CLASSIC RECORDS LP LSP-2438 TEST PRESSING A2: Paul Desmond with STRINGS, 1996 SS

	C$		150
	$		109

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Background -

Test Pressing Manufacturing date: March 4, 1996

• Classic Records LP Item - audiophile issue, TEST PRESSING
  

• Pressing is in STEREO

• Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer, born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five". He was one of the most popular musicians to come out of the West Coast's "cool jazz" scene, and the possessor of a legendary and idiosyncratic wit.
  
  In addition to his work with Brubeck, he led several of his own groups and did significant collaborations with artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Jim Hall and Chet Baker. After years of chain smoking and general poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 following one last tour with Brubeck.
  
  He worked with Brubeck at the Geary Cellar in San Francisco. Desmond soon hired Brubeck, but cut his pay in half and then replaced him altogether after taking him along to Graeagle at The Feather River Inn for gigs; this was done so Desmond could gamble in nearby Reno. In 1950 Desmond left for New York City playing alto and clarinet for Jack Fina, but returned to California after hearing Brubeck's trio on the radio.
  
  The story of their encounter is somewhat humorous. Brubeck — married with three children and holding a grudge from his earlier experience with Desmond — instructed his wife Iola not to let him set foot in his house. But Desmond came to his home in San Francisco one day while Dave was out back hanging diapers on a laundry line, and Iola let him in and took him to Brubeck. Apparently all the begging in the world would not convince Brubeck to hire him, at least not until Desmond offered to babysit Brubeck's children.
  
  Desmond Blue with Strings - Principally recorded at Webster Hall, New York between June 19, 1961 & March 15, 1962. Includes liner notes by Doug Ramsey and George Avakian. Recording sessions that pair jazz musicians with string orchestras can be dicey affairs, artistically speaking. More often than not, they represent an attempt to dilute the edginess of jazz and make it palatable for listeners with softer ears. DESMOND BLUE, however, succeeds marvelously. Given alto saxophonist Paul Desmond's natural penchant for cool, silky tones and highly nuanced phrasing, the addition of lush strings (arranged here by Bob Prince) is perfectly complementary, and the results are rich, complex, and alluring, never syrupy or sentimental. The presence of guitar legend Jim Hall adds another dimension to the proceedings. Hall plays with great intuitive restraint and balance, yet is progressive in terms of his harmonic and rhythmic approach. The set focuses mostly on standards, including "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Body and Soul," and "My Funny Valentine," but it is the mood--sophisticated and soothing--that dominates throughout. This is introspective music that will undoubtedly appeal to Desmond fans, and should win over jazz purists and lovers of contemporary orchestral music alike. 
  

• Highly sought after title by audiophiles and music lovers alike - the stereo, original shaded dog is very rare, especially in near mint shape - in our humble opinion, the Classic Records reissue bests the original in many ways - in years of collecting we have had a good number of originals. All of them pale in comparison to the reissue, primarily due to condition, noisy vinyl, dynamics, etc. This is your chance to hear what this LP is supposed to sound like!
  

• The Test Pressing stamped information indicates: March 4 1996, LSP 2438, A2, 45 - item is sealed, we believe this stamped information to indicate the date of manufacturing of the test pressing, the record catalog number, the side of the record and stamper number, and that the LP is cut at 45rpm for greatest dynamics. This is a single LP, with music only on one side of the LP title.
  

This listing is for a very rare, long out of print and factory sealed audiophile LP TEST PRESSING issue of a much sought after recording featuring -

Paul Desmond

• LP catalog # LSP 2438

CONDITION Details:

So if our definition of the stamped information on the jacket is correct, this test pressing has some (but not all) of the music from side 1 (second half of side 1) of this marvelous LP on it, cut at 45rpm. It is a single sided LP and comes with NO artwork on the jacket.

The white, generic LP jacket is in MINT condition - it is FACTORY SEALED!

A Short Note About LP GRADING -

• Mint = Only used for sealed items.
• Near Mint = Virtually flawless in every way.
• Near Mint Minus = Item has some minor imperfections, some audible.
• Excellent = Item obviously played and enjoyed with some noise.
• Very Good Plus = Many more imperfections which are noticeable and obtrusive.

For best results, always properly clean your LPs before playing them (even for new LPs).

The LP is an audiophile quality pressing (any collector of fine MFSL, half speeds, direct to discs, Japanese/UK pressings etc., can attest to the difference a quality pressing can make to an audio system).