TAPE 1
- EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME MATT DENNIS/TOM ADAIR 5.57
- ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL ARTHUR ALTMAN/JACK LAWRENCE 7.00
- THE GYPSY BILLY REID 5.30
- MOON RIVER HENRY MANCINI/JOHNNY MERCER 6.52
Recorded at Hotel Il Castello - Palazzo di Scoto di Semifonte
Certaldo Alto (Florence) November 2016
Recording assistant: Paola Liberato
Valve microphones: Neumann U47, U48, M49
Mike preamplifiers, cables (line, microphone, power supply): Signoricci
Photos by: Michela Del Forno
A&R and Il Castello property manager: Alfred Kramer
The stars of this album are Scott Hamilton - saxophone, Paolo Birro - piano, Aldo Zunino - bass, Alfred Kramer - drums
Ballads for Audiophiles is part of the musical projects created in Certaldo Alto (Florence) in the ancient cellar of Palazzo di Scoto di Semifonte.
To enhance the fascinating acoustics of this place, Giulio Cesare Ricci used the entirely analog, tube-based Signoricci recording system.
The legendary original Neumann U47, U48, and M49 tube microphones were used for the recording.
The mastering was done by Giulio Cesare Ricci with the Ampex ATR 102 2-track 1/2" 30fps recorder.
The songs were performed from start to finish without sound manipulation, equalization, reverb, compression, or expansion...but with a natural sound and true timbre, no editing.
"Signoricci," as he's known in the audiophile world, doesn't work with support microphones that magnify individual instruments like a magnifying glass, but with his beloved Neumann tube microphones, which he positions himself to create a natural sound field. This recording is so successful that it feels like a live concert. The musicians position themselves on an imaginary stage, maintaining a certain distance from the listener. The speakers seem to vanish. It takes a moment to get used to this relatively low-impact performance compared to the usual ones. recordings. But you don't have to wait long to discover its charm, a charm that creates a living universe of sound and emphasizes the ensemble rather than sharply separating the instruments from one another.
Even the saxophone sound, despite its boldness, is always velvety and never tends to be too loud. The volume rises spontaneously, but it's never annoying or intrusive.
This album will delight many listeners, both musically and tonally.
As anticipated, a calm pace was expected for the ballad. Fast rhythms or high-pitched sounds were not on the agenda.
Hamilton's playing is refined and smooth, and his accompanist follows him discreetly, with the exception of a few small solos. Thus, standards like "Moon River" and "All Or Nothing" exude a relaxed club atmosphere.
