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recent first
Jim Craig
I'm delighted to say a large packet arrived from Jim Lockwood last week - I've been working my way through them. I was very impressed with the CDs themselves - Verbatim Inkjet printable - I have been told that Verbatim are very reliable and they look very smart. So far I've listened to: TRIAL/COX - both performances better than I remembered; RCA PIRATES worth having for MG's high speed patter song ... I like the Arthur Richards performance as Sergeant; PLEASURES - this is superb! I was surprised that you chose to mix up the recordings in this way - I thought each recording would be presented as originally issued - but set out this way it is a splendid concert. ... It is a pity you can't get this into the shops it would sell very well to people who just want a G&S selection. It is as good as any of the Decca compilations. Thanks Chris!
Nick Dobson
I wanted to thank you for the remarkable new Sounds on CD releases that I recently purchased through Jim Lockwood. I used to have the '74 Iolanthe and the '79 Yeomen on LP, but I didn't recall them as outstanding recordings (I had never before heard the '77 Gondoliers). Your new issues of these recordings have served to bring out qualities in the performance that I had previously overlooked. Stalwarts such as John Reed and Kenneth Sandford were superb in the earlier recordings of these operas, but the later recordings provide evidence of the way their interpretations of the roles matured and developed to bring out the humour. Barbara Lilley was never a favourite of mine, but the new releases have uncovered qualities in her voice that I had never noticed before. In short, I am sure the quality of your transfers enables the listener to hear these recordings to their best advantage for the very first time. The 1954 BBC Mikado is a real gem and the quality is not at all bad given the primitive nature of the equipment and the age of the tapes.
Michael Walters
Just been listening to "Of Pleasures There Are Many". Excellent idea, and brilliantly put together. Re 77 Gondoliers - John Reed is very good on this recording. Ha! You never thought you'd ever hear me say that, did you?! [I KNEW I'd get through to Michael one day about Dear John - actually though, Michael is also in print somewhere speaking favourably about JR in the 59 Pinafore! CW] Tony Watts' remarks are masterly. They ought to be published somewhere as an antidote to the D'Oyly Carte bashing that goes on in certain circles.
Philip Errington
Listened to the 1970s Gondoliers and thoroughly enjoyed it. John Reed and Ken Sandford magnificent in dialogue, in my opinion!
Graham Rogers
Just a quick mail to say thanks very much for the Gondoliers and Iolanthe CDs which arrived from Jim this morning ... the presentation is excellent as usual. The sleeve notes from David Steadman are especially good for these and I must say that I agree almost entirely with his even-handed critical assessments of both recordings! And fascinating to read from Tony Watts about the circumstances of the Gondoliers sessions...
[Later] ... a few comments on your 70s DC releases. In addition to the Iolanthe
and Gondoliers I've since bought the 79 Yeomen too, and as I'd never heard that
at all before that's a good place to start. Generally, I was impressed ... I
thought it was very musical, good tempi, generally excellent voices. Barbara
Lilley and Jane Metcalf are especially impressive ... they are really in their
element as Elsie and Phoebe. The biggest surprise was John Reed, who I assumed
would be too ancient to play Point convincingly but who turns in a fantastic
performance full of life and energy. ... It's essentially the most moving
portayal of Point I've heard. ... As I've said before, I love the '74 Iolanthe
despite some shortcomings. The '77 Gondoliers ... has some great elements: both
Reed and Sandford improve vastly on their earlier recording in characterisation.
... I'm very pleased to have all three recordings on CD in excellent quality
transfers.
Ian Bond
I recently purchased a batch of Sounds On CD issues from Jim. They are excellent ... I was listening to the Last Last Night this evening and it still brings tears to my eyes after 20 years. Such a sad loss.
Peter Parker
I have now listened carefully to the CDs of "The Last Night" and "Of Pleasures There Are Many". I must say that having the master tapes does make a difference. ... The clarity of the voices and instruments is something quite remarkable which I had not noticed especially before. I don't think I have played the originals in the last 20 or so years straight through. The original discs as I remember of the Last Night were not of the highest quality anyway. ... These CDs make me realise what a golden age of performers DOC had around those years.
Stephen Brier
I just thought I would mail you to let you know that the second set of CDs ("Last Night") arrived on Friday - again amazingly quickly. The sound quality is excellent - much better than I had expected. A really professional job. I am sure I shall be coming back to you again.
Mike Wild
Just finished listening to the [live 1954 D'Oyly Carte MIKADO] and was VERY impressed indeed. I have always been an admirer of Peter Pratt so I had to have this one for my collection. I must say the sound distortion disappears completely once you become immersed in the performance. There are atmospherics in the recording that are new to my ears so I was won over by the number of surprises that came up as the tracks sped by. I refer to the encores in particular. Actually, simply having the dialogue in full is enough for me. Fisher Morgan and Donald Adams sound eerily similar to one another at times. Morgan has such a rich darkness, not to mention a great bottom to his voice, quite a contrast to the light breathiness of Kenneth Sandford only a few years later. For my money, Morgan is the best Pooh-Bah on record since Leo Sheffield and Pratt's portrayal has none of the weird histrionics the John Reed had. [Note from Chris: Each to their own - I LOVE JR's histrionics and JR is my hero!] Well done to all concerned and give us more!!
Derek Mobbs
The CD's arrived safely yesterday, so thanks for those...... The 1936 Mikado is wonderful, and the sound on your transfers startlingly clear. I have known about this 1936 Abbey Road recording for some time ... It's certainly now great to have it, and I am most impressed. The highlights from the superb 1926 Mikado sound fantastic. I'm wondering if it is likely in the future, that you will make available a transfer of the complete recording, made from the original EMI masters? (Note from Chris: Yes, a project is on the cards for a brand new transfer of the 1926 Mikado which will entail the masters being pressed to vinyl especially for the project. It should be fantastic and a great swan song for SOCDs reissues of the DCs studio recordings!]
