Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Andre Previn at the Piano - 78rpm RCA Victor "Smart Set"

This is a rare RCA Smart Set album on 78rpm by Andre Previn with accompaniment by Al Viola, guitar, Lloyd Pratt, bass and Jackie Mills, drums. Cuts marked * have "Chic" Parnell on drums. I've searched the Internet for another reference to the album, but can't find one. So, apparently RCA was never wise enough to re-issue it on LP or CD. Excellent arrangements and remarkably clean sound are evident on these vintage 78s. I played them on a Rek-O-Kut turntable with great Stanton cartridge and ran them through Adobe Audition to clean up as much of the surface noise as possible. I think you'll be pleased. It surely a great find for fans of Previn's exceptional piano stylings. Previn is one amazing musicians whose range of talent is one in a million.

1. My Shining Hour

2. This Can't Be Love *

3. Just One of Those Things

4. Mad About the Boy *

5. Hallelujah

6. But Not For Me *

7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

8. Should I *


7 comments:

  1. thank you, Paul. I have always wanted to hear these recordings...

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  2. Now that I've had a chance to listen, I think you have done a wonderful job with the sound. From a huge Previn fan, thanks again.

    Here is further information on these recordings:

    André Previn Quartet : André Previn (p) Al Viola (g) Charles Parnell (b) Jackie Mills (d)

    Los Angeles, October 20, 1947:

    D7VB1801 But Not For Me
    D7VB1802 This Can't Be Love
    D7VB1803 Mad About The Boy
    D7VB1804 Should I ?
    Note : On "Mad About The Boy", Lloyd Pratt (b) replaces Parnell.

    Los Angeles, November 3, 1947:
    D7VB1842 I Didn't Know What Time It Was
    D7VB1843 My Shining Hour
    D7VB1844 Hallelujah
    D7VB1845 Just One Of Those Things

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  3. Previn was only 17 or 18 at this time. (Birth 1929 or 1930, but precise date seems uncertain).

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  4. Lovely stuff, thank you for offering this.

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  5. Yes, wonderful; are better cover shots a possibility?

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  6. just brilliant never realised andre as a jazz pianist where ive been all my 83 years soud and clarity perfect thank you from ALF starlite

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