Macadamedia CD - The Student Prince

[Mike McAdam]

To all Forum members:
After almost four years I've finally finished my magnum opus
multimedia project. From time to time I've alluded to this CD on the
Forum, as you all know.
First of all, I must thank Armando and Derek for their input in my
producing the kind of effort I had envisioned. To wit: Armando's
forwarding of a copy of the SP Laserdisc let me capture stills for
some of the cover photography and extract takes right from the film
soundtrack where necessary. Derek and he were forwarded some of my
audio “blends” and montages from time to time for their comments.
Their opinions were duly discarded of course :-))
Both these stalwart gents also offered some salient suggestions with
regard to my liner notes. I thank them both for their invaluable input
on all of the above.

The musical selections come from at least three different Lanza
sources plus a couple were taken from other LP productions of
Romberg’s operetta. I think I’ve achieved a pretty seamless blend of
all so this shouldn't be immediately obvious. As I had some of the
Rhino film outtakes at my disposal I could do some judicious splicing
to overlay film dialogue in the lovely de Packh-orchestrated Prelude
leading up to Mario’s Serenade (here taken right from the soundtrack).
In another instance, I removed Ms Blyth's film vocals on the 'Deep in
My Heart' duet and spliced in one of her other two (better sung)
outtakes to blend with Mario's parts which are, again, from the actual
Laserdisc film soundtrack. Golden Days? I inserted another lovely
prelude leading up to Mario’s vocal. You get the picture? Listening
will be enlightening, I’m sure.

Whether the original format of the various tracks was in mono or
stereo, I left them as is. Hopefully, this aural shifting of various
selections is not too distracting (even the film soundtrack does
this). I also added two numbers from the 1959 'Living Stereo' LP to
round out the production.
I just gave another listen to the whole 45-minute disc and for a guy
who is ultra-picky, I'm quite pleased. Hopefully, you will feel the
same?

My cover artwork involved quite a bit of manipulation as I had to
insert Lanza's head next to the leading lady’s where Purdom's had been
(apologies to both you late gentlemen). I also had to colourize faces,
costumes etc. Lack of sharpness on some of the inner liner pics are
due to the limitations of the Laserdisc resolution when run through
today’s HiDef equipment, natch!
Enuff tech talk!

As this is Canada and all recordings used are over 50 years old, I am
not bending any laws or statutes (for you ‘moles’ from other Forums
who may be licking your lips here). This CD is also prominently marked
“Not For Sale” and all recordings used come from my own personal
collection.

I formulated this labour of love with you faithful Lanza fans in mind
so the more of you that get to hear this, the happier I am. Anyone
here who would like a free copy mailed out to them, please reply to me
privately by email or snail mail, as is your wont, at the address
below. Please include your full mailing address in your response:

Michael McAdam
272 Shortt's Lake Rd. West
Brookfield, Nova Scotia
Canada B0N 1C0
902.673.2485
macad...@ns.sympatico.ca

Ciao, Michael

[Derek McGovern]

This is great news, Mike! It's always frustrated me that there was so
much tampering with the MGM recording of The Student Prince for its
release on disc, and I can't wait to hear what you've done to sort
matters out. I'll post a review here as soon as I receive your CD
(which I understand is winging its way towards me right now).

Cheers
Derek

> macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> Ciao, Michael

[leeann]

Dear Mike, What a stupendous task, and how beautifully you've thought
of every detail. It's going to be a privilege to hear both for the
perfection of the Lanza legacy, and because you so clearly love this
work and so generously share it. A labor of love indeed. Best, Lee Ann

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Dear Michael

Congratulations on providing an important contribution to better
exhibit the qualities of Mario Lanza. I am sure that your efforts
will be worthwhile. Thank you very much, Perhaps there are other
projects along these lines that need to be done by those who have the
skills like you, Derek and Armando. Saluti Emilio

> macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> Ciao, Michael

[Thelma]

Thank you so much , Mike, for doing this CD for us faithful Lanza
fans. I look forward to receiving it too and I know how hard you have
worked on it. Cordially, thelma Prince

On May 15, 6:21 pm, Mike McAdam <macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> Ciao, Michael

[Derek McGovern]

The following is from Joe (moved from a separate thread):

Mike, YOU are terrific. I have a letter via postal mail enroute to
you. Thanks for being you!!........Joe Fagan

******************

Nice to see Mike's CD and his generosity being so appreciated!

[Vince Di Placido]

Well done Mike! So looking forward to hearing your reworked Student
Prince! Mario is just sublime with this score!

[Derek McGovern]

A couple of hours ago Mike's Student Prince CD arrived in my mailbox,
and I can happily report that it's a beauty! From the cleverly
manipulated cover photo (which has Mario in full Prince regalia
pressing his face against Ann Blyth's) to the last track (combining
the MGM film's orchestral coda with Paul Baron's 1959 Overture), it's
essentially the Ultimate Lanza Student Prince CD, bringing together
what are arguably the highlights of the 1959 recording (Just We Two
and Thoughts Will Come to Me) with the best-possible sound
reproductions of the immortal 1952-3 MGM recording.