Henry Sherr
I just received Pleasures and First Night. They were first rate in every respect. The sound quality and packaging couldn't be better and very professional.
Scott Holmes
Today my 1954 MIKADO and OF PLEASURES THERE ARE MANY arrived. I cannot tell you how great I think they are!!!! The sound on the '54 MIKADO is just fine -- for it's period -- and what a pleasure to have all the dialogue!!!! I don't think we ever got the RUDDIGORE/YEOMEN/GONDOLIERS excerpts over here in the U.S. -- and they have some of my favorite people on them: especially Philip Potter!!! .... the UTOPIA excerpts haven't been released either, unless I'm mistaken. Again, thank you for these wonderful recordings and let me know if any more from the period come to the surface!!!! [Note from Chris: the Utopia excerpts have never been released on CD anywhere until now, same for the CHORUSES album, and although the RUD/YEO/GOND ("Songs and Snatches") recordings were issued on CD in the UK (and I think also AUS/NZ) I don't think it they've ever been officially released on CD elsewhere. The Phase 4 SPECTACULAR Pinafore items are also making their first appearance on CD outside of AUS/NZ. The 'PLEASURES' set is a real treasure trove of rarities! Also, yes, as a result of my note in the 54 Mikado set, another live recording of a similar vintage has surfaced - watch this space.]
Alvin Entin
I have also just finished last night listening to the complete recent release from Sounds on CD. The only thing which can be said is that a new standard has been set by Chris and Jim. I have owned the Last Night on disc, both the English and American pressings since their original release. The CD produced by SOCD is like listening to a whole new recording. I was amazed. The 54 Mikado was a real treat, but the surprise star of the collection has to be the Martyn Green Pirates. In its previous incarnations it was, at least to me, an interesting curiosity. This new CD brings out the superb acoustics of the recording hall and allows a person to appreciate several very fine performances. No, it is not the best Pirates ever, but it is now one I will listen to again.
Ian Hiscock
Having 'lurked' for a long while it is about time that I contributed to the discussion and there is no better place to start than thanking Chris and recommending the new batch of CDs. The service from James Lockwood was excellent and I couldn't believe how quickly the parcel appeared from America. I have only had chance to dip into briefly to the sets but what I heard was superb. A great fondness of mine has been the 70's recording of 'Iolanthe". My introduction to G and S was to see practically the recorded cast on stage and the LP has been a prized item ever since. It is a performance that I am very fond of and this CD transfer has brought out many details - not least on the orchestra. I do hope that folks will rush to get these recordings and re-evaluate them in the light of these splendid transfers.
Yi-Peng
At long last I
have managed to find the time to listen to the 1955 D'Oyly Carte set of Princess
Ida with Peter Pratt. I feel exceptionally pleased at the robust quality of the
transfers and the performances and I feel compelled to hail Chris as THE
ULTIMATE G&S REISSUE PRODUCER PAR EXCELLANCE. His true love of the
recordings shines through every squeaky-clean note of the G&S CDs he has
produced. … Thumbs up for such a magnificent job - and continuing to keep my
faith in your G&S efforts.
Jim Lockwood
I consider Chris
Webster to be in the forefront of the art of getting correct equalization of
voices in vintage recordings. Much of my
own current practice has been learned through collaboration with Chris.
Tom Kitson
Got the Mikado
yesterday and it hasn't stopped playing … THANK YOU SO MUCH for allowing me to
once again enjoy my favorite Mikado recording ... In 1976 when I bought the
John Reed recording, thinking it would be better because it was newer (ah! the
innocence of a high-schooler!) I gave away my Peter Pratt to a friend who
PROMPTLY sold it at a garage sale … Anyway...thanks again....I just ordered the
Pratt Sorcerer and Pirates and look forward to hearing them again as well.
Jonathan
Rhodes
What a
masterpiece this remaster is [of 57 Mikado] - I am absolutely 'blown away' by
the quality of it. Of course, I've known
this recording since we first bought a copy in 1959 but it never sounded anything
like this! I shall doubtless be ordering the companion 'Pirates' in the not too
distant future. Once again, thanks for
your superb service.
[Later] I have just heard your other three 'Peter
Pratt' CDs. They are phenomenal! … I have to confess that I had never heard the
'Pratt' Pirates before. An amazing confession from a serious G&S nut! What
a revelation! … I have at last found my 'Desert Island Disc'. Tom Round, Donald
Adams and Ann Drummond-Grant performing the 'Paradox' trio must rate as one of
the 'closest-to-perfect' recordings of any G&S number available! That will
do for me in my lonely tropical paradise …
Dan
Florip
Just today I
received an order of SOCD products through Jim Lockwood and 78s2CD, and I
simply MUST comment.
Having already
purchased most of the SOCD catalogue, I left a few of the D'Oyly Carte
electrical recordings until now, mainly because around five years ago I
purchased the Pearl 1927 GONDOLIERS/TRIAL and the Romophone 1929/30
PIRATES/PINAFORE, and therefore these (and a few more of their electrical
brethren) were not high priorities of mine from SOCD. How wrong I was to wait.
