Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong - Porgy & Bess (Reis) (Rstr) (Mlps)
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Music CD Cover Artist: Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong Brand: FITZGERALD,ELLA Edition: Music CD Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language) Format: Original recording remastered CD Release Date: 2008-03-18 Music Label: Verve Soundtracks:
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| New | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $6.19 | ||
| Used | Used Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $11.22 | ||
| Collectible | Collectible Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $22.49 |
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Free Music Notes for Porgy & Bess (Reis) (Rstr) (Mlps) Album
Free Music Review: Cheapo Digital Remaster of this classic American Musical
Hit: 4 Stars
As a teenager, I grew up on punk & new wave, but when CDs were first issued, I realized I'd probably be getting into classical & jazz as I'd get older (which turned out to be true). Porgy & Bess has to be the most seminal work of American Musical Theater, probably because it blends classical & jazz so well. This recording is also the best version of Porgy & Bess, as it documents Ella & Louis at their absolute best, no other recording matches their vocal feats. It was sheer chance that the original German issue (AAD) was the first classical/jazz CD I ever bought when CDs were first coming out. I keep coming back to it & have never tired of it, however over the years the original CD sounded a bit lackluster in comparison to many other reissues from the same era. So, I was quite excited to see that this has been digitally remastered (24 bit). Comparing the 2 recordings, the new one not only sounds louder, it is also more detailed & brighter, almost stunning. Nonetheless, I am a bit disappointed with this release. First off, it is a regular CD. To provide the full capacity of 24 bit/96 KHz remastering, this really should have been released as an SACD, DVD-A or Blu Ray audio disc. Another disappointment is that there is no bonus material. I find it hard to believe there wasn't more recorded at the time that could have been added to a second disc (or even fill out 80 minutes); this disc is actually 2 seconds shorter than the original issue (probably just pauses cut shorter). The other big disappointment is that the CD is housed in a cheap cardboard digipak. Mine has already bended. the original came with a fairly well detailed 20+ page booklet that outlined details of the theater piece itself, comments on the lyrics, & info on the recording along with some pictures of the time. This reissue contains almost no information on the recording or remastering whatsoever.