Record Details

Artist:	Various
Title:	Sentimental Journey 30's 40's
Format:	12"
Label:	RCA Victor
Cat No:	PRS-356
Released:	1972
Country:
Status	Have
Added To List	26th November 2016

Additional Information

Comments

The RCA Special Products two-LP set of SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY '30s '40s was issued in the early '70s on Dynaflex discs under the BROOKVILLE Records banner. Originally designed for automatic changer use, Sides One and Four are on the first LP, Two and Three on the second. Both records are in a single thin stock cover with generic artwork. There's no liner notes or playlist. Eight songs per album side is at first glance generous, yet eight of these are Hi-Fi remakes, one in early stereo sound. All but the latter have undergone simulated stereo processing that with headphones reveals some clever effects. My four star rating is on the twenty-four outstanding original recordings. RANDOM NOTES The set opener is a non-vocal '50s cover version. Source 78 for "Louise" shows surface anomalies: a double-tick and some whoosh. What little bass (tuba) that's present on "St. Louis Blues" is on the right channel. "I Surrender, Dear" includes a minute of instrumental intro that's sometimes edited out. Great bass response on this ancient cut. "I'll Never Smile Again" has surface ticks. A pristine 78 of this Dorsey/Sinatra side may not exist. "Goodnight My Love" is a rarity. The record was recalled shortly after its release because Goodman and Fitzgerald were under contract to different labels. On a carefully rechanneled "Moonglow," bass is at the right and strings backing Artie's clarinet seem slightly to the left, cymbals more so. Impressive bottom tones on "Boogie Woogie," an early swing number. On "Cherokee," RCA again gets the most out of bass frequencies. Hi-hat on "In the Mood" appears to occupy a left-of-center spot. No added echo or other filtering here. A brilliantly engineered "Chattanooga Choo Choo" lacks only vocal sibilance and cymbal clarity, limitations of early '40s recording equipment. Subtle bass separation on "Ballerina" can only be detected on good headphones. The Tchaikovsky reworking is a later club performance. Clinking glasses and dinnerware can be heard. "Peg O' My Heart" is an early stereo track with extreme channel separation.

Want a copy?