I've only had a chance to listen to it once so far, but I love what I
hear: the restored Deep in My Heart, Dear with Ann Blyth -- her Come
Boys, Let's All Be Gay Boys is included as well, incidentally -- which
manages to combine the best of the various takes (from both singers),
and which must have taken Mike weeks to splice together; Summertime in
Heidelberg (as we hear it in the film, with Ann's voice overlapping
Mario's velvet-voiced entry); I'll Walk With God in the best possible
sound, with that final B-flat ringing out gloriously; Serenade with
the magical orchestra intro (and another clever edit from two
different sources); and many other highlights. In fact, the only track
that didn't work for me was the (non-Mario) Tavern Song, which didn't
sound anything like the Romberg I know :-)

Mike's even included Lanza recordings from the film that didn't appear
on RCA's version: A Mighty Fortress (the hymn that Mario sings at the
beginning of the film) and Ergo Bibamus. The only thing we're missing
is the elusive What's To Be, which presumably still exists in a vault
somewhere (though I don't know anyone who's heard it).

Above all, what Mike has done is bring together the best sound sources
for every one of the 1952-3 Student Prince recordings. No commercial
CD achieves this; nor, for that matter, does the film soundtrack.
Mike's version also fleshes out the musical itself so that we hear
more of the score -- the Prelude to Golden Days, for example. While
we'll never have a "complete" Lanza recording of Romberg's score, this
CD comes perilously close to achieving that goal.

Bravo, Mike!!

[Armando]

Having just received and listened to the CD, I fully concur with
everything Derek has written- what a magnificent job Mike has done!
As I have said to Mike privately, I am absolutely delighted with the
sound-with Mario sounding as if he is right there in front of me.

Mike has also done a wonderful job in blending and editing the various
numbers-I particularly love the prelude to Golden Days. An added bonus
is the inclusion of the remaining songs from the original soundtrack
that have never seen the light of day on any RCA release.

Great art work as well, with a beautiful cover and some clever
superimposing of Mario’s head on Purdom’s body.

This is by far the best and most complete compilation of a score that
includes some of Lanza’s greatest performances in the English idiom.

A magnificent achievement Mike!

[Mike McAdam]

Muchas gracias, gents. I was on pins to see how you both liked it
(only took six and seven working days respectively to reach you by air
mail. Not bad). A heartfelt thankyou for the kudos. A labour of love
to be sure.....from me to the Forum fans. Again, many thanks for the
raw material you've sent over the years. Everything from photos &
recordings to that indispensable copy of the Laserdisc. Couldn't have
produced my 'gem' without all of those facets.

I'm glad I decided to take some of the keynote numbers directly from
the soundtrack. Ergo: that 'presence' where you feel Mario is right in
the room singing in front of you Armando; in the Serenade, Summertime
in Heidelberg, I'll Walk With God etc.
The Tavern Song / A Mighty Fortress medley? I wanted to have it as per
the film opening but be damned if I could find a non beat-heavy
Gasthaus 'Oompah' song that sounded old-fashioned. All my recordings
were done while I lived in Germany and that was the least
offensive....ha! Figured if I didn't use that I would be another six
months getting it finished and Armando would write me off as a dead-
loss! :-))

I've tested all the tracks on each and every CD being readied for
mailout to those members who contacted me to ensure there are no skips
or hang-ups. One would think this Lanza lunatic would be sick to death
of listening to this stuff? No, even though the audio blending,
editing and tweaking took months, nay years ;-) Lanza's singing is so
moving it's just a never-ending, recycleable treat. Glad you feel the
same way.
Mike

[Michele]

Hi Mike,
In case you didn't get my last 3 emails here I am again. All I want is
a copy of the C.D. From what Derek and and Armando are say it sound
wonderful. Please let me know is you received my emails. I realise
you are very busy and may had not had the time to respond, but I am
quite happy to wait my turn.
Michele

[BobD]

Hi Mike,
I received the Student Prince CD today (Fri) - my birthday!!!! What a
lovely present! I quote Schuman when he first heard Chopin - "Hats off
Gentlemen - a genius!"
What you have done RCA should have done many years ago, instead of
"fobbing us off" with what was issued. Even after all this time they
still issue the same old (badly edited) recordings.
You have done all us admirers of Mario a great service and for that,
personaly, I thank you very much.
Best to you
BobD

[Vince Di Placido]

Mike! I received your fantastic cd on Friday & I have played it
several times over the weekend! I LOVE IT!!! Well done, great work! I
am very impressed.
Your edits are seamless & the mastering is top drawer! I can only echo
what has already been said & will be said by all who hear your cd, RCA
(BMG/SONY etc) should have done this years ago, a comprehensive,
sensible & artistically complete Lanza Student Prince soundtrack. I
hope to write more about the cd but I just wanted to give you my first
reactions & thank you so very much for your great work, it gave me so
much pleasure over the weekend playing it over & over...
I will have a something in the post for you tomorrow... :-)

