I always look forward to my monthly delivery from “Vinyl me, please”. This is a record of the month club – a completely different genre each month and collectors editions. The package includes artwork inspired by the record and a cocktail recipe to enjoy while listening.
The record this month is “The Score” by the Fugees. I’m not really a fan of hip hop music at all but do appreciate the creativity of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. The covers of “No Woman, No Cry” and “Killing Me Softly” are very good and I like the two tone colored vinyl.
I received two other records to expand the small jazz section of my collection. “Chet is Back” by Chet Baker was originally released in 1962 and the sound quality is fantastic. His trumpet tone is really full and yet delicate, particularly on the ballads, “Over the Rainbow” and “These Foolish Things”. I’ve been playing this one every day for the last week and like it more each time.
The second is “Basin Street Blues” by Louis Armstrong. It does a great job of setting the mood for our trip to New Orleans for jazzfest 2016. This was recorded live with an audience in 1956 and so doesn’t sound as crisp as the Chet Baker. The sound quality is still remarkably good. What a great band with Trummy Young on trombone and Ed Hall on clarinet. The clarinet on “Tiger Rag” is excellent. “Basin Street Blues” and “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?” are highlights.