I popped in the
1927 GONDOLIERS and was absolutely shocked at the clarity. I expected it to be superior to the
The same was true
of the 1927 TRIAL, and also the 1929 PIRATES and 1930 PINAFORE. The recordings of GONDOLIERS and PINAFORE
list that Jim Lockwood was responsible mainly for the transfers, with enhancements
by Chris Webster. Excellent work, gentlemen! If anyone out there is making the mistake I
was for so long and not "upgrading" the mid-1990s reissues in favor
of the brilliant Lockwood/Webster technicolor, get on the stick and place your
order!
I also purchased
the 1936 D'Oyly Carte MIKADO, and this was of course also very well done, but
the real miracle on this 2-CD set is the few excerpts from the 1926 D'Oyly
Carte MIKADO, which foreshadow the future SOCD release of the entire recording. Bear in mind that this recording was made
*acoustically* not electrically.
However, the clarity is just as wonderful as the electric recordings
I've raved about. Henry Lytton comes
through incredibly clearly, and the excerpts are again devoid of static and
extra noise. These excerpts are
infinitely superior to the
Incidentally, SOCD
is in excellent hands with Jim Lockwood.
Jim's service was excellent and professional in every way, and the speed
was marvellous... order placed Wednesday evening, order delivered Saturday
afternoon.
[Later] I've
since listened to the rest of my order from SOCD, and I'm happy to say the 1930
PATIENCE is also a wonderful rendering, and the soundtrack to the 1939 MIKADO
film also provides some interesting surprises.
Nick Dobson
I just wanted to
thank you for providing such a valuable source of classic G & S recordings
on CD. The quality of all the recordings
I recently purchased from you greatly surpassed my expectations (and I had read
and heard some very positive comments!)
In particular, the 1920 Pirates was marvellous. The sound quality was so good that the
singers seemed to be in the room with me and I had to keep reminding myself
that the original recording was made over eighty years ago. George Baker's Major General was brilliant -
a true performance not just an accomplished singer following the score. The 1950 Martyn Green recordings of Yeomen
and The Mikado reinforced my opinion that he was the finest of the comic
baritones, but once again the sound quality greatly enhanced my enjoyment and
went someway towards assuaging my regret that I never saw him on stage. So Chris, thank you for producing these
wonderful recordings
Jim Lockwood
I just finished
listening to the 57 Mikado and am
absolutely stunned by the sound. I've
only ever heard this performance on open-reel tape, and there's no comparison. I could go on and on about why I think this is
the case, but why tell you what you already know. What you've been able to do is simply superb!
Your CD of the
1931 Ruddigore is quite staggeringly good. I am amazed at the sound quality,
not to mention the talent of the main singers …
Adam Cuerden
On the 1924/5
Princess Ida - I'll admit that the overture caused me to be a
bit worried, but then the singing began, and I was in love.
One last thing
that made me gasp in surprise: At the end of “Come Mighty Must”, the transition
into “Gently Gently” felt so incredibly right.... it was like having a missing
piece of Sullivan's grand plan returned....
Indeed, the only
weakness if such it is, is that I'd prefer a more bass timbre for the three
sons of Gama. Even still, the recording
is so absolutely brilliant, I'm sure it will give me much pleasure for many
years. Thank you so much!
Rick Krebs
Just a follow-up
thank you for getting me your 57 Pirates and Mikado and 53 Sorcerer so quickly
and under difficult circumstances for you at this time. While of course the Mikado and Pirates are
excellent transfers, your transfer of the 53 Sorcerer is absolutely
brilliant--beyond belief. It's as crisp,
clean and clear as a live performance, from triangle, bass drum and cymbal to
the great voices of my favorite vintage DOC troupe. You have a nack for making old monos sound
like new digital stereo recordings. The
booming bass voice of Fisher Morgan really thrills, as does the sweet soprano
of Ms. Harding. I have always enjoyed The
Sorcerer but my London LP did not really do it justice.
Ward Tatnall
Got the CDs just
fine and have had a full listen...really great!
The 36 Mikado meets every expectation of the advance notice. The abridged sets are wonderful ... (I knew the Sorcerer from 78s and the Pirates
from a CFP LP, but the other two are new to me and very fine.) The CDs are pristine in clarity and
balance. Great work.
(On purchasing
all of the SOCD recordings that include Tom Round (3 x 1950s Decca, and the G&S
For All series) for his friend Karen.) I just wanted
to drop a line thanking you for the wonderful G&S CD's. I travel about 3 weeks out of 4 and the CD's
were delivered the day I left on a 4-day business trip...I called Karen and I
don't think I've heard her as excited or happy in years...she listened to all
the recordings in one night and has been playing and replaying and comparing
them to the other versions she has accumulated over the years. I believe it is not a stretch to say that you
have made her happier than I've seen her in a very long time...thank you for
providing the recordings. The quality is
excellent.
Graham Smith
Well you've done
it again! Absolutely DELIGHTED with all three sets. The presence on the old [1921/2
acoustic] Iolanthe took my breath away. I used to have the 78s. Now for the first time one can hear it as a
REAL performance.
Paul Guinery
I just wanted to
say how very much I've been enjoying the last batch of CDs you sent. [1953-57 Decca recordings of Sorcerer, Ida,
Pirates and Mikado, and the 1930 Patience]
They're beautifully mastered and a joy to listen to. To have those definitive performances in such
beautiful sound is a great joy and I shall treasure them for years to come.
Ian Hiscock
I have had a
great deal of pleasure from listening to the CDs and discovering some wonderful
performances - e.g. Lewis and Lytton in the Gondoliers and Leo Sheffield as the
Judge - really very special.
Scott Holmes
(Professional opera singer)
The 1957 MIKADO
and PIRATES CD's arrived today and I can't thank you enough! They are
beautiful!!! [later] I can't tell you how much I love listening
to your CD's!!! The SOUND is incredible.