[Vince Di Placido]

I was just writing a few words on the "1959 I'll walk with God" thread
& just had to add something about my experience of listening to Mike's
cd over the weekend. I had listened to it at home but decided to play
it in the car on a trip we made to Limerick last Saturday. I was
completely submerged in the recording & Mario's golden voice & perfect
phrasing & had said several times to Aoife, who must be so tired of me
saying this, that Mario's voice & phrasing was just sublime & skipped
back several key phrases to demonstate this :-) Then "I'll Walk With
God" came on & by the end of the song I had tears running down my
face... It was the voice, performance, phrasing & sheer belief &
conviction Mario gives this song... I am not religious at all, don't
get me wrong I was an uber catholic boy growing up, I didn't have a
choice with an Irish mother & Italian father but I have long since
dismissed all that nonsense & I am now a happy Atheist :-) It wasn't
the god/religious aspect that got to me it was a release of emotion
from me reacting to pure beauty of sound. Mario moved me that much...
It is a glorious performance that is all the more impressive on Mike's
cd using the setting & arrangement used in the film. On another thread
Derek used the most perfect phrase to describe Mario as a "Vocal
Poet", Derek, you have always impressed me with your use of words but
this is just perfection.

[Joseph Fagan]

I just received and listened to Mike's magnus opus of the Student
Prince...and it is simply breath-taking in beauty and
clarity.......MAGNIFICENT! It was almost as thrilling as hearing the
Lanza voice for the very first time......GOOSEBUMP ALLEY!........

Mario sounded like he was in the room with you. The instrumentals were
also very crisp and clear...and Ann Blyth also sounded great. Mike's
hard work and magic have made an outstanding contribution to the forum
and to the Lanza legacy. If fire ever breaks out in my house, this CD
is the first thing I will grab! Thank You so much Mike....just
fabulous work!

On May 15, 6:21 pm, Mike McAdam <macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:

> macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> Ciao, Michael

[Mike McAdam]

Hello all: I’m placing this post here rather than the Miscellaneous
Chatter Thread because not all of you receive my emails and this post
deals with the CD.
You folks who have sent me letters (in addition to e-mails) so far,
requesting a copy of the CD? Your kind donations to defray postage
costs are appreciated, believe me. So, a heartfelt Thankyou to Tony
P., Thelma P., Joe F., Jan H., Anita L. and Michele H. for that (still
awaiting a letter each from Emilio, Heidi and Lee Ann). To all those
who have commented on the CD, thank you for the great reviews. I may
be encouraged to mount another opus this coming winter (but I'll be a
tad quicker in completing it this time, hopefully? :-))

Michele: I have received *all* your emails, one by a strange
circuitous route thru our Moderator?:-). Be assured your CD is winging
its way to the wilds of Western Australia right now.

Anita: as requested, I will be sending you the 2-CD ‘Quintessential
Lanza” set along with “The Student Prince”. Likely by week’s end?

David S: you’ll be getting a CD in the mail shortly (I had a request
letter from Dennis Ward, Fred Day and a couple of other former
members, so there are a good number of folks who drop by here just to
read, if nothing else).
And, while my Maryland and Manila lady friends have not commented on
the CD as yet, I know they have their plates rather full at the
moment, so I understand fully.

Lastly (love that word), if anyone’s CD jewel case arrives broken,
please let me know?
Cheers, Mike

> > > A magnificent achievement Mike!- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Dear Mike. My letter is truly in the mail an 0i hope you receive it
soon
All the best and thank you. Emilio

[Thelma]

I received the CD, Mike, and I want to commend you on a job well
done. I enjoy it very much, thanks again!

> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Derek McGovern]

I'm just moving Jan's post from a separate (now-deleted) thread:

Well Mike your CD finally arrived....took a long time from Canada. I
am going to sit down later on and have a good listen.

I must say you did a very good job of the cover. Mario looks like he
was actually in that photo. Ah what might have been!
Jan

********************************************************************************************************************************************

I'd just add to the above that if anyone hasn't already taken
advantage of Mike's incredibly generous offer, then they're missing
out on a treat. After all, this is probably as "ultimate" a
compilation as we're ever likely to get of The Student Prince, with
the sound quality and presentation both truly top-notch. I think Mike
missed his calling: he really should have been a BMG sound engineer!

