Search - Fletcher Henderson :: The Harmony & Vocalion Sessions, Vol. 2: 1927-1928

The Place to Start, part 2

Stephen Espinola | Brooklyn NY | 03/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This volume and its "Volume 1" companion are the best-sounding in-print CD compilations of Fletcher Henderson's 1925-8 era I am aware of. This one covers the Don Redman era in its prime (though he left before the recording of the last 7 tracks on this disc). The performances and arrangements are superb. The brilliant John R. T. Davies did the mastering.



These are sourced from late acoustic-era and early electronic 78 rpm recordings, so the original fidelity left something to be desired. That said, the most natural sound possible has been brought out of the discs, and these are a pleasure to listen to. In the cases where better electronic recording technologies were originally used (especially on the non-Harmony parts of this second volume) the clarity of sound is astonishing.



Tracks 5 and 9 are "Have It Ready," a great composition by Henderson. Comparing the recording quality of these 2 takes makes for an interesting study in the vast improvement that electronic-compatible technology offered over "acoustic" records.



Start here."