The given assessment will primarily focus on Sugar, recorded acoustically by the Bennie Moten Band, in 1927, and The Moten Swing, recorded electrically by the same players, in 1932, but this time called the Count Basie Orchestra. The comparison revealed that the general feel and rhythm were slower and slow-paced in general in the case of the acoustic recording. The location of the band felt further during the listening to the electrical recording due to the lack of white noise and echo effects. The tone colors of the band also changed, where electric recording made the performance clearer and more dynamic, and therefore, the dancing would be more active for it. The instruments also were replaced, where some brass elements were replaced by string brass, and the piano became more prominent in the electric recording.
The acoustic era preceded the electric era of recording, and it is evident that the latter brought major improvements to the given area. By listening to two different recordings of the same ensemble, it was revealed that the general feel of the music and rhythm was significantly more enhanced and dynamic in the case of the electric version. Acoustic recording felt slower and less quick-paced than the alternative. It is also important to note that the location-based feel was also distinct in the case of the acoustic version. The main reason is that acoustic recording was experienced as being closer to the ear of a listener, and it is also supported by the fact that the recording process itself was done near the horn.
The overall tone colors of the acoustic era were not as separate in contrast from the electric version. The latter brought an evident sign of clarity due to a substantial reduction in white noise and echo effects. Therefore, the electric version seemed to be more dynamic and well-toned as well as colorful since the older recording’s sounds were blended. Thus, the desire to dance to the electric recording is more active and cheerful, whereas the acoustic version does not fully translate the key elements, which would invoke me to do such an activity.
In regards to the instruments present in these recordings, it is clear that the electric version introduced piano as a replacement for string brass, but it is important to note that the latter was not fully eliminated. However, it is clear that struck string instruments were more prominent in the electric version, and one might argue that it is due to the general instrument recording capability expansion of this era. In other words, many instruments were impossible or difficult to record acoustically. For example, between 00:02 and 00:21, the most dominant instrument is brass (Jazzbo, (2020). In the case of electric recording, between 00:02 and 00:19, the piano dominates the sound sphere by being almost the sole performer (AllAbout78Records, 2019). Therefore, struck string instruments are the biggest change in regards to the instrument base change between these versions. The subjective experience was also altered, where the piano brought more elegance and tone color to the electric recording.
In conclusion, in acoustic and electric recordings, the given examples showcase how the feel, tone, rhythm, and instrumentation can change. The general feel of the latter version was more dynamic and active, whereas the former seemed to be performed in closer proximity. In addition, the piano or struck string instruments became more prominent in the electric recording, which partially replaced some brass instruments, and thus, made the experience more elegant.
References
AllAbout78Records. (2019).Moten Swing – Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra – 1932 [Video]. Web.
Jazzbo. (2020). Sugar – Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra (1927) [Video]. Web.