Derek

[Mike McAdam]

Sound engineer? Thank you for those kind words, Kiwi.
BMG would likely fire me though, as I'm too flippin' slow! ;-) Armando
will agree, I'm sure.
Cheers, Mike

On Jun 29, 9:44 pm, Derek McGovern <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm just moving Jan's post from a separate (now-deleted) thread:
>
> Well Mike your CD finally arrived....took a long time from Canada. I
> am going to sit down later on and have a good listen.
>
> I must say you did a very good job of the cover. Mario looks like he
> was actually in that photo. Ah what might have been!
> Jan
>

> ***************************************************************************­*****************************************************************

[Den]

Hi Mike
I'm having problems sending you emails, they keep on returning
unopened after3/4 days
Den

> macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca
>
> Ciao, Michael

[zsazsa]

Hi Den,
yes, the same is with me, the e-mails come always back, I tried also a
few times. I don`t know what is wrong.
Cheers from Susan

[Tonytenor]

Hi Mike,

First off, please forgive my terrible tardiness in writing about your
wonderful, no, celestial work. Oh my friend what a masterpiece you've
accomplished, as many have already said on the forum.

I am afraid I've been battling some health issues and also dealing
with a good many issues at the surgical practice, so again, I do beg
your pardon for my lateness in posting but it was not for lack of
enthusiasm I can assure you.

Oh Mike, the CD in glorious in so many respects: a musical thread that
is vital with life. You know, I think that is the problem so many of
the commercial releases of SP have been promoted as containing the
vitality and "life" that Mario contained in his voice but they all
seemed to fall short - at least for my money. How wonderfully you've
crafted not only the "story" but Mario teling it!

One thing I think Lanza excelled at in nearly all of his recordings
was telling the story. Not just singing the notes which, as we all
know he could do like no other, but to tell the story. My god, listen
to him on how sweetly and gently he comes in with Ann Blyth on
"Summertime In Heidleberg." He's sharing the story telling with Ann
and at the same time he's quite aware he must pull back vocally or
he'll drown ger out completely. Your beautiful recording and careful
mastering of it reminded me just how lovely a voice Ann Blyth had.
There was no affectation there and that its what, to my ear, so often
gets in the way of "believing" a singer. Believing the story that
they are telling. No secret of course that Mario had that talent /
ability too - as if I even needed to note it. But note it I will.
Lord knows I could go on and on about how Mario's phrasing is, for me,
superior to any singer I know living or dead. Perhaps the proper
thing to say is that the way you've carefully and lovingly remasterd
each and every word Lanza sings, sears through like a laser. My god
Mike, even the cuts from the 1959 recording seem, to me, exceptionally
bright and free from the crappy overblown effects RCA was wont to do
back then. I thought too your use of Baron's "Overture" - which most
certainly is not one IMO - is ideal as your Finale. God, I could go
on and on! You've got a masterpiece Mike and, as many on the forum
have already said, you've done a great service to both music lovers
and those who truly admire and respect the artistry of Mario Lanza.

More Later. Ciao,

Tony

PS: Couldn't go without saying something about the wonderful album
art work. Here's what I'll say: STUNNING! Relly great work Mike. I
must be honest and tell you that when I firs saw the cover photo, it
made me a bit sad. I thought how very close we came to having the
film complete with Mario and your photo made me do a little
daydreaming and what-ifing.

> > > Ciao, Michael- Hide quoted text -

[Jan Hodges]

I too have been a bit tardy in replying due to some issues that arise for all of us from time to time. I must agree with Tony. I think this is your best effort yet and that's certainly saying something after the other two wonderful CD's you produced. Want a pity the world in general can't hear them.  You put Sony and RCA to shame...but then this was a labour of love and theirs were only  commercial  productions. You certainly did Mario proud and if he could hear this CD I am sure he would grab your hand,give you a bear hug and say "Thank you, my friend" Jan

[Mike McAdam]

Well, Tony and Jan, I'm a bit overwhelmed. I am so delighted that you
find my 'labour of love' so satisfying. Don't worry about being tardy,
your kudos were appreciated and knowing that the end result of my
efforts stirred you to issue those superlatives is more rewarding than
you may know.
On the subject of tardy....I have just returned from a 10 day trip to
Québec with a return drive through lovely New England. From heat wave
to tremendous deluges of rain over the course of the trip I might add.
Since returning Sunday I have been entertaining my two youngest
grandsons for my ailing daughter. Ergo: my normal office work has been
unable to resume.

So, Anita, Heidi and Fred, your packets are almost ready to mail out.
Emilio, Lee Ann, Den and 'Scraggly', I received your correspondences
in my overstuffed mailbox this morning. I thank you all for your
letters and the 'attachments'. Much appreciated. The Prince and/or
Quints (plus Cabbages and Kings?;-) will be winging your way soonest.

