Search - Harry James :: Coming From a Good Place

The Third CD from Direct-to-Disc

F. Barton | Newport, WA USA | 06/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD has incredible versions of "Two O'Clock Jump" "Make the World Go Away", "Watch What Happens", and "Opus One." These tracks were recorded in the late '70s using the brief direct-to-disc technology, which only gives US more great sound to have. The sound is the ultimate, and ALL the sounds seem to be remastered beyond perfection.I would grab this CD, as it is not likely to stay in print. It is part of THREE MUST HAVE CDs by Sheffeld Labs. Even Harry said, "In 36 years of recording, I've never been so pleased with the sound." HE should know! And SO SHOULD YOU! You will be astounded at the performances AND sound of this CD."

Clean Cool Swing

Jason P. Gold | Long Beach, CA | 06/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not particularly a fan of Big Band. My reason for buying my first copy of the vinyl album of "Commin' From a Good Place" in the early '80s was because I wanted a test album for my stereo. Sheffield labs made direct to disk audiophile recordings which have no tape or computer between you and the music. And these were real live instruments, not electric guitars and synthesizers. Essentially, it is a live performance. There are no overdubs and no way to fix mistakes. Because of the care taken with the recording, this album sounds amazing. It is crystal clean with every drop of the dynamic energy of a 15 piece brass/woodwind band. Every nuance of the performance is there and every instrument can be fixed in space. Because of the technical perfection of this recording, all of the energy that made Swing fun and exciting is available to enjoy.



The album begins with aptly named "Footstomper." The first time I heard it, my jaw dropped and my foot started stomping uncontrollably. The piece begins with a piano, drums and upright bass, developes into a fast paced shouting match between the horns and woodwinds, anchored by the bass. The piece abruptly ends with a "rude blast" from the baritone sax and a "POW" from the brass. Althought there are a few slower dance tunes such as "You'll Never Know," most of the album keeps up this same high energy level, making it a lot of fun to listen to.



20 years later, I found and bought a sealed vinyl copy of "Commin' From a Good Place" as well as the other two Harry James/Sheffield Labs albums on vinyl. I then put all three on one cassette and gave it to my parents. We played it on the way to my sister's house for Thanksgiving. My mother knew every song. She kept grabbing my father's arm and saying, "Oh! Marv, do you remember that ..." That was a lot of fun too!



Four years after I wrote this review, I listened to the MP3 samples provided by Amazon.com. They don't convey the quality of the sound on the original vinyl. At 20kbps, they have lost much of the "air" around the instruments. The MP3s sound dead in comparison, and make this sound like a radio broadcast. No doubt the CDs sound much better."