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Re: [ARSCLIST] off-topic: guilty pleasure in hi-fi demo records



Steven C. Barr(x) wrote:
----- Original Message ----- From: "rodbrown" <rodbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Hi all,

I'm timidly un-lurking for a moment because I have a question for which I'm sure the ARSClist subscribership would have a broad range of useful, informed opinions.

I've recently become reacquainted with an LP I really enjoyed as a kid: "An Adventure In High Fidelity", subtitled "A 'New Orthophonic' High Fidelity Recording." This is an RCA Victor boxed set, LM-1802. I find I still enjoy hearing this old record.

It purports to present great-sounding (monaural) classical and semi-classical music, but also offers some very entertaining pop instrumentals. It's an interesting listen, full of ear-catching, exotic sounds, highs and lows, softs and louds. It tries to be all things to a broad range of listeners, and doesn't fail too badly, seems to me.

I'm sure there must be any number of similar efforts committed to vinyl by various companies who sought to interest the public in a particular label, or a brand of equipment, or a supposed technical breakthrough. Was this record a better-than-average example of a genre? Would any of you care to mention any fond recollections on this type of recording? Any recommendations?

Well, I can only comment on/in my own area of expertise...that being
"one level earlier" in technical terms (shellac 78rpm discs...!).
And there WERE a number of "demonstration records" issued from the
beginning of that format onward. I have heard, and seen, "demonstration
records" made by Berliner c.1900, to be played for potential machine
buyers (don't own copies, though...!). Columbia issued at least three
different such discs (with a fourth version for Canada only...!)...Victor
issued several different records in their D- series...I have similar discs
on the Perfect, Bell and Gennett labels...and Philco issued two c.1930 discs intended to sell their radio-phonograph sets, along with a set of
several c.1940 "demo discs" of the same sort, which feature Columbia
artists and are on the Columbia label. I also own a Hit-Of-The-Week disc
featuring a "Medley Of Canadian Songs," which may have been used for
promotion here in Canada (and bears a rubber-stamped "Sample" legend
as well). And...Victor DID issue a "promo record" for their first 33-1/3
"Program Transcription" line...with a "DL-" number.


Steven C. Barr

In the LP era, there were all sorts of demos and promos.."Adventure in High Fidelity" is sure a better sample than "Hearing is Believing" (music samples on side 2 are fine, but the comparisons on side 1 include modern versions vs acousticals!). In the early stereo days, RCA put out "Bob And Ray Throw a Stereo Spectacular" and "Sounds in Space"..the latter has crossed my hands 3 times, never in playable condition (the last copy had the Glenn Gould "So You Want To Write a Fugue" flexi scotch taped to it!).

dl


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