Sinatra at the Sands....my new favorite DVD-A (1 Viewer)

[Justin Lane]

Just got done spinning Sinatra at the Sands a couple times, once in stereo and once in multichannel, and I can honestly say this is my new reference DVD-A. It is hard to believe a recording so clear, pristine, and dynamic was recorded almost forty years ago. For those not familiar with this recording, it was done over four nights in 1966 with Count Basie and his Orchestra.

Technical Aspects:

Multichannel 94/24
Stereo 192/24
Dolby Digital 5.1

The stereo track is a real winner at 192/24, bettering the CD by a wide wide margin. My favorite track was Fly Me to the Moon. The dynamic range on this track is unbelieveable and really shows off the DVD-A format.

The multichannel had a slight Pet Sounds quality to it, with vocals present in the front left and right channels, slightly reverberating in the rear channels with the center not used at all for vocals (though drums and bass were present in the center). Overall it presented the music very nicely without any gimmicks to distract from the music.

Another great DVD-A release from Warner. Pick this one up if you are a fan of Sinatra, or just music in general.



J

 

[Peter Kline]

There's also a Dolby Surround track for listening with a DVD Video player. It presents Sinatra in the center when listening in a stereo mode.

 

[Lee Scoggins]

The stereo track is a real winner at 192/24, bettering the CD by a wide wide margin.

They always do!

Another good one is the DAD Sinatra 57 from Classic Records-I love the sound and music.

 

[Angelo.M]

Justin:

I agree. It's a great disc.

 

[Christopher_S]

I bought this one also, and love it. I haven't even had a chance to check out the 5.1 mix yet, but the hi-rez stereo is worth the price of admission for me by itself.

I'm always excited by the prospect of great live recordings like this... shows that were before my time, presented in such a way that I can close my eyes and imagine what it would have been like to be in the audience. (The Zep DVD, especially the show on the first disc, does this for me as well... without the eye-closing bit, of course.) I hope that there will be many more releases like this one.

My 19-month-old digs Frank, too.

 

[John Kotches]

Justin,

I agree that Sinatra at the Sands is a superb example of a live recording ca. 1963. There's no question that for the era, this is well done.

In comparison to studio efforts of the era, it's a little bit lacking in fidelity.

Technical merits aside it's great material, with the Chairman of the Board in fine voice and the always tight Basie band swinging like .

Oh, I got the Meridian 861v4 in on Friday, and did my first listening sessions in the new room Friday night.

Finally hi-res tunes on a hi-res system in what has great potential as a hi-res room.

Regards,

 

[Karl_Luph]

This sounds like a dvd I need to get. Another fine example how big band swing music defines style and sophistication. Something rock and rap music will never acheive.

 

[Peter Kline]

Point of correction, SATS was recorded in January and February 1966.

Too bad they didn't add more songs from the other shows taped during the engagement.

 

[John Kotches]

Peter,

Thanks -- I didn't have the disc in front of me when I typed my reply.

Regards,

 

[Jagan Seshadri]

Something rock and rap music will never acheive.

Slightly off topic, but I wonder what Sinatra's rap moniker would be if he had been a rap artist now?

-JNS

 

[Peter Kline]

Hoboken Hoodlum (That's what Johnny Carson jokingly called him... and he's still alive!)

 

[anthony_b]

Has anyone seen this disc at BEST BUY ? I went looking for it yesterday and couldn't find it.....is it at circuit city ?

 

[Peter Kline]

anthony.
I also checked out Best Buy on tuesday last week and yesterday and they still didn't have it. Perhaps they will have it today.
I purchased my copy at a chain in Fla. called FYE last week.

Peter

 

[LarryDavenport]

Anthony, you might have to look in Jazz (where I found it in the Seattle store).

 

[Justin Lane]

I also saw this disc along with Chicago V in the DVD-Audio Section of my local Border's.

It would probably be better to pick this up at Best Buy though, as all Hi-res audio discs are 2 bucks off this week.

J

 

[anthony_b]

I noticed it on the CC website for $13.99, which probably would be the same price at best buy with the discount...thanks a lot guys

 

[Al B. C]

I just picked this up yesterday.

My initial reaction is that I am totally impressed with the Hi Rez 2 channel track - it's simply sounds amazing.

But....

At first listen, I am somewhat underwhelmed at the M/C. It appears to be nothing more than an echo with an occasional instrument blurting out from one of the rears. Maybe I need to give it another couple of tries.

I must say that I find myself shying away from most M/C tracks as of late. I'm starting to feel like my rears do nothing more than screw up the fidelity of my mains.

Maybe it's just me.

 

[KeithH]

Justin, thanks for the review. I will have to get this disc. Unfortunately, Best Buy doesn't have it. They just don't get in the new DVD-Audio discs. They still haven't gotten in the Beach Boys or Chicago discs, and it took them over a month to get the Steely Dan Everything Must Go disc.

 

[Justin Lane]

Justin, thanks for the review. I will have to get this disc. Unfortunately, Best Buy doesn't have it. They just don't get in the new DVD-Audio discs. They still haven't gotten in the Beach Boys or Chicago discs, and it took them over a month to get the Steely Dan Everything Must Go disc.

The Delaware area Best Buys seem to be lacking severely in their DVD-A discs which are not Silverline. Usually takes a couple weeks before they receive stock.

I did see this disc along with the new Chicago and Beach Boys in the Border's near the Christiana Mall. In the back of the music section next to Jazz, they now have a small DVD-A section, which contains mostly DVD-A and some Universal SACD mixed in for confusion. They seem to get in a couple copies of each DVD-A release on street date, priced at MSRP of course.

J

 

[Paul.S]

Justin:

Thanks for your comments!

What engineer is credited with doing the multichannel mix? (And is it a different guy than who recorded the original concert?)

Paul