I blast them in the car on the way to the opera. Much better than we've EVER heard
Donald Weinberg
Chris … You
are not omniscient nor infallible. But, sometimes you get pretty darn
close. And, when you insisted that I get your 1950 Godfrey/ Gondoliers
(after I had already acquired the Nauxeous, sorry
Stephen
Greenhaigh
Whilst writing,
may I thank you for sending my four previous CDs [1930 Patience, 1932 Ida, 1927
Gondoliers/Trial, 1922/3 Pinafore] which I am delighted with. The mastering is superb and I am delighted to
have them.
John Bryce
Thoroughly
enjoyed the [1931/3 DC/HMV Abridged Sets CD set]. Transfers superb. Many thanks.
Rick Krebs
I am [ordering]
the 1950 Gondoliers and 1950 Ruddigore.
The Gondo will be a replacement for a VERY deficient
Paul Brock
I have to say
that that I truly believe [the 1931 Ruddigore and 1932 Ida] are absolutely brilliant. I find it quite hard to believe at times
these are 78 transfers, because they seem to resonate an unusual depth of sound
that other CD firms, which have attempted to transfer the sets and sell them as
well, have rather failed to grasp and leave a lot more surface noise than is
desired. So well done on your
first-class painstaking re-processing efforts.
Another thing … I’m very pleased to include “Tete-a-Tete” in my
collection – you can almost be sitting down with Peggy Ann Jones and John Reed
! Renewed thanks, thrilled by my latest
purchases.
Ted Zoldan
My order of the
SOCD 1950 Ruddigore arrived yesterday. I
cannot put into words my admiration of you, but the closest thing to it is
amazing. The transfer grabs hold of me
at the first of the overture, thrusts me into heaven, and doesn't let me down
until the final notes have been played. Here's
to many more succesful transactions between us. Cheers Chris.
Jeremy Rose
I'm afraid I
still haven't got around to any sort of detailed "review" of the last
batch, but one thing I can tell you is that the [1927] "Gondoliers"
transfer is nothing short of miraculous!
Yours is the 3rd transfer of this recording I have on the shelf, and is
by far the best. Some of the tracks sound as if they were recorded last week
rather than 75-odd years ago. Virtually no background noise at all... Another
triumph!
Evelyn Bird
Re
Tete-a-Tete. My thanks – It is superb !
David Pattrick
Many thanks for
the 1957 Pirates. I have been waiting nearly forty years to hear this again,
and it has been a thrilling experience. The
amazing thing is that the sound is so much better than the later D'Oyly set,
which sounds as if it was recorded in a very dead studio. It's a shame that Decca don't let you loose on
the later recording, which could certainly do with remastering - it actually
sounded rather better on LP.
The surprising
thing about the performance to me is Kenneth Sandford as the Sergeant. His
singing voice on record always seems a bit characterless (unlike his stage
performances) but here he is splendidly droll, nicely understated in a role
that can be overplayed. I can only guess
at the amount of work that must have gone into making this recording sound so
good, and am very grateful for your efforts. The orchestral sound manages to be
both full and theatrical, like a superb pit band. Well nigh ideal!
Donald
Weinberg
Sorry to impose,
but this is essential. I listened to
your 1930 Patience while reading the notes.
This is so splendid and overwhelming that I must say that if you had
never sent me anything else, this alone was worth the price of admission and
many times over.
Dean Irwin
Your disks
arrived late last week in fine shape [1927 Gond/Trial, 1951 Iolanthe and 1957 Mikado] and I wanted you to know how much I've already
enjoyed them. You've done a great job of
transferring the original formats to digital with a clarity I've never heard on
commercially available Gilbert and Sullivan historical CD's. The transfer of the Decca master tapes of Iolanthe
is especially impressive, even more so given the fact that in some places you
had to revert back to LP's due to tape damage.
Fine editing.
True Gilbert and
Sullivan fans these days have mostly have been handed the musical tradition by
their parents, to have grown up with the operas as a child. Therefore your careful work in preserving
those early 50's recordings as well as the other eras of D'Oly Carte history is
invaluable. What's also invaluable is the realization that there exist out
there other Savoyard fanatics as crazy as myself. Or rather, based on the meticulous record
liner notes and wonderful cast photo collections, MORE crazy than myself. [I can’t argue with that !! CW] Many
thanks. I'll be in touch about other
recordings. Any suggestions about
"must have" disks in your collection will be taken seriously.
Paul Brock
I think your
transfer of the 1936 Mikado (plus excerpts from the 1926 recording) is
absolutely excellent and I value it in my collection. Well done!
Laurence Leng
Re Tete-a-Tete.
Well, what a totally enjoyable couple of hours they generated.I had heard a
number of the stories before but pulling them altogether was a delight. The way
it was done made me feel as if I was in the room with them. Often I wanted to
interrupt with a question or to develop a theme further! I don't know whether or not it was scripted or
if they had just listed the areas to talk about [I believe it was the
latter. CW] but either way it was
very relaxed. The Australian interview
was very informative as well along with the
John Wise
Thanks for the
recent CDs (30 Pinafore, 29
Pirates, 31/3 DC Abridged sets)
– as always such a joy to listen to.
Graham Rogers
Thanks very much
for my recent order. Both recordings are
excellent (1924/5 Ida and 1959 Gondoliers); I am immensely impressed with the
absolutely superb work you have done on editing together the different 78
sides/takes. I have been familiar for
many years with the 1950 Gondoliers from LP, but was always frustrated by the
gaps separating the different sections, most noticeably in the extended opening
sequence. But your transfer is fantastic
– not a single perceptible join! At last
a sensitively made transfer enabling me to hear the performance as Godfrey (not
to mention Sullivan) intended.
