Artist
"Chicago" Original Broadway Cast
Crate Digger's Guide
- Studio Medium:
- The original Broadway cast recordings were primarily captured using analog multi-track magnetic tape.
- Pressing Plants:
- Key records were often pressed at Columbia Records Pressing Plant.
- Lacquer Cut:
- The frequency range emphasizes vocals and orchestration, affecting inner-groove tracking with potential distortion at high volumes.
- Matrix Runout:
- Collectors should look for etchings like '1A' or '1B' in the matrix runout to confirm first pressings.
Vinyl Collector Intelligence
- Grail Pressing:
- Dating back to 1975, the original Columbia pressing stands as the definitive vinyl grail for 'Chicago' Original Broadway Cast collectors.
- Best Reissue:
- For an accessible alternative, the 2018 Sony 180g remaster of 'Chicago' delivers exceptional pressing precision.
- Mastering & Translation:
- The dense multitrack vocal harmonies and electronic sub-bass frequencies characteristic of 'Chicago' Original Broadway Cast's production demand a stable microlinear stylus to prevent high-frequency sibilance.
- Shelf Alternatives:
- Crate companions that natively share this specific vinyl profile include Elton John (MCA) and Barry Manilow (Arista).
