Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Vinyl Obscurities is a series i started to highlight little known records that deserve your attention. This time we have a pretty rare one. It is titled Swingle II, and is a collection of English and French art songs sung by a group of eight voices - two sopranos, two contraltos, teo tenors and two basses. Works are by Vaughn Williams, Stamford, Britten and Elgar, as well as Debussy, Ravel, Saint Saens and Poulenc. The group is named after Ward Swingle.
This record was recorded and released in the UK only. It is on RCA. Recording was made in 1976.
This record has been in the back of my mind to bring to the channel, and I finally was inspired to do it. It's one of the most enchanting records I've ever heard. If you are not moved by Stamford's The Bluebird, you must be made of stone. Wonderful performances, rarely heard music, and great sound to boot. Add to that an excellent pressing and gorgeous glossy gatefold jacket and you have a record worth searching for. If anyone finds this and doesn't love it, I need a backup copy!!
You can hear the performance from this recording of The Blue Bird here:
youtu.be/VGHtIgpW5No?si=CvuXaDV9i8Q6L-wO
The audio quality on this stream is far below what you hear on the record.
If I can, I will have Oswaldo Martinez capture a high resolution digital file from my system soon.
00:00 Introduction
01:16 The Performers
01:40 The History
02:24 The Music
05:31 Conclusion
If you particularly enjoyed this video, please consider a small one time donation to the channel! You can do so easily by clicking the "Thanks" button in the row of icons just below the title. Any amount truly helps and is greatly appreciated.
The Pressing Matters Amazon Affiliate Storefront
https://www.amazon.com...
(As an an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase
Reference System
-VPI Scout with Classic Platter Upgrade
-JMW Memorial Tonearm
-VPI Analog Drive System
-Hana ML MC Cartridge
-ModWright PH 9.0 Tube Phono Pre
-Cayin A-50T Integrated Tube Amplifier
-System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeaker
-Tributaries Series 8 Interconnect
-Herron Audio Interconnect Cable
-Panamax M5300PM Power Filter
-Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
-VPI 16.5 Vacuum Record Cleaner
-Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini
Studer Revox A77 Reel To Reel Tape Deck
@acousticsoundsks
Vinyl Obscurities is a series i started to highlight little known records that deserve your attention. This time we have a pretty rare one. It is titled Swingle II, and is a collection of English and French art songs sung by a group of eight voices - two sopranos, two contraltos, teo tenors and two basses. Works are by Vaughn Williams, Stamford, Britten and Elgar, as well as Debussy, Ravel, Saint Saens and Poulenc. The group is named after Ward Swingle.
This record was recorded and released in the UK only. It is on RCA. Recording was made in 1976.
This record has been in the back of my mind to bring to the channel, and I finally was inspired to do it. It's one of the most enchanting records I've ever heard. If you are not moved by Stamford's The Bluebird, you must be made of stone. Wonderful performances, rarely heard music, and great sound to boot. Add to that an excellent pressing and gorgeous glossy gatefold jacket and you have a record worth searching for. If anyone finds this and doesn't love it, I need a backup copy!!
You can hear the performance from this recording of The Blue Bird here:
youtu.be/VGHtIgpW5No?si=CvuXaDV9i8Q6L-wO
The audio quality on this stream is far below what you hear on the record.
If I can, I will have Oswaldo Martinez capture a high resolution digital file from my system soon.
00:00 Introduction
01:16 The Performers
01:40 The History
02:24 The Music
05:31 Conclusion
If you particularly enjoyed this video, please consider a small one time donation to the channel! You can do so easily by clicking the "Thanks" button in the row of icons just below the title. Any amount truly helps and is greatly appreciated.
The Pressing Matters Amazon Affiliate Storefront
https://www.amazon.com...
(As an an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchase
Reference System
-VPI Scout with Classic Platter Upgrade
-JMW Memorial Tonearm
-VPI Analog Drive System
-Hana ML MC Cartridge
-ModWright PH 9.0 Tube Phono Pre
-Cayin A-50T Integrated Tube Amplifier
-System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeaker
-Tributaries Series 8 Interconnect
-Herron Audio Interconnect Cable
-Panamax M5300PM Power Filter
-Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner
-VPI 16.5 Vacuum Record Cleaner
-Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini
Studer Revox A77 Reel To Reel Tape Deck
@acousticsoundsks
