DESCRIPTION:
Realistic LAB 1600 Plays Tony Mottola's Guitar USA - Side 2 (Vinyl)

This album is a one-of-a-kind performance from long ago. The performances are masterful. The clarity of the sound is simply amazing, unlike modern, over-processed, multi-track recordings. It demonstrates the capabilities and esthetic appeal of vinyl records. Their ability to convey sounds and music, devoid of the negative artifacts of digital recording, editing and mastering processes. I urge you to buy this CD or LP. You will not be disappointed!

Tony Mottola was one of the most prolific and respected studio musicians of the post-WWII era. Known as "Mr Big," he was a mainstay of countless Enoch Light's Command and Project-3 Records. Light had known Mottola from the New York studio scene, and he had been particularly impressed by a distinctive album Mottola recorded with Johnny Mathis. The two men quickly established a close professional and personal relationship. Even though most of the music Light released on his Command label was brassy, percussive, and showy, he had a tremendous respect for Mottola's more delicate guitar work. Mottola went on to record over 30 albums on Command and Project 3. Even after retiring completely, he continued to play the guitar almost every day. His son, Tony Jr. said, "He felt music kept his mind sharp."

Tracks:

- The Shadow of Your Smile (00:00)
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (03:23)
- Your Cheatin' Heart (06:00)
- Lemon Tree (08:53)
- Scarlet Ribbons (11:26)
- Guitar U.S.A. (14:42)

These tracks were played using a range of guitars:

- Electric/Acoustic Standard
- Electric/Acoustic Stereo Jazz
- Electric 12 String
- Electric Solid Body Standard
- Electric Solid Body Firebird
- Electric Bass
- Acoustic 12 String
- Acoustic Gut String
- Tenor Banjo
- Mandolin

Other Recordings by Tony Mottola:

- Danger (soundtrack), MGM E111
- Tony's Touch, Grand Prix Series K-413
- Let's Put Out the Lights, RCA Camden CAL-305
- Mr Big, Command RS 807 SD, 1959
- Roman Guitar, Command RS 816 SD, 1962
- Plays Country & Western Folk Songs, Command RS 823 SD, 1961
- String Band Strum Along, Command RS 828 SD, 1961
- Roman Guitar Volume 2, Command RS 836 SD, 1962
- Spanish Guitar, Command RS 841 SD, 1962
- Romantic Guitar, Command RS 847 SD, 1963
- Sentimental Guitar, Command RS 864 SD, 1964
- Guitar ... Paris, Command RS 877 SD, 1964
- Command Performances, Command RS 885 SD, 1965
- Love Songs - Mexico/SA, Command RS 889 SD, 1965
- Amor Mexico/SA, Command RS 900 SD, 1966
- Guitar U.S.A., Command RS 908 SD, 1967
- Mr. Guitar, Command RS 966-2 SD, Volume II, 1973
- Heart & Soul Guitar Cover, Project 3 PR 5003 SD
- A Latin Love-In, Project 3 PR 5010 SD
- Lush, Latin, and Lovely, Project 3 PR 5020 SD
- Warm, Wild, and Wonderful, Project 3 PR 5025 SD
- Roma Oggi (Rome Today), Project 3 PR 5032 SD
- Joins the Guitar Underground, Project 3 PR 5035 SD
- The Tony Touch, Project 3 PR 5041 SD
- Guitar Factory, Project 3 PR 5044 SD
- Close to You Cover, Project 3 PR 5050 SD
- Warm Feelings, Project 3 PR 5058 SD
- Superstar Guitar, Project 3 PR 5062 SD
- Tony & Strings, Project 3 PR 5069 SD
- Two Guitars for Two in Love, Project 3 PR 5074 SD
- Tony Mottola and the Quad Guitars, Project 3 PR 5078 SD
- Tony Mottola and the Brass Menagerie, Project 3 PR 5082 SD
- Holiday Guitars, Project 3 PR 5090 SD
- I Only Have Eyes for You, Project 3 PR 5094 SD
- All The Way, Project 3 PR 5112 SD
- My Favorite Things, Project 3 PR 6007/8 SD
- While We're Young, Kapp KL-1019
- Hawaii Five-O, Design SDLP 306
- Romantic Guitars, Longines Symphonette Society
- Midnight Magic, Queue FLS 104
- Background music on Trains, Planes, and Space Ships, Harmony HL 7110

This recording is reproduced here using a Realistic LAB-1600 computer controlled turntable. It has a "new" Grado P-mount cartridge that I bought in the early 1980's, threw in a drawer, and never used until now. The belt is kind of old, so the wow and flutter are a bit too high.

Cartridge specs:
Brand: Grado
Model: ZF3
Type: Moving iron
Output Voltage: 3 mV
Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50kHz
Tracking Force: 1.0 - 1.5g
Mass: 4.5g
Channel Separation: 25dB
Load Impedance: 47k ohms
Output Impedance: 700 ohms
Stylus Tip: Elliptical 0.3 x 0.7mil
Cantilever: Aluminum

Thanks to US Audio Mart for the pictures at http://www.usaudiomart.com/

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This submission qualifies under this law, as it contains comments and/or criticisms pertaining to the subject material. It is for educational purposes only. I do not own the copyright for this recording. I am NOT making any personal or professional gain, monetary or otherwise from this video.