Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I noticed a note on the box that explained the first two albums
    were AAD, and the third was DAD.  Why DAD?  This means that the
    source was a expensive multitrack digital tape.  Then it was mixed
    onto a poor ol' analog two track.  Why wasn't it digital mastered?
    Did you notice much hiss?
    
    I own the first two LP's, but would consider buying the set to get
    the third, plus a clean copy of the first two.  (I think that was one
    of the last LP's I bought.)
    

    						-Paul
        

    Thanks for the information, but it is a little too late for me.
    Last week I just bought the 3rd CD in the set.....I wish that they
    had released it in a double CD from the start, but then again they
    wouldn't have made as much mony from people like me!!!!

    re .1
           Both the AAD and DAD sections as clean as whistle, no
    discernable hiss. I don't think they messed around on these
    recording sessions. They used the best of "proven" technology
    available. The whole sound and production quality is excellent and
    on par with the quality of performance.
    
           As to the content, I understand that the last 11 tracks
    (previously released as "For Sentimental Reasons") were also the
    last recordings by Nelson Riddle. I can't help feeling that
    some of these recordings will become the definitive versions of
    the songs in the CD age. With thirty two tracks to choose from
    it is a little difficult to remember all the titles, let alone
    pick out any for special mention. They are all so good !.
    Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" sticks out in my mind. I'll post
    more when I've had a chance to listen longer. Anyone else?.
    
    			Strolls

     I am a newcomer to the CD scene, and as such have only compiled
     a "library" of seven CD's. Be this as it may...I could'nt agree
     with you more. Three of the CD's in my so far limited repertoire
     are the Ronstadt, Riddle combinations, and I LOVE THEM. The content
     is traditional and the sound is pure heaven!
    
     I highly recommend the set as an addition to your collection.
    
     Neil Norris
     

    Let me start by saying that I like a lot of what Linda Ronstadt has
    done.  In fact, one of my most favorite LV discs is a Randy Newman club
    date on which Linda sings two incredible songs. 

    Her recordings of late with Nelson Riddle are another story.  I've been
    a fan of the songs for a LONG time.  While it's nice that Linda has
    giving these old standards long overdue exposure (in this age of "I
    only sing my own songs"), I'm not thrilled with her versions of the
    songs.  They don't hold a candle to the (mostly lost) performances by
    singers like Carmen McRae, Chris Connor, Lena Horne, Anita O'Day, ...

    Linda's recordings remind me a lot of the GRP recording of a modern
    edition of the Glenn Miller Orchestra called "In a Digital Mood".  As
    I've indicated elsewhere in this conference, this new recording is
    missing the spirit of the original recordings. 

    -- Ward

    Ward,
    
    That is an interesting viewpoint, and lets face it, we all have
    our favourites. Yours are however the firts negative comments I
    have heard to date concerning these compilations. In fact Nelson
    Riddle thought enough of Linda Ronstadt to come out of seclusion.
    I for one am glad he did, and I'm glad Linda was there to greet
    him.
    
    Let me recommend to others that they sample the some of the following
    tracks, "Round Midnight", "Straighten Up and Fly Right", and "Little
    Girl Blues", you wont regret it and you'll get a feel for the flow
    of the other pieces in this compilation.
    
    HABBY
    

    Everyone has their own opinions, personally, I've never heard
    "When you wish upon a star" sound better.  If there is any way
    to wear out a cd, that track is in trouble. : )
    
    Ken Roller 
    

    I agree with the opinion expressed in .5 ...  I think Linda Ronstadt's
    versions are ok, but these songs are standards, and most have been
    done (better, in my opinion) by other artists.  As a collection,
    I think "'Round Midnight" is good, but taken individually, I think
    there are better recordings of most of the songs.
    
    Obviously this is a matter of taste.  I happen to find Ronstadt's
    singing a little too "saccharine-y".  There are lots of CDs of great
    singers now, so if you like the "'Round Midnight" material, you
    should listen to Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Fred
    Astaire, and many others, usually in the Jazz section of the CD
    bins.

    Sure, there are many excellent interpretations of these songs
    elsewhere, they are standards. I have a large collection covering
    a wide spectrum. Indeed, I am a great fan of Ella Fitzgerald who
    herself has recorded most of these songs. My original comment
    point was that the quality of performance and production is
    extremely high throughout this collection and some tracks in 
    are the best recordings I have heard of a particular song.
    
    Some of the preceeding replies have a deprecatory tone about them,
    something I have noticed in NOTES files generally. I like to feel
    my comments have been encouraging and positive, to generate interest,
    not to see my name on a screen. 
    
    We all know people have different tastes. If anyone is interested
    in the great standard songs then this is a collection not to be
    missed. I have never bought a Linda Ronstadt disc/record before
    and I rate 'Round Midnight highly alongside my collection of female
    vocalists recordings.
    
    I think I'll go home and listen to it now !!
    
    Strolls
    
    
    (Yep! that "Wish Upon a Star" is something else !!)
     

    
    
    I realize that the original base-note is over 8 months old, but
    I'm just now catching up on a years worth of missed notes - normally
    I'm in records and more recently in Beatles notes. I felt that someone
    that is a "real" Ronstadt fan needed to plug into this and add a
    critique with maybe a different perspective. 
    
    I, too, have a somewhat negative reaction to the discs. Not from
    a sound perspective, but rather one relating to performance. The
    Riddle orchestra leading, as always, is close to perfect. His apparent
    influence on Ronstadt's vocal output is what really weakens the
    set in my estimation. "Strolls" claims to have no other Ronstadt
    collections, and this is what maybe differs his stance from those
    of us that disagree.
    
    Linda has run the gamut - soft to racous country, feeling ballads
    to wild rock & roll, light opera to ethnic Spanish and now 30's/40's
    ballads. She's at her best in her early folk period with the Stone
    Poney or during the "Queen of Rock" period beginning in '72 with
    "Heart Like a Wheel" and ending in '83 with "Get Closer." Her vocals
    range from timid story-telling to awesome drill-instructor-like
    orders. The Riddle collection not only stole her voice, but caused her
    to lose identity. And, unfortunately, Nelson was the cause. 
    
    They rehearsed for 3 months, then spent another 9 going over material
    - the best of which was never released because she held so much
    trust in Riddle, she held back another 2 albums worth of music.
    Sad to say, it was "girl-group" music (Andrews, McGuire sister music),
    sung with her 3 backup singers from her rock days, but Riddle didn't
    like it.
    
    Listen closely, it's almost as if she's straining in an attempt
    to hold back. The orchestra at times is almost over-bearing. If
    my memory serves me right, Riddle did this with many artists, except
    Sinatra, cause Frankie insisted it'd be his way or no way. Even
    Nat King Cole seems much subdued during the time Nelson conducted
    behind him, considering his vocal prowess in his later material
    (or earlier with the trio). "When You Wish Upon a Star," beautiful
    as it may be on it's own merits, is classic Ronstadt subdued. She
    just barely makes the final note, cause her throat is so constricted,
    while trying to get that high note.
    
    I'd strongly recommend listening to other Ronstadt, then listening
    again to the Riddle collection. For a good example of her dynamic
    range, listen to "Easy For You To Say" from the "Get Closer" lp.
    As much as I love her, the Riddle collection just ain't the Ronstadt
    I know.
    
    				The Cruiser