Peter Diggens
Your CD reissues
of choice G&S recordings are incomparably better than most of those issued
on the large commercial labels, in terms of range, value, quality and
presentation.
Andi
Stryker-Rodda
I heard the [UMGASS
Grand Duke] over the weekend, and was really impressed by both the quality of
the performance AND the quality of the sound on the CD. I'm never sure what to make
of rave reviews from serious recording buffs (I'm not one, just an ordinary
person who likes to listen to a good recording occasionally)--my experience
with several opera friends has been that they carry on with great enthusiasm
about recordings I find difficult to listen to.
I guess the best word is "Wow!". Thank you so much for preserving this lively
rendition, and thank you for the care and skill you have invested in making the
quality of the sound so good. In my opinion,
there's no question but that this should supplant the D'OC recording as
"the" standard one. I know you
have heard this from many far better qualified than I to say it, but thank you
for the incalculably valuable work you are doing in preservation and skilled
enhancement.
Stefan Pilczek
… this is the
first opportunity I’ve had to congratulate you on your excellent issues. I am so glad that at long last the 1957
Pirates and Mikado have been issued on CD.
I am sure that I am not alone in preferring this excellent version of
the Mikado to the 1973 recording.
I am also
delighted with the sound quality of the 1954 Princess Ida. I had only previously heard this in Decca’s
1979 fake stereo re-issue where the treble sounded rather edgy and the overall
sound was a little blurred. There is
none of this in your issue which opens up the sound and gives it more clarity,
fullness and naturalness than ever before.
I am also very pleased that you are now completing your coverage of the
HMV electrical series of the 1920s and 30s.
Des Wilson
The parcel
arrived this morning and I have just finished listening to Pirates. I just had
to write to say how brilliant it is. What a stunning transfer! The way you have tamed the surface noise is
really quite astonishing and what I particularly like about it is the fact that
I can't hear a computer getting between me and the music as happens on some
other discs. In some ways I feel that it
is, in fact, the best recording of the opera ever made despite having several
non-D'Oyly people. I so agree with Michael Walters that Peter Dawson is superb,
Baker excellent. Oldham,
Bruce Doery
My package of CDs
arrived the middle of last week and, needless to say, you were correct in
suggesting that I would not regret duplicating (and even triplicating) some of
these recordings. I had to go out on the evening they arrived and so it was
quite late before I could even sample the goodies. I must admit that
after having put on the abridged Yeomen I drifted off to sleep only to be well
and truly awakened by the ringing out of the bell/chime during the Act 1
finale! I can hardy believe that you have been able to achieve
such clarity and fidelity of this sound.
Jeffrey Lax
Yours are the
only "historical" recordings I can listen to in my car; the others
simply aren't clear enough. It's been
Patience at home and Pinafore on the road.
I previously had the Romaphone CD of Pinafore -- one big difference is
that each singer in a group comes through clearly and separately as opposed to
"lead singer plus background sounds" (or sometimes "lead singer
plus mush" (or just "mush")).
Jeffrey
Swartwout
Thanks for the
'57 Pirates and Mikado. They're
fantastic! I've always loved Peter Pratt and these transfers let him
shine. Not surprisingly, therefore, I'd
like to order the other two recordings of his you offer. [later]
I just got home after spending a few days in
And what can I
say about this Princess Ida that hasn't already been said? It is absolutely
spectacular--sound and performance. (Well, almost all the performances, that
is--although I don't come completely unglued like some when they hear V.S.). I
had the complete set on (scratchy) London LP's--original issues I found in a
used record shop a few years ago. I've always liked it, but you've made it
sound like a modern contender and not just a museum piece. As much as the
universe is indebted to Marc Shepherd for his G&S discography, I've always
thought he takes an unnecessarily dim view of the '50s Decca series. Call me
soft-headed, but there's much in that series that is priceless!
Well, I've
rambled enough. Just know that I'll be ordering more in the near future! Thanks
for your service to G&S fanatics everywhere.
Tony Watts
The sound on
'Pirates' is absolutely superb. It is
incredible to think that the recording was made more than seventy years. The clarity is quite astonishing and for the
first time in my experience you can actually hear the ambience of the
hall. A wonderful performance too. We discussed
Chris Orr
I haven't had a
chance to listen properly yet, but I'm most impressed with the Gondoliers
transfer - having grown up with the original 78s and then the Pearl issue which
now sounds very sad after hearing yours.
Alvin Entin (an amalgam with permission of two similar
messages; one private, the other to Savoynet)
I have listened to all of Chris’ latest SOCD releases
and am in a state of disbelief. As ever
they are uniformly good but let me say that the most striking recording to me
was the 36 Mikado. A real revelation. I
have listened to this in numerous prior incarnations starting with the 78's and
advancing through Jim Lockwood's restoration. Under all of my prior listenings my complaint
was that it was a dull and boring recording with no life to it. I don't know or
understand what Chris did, but he has somehow used filters and equalization
circuits to "bring forward" the performances on the CD which has "pushed"
the voices forward creating an immediacy in the recording, and now for the
first time there is "life" in this and all of a sudden parts of it
were fun!
I can now appreciate the vocal quality of the
"young" Martyn Green and this is the best example of the young Martyn
Green available. Leslie Rands Pish Tush is a revelation and Granville is also
more appreciated. I fear nothing can improve
Curtis but the performances of Green, Fancourt and Granville in particular are
very, very good.
Even if you have other versions of this Mikado you must
get this one as well. The manipulation of the sound by Chris' techniques makes
this a whole new recording.
