Midnight Blue

Well, unless I want to spend a lot more money, I guess I’m not going to get the Midnight Blue that I’d like. I initially bought the United pressing (75th Blue Note anniversary copy) and, although the stereo sound was wonderful, many tunes had crackles in the background and the record itself seemed scuffed in spots. This has been reported by others already. I decided I’d try the Russian DOL copy...although the crackle noise wasn’t too bad (still evident on some tunes), the stereo sound was not very good at all. There was also two bonus tunes and a gate type cover. Still, sound was most important to me so I’m returning the DOL copy. Others may be OK with it but I guess I’ll look for the European pressing of the 75th Anniversary vinyl (which I’ve read is vastly better than the U.S. United pressing), spend more, or just be satisfied with the better stereo but noisy background. ‘Hope this helps you vinyl seekers of this great album.Update: I finally got the Analogue Productions 2X45 rpm copy of Midnight Blue...blows all other vinyl copies away. Now I’m satisfied!

I recently purchased my third copy of "Midnight Blue / Kenny Burrell with Stanley Turrentine ( Vinyl ). I previously purchased the first two copies 75 Blue Note Issues. ( from Amazon) They were really bad vinyl pressing with scuffs and scratches and very noisy vinyl. I still have them and I refuse to pay a $100.00 from Music Matters. So I tried the DOL pressing and to my surprise it was a superior pressing. Although the recording may not be as bright as the Blue Note it was clean nice quality sounding vinyl. It wasn't my first choice and as a rule I haven't had the best luck with DOL before it always seems little muted. (Chet Baker).I love this album and really wanted a clean sounding copy at least now I don't cringe when listening .... Gotta love Burrell and Turntine..To bad Blue Note botched there re release by cutting corners on such a great Jazz classic. Thanks to Amazon I got another version of this perfect Jazz album..

I had bought a few songs from this album on iTunes a few years ago. Now that I am switching away from that god awful company, I'm buying more vinyl. (Long story short. My 10 year old iPod Classic, which was never dropped or damaged can no longer can sync or download the over 1,000 iTunes songs I've purchased) So I'm enjoying vinyl again and this album is wonderful. I turn the lights down, kick my feet up and can listen to Midnight Blue over and over. I also have Coleman Hawkins, "The Hawk Relaxes" on which Kenny plays and that too is an excellent record to chill out to.

I own the CD, which is fantastic. The recording on LP is of lower quality and the stereo image is vague! Otherwise, the music and performance are engaging.

This album is incredible and the pressing delivers on that. It is very quiet and the gatefold is an excellent edition. Though this is not an official Blue Note pressing, the album provides two bonus tracks the was not on the original album. I love putting this record on at night to unwind and I'm certain everyone can have that experience with this pressing!

👍👍👍👍👌

One of best kenny burrell album with amazing sound quality

Great sound and price.

I took a gamble on a second hand copy rated as 'Acceptable'. I was expecting a cover a little worn around the edges and a few clicks and pops and possibly the odd scratch. My copy isn't acceptable, it is very good or better. I have bought brand new vinyl albums with squashed sleeve corners and poor pressings with crackles and pops. This album does not have any surface noise or scratches. The pressing is so good I can hear the master tape hiss from the old 1963 studio tape.I didn't know what publisher copy I was going to receive but it is a DOL. Therefore likely to be pressed from a digital transfer file or even from a CD rip. Such practices upset some vinyl purists but my attitude is 'if it sounds goo then it is good'. It certainly does sound good. I shows what could be achieved in 1963 when enough care was taken.I am getting a little rattled about the price of new vinyl as opposed to CD versions and I sense the industry is cashing in on the vinyl revival. They knock out very poor pressings in many cases and charge 4 times the CD price. My revived interest in vinyl is going to be a limited affair just to give myself something new to play. I am going to chance second hand in future and not be put off by a second hand album offered as 'acceptable'. Digital downloads and CDs will make up the bulk of my listening. This purchase came from music-magpie.

terrible repress low level and sounds like it has come from a digital source.This is the second 180g repress I have bought from this label and both are rubbish.I still have the originals although noisy the quality is worlds better.dont fall for the 180 hi fi marketing its just that

There isn't much that hasn't been already said about this classic album. Having always been a fan of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery I knew I must buy this lp.There are two pressings available on Amazon, one on Blue Note, the other on DOL which is the one I bought for just under £14. I am normally wary of Dol as a label as I am not really sure where they get their source material from. General consensus is that they use digital not the original analogue tapes. With that in mind I wasn't going to buy but I decided to take a risk and see if the sound was indeed poor. I haven't heard the original 1963 vinyl so I haven't a comparison to hand but I can honestly say this pressing sounds very good indeed. It is nice and flat and was free of finger marks etc. The gatefold cover is a good replica of the original and is a good weight of cardboard, not cheap feeling. The only downside with this lp is the lack of download code and unfortunately Amazon don't do a rip on it either so you are getting just the vinyl but at this price I can't really complain if I have to get the cd too.Whichever route you go you will not be disappointed as this is one of the finest jazz guitar albums there is.

Superb jazz guitar from Kenny Burrell.

It came well packaged and on time. One of my favourite albums so was pleased to hear it play flawlessly.