Just to reiterate vis-a-vis emails: I have received all those
'bounced' emails you mention on here from time to time; fear notI I
think the people running Sympatico here are a load of wallies!
Again, I thank you all for your kind comments and for posting them
here on the Forum. You may be interested to know that I played the
Student Prince DVD (from Armando's Laserdisc) for my 7-yr old grandson
this evening and his mother came down and watched it also. Comments?
Young Nicholas said he thought Kathie was beautiful and he cried when
she bade 'his majesty' goodbye at the end (Heh, heh...shades of his
'Grampy' at that age). My 36-yr old daughter? "I really like him
singing like that. I don't like that other Opera stuff much" Two more
converts?
Ciao, Mike

> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[leeann]

Family and Mario Lanza--so fun. My three 20-somethings alternate among
teasing me, tolerance, and appreciation when the subject comes up.
Most recently I was in the car with one of my daughters and had, as
usual, put in a Lanza CD. My daughter listened a few minutes and then
asked me to turn it off. Why? She really needed to talk to me about
something, and as she put it--Mario Lanza isn't background music, Mom.
He needs to be full volume and you've got no choice but to listen.

I'll put that in the appreciation category. Best, Lee Ann

[Derek McGovern]

I've just listened to this CD again through a decent set of
headphones, and Mike: I don't know how you did it, but Thoughts Will
Come to Me and the MGM versions of Serenade, Beloved, and I'll Walk
with God have never sounded better. Quite overwhelming, actually.

I loved the way you began "Thoughts" with the orchestral lead-in and
then Ann Blyth, etc, before reverting to Mario. Very effective -- and
real lump-in-the-throat stuff.

Promise me that you'll remaster Caruso Favorites for us one of these
days! In fact, the lusciousness of the sound on Thoughts Will Come to
Me makes me want to hear all of the 1959 recordings similarly restored
:-)

[Mike McAdam]

Derek: I just listened to my CD again (test play for mailout tomorrow.
Yes, Lee Ann, there is a Santa Claus:-)). Anyway, like you I listened
thru a pair of decent (Bose) headphones. The presence on my "Golden
Days" concoction and "Thoughts Will Come to Me" is really amazing as
you say. But, "I'll Walk With God" actually brought tears to my eyes
(soppy old devil!). Maestro Tourtelotte's church organ can be heard as
a distinctive tapestry behind Lanza's magnificent vocal. Really a
grabber thru headphones.

On the subject of 'Caruso Favourites', I'd be happy to have a bash at
trying to remaster the balance of that LP (the four that the engineers
released on Encore' on the Harvest label couldn't get any better, as
I'm sure you concur).
Some time ago when I played around with "L'Alba Separa...." to your
great satisfaction (as I recall;-) where did I get the raw material?
You must have sent me a higher-quality mp3? I don't have that LP or
the CD. If you can send me either in the next while (or in the late
Autumn/early Winter) I can grab the tracks and return it to you?
Something to think about anyway.

Haven't heard from any of the recent recipients of the Student Prince
CD either by email or here on the Forum. They must all be mesmerized
and are trying to wear the thing out? ;-))
Cheers, Mike

[Heidi]

Dear Mike
Today I received the Student prince CD. Many thanks to you, it seemed
the way from Canada to Germany is much shorter than the way from
Germany to Canada. The Cd needed only 7 days to come over here, while
my letter needed nearly 3 weeks for the same way, curious ! The
pictures are great, I will listen to it tomorrow, today is no time for
it, sorry.
Cheers Heidi

> > :-)- Zitierten Text ausblenden -
>
> - Zitierten Text anzeigen -

[Den]

Hi Mike
Just received the disc today ( Weds ) have played it a number of times
already, words aren't enough to describe what you have done
It's INCREDIBLE
Thanks a million
Den

[Mike McAdam]

Vielen dank, Heidi.
I will eagerly await your impressions of the production?
Mike

> > - Zitierten Text anzeigen -- Hide quoted text -

[Heidi]

Hi Mike
Mean-while I`ve listened to Student Prince Cd several times, and I
love it. My favourites are:Summertime in Heidelberg, Moonlight-
Serenade.Golden days.I love his soft singing.Gaudeamus igitur brings
back my school-time, 60 years ago we had to sing this song during our
Latin- lessons.
Cheers Heidi

> > - Show quoted text -- Zitierten Text ausblenden -

[Anita]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for all the work that you did to create this beautiful
cd. Those extra pieces that are on it, which don't appear on any
other cds I've heard, make it more complete and add to the magic.
It's hard to pick a favourite song. I especially liked the tenderness
in Summertime in Heidelberg, Overhead the Moon is Beaming and Deep in
My Heart. Beloved and I'll Walk With God brought the tears to my eyes
and Thoughts Will Come to Me gave me goosebumps! I loved the
introduction to Golden Days and it was gorgeous.
Maybe it's my imagination but somehow I think this cd makes Mario's
voice sound more "tender" in the love songs. Anita

On Jul 29, 11:58 pm, Mike McAdam <macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Vielen dank, Heidi.
> I will eagerly await your impressions of the production?
> Mike
>
> On Jul 22, 5:36 pm, Heidi <neig...@t-online.de> wrote:
>
> > Dear Mike

> > Today I received theStudentprinceCD. Many thanks to you, it seemed

> > the way from Canada to Germany   is much shorter than  the way from

> > Germany to Canada. TheCdneeded only 7 days to come over here, while

> > my letter  needed nearly 3 weeks for the same way, curious ! The
> > pictures are great, I will listen to it tomorrow, today is no time for
> > it, sorry.
> > Cheers Heidi
>
> > On 22 Jul., 03:40, Mike McAdam <macadame...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>

> > > Derek: I just listened to myCDagain (test play for mailout tomorrow.

