Search - Georges Bizet, Oscar Hammerstein II, Burke Gilbert :: Carmen Jones

Sound quality an issue in this legally questionable release

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 09/07/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"RCA Victor had this album out on CD some yeasr ago, but they have discontinued it: Carmen Jones



This edition is on a budget label from the U.K. and is apparently transcribed from a copy of the old LP. This CD is released through a loophole in British copyright law.



This is a mixed blessing because while it restores titles to the catalog that have become difficult to find, the source material is far inferior to the master tapes still owned by the original companies.



The sound quality on this album was always variable with dialogue portions mixing rather unsatisfactorily with the music tracks. The actors in the film were dubbed by Opera singers, and on the record you really notice the difference between Harry Belafonte's speaking voice and LeVern Hutcherson's singing. Same with Dorothy Dandridge playing Carmen while Marilyn Horne sings the role.



The best and most complete recording of CARMEN JONES is the 1991 London cast on EMI: Carmen Jones



Decca Broadway also offers a CD transfer of the complete 1943 Broadway cast:Carmen Jones (1943 Original Broadway Cast)"

Apalling sound quality in every sense of the word

robdownunda | Australia | 03/25/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I spied this CD in the racks at my local record store and purchased it along with "The King & I" original soundtrack issued on the same label (more further below). Cost for both CD's around US$5 - a bargain.



In the case of "Carmen Jones", it's unlistenable. Roughly the quality of a telephone call - or an MP3 without any bass - all sounding like it's recorded from a 3 inch speaker in someone's bathroom. By the third track, I couldn't bear listening to it any more.



The CD cover states "digitally mastered from original recordings (sic) and are a faithful representation of the album as it was originally issued". The source is probably a very old LP, as the previous reviewer rightly suggests. My copy only has 12 tracks, not 13. The "stereo" is bizarre sounding.



Do not buy this CD - it's a total waste of time and money. It's being sold here in Australia quite legally.



The persons who are responsible for this aural nightmare should hang their heads in shame.



As for "The King & I" - it's also unlistenable. Two of the bonus tracks are "I Whistle a Happy Tune" sung by Frank Sinatra, and "Getting To Know You" by Bing Crosby. ORIGINAL soundtrack? If it wasn't so funny, I would cry.



Can't submit review without any stars. The one star is for the fact that both CD's have now been recycled into a new life as a very snazzy pair of cheap drink coasters.

"