Zman, thank you, but your apology is unwarrented. Actually, you are quite correct, I am an asshole. But now that we've gotten that out of the way, I think that your ad hominem criticism missed the central point of my corrosive jibe. And that is, if you are interested in sound, this is a fabulous album to own, and I speak from first hand experience, owning a very early LP pressing.
However if you are interested in music, and Dixieland in particular, the playing here is not to a high standard. Although Dixieland jazz has somewhat gone out of vogue, the best of the idiom is as transcendental in it's nature as any music ever made. For those interested in experiencing the music, the unfortunate part is that it was born into the turn of the 20th century, and much of the best, and most illuminating, performances are both in mono and in low fidelity. That said, it is only necessary to hear Louis Armstrongs All Stars, or his Hot Fives and Hot Sevens to see that this music has a soul that burns very brightly indeed. Even the very earliest Dixieland recordings such as the much played "Tiger Rag" by the Original Dixieland Jazz band, from which, I believe Dixieland got it's name, are just fantastic. The resurgance of Dixieland in the 1960s also brought the excellent recordings from New Orleans' Preservation Hall. The Sweet Emma being among my favorites.
But I suppose, in the greater context, we shoud be thankful for the JATP stuff as it might be the gateway drug to get people to listen to the classic Dixieland performances, in the way that Diana Krall might lead to Billie Holiday or Boones Farm might lead to Chateau Margaux. And, of course none of this should diminish the excellent audio engineering that is displayed on the JATP discs, as it is top rate. In fact, for those that want this great recorded quality wedded to marvelous music, and have a taste for choral music, two other Proprius recordings can be heartily recommended, Kor and Cantate Domino.
