I just picked up the CD version of Nat King Cole's "After Midnight", one of my favorite LP's. Before I compare the CD to vinyl, I have to admit that I love the Jazz recordings of Nat King Cole. Most people know him from his pop recordings which have become classics, but he started off (as did Ray Charles) a Jazz musician with a three piece band. On this recording, he features an awesome guitar player and the only jazz violinist, Stump Smith. Jazz violin sounds very strange but cool. Best of all, Nat's vocals and piano playing are first rate. He was actually rated the best Jazz piano player by Esquire for something like four years running in the late 40's. This recording is a reprise of his old band.
The LP is a really good recording, dispite my copy's scratches and pops and has spent more time on my turntable than just about anything but I always wanted to get the CD version for the car and to compare. Plus, the CD has more songs and doesn't have the pops, etc., of my particular copy. Well, how do they stack up? No comparison. The CD is a reissue from the late 90's, I think 99, and my album is an original copy from the late 50's. The vinyl sounds lush and alive while the CD sounds steely and a bit on the harsh side at times. I like the CD, and my digital front end is not bad (Cal Delta, Smart DIO, Bolder digital with Eichman and Superlative wires connecting the trans to the pre). I have to add, I'm not necessarily a "Vinyl only" guy. I love CD's and have ten times more CD's than I do records. I also like the convenience of CD's and have several that sound great. This one is not bad, but I'm totally used to the sound of the record...or spoiled may be a more accurate term! I can't imagine how good this would sound on a first-class analog rig.
Hopefully, I'll come across a better copy of the record one of these days for a reasonable price. I love the sound of a small, tight band with excellent vocals and musicians and it don't get any better than Nat's trio.
Just my .10,
Jman
