[Dixielandjazz] King Oliver/stereo

[Anton Crouch]

Hello David

About King Oliver's 1923 recordings you wrote   >>It's too bad that the
accoustic recording often gets in the way of one's full enjoyment of the
music. But this is aided by Parker's stereoization, which I think improves
the sound, and also helps occasionally by separating the 2 cornets to some
extent.<<

Whoa! David Parker's stereoisation "improves the sound"? This is heady
stuff and an issue which polarises the re-issue collecting fraternity.

I'm firmly on the side of the non or moderate interventionists. For me,
Parker's process is just smoke-and-mirrors and I can't see how any amount
of signal manipulation can produce stereo from a mono source. And, yes, I
know about the variation of the vertical component with frequency in a
laterally cut mono groove.

The John R T Davies transfers are better than we have any right to expect
and worrying about the sound quality is like looking at Michelangelo's
Sistine Chapel frescoes and worrying about the condition of the plaster.

Sorry to come on a bit strong on this topic but its a grenade which just
has to be lobbed back.    :-)

Regards
Anton