Date:         Mon, 16 Jul 2007 23:00:53 -0400
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         David Lennick <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: off-topic: guilty pleasure in hi-fi demo records
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Steven C. Barr(x) wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "rodbrown" <[log in to unmask]>
>> 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