The 26 Mikado
highlights restoration appears to be superb and it is a teaser of great things
to come. It is clear that working with the masters Chris has been able to
reveal information previously obscured. I
look forward to the completed final product. It is different and it is better then Jim's
effort (which I still like). What Chris appears to have achieved is to have
recreated what was actually heard in the Studio or Hall during the recording. None of this magnificent recording sounds
anymore like disembodied spirits, but are now full voiced and alive. If the
rest of this recording is as good as these excerpts, the 26 will supplant my
Pratt Mikado as the one I carry in my car and listen to the most. Great
Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
{These comments are mainly in
connection with my latest releases - the
Green Patience and Iolanthe, the four Pratt sets and the G&S For All
series}
Allan Kohrman
I just finished
listening to your Pirates. How could I
have thought I would not want it? It was
so good to hear Peter Pratt again. And
your remastering is simply extraordinary.
I am a cd collector and have listened to restorations by Marston,
Obert-Thorn, and other luminaries. Yours
is the best I've heard.
Robert Angus
I've finally caught up with the transfers of the Martyn Green G&S
sets you made for me---and I must tell you that despite all the kind words
these have received on the Internet, I really didn't expect anything as
terrific as I heard. This TBJ was one of
the very first LPs I ever owned, and I was no more impressed by its superiority
to the 78 rpms I had been listening to until then than I am with these
transfers, compared to the ones I made myself from the aging LPs. Whichever of your Internet fans said that
these transfers are a revelation understates the case. Well done!
Peter Watchorn (Founder and producer of the
[The 57 Mikado and Pirates] arrived and you were right - they're simply
breathtaking! In fact, [of Mikado]
you've peformed some minor miracles with balance, especially woodwind. Especially impressive is the string playing
in the overture of "The Mikado" - and Isidore Godfrey's conducting of
the whole work – just couldn't be better. "Pirates" is no less impressive. ... Jean Hindmarsh is one of the greatest
(and most underrated) G & S sopranos - ever. I think that her performance
of "Poor Wand'ring One" is the best on disc. She has real coloratura
technique - so essential for this piece. And Peter Pratt is fabulous. Hard to
believe that he was not one of the most popular stars of the DC company. In the
patter song, he outdoes everyone else, I think.
I have heard many
re-masterings (including many of my favourite Decca ffss recordings of the
'50's and '60's, which, I believe represent a real Golden Age), but yours are
the best I've heard, without doubt. They sound warm, spacious and natural -
like the LP's but better in detail and overall "bloom". Hearty
congratulations - it's a real achievement. [later … ]
I just finished listening to both The Mikado and Pirates under a set of
Sennheiser 580 phones (the ones we use for all our editing and mastering) and I
have to say that your work is really amazing.
Ross
Sadler
Thanks very
much for the CD transfer of the Pirates.
It is really well done and brings back the way my LPs were when they
were new. In fact, I think that your
transfers bring out the qualities in Peter Pratt's voice much better than the
LPs. I thoroughly endorse David
Steadman's remarks about everything (what an inspired simile about Jean
Hindmarsh's voice). And I
know Kenneth Sandford found the tessitura of the Sergeant of Police
uncomfortably low, but I still think that he blitzes the present-day
competition. No doubt many fans of the
next D'Oyly Carte set would howl me down over this, but I never impressed by
Brannigan.
(later) Thanks very much for the
recordings that you recently sent me of Iolanthe and The Sorcerer. They were really great. Iolanthe was available here on quite a good
Decca Viva LP transfer and so I had a fair idea of how good it would
sound. Needless to say, your transfers
didn't disappoint.
But The Sorcerer was a revelation. Having only heard the old highlights that used to be available here on LP, I was none too impressed. It's quite clear to me now though that it was the recording rather than the artists that was to blame. I did not think Peter Pratt was terribly good and as David Steadman implies, Godfrey was probably at fault for not having transposed some of the music down for him. But your transfers make it very clear that this is a very high standard performance indeed. (Whoever wrote that bit in the G&S Discography page about his diction being bad in the patter song, had obviously not had the benefit of your transfers either. Makes you wonder how many other musicians have been wrongly taken to task over the years). The others are also wonderful. I've always had a lot of respect for Fisher Morgan and this record really shows what he could have done. I've never heard Ann Drummond Grant sound as good as she does in the Act II duet. So I've now sent off an order for the 50's Patience and Ruddigore as well as a replacement for my LP version of what I think is the best Mikado of all - the one from 1957. Look forward to receiving them.
Tony Gower
I have just finished playing through the six Decca releases announced by Chris in his posting of 6 June. The 1950 Iolanthe and Patience recordings have been transferred with all the meticulous care we have come to expect as standard from Chris, and it was with enormous pleasure that I listened afresh to these familiar performances in a sparkling sound quality which was just not possible in the era of the LP. In spite of the considerable technical problems Chris encountered with Iolanthe, the finished CDs are nothing short of immaculate, and the wisdom of working from Decca's digital transfers taken direct from the master tapes is apparent. (This is not to say that Chris' earlier Decca releases taken from LPs are anything but miraculous, taking account of the relatively poor quality of some of the original recordings). I always felt that the long-playing record was a medium which was never perfected, and complete freedom from surface noise, rumble and other imperfections is something to cherish.
The re-appearance of The Sorcerer of 1953 and the 1954 Princess Ida is
particularly welcome. Not only are these both historic recordings, but there
are too few other recordings available of either of these works. In my opinion
they are both superior to the D'Oyly Carte recordings of about a decade later,
which are still in the Decca catalogue.
