Paul Kuhn Trio – Live At Birdland

Publisher: Sommelier Du Son, Edition Phoenix der Analogue Audio Association (AAA)

Playing time: 43 min

Specifications: half track ¼", stereo, RTM SM468, CCIR, 510 nWb/m, 38 cm/s

Reel(s):               2 standard metal reels, with stickers

Packaging:        2 standard cardboard boxes, with stickers

Inserts:               1 booklet with 8 pages

Homepage: https://www.aaanalog.de/shop

Translation of the German review:

Paul Kuhn (1928 - 2013) was recorded live by Brigit Hammer-Sommer and Dirk Sommer in March 2010 at "Birdland" (Neuburg an der Donau, Germany). Marked by his illness from 2007 (his eyesight and hearing had diminished since then), I am very glad that such a audio document with all the depth of the creative power of the 82-year-old "Paulchen" Kuhn could be created as a late work. For this, every effort should have been worthwhile to make the analog recording with a STUDER "A810" and all the heavy equipment that goes with it. This included an EMT gold foil reverb weighing 70 kg, which had to be dragged up a long flight of stairs into the jazz cellar. This cellar with its vaulted ceiling has a unique atmosphere and is a worthy venue for such a concert and its recording.

The tracks are a best list of sophisticated evergreens of swing and jazz. Two songs are by Paul Kuhn himself. Those who know him more from entertainment ("Der Mann am Klavier" from 1954, "Es gibt kein Bier auf Hawaii from 1963) get to know his other, absolutely remarkable side here: Sovereignly the jazz and swing piano is played. The second half of the titles is crowned with his English-language singing. His pronounced German accent is somehow likeable in the process.

As good as the AAA master tape copy is sonically and as nicely everything has been captured tonally, I want to point out two noticeable things about this production: There is a "popping" that occurs repeatedly on the vocals. Paul Kuhn is too close to the microphone. The popping noises are quite perceptible. Additionally, I wonder why the applause was cut off hard between all the tracks.

Still, the overall production is absolutely worth listening to. The instruments come through concisely, with the bass leading the way. This recording is a unique project with high repertoire value and a popular highlight from the AAA master tape catalog!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)