sounds enhance rather than detract from the performance, and, since they are actually a part of what did take place, we wouldn't think of cutting them out.
To be specific, the drummer's suspension seat, as he bobs up and down on it, emits a sometimes audible squeak if one knows what to listen for. In addition there are breathing sounds and occasional key clicks from the clarinet as well as a few random subdued comments from the players. And perhaps the best of all occurs in the introduction of one of the numbers where one player, somewhat in doubt as to what the piece is, looks around quizzically and says, "What is this, Blue Moon?" (Whereupon one of his fellows nods affirmatively telling him that it is Blue Moon.) "
One reviewer said "Try to find a better recording on location of purely acoustic instruments. Even an equal quality recording. I'm not sure you can.
The Joe Holland Quartet sounds awesome. If you take into account when the sessions were done (1954-1957), things become simply jaw-dropping.
Take in mind this: "Jazz at the Pawnshop" has been usually hailed as the paradigm of a well-recorded album of the genre. But compared with this, it is a simple game for kids.
If you love good jazz and are fond of really, really good sound, you MUST HAVE this. You will not believe your own ears, trust me."