> > > Yes, Lee Ann, there is a Santa Claus:-)). Anyway, like you I listened
> > > thru a pair of decent (Bose) headphones. The presence on my "Golden
> > > Days" concoction and "Thoughts Will Come to Me" is really amazing as
> > > you say. But, "I'll Walk With God" actually brought tears to my eyes
> > > (soppy old devil!). Maestro Tourtelotte's church organ can be heard as
> > > a distinctive tapestry behind Lanza's magnificent vocal. Really a
> > > grabber thru headphones.
>
> > > On the subject of 'Caruso Favourites', I'd be happy to have a bash at
> > > trying to remaster the balance of that LP (the four that the engineers
> > > released on Encore' on the Harvest label  couldn't get any better, as
> > > I'm sure you concur).
> > > Some time ago when I played around with "L'Alba Separa...." to your
> > > great satisfaction (as I recall;-) where did I get the raw material?
> > > You must have sent me a higher-quality mp3? I don't have that LP or

> > > theCD. If you can send me either in the next while (or in the late

> > > Autumn/early Winter) I can grab the tracks and return it to you?
> > > Something to think about anyway.
>
> > > Haven't heard from any of the recent recipients of theStudentPrince

> > >CDeither by email or here on the Forum. They must all be mesmerized

> > > and are trying to wear the thing out? ;-))
> > > Cheers, Mike
>
> > > On Jul 14, 3:14 am, Derek McGovern <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> > > > I've just listened to thisCDagain through a decent set of

[leeann]

Dear Mike, I don't know what to say, and I wish I had the gift of
poetic speech. Somewhere as I listened, I realized I had tears in my
eyes.

I never cry.

Thank you so much for this beautiful work. Best, Lee Ann

[Mike McAdam]

Well....it's really nice to have one's work appreciated. There a
couple of formerly-prolific posters who have said nary a word about
the CD. I hope the mail service hasn't done a runner on them!

Anita: glad you liked the 'Golden Days' prelude I rounded up from LP
(and re-pitched to match Mario's key). Armando and a few others really
like that cut also. The tenderness you hear in Freddie's voice is due
to the fact that a few of the tracks were taken directly from the
soundtrack (see my opening post on this thread).

Lee Ann: well, talk about 'less' being 'more'! You brought a tear to
*my* eye with your comments. Do play it for your daughters. Thank you
both.
Only one more to send out. My New Hampshire friend anxiously awaits.
(after the last of the comments here with regard to this project, I'll
maybe post a tell-all as to where each track and part-track came from
etc.) Hope everyone liked the liner notes? No comments so far. The
info, of course, was taken from Armando's great Lanza biography.

So, is this Winter's project (if I survive Utah and Arizona this
Fall;-) going to be 'The Mario Lanza Show" taken from the outtakes,
mistakes and great takes from the Coca-Cola hour? Or, a remastering of
"Caruso Favourites" and its coupling with "Mario!" as "Mario -
Mediterraneo Magnifico" or something along those lines?
Cheers, Mike

[Derek McGovern]

Mike wrote:

"So, is this Winter's project (if I survive Utah and Arizona this
Fall;-) going to be 'The Mario Lanza Show" taken from the outtakes,
mistakes and great takes from the Coca-Cola hour? Or, a remastering of
"Caruso Favourites" and its coupling with "Mario!" as "Mario -
Mediterraneo Magnifico" or something along those lines?"

Oh, definitely the latter, thanks! With only a few exceptions, the
Coke Shows have never wanted for great sound, while the 1959
recordings are crying out for restoration.

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Dear Mike.

I listened to it several times today. It is wonderful. It is a
masterpiece. You have a gift. It is not easy to achieve such richness
and clarity.

My compliments on the inside and outside covers. Your taste is
splendid. You are a gifted writer.

Your explanation about the movie and Lanza's firing by MGM was
balanced and fair. It portrays the facts.

Nothing can diminish Lanza's marvelous talent which you have so
superbly captured and conveyed to those of us who appreciate "grand
voices. "

Please continue to use your talents on other Lanza projects. They will
contribute both to the world of music and the world of history.

Saluti da l'Italia

[Mike McAdam]

Betcha think that the wily Canuck just wanted to get his Student
Prince thread back on top, eh? ;-))
Seriously, to Emilio - thank you for the kudos. You are very generous
with your praise. Yes, I hope to do justice to a couple of more Lanza
projects this coming winter.

