Jim Reeves - Best Sounding Records

[mozcho]

As said in my previous post asking about Cliff Richard's, there are also many Jim Reeves' albums in that shop, any tips on some best sounding ones to look for?

 

[HamboneF18]

Most all Jim Reeves records were recorded in RCA’s Dynagroove. Mono and stereo. I’ve got original pressings and later reissues. They sound about the same, just cleaner on the later reissues.

Some contend that Dynagroove records sound best using conical styli. I disagree with that. Conicals sound their best on Dynagroove, but don’t surpass ellipticals.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

As said in my previous post asking about Cliff Richard's, there are also many Jim Reeves' albums in that shop, any tips on some best sounding ones to look for?

German RCA pressed by Telefunken-Decca in Hamburg. Avoid "E" reprocessed Stereo rubbish. Avoid Dynagroove. Mono or True Stereo up to 1963, even German early 1970's pressings fine.

 

[HamboneF18]

Of course, it begs the question, which pressings are NOT Dynagroove?

 

[mozcho]

Today just went ahead and bought these, Good 'N' Country and Gentleman Jim are in mono. Hope they are good.

 

[HamboneF18]

I have all of those. All very good! Great choices! You’ll enjoy them.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Of course, it begs the question, which pressings are NOT Dynagroove?

All but the 1963 last recordings. And the post Jim Reeves death releases. German RCA is best on 1963 and later issues.

 

[mozcho]

They still have these available. Please let me know should I grab them all?

 

[HamboneF18]

All but the 1963 last recordings. And the post Jim Reeves death releases. German RCA is best on 1963 and later issues.

I’ve found it to be a crap shoot. I’ve got post-‘65 RCA re-issues and pre-‘65 originals. The re-issues don’t say Dynagroove. I also have post-‘65 compilation albums that don’t say Dynagroove. Honestly, by listening, I can’t tell if Dynagroove or not.

As for German pressings, overall I’ve been underwhelmed. They don’t sound as dynamic; more like modern re-issues I’ve bought at Walmart. Recording volume is lower. I’ve got 3 Jim Reeves German pressings. I’ve also got 5 German pressings of A&M Herb Alpert records; while clean sounding, they also lack the bold dynamics of original American A&M pressings. All 5 of those German A&M pressings I’ve replaced with American pressings. The German pressings I have were originally bought by US Servicemen stationed in Germany.

 

[sinnerboy]

My parents were big fans, I remember going to his grave in Carthage, Tx. We lived about 30 miles away. Gentleman Jim!

 

[spicer]

As said in my previous post asking about Cliff Richard's, there are also many Jim Reeves' albums in that shop, any tips on some best sounding ones to look for?

Might not be your venue but his Gospel record is excellent, great recording.

 

[mozcho]

My parents were big fans, I remember going to his grave in Carthage, Tx. We lived about 30 miles away. Gentleman Jim!

The is an excellent piece of background story, makes him more real than just a voice from the LPs.

 

[mozcho]

Might not be your venue but his Gospel record is excellent, great recording.

Cliff, you mean? Yeah I will include those in my next visit.

 

[mozcho]

Some more questions:

Some of these Jim Reeves (and also Cliff Richard's) records are in mono, do they sound better than the stereo versions?

Some LPs in the store are RCA Victor, some are RCA Camden, any difference?

Some of these were made not in the US, like Australia, New Zealand, England, and, of course, Germany. Again, any difference?

 

[spicer]

Cliff, you mean? Yeah I will include those in my next visit.

The album I was thinking of is titled 'We Thank Thee' on RCA. The copy I have is stereo and imagine it better than mono though have no direct comparison. It is produced by Chet Atkins. I believe Jim Reeves is touching home when he sings the songs, it's him.

 

[HamboneF18]

RCA Camden blue and orange label are mostly reissues of the Black RCA label original issues. Dynagroove? I don’t know. But Camden NJ has been a major RCA pressing plant for decades of its record production days.

 

[spicer]

RCA Camden blue and orange label are mostly reissues of the Black RCA label original issues. Dynagroove? I don’t know. But Camden NJ has been a major RCA pressing plant for decades of its record production days.

The Jim Reeves I have is the black label, from the time, not reissues, not that black label is superior, don't know one way or the other. The black label does seem substantial, like thick compared to later RCA. It sounds very good.

 

[HamboneF18]

Some more questions:

Some of these Jim Reeves (and also Cliff Richard's) records are in mono, do they sound better than the stereo versions?

Some LPs in the store are RCA Victor, some are RCA Camden, any difference?

Some of these were made not in the US, like Australia, New Zealand, England, and, of course, Germany. Again, any difference?

RCA Camden in my response was to this question.

 

[mozcho]

The album I was thinking of is titled 'We Thank Thee' on RCA. The copy I have is stereo and imagine it better than mono though have no direct comparison. It is produced by Chet Atkins. I believe Jim Reeves is touching home when he sings the songs, it's him.

Thanks for your recommendation, I picked these up, but yet to play them:

We Thank Thee - RCA Camden (blue), CDS1111, Stereo, Made in USA, 1973
God Be With You - RCA Victor (black), RD7636, Mono, Made in England, 1959

 

[mozcho]

The Jim Reeves I have is the black label, from the time, not reissues, not that black label is superior, don't know one way or the other. The black label does seem substantial, like thick compared to later RCA. It sounds very good.

Yeah the black label ones are thicker, and even after so many years, still sound good despite some minor clicks and pops.