Vinylla fudge.

The Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall (Mosaic Records 231-MR-LP)

So much has been written about the CD version of this release that I feel a bit silly writing about the album myself, but there might be a couple of folks out there who haven't heard about this yet. Or maybe not. But what I can't understand is why every person with even the slightest interest in this period of jazz hasn't already picked up a copy yet. And if your thing is vinyl, there is every reason in the world you should get yourself a copy of this platter, not only for the improved sonics but for the improved packaging.

I was a little afraid of the mono insignia, but that was for naught, since they really did a fine job of restoring this recording to a level that it probably never saw before. One could easily forget it is a mono record it sounds so good, but there is no doubt that it has more to do with the performances on this date. The telepathic interplay between Monk and Coltrane is scary, as is the interplay between the entire ensemble, really. But that's just a small part of the story. An aural voyage back to NYC during Thanksgiving season of 1957 has now been made so much easier thanks to the Library of Congress and the fine folks who pressed this record.

Neil Young--Greatest Hits (Reprise/Classic Records 48935-1 2LP plus 7" 45)

I don't think I'm the only guy around my age that's held on to his records and has every single Neil Young album from that era. Maybe I'm missing a few of them, but it at least seems like all of them. Then why pick up a greatest hits record? For the convenience, right? Well, if you're talking about a double LP and a separate 7" single, there goes the convenience angle. Plus, if we've been listening to all his albums, it's hardly just been for the hits. So this album is for the sound, right? Yes, yes it is. This is an incredible sounding set, and even though I've heard these tunes a zillion times before, it's like hearing them anew. I know that sounds like an awful cliche but you've got to hear the job Classic Records has done with these selections of tunes--it is truly amazing. There is a Fender amp sitting in my living room with its volume on 11 right now. And an awfully youthful sounding Mr. Young.

Noel Redding--The Experience Sessions (MCA/ Classic Records RTH-2017-200)

Mining the vaults of Jimi Hendirx is a full-time occupation for some. The complaints that arise from this are frequently valid, because so much of the material is second-rate, never meant to released bits and pieces that seem to have seen the light of day solely in the name of profit. But this is an interesting set that collects the contributing work and rare material of his bassist and sometimes vocalist into one package. Some of the tracks are instantly forgettable, such as the majority of those tracks that were destined to be outtakes almost as soon as they were recorded, such as the two takes of "Noel's Tune." But there are gems included here, too, such as the different takes of the tunes that appeared on Jimi's official albums such as "Little Miss Strange" and "She's So Fine," which sound pretty darn incredible thanks to today's mastering technologies. But as far as justifying this one on audiophile vinyl, I don't know. I get a kick out of throwing on one of the good tracks every once in a while, but a CD purchase is likely to make more sense to the casual listener, which most people are likely to be. It's a good thing I'm not a casual listener.

--TL