Thanks also for your recent flurry of posts and essays. This Forum
needs that. Too many members out there reading but not jumping in with
their (always valued) opinions.

All the best,
Mike

> > > :-)- Hide quoted text -

[Derek McGovern]

The following is a message from Barry:

"Mike, I just received my Student Prince CD, and, I am at a loss for
words. Absolutely stunning!!! There are not enough words to express my
delight in this CD. Thank you very much. Barry Oderfer."

[Lou]

It's been over three months since the last post on this thread, but I can't let the year end without adding my two cents worth to the praises that have been heaped on Mike’s magnum opus. My copy of the CD, a replacement for the one that got lost in the mail, was sweet-naturedly handcarried by Mike to a friend of mine in New York City, who in turn handed it to me in Manila two days before Christmas. It was the only non-Christmas CD that was played during our family Christmas dinner.

There may be no such thing as magic, but to my ears, Mike’s Student Prince CD comes pretty close. Showing no audible signs of “cobbling,” the sound offers astonishing clarity even on my low-end headphones, together with the sense of Lanza singing right there in the room with me. This aural sleight-of-hand has kept me coming back to get lost in his ravishingly dreamy Serenade with its magical prelude, his rapturously passionate Beloved, his achingly haunting Thoughts Will Come to Me, and his deeply moving I’ll Walk with God.

Extra points for the marvelous, meticulously crafted artwork and the professional-quality, setting-the-record-straight liner notes. As I told Mike privately, the amount of time, talent, and himself that he has put into his labor of love is awesome and humbling.  

A million thanks, Mike, for this treasure. If I were a music critic, I’d call it “indispensable.” But since I’m just a garden-variety music lover, I say it’s “to die for.”

Cheers,

Lou

[Michael McAdam]

A heartfelt thank you here, Lou (and again, to the rest of you) for the positive feedback. Lou and a few others have nudged me over the last few months to post a sort of "tell-all" of how I tackled and finally completed my "magnum opus". Better late than never and, always looking for glory J, here goes:

 

The raw material for this "opus" came from five different sources, don't ya know; from LP, tape, Laserdisc and from a couple of different CD’s. As the end result has delighted so many recipients out there, I'm quite pleased (over 30 copies sent out to date).  Aside from the obvious blending of multiple sources in Thoughts Will Come To Me and the Tavern Song / Mighty Fortress composite (to try to emulate what was seen & heard in the film) the Orchestral Intro was the version from the ‘Original Album Classics’ CD and the Orchestral Conclusion was concocted from the LP of the 1959 stereo remake.

 

There were a couple of not-too-evident "fixes”: I took the time to remove Ann Blyth's vocals from Deep In My Heart, Dear and carefully insert those from a soundtrack outtake (on the subsequently-withdrawn-from-release Rhino MGM CD). That was quite tricky as the pitch was slightly different. ) I also had to change the pitch on the previously unheard Prelude insert (from an old LP source) to match Mario's vocal on Golden Days.  I was quite pleased with the results there (many of you indicated to me privately that this was your favourite bit of ‘Macadamedia' manipulation).

 

For the record: Summertime In Heidelberg, the Serenade, Summertime (Reprise), Deep In My Heart, Dear and I'll Walk With God were taken directly from the soundtrack of my copy of Armando's M-G-M Laserdisc (the Serenade’s prelude was spliced in from the film outtake on the aforementioned Rhino MGM CD). These were the best renditions of all the takes available. They were all processed and dynamically balanced through the Audio Editing Suite here in my multimedia "dungeon".

 

The artwork involved a few screen captures from the film, judiciously placed around song titles (you’ll spot Lanza’s head in place of Purdom’s in one corner). The front cover involved the most labour. Originally a B & W image of Ann Blyth and Edmund Purdom, the Gasthof background was inserted, Mario’s head replaced Purdom’s and then the lot was painstakingly hand-coloured (see embedded pic). I’m happy you’ve all found that to look very natural. Last but not least, the raw material for the liner notes was drawn mainly from Armando’s great biography: Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy.

 

[Lou]

Thanks a bunch, Mike, for indulging my curiosity about the "making of " your wonderful CD. Now more than ever,  I'm awestruck by the ingenuity, expertise, and patience you have invested in this labor of love.

About the front cover, the fact that the original image was in black and white makes the seamless Purdom-Lanza photo morph all the more amazing to me. That, plus the fact that Lanza's face has a different orientation from Purdom's vis-à-vis Ann Blyth's. An expert can probably spot telltale signs of manipulation in the finished image, but my untrained eye sees only an "original" picture based on color, tonality, contrast, proportion, and orientation. (Psst, Mike, can you morph Blyth's nose into my profile photo?)

[leeann]

Dear Mike, Knowing a bit more of the details of how you've done what you did adds even more--if possible--appreciation for total package of this CD. Ditto all that Lou has written, and I think I'd just add that one of the very nice parts of your colorization work on the cover is that it seems appropriate to a 1950s album--just the right tones and color blending.

The thread about things we wish Mario Lanza had recorded reminds me of one enormous impact of this CD--to have a complete runthrough of a production like this, rather than tracks out of context--no matter how incredibly beautiful they are--seems to reinforce what the impact would have been had he recorded a complete opera.

Lou, your nose is great--I vote Mike gives yours to Ann Blyth. :-)  Best, Lee Ann

[Derek McGovern]

A post from Joe:

I had not listened to this work for awhile, so today I put on Mike's gorgeous treatment of the SP.....WOW!....Sounds like you are actually on stage with Lanza and the orchestra. Kinda makes you sad when you are shown what the commercial producers could have done to enhance the technology and choices of the Lanza products. I am forever indebted to the glory of Mario's voice as well as to the charity and technology of our Mike McAdam. Bravo. Mike,  Joe

[Michael McAdam]

No matter how many kudos I receive for the websites I produce or my photojournalistic efforts in "magazines for salmon fishing fanatics" ;-)) my greatest buzz comes from knowing that my four-year labour of love, The Student Prince, has been so well received.

Thank you for taking the time to express that over again in your post, Joe. That means a lot.

(now, I should listen to that CD again and see if I still like it or maybe find that I could improve upon it?)

[Derek McGovern]

Hi Mike: I think you'd be hard pressed to improve on what you achieved on that disc. I was just listening to your remastered version of Thoughts Will Come to Me, and once again I marvelled at your sonic wizardry. (Not to mention your artistic flourishes at the beginning of the track.)

It really is too bad we can't let you loose in the SongBMG vaults.

Cheers

Derek 

[Michael McAdam]

Ha! I'd missed your post here, Derek. H-m-m-m, loose in the vaults. Now there would be an opportunity.

M.

 

A note here for Mr. Jim Thompson as he informs me that he enjoys reading here (and may join us soon?):

Jim, we would relish your signing on for sure, given that you are the host and producer of your own internet program Mario Lanza & Friends. I gave a listen to one of the demo broadcasts and was more than impressed (and I know our moderator, Derek McGovern, will be). You are obviously a professional, Jim and, with quite a musical background.

 

I have your copy of The Student Prince CD almost ready to go .As soon as I've printed the cover artwork and packaged the thing up, I'll mail to you next cuppla days. Thank you for your interest.

 

I have emailed you privately with this info but wished to make the other Forum members aware that we may be acquiring an invaluable new addition to the fold. Climb aboard, Jim. You'll be most welcome here.

 

Cheers, Mike

[Derek McGovern]

A post from Emilio (moved here from a separate thread that Emilio had created -- just to keep things tidy):

I've just listened again to Mike's lovely work to remaster the music
of Student Prince. It's worth listening to several times and revisit
it again a year later.

It is clear the care Mario gave to this work.  You can hear it in the
clarity and caressing of the lyrics, the way he seems to wave his
voice over the music like a boat sailing over a placid lake.  It's a
pleasure to hear Ann Blyth accompany him.  Her voice was warm.  Mario
put his soul into the moments of the music and words and the feelings
evoked by the story.  He must have been conscious of the story of the
film as well as the sentiments of the Prince and the girl he loved.
As Mike wrote, "A performer who was able to convince even the most
casual listener that he 'lived' the song and the lyrics on every
occasion,there is perhaps no finer example of the immortal tenor's
gift that in this recording."

We owe Mike a debt of gratitude as fans and lovers of Mario's work.
Thank you Mike.

[Derek McGovern]

Here's yet another endorsement of Mike's magnum opus -- this time from Jim Thompson (& Jim: I'm moving your post here just to keep things tidy):

I want to join all of you who have praised Michael's work on his "Student Prince" CD.  You did it, Michael!  My copy got to me yesterday and on a beautiful day in Connecticut,
my wife and I sat on the deck with a cool drink and listened to the entire CD.  Your sound production is excellent and, as Derek stated, the packaging is delightful.  If only Mario
and Ann had been able to do it together. I admire the juxtapositioning of the numbers. You should go on line, Mike, and see if Sony has an opening for engineering supervisor
with a special key to its vaults!
 
All the best to everyone and thanks for the fresh memories.

[Derek McGovern]

A message from Vince (whom it's wonderful to see posting here again):

I think this topic is closed but just had to post about what happened this last week... I was very sick with Flu & chest/throat infection but I had been asked to sing at a funeral, I lined up a very good Mezzo-Soprano to take my place but the family had asked for "I'll Walk With God", their mother's favourite song. I agreed to set a good sound system & play Mario's recording at the service, well, Mike I listened carefully to several versions I had of Mario's "I'll Walk With God" up to the new mono RCA release but I couldn't go past your amazing reproduction on your ultimate Student Prince cd. I played the recording in our Cathedral at great volume & it just made everybody crumble, they remarked on never having heard the