RCA Victor Demonstration Record

Side one, track one from "Stereo Spectacular". The introduction is about the line of RCA New Vista consoles. The music portion is "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Ray Martin and His Orchestra. What you're hearing is a mono folddown of a "stereo action" recording where the sounds constantly pan back and forth. Impressive at the time, but the effect can get tiresome after a while.
"There is no audible needle scratch. Even if you accidently sweep the arm directly across the grooves."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• Ray Martin
• Flight of the Bumblebee
• LP

[Kramden429]

You're 100% correct about the constant panning back and forth of the stereo effect - it *does indeed* become nerve-wracking after a while.

This was true of "The Bobby Darin Story" (the CD of his greatest hits on Atco). The "ping-pong" stereo mixing became so grating after a few minutes (e.g. "Bill Bailey," "Mack the Knife") I eventually sought a copy of a greatest hits compilation of Darin's (on Rhino) in which said tracks were mono mixes.

To be sure, *much* easier on the nerves.

[edwardconway27]

it's 33rpm?

[cricketrecords]

@VinylLad Sorry, I meant that the announcer heard here was probably not a well known personality. Monroe was definitely well known in the 40's and 50's, and it's because I've heard so many of his records that I know that this is not his voice.

[VinylLad]

@cricketrecords It may not be, but Vaughn did sell a few big hits at RCA in the 1940s and 50s, in particular Ghost Riders In The Sky, a tune which has been covered numerous times.

[cricketrecords]

@VinylLad It's definitely not Vaughn Monroe. He probably was not a well known personality.

[KingFahtah]

there's no way that's ol bing

[VinylLad]

@bagpuss211 Likely Vaughn Monroe since he had a contract with RCA and did commercials during the 1960s for the company. Bing Crosby was signed with Decca at the time.

[bagpuss211]

Nice tone, thank heavens there's no needle hiss: is the fella who speaks, Vaugn Monroe, or Bing Crosby? Any information would be welcome, I ask anyone whoreads thic omment to PLRASE REFEAIN from swearing?! Than you!

[bagpuss211]

Who is the fellow on this exceptional recording? He sounds to me at least, a cross betwen Vaughn Monroe, and Bing Crosby!

[fromthesidelines]

This is a 1967 demonstration record used exclusively by RCA Victor dealers, with copies given to customers who, as 'greg' mentioned, bought one of RCA's "New Vista" stereo console phonographs...the music featured on the album stretches as far back as 1959 {Bernie Green's recording of "Under Paris Skies" was originally released on one of his 1961 RCA Victor "Stereo Action" albums}.