As Chris has said, the 1957 recordings of The Pirates of Penzance and
The Mikado are in a different class. Here is Decca's wonderful new stereo sound
(for the first time in G&S) combined with stunning performances from some
of the Company's best loved singers. These really are matchless performances
and it is a great shame that they have been unavailable for so long. However,
Chris has now put that right, and I for one feel I owe him a great debt of gratitude
in persuading Decca to licence these recordings for re-issue now, rather than
having to wait for 50 years to elapse.
Neal Carter-Lewis
I cannot find enough words to express my admiration for the enormous achievement that you have reached. The recordings of the 'Peter Pratt' era hit you with renewed force and fantastic ambiance. This is not to leave out the last two of the Martyn Green era, they round off a memorable cycle of performances, not least owed to the brilliance of the work you have done. Thank you for enriching my re-acquaintance with these artistes, their legacy has been richly fulfilled. The only sadness I have is that I am too young to have seen any of these … Again, my thanks!
Stan German
You, young man, are a national treasure. … I am delighted to receive
these recordings … what wonderful things they are!
IOLANTHE (51) It is every bit as beautiful and emotionally charged as I
remember it. I am dying to know where
the areas are that you consider flawed because I do not hear them. I am of the personal opinion that this may be
Martyn Green's finest hour in the recording studio. And Ella Hallman's Fairy Queen remains my
favorite even though there are several close contenders. My thanks for all your hard work on this
project. It is such a joy!
THE MIKADO (57) This was my first recording of MIKADO and even after
losing my collection in a fire I replaced it on vinyl as soon as possible. I am therefore fascinated that you have
improved the performance so drastically.
It is all a delight, but the Act I Finale borders on being a religious
experience!
THE PIRATES OF
PRINCESS IDA (54) Again, this was my first contact with the score. Although your work with the overall sound is
amazing, your ability to take the fish wife quality out of Ms. Sladen's
performance is absolutely miraculous.
How in hell did you do it?
THE SORCERER (53) Only a
brief perusal so far, but it certainly lives up to your usual standards.
Jeremy Rose
What can I say..?! You must get messages like this all the time, but
suffice it to say that if, 10 years ago, someone had told me that I would have
a virtually complete set of state-of-the-art CD transfers of D'Oyly Carte
recordings dating from 1917 sitting on my shelves, I would have thought they
were mad! It's a great service you provide, and all done with such obvious
loving care.
The MG "Patience"
and "Iolanthe" are certainly a case of saving the best 'til last and
the "Sorcerer" and "Ida" recordings are a wonderful
revelation. Great to have the stereo "Pirates" and "Mikado"
on CD at last. Peter Pratt is fast becoming my favourite G & S
comedian! Anyway, I could (but won't) go
on for hours.
Jeffrey Krebs
I have listened
to the '51 Iolanthe and the '57 Mikado.
What a fabulous job you do! The Iolanthe is very, very good with a nice,
clean sound. The Mikado is pristine--as
good to my ear as anything ADD or DDD that I take out of a jewel case
today! I can't wait to hear the Pirates
recording. Thank you again for your dedicated work in producing such
beautifully crafted CDs.
Paul Ensell
… currently ploughing pleasurably through Chris's new batch of CD's -
most marvellous!
Robert Watson
Wonderful!!!!
Andrew Ferguson
My CD
order arrived on Monday afternoon, and I want to say how pleased I am. Indeed, once again you've "waved your
magic wand" with these transfers, and they sound wonderful!
David Roberts
Bravo, Chris !! I received my CDs yesterday ('51 Patience
& Iolanthe, '57 Mikado & Pirates).
The latter were my first two G&S records and it's glorious to hear
them again. What terrific casts ! … I
particularly am fond of Hindmarsh, and think she is unrivalled in these roles.…
The sound is marvellous, and it’s great to have them all back ! Many thanks !!
Alan Borthwick
WONDERFUL CDs … They really are excellent, Chris - and your work has to be commended. The sound comes up magnificently - particularly in Mikado and Pirates, two sets that have always been my all-time favourites. I can't imagine why Decca released the later Mikado when this one has Hindmarsh, Round and Adams. However, the main reason for having these sets is the magnificent conducting of Isidore Godfrey - the greatest G&S conductor ever … Mackerras is superb - Stanford Robinson was excellent - Sargent was mixed - but Godfrey just knew exactly how to pace these works. And I quite like the rather rough "pit" sound on the earlier issues. Despite Sladen, the Godfrey Ida is a must!!! That Act 2 finale is perfection in pacing!!! I could go on (and on and on) but I'll stop now and rush back to listen again to Sorcerer - a gem of a performance!!! Keep up the good work, Chris. You've been invaluable to us G&S enthusiasts over the last few years.
Clifton
… the CDs have
arrived! They came on Friday, and they
are excellent.
Des Wilson
I decided to listen to the
D'Oyly sets in chronological order and so far have heard Patience and Iolanthe.
Wonderful transfers, and I'm so grateful.
Have [also] heard the G&SFA Trial and Box. What a superb artist Donald Adams was! I sometimes think that he would be my candidate for the greatest of all recorded G & S performers (and that's saying something!).
Mel Moratti
Am reviewing here (for the record) the following two CD releases from
Chris Webster's 'Sounds on CD'. VGS236 - The 1957 Pirates of
It was with much anticipation that I have been waiting the last few
months. I have followed, with interest, the unfolding tale of Chris Webster and
his dealing with the record companies over the acquisition of the tapes for the
above releases. Having myself worked in the tape library of RCA in
I mention all this because it does take quite a bit of effort to
actually locate the original source material from the record companies vaults
and obtaining (and paying for) the rights. All before we even get to the
editing process, etc. So good on Chris for persevering through all this and
making these CDs available to us.
