Great music, superb mastering...but terrible pressing!
3 Stars
Posted
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
by
RCG
I purchased this a few weeks ago. Having grown up with it, I've owned it in several different configurations. I can clearly say that Bernie Grundman has done his usual stellar job in bringing out the quality of this 50 year old recording! It is a delight to hear. Well...almost a delight.
The problem here is that the pressing quality is terrible. I did not have any problem with noise--a few more ticks than I'd like, but nothing intrusive. Yet the record came to me filthy, in a cheap paper sleeve, covered in dust and a hazy film. After a few trips through the record vac, the dust and dirt is gone, yet that film will not come off.
What's worse is that the vinyl is wavy. It is wavy to the point where any piano or sustained horn is wavering in pitch, and there is ba. Not only that, on side two there are clearly scratches from mishandling at the pressing plant.
The "Christmas Album" was similarly dirty and hazy, and still wavy, but at least it was