[Dixielandjazz] Re: Firefly, anyone?

Bill Haesler bhaesler@nsw.bigpond.net.au
Thu, 12 Dec 2002 20:20:34 +1100


Dear Bill,
Here is what I have.
Recorded by Columbia at Latin Casino, Philadelphia on 22 Dec 1958.
Tony Bennett with Count Basie and His Orch.
Released on the following LPs.
Album called 'In Person'. Col. CL 1294, CS 8104
Philips (Eng) BBL 7308, SBBL 542 (stereo).
I have no references to an EP, but that does not mean that it did not exist=
.
Discographies frequently ignore EPs.
I also found the review below of the album on the internet (3 of the song t=
itles
are mentioned), which implies that the sides have been reissued on CD.
I tried Worlds Records with no luck.
I tried Amazon, which have it listed as a Columbia/Sony CD, but without any
confirming tune titles or catalogue no.
At this point I stopped.

Review:
I am amazed at what Mobile Fidelity=B9s new GAIN 2 technology can do. This al=
bum
is the first GAIN 2 album I have had a chance to listen closely to, if it c=
an
make a 1958 recording sound this good I can=B9t wait to hear some of the newe=
r
recordings remastered with the GAIN 2 system. Tony Bennett and Count Basie =
come
alive on this Mobile Fidelity release. The soundstage is wide with good ima=
ging
of individual instruments and Bennett=B9s voice comes across clearly with gre=
at
presence.

Tony Bennett=B9s performance is as solid as ever. His renditions of =8CFirefly=B9=
 and
=8CLullaby of Broadway=B9 are particularly engaging. The Count Basie orchestra
really shines and is thoroughly enjoyable throughout the disc. The orchestr=
a
artfully backs Bennett and greatly adds to his vocals. The disc ends with a
rousing rendition of =8COl=B9 Man river=B9 featuring Candido Camero=B9s incredible =
bongo
drum performance.

As good as this disc is, there was one thing that detracted from my enjoyme=
nt,
the applause track. The original producer inserted it to make this studio
recording sound live, in my opinion it is a bit overdone. Even with all the
applause the performance of Bennett and Count Basie and his orchestra come
through loud and clear to be enjoyed.

Reviewed by Brian Kahn
Music Reviewer, The Audio Revolution Send us your comments.

Click here to buy this CD from Amazon.com to support a free AudioRevolution=
.com!

Kind regards,
Bill.