Dick Schory's New Percussion Ensemble
David Carroll and His Orchestra
In the early days of Stereo, record companies were always looking for ways to show off the capabilities of this new format. One musical genre that met with great success was instrumental pop, and especially percussive releases. Dick Schory was perhaps the greatest star of the many artists working in the percussive pop field that was so popular in the late '50s. After getting his recording start on the Bel Canto label, he soon after signed with RCA - and, as they say, the rest is history. His smash hit album, "Music for Bang, Baa-room and Harp," is to this day is an audiophile staple, considered by many to be one of the greatest recordings of all time. Performed in the great, pre-"improvement" Orchestra Hall in Chicago, this disc stands to this day as one of the greatest percussion "show off" discs ever made. Schory's second release, the less known "Music to Break any Mood Percussion! From Melody to Madness," was also recorded in the same hall by famed RCA staff engineer Lewis Layton, but never reached the heights of popularity enjoyed by "Bang, Baroom." However, "Music to Break Any Mood" proved to be another audiophile showcase in its own right. Never released on CD, the original vinyl and even rarer reel to reel are still much sought after by audiophiles in the know.
David Carroll, a famous bandleader in the 1950's and 1960's, also jumped on the percussive pop bandwagon, and released several titles including his greatest hit, "Percussion in Hi-Fi" which was recorded on June 4, 1956, and released by Mercury a few years later. Engineered by Bill Putnam of Universal Recording Corp., this recording is simply incredible - and in many ways surpasses "Music for Bang, Baa-room and Harp." You'll be amazed that a recording that's over 55 years old sounds this good, and it makes us all wonder what's really been gained in the ensuing half century of so-called "progress!" Interestingly, Dick Schory was a guest performer on "Percussion in Hi-Fi," which, musically speaking, may be considered as perhaps a bit more "serious" than the RCA release. Sit back and let us bring you back to the late 1950s - considered by many to be the golden age of stereo - and enjoy!
"Schory's recordings are very much stereo spectaculars with good taste, well, unless you are completely allergic to the medium; and the recording, made in Orchestra Hall in 1960 has spread and depth"
"The arrangements are witty and amusing with unexpected moments to delight, the ten players and one hundred instruments providing a good deal of variety"."
"David Carroll was Mercury's music director for over ten years from 1951 and was also based in Chicago. Unsurprisingly, he teamed up with Dick Schory on occasion and these tracks include Schory among the six percussionists. Recorded in 1956 at Universal Recording Corporation, the sound is, frankly, stunningly good"."
Peter Joelson - Audiophile Audition
You'll find everything that audiophiles cherish most: a clear depth of field; sharp definition; a wide dynamic range; a strong impact; a well-extended bass and treble; a clean, well-balanced midrange; superb instrument separation; and a quick transient response. Of course, each of these qualities, particularly the last, may be as much a function of one's speakers as the disc, but if your system is up to the task, it should bring out the best in the music and vice versa.
Classical Candor
Compact Disc Burned on a Gold CD-R
HQCD (High Quality Compact Disc) Playable on all compact disc players
24bit 96khz Resolution DVD Playable on all DVD players
24bit 96khz Resolution Flac Downloads Playable through most media players
24bit 192khz Resolution Flac Downloads Playable through most media players