Those that may remember earlier reviews I have done of other Sounds on
CD recordings will know that I try and do a comparison with any other company
source (be it
I sometimes quibble a bit at the prices - especially here in
By comparisons this time I was extremely limited. Several years ago
Decca issued a highlights from the 1957 Mikado - poorly edited and at 50
minutes not really the bargain it appeared to be. I did, at one stage, have LP
copies of both recordings but they seem to have gone the way of go-karts and
plastic table cloths! So a lot would depend on my ears.
Starting with "The Mikado" I did a side by side comparison
with the Decca CD. Surprisingly the
sound on the Decca recording was pretty good - no hint of distortion but a bit
compressed. The SOCD release opened it
up and gave it an added bloom. This
added much to some of inner wind orchestration ("Our great
Mikado"). The Decca was a titch
muffled, the SOCD was clean. Try as I
might I could not make out the favouring of the left-hand channel (mentioned in
the booklet as being on the original master tapes) on the Decca release –
[maybe] Decca corrected it when they remastered it. Anyhow the SOCD has a very
even spread throughout.
There are some, but not many, studio noises which can't be disguised, …
([though] the ugly 'glip' between "Braid the raven" and "The sun
whose rays" is no more) … but I think these are more of a worry to Chris
than the casual listener.
I am pretty safe in saying that this recording is probably one of the
best G & S recordings...ever! A cast to die for! Listen to Thomas Round's
most beautiful rendering of "Wand'ring minstrel" and the horrific
crazy laugh of Donald Adams in "Humane Mikado". A must for everyone's collection.
The 1957 "The Pirates of Penzance” is another top-belt recording
with many of the same artists. Their
solos and duets are most delightful and it’s great to have them available on CD
at long last. … The highlights must be the pairing of Thomas Round and Jean
Hindmarsh as Frederic and Mabel …
Chris has certainly retained all the qualities mentioned above with
"The Mikado". The orchestral detail is amazingly captured and the
voices are nicely spread. The studio
noises are still there in places but Chris has reduced these to a minimum.
Congratulations to Chris Webster for his amazing work on these
recordings.
Richard Duployen
Congratulations! You've done
it again Chris! One is reminded what
good and vivacious ensembles these two companies [DC and G&SFA] were! Muriel has a lovely warm voice as Aline. The
point were the voices soar (Act l Finale: "Oh!Marvellous
Illusion!"- Skitch followed by
Paul Casey
The 54 Ida is wonderful. Pratt is excellent as Gama. The orchestra is
outstanding. It is only "Minerva" that is slaughtered by Sladen. Her other numbers don't stand noticeably
apart from the DC cast.
(later) The CD Review by
Mel Moratti is rightly highly complimentary, both of the transfer and your work
in pulling it off with professional expertise, and the quality of the
performance. I have to agree. I think that the 57 Pirates and Mikado sets
are so deserving of a higher star rating than Marc Shepherd awards them.
As for Godfrey, I think at times his conducting reveals the shear
quality of Sullivan's compositions … sometimes there are little things that
just jump out at you in the orchestration and which sound so marvellous when
Godfrey is conducting ... there are refrains in the music that only seem to
emerge under his baton. Interestingly
Godfrey doesn't choose to chunter through Ida, to give a false
"lightness" to one of the less popular operas. He has a real
appreciation for tempo, and allows the music to speak for itself.
Clifford Huffman
The 1957 Mikado arrived here in the
States safe and sound toward the beginning of this past week, and I've listened
to it through two times, lost in admiration for (a) the performances and (b)
your clean-as-a-whistle sound … thanks again for a wonderful job!
Peter Denley
I am presently wallowing in the riches of the latest batch. Of the complete sets, so far I have played
the 57 Mikado and 51 Patience. I was amazed at the good sound of the latter,
far better than my old Ace of Clubs. I
played the Mikado on a long car journey through the Cotswolds yesterday, and
your marvellous transfer makes it sound better than I have ever heard. It’s a lovely performance and it lives in my
mind after many playings in the past.
My lowest expectations were of the G&S For All series, and yet
having played only Mikado and Pirates, they are a delight. The reduced sized
orchestra bothers me not at all. It
reminds me of the old DC when on tour in the provinces. More importantly some of the performances are
classics. I rate Donald Adams' Mikado as
even better here than on either of his complete sets. It represents most closely how I recall him
performing the role towards the end of his time with DC, particularly the
increasing groans of impatience with Katisha as she interrupts in their duet.
I'm sure G&S fans
everywhere are enormously grateful to you for bestowing the results of your
enthusiasm for our benefit … in this way.
I can't wait to get into the rest of the latest batch.
Once again your work has
surpassed my every expectation. The
latest batch of releases is absolutely wonderful. When recordings and performances are as much
loved as I love the first Decca D’Oyly Carte series (having grown up with
them), sometimes the memory is a bit better than the reality. However, with the latest set of transfers, as
ever, it is like hearing the recordings and falling in love with them
anew. Very many congratulations and very
many thanks.
Andrew Beighton
Like many others, I have been waiting eagerly for Chris' latest
releases and I have been taking my time getting to know each in turn. As I have
now listened to "The Sorcerer" a few times I thought I would share a
few comments.
This is really just an excuse to sing Chris' praises. The man is a genius. The sound quality to this recording, like that of every SOCD release has to be heard to be believed. It is absolutely amazing and I would urge anyone who has not yet done so to place their order with Chris today. And not just for this recording but for the whole batch. I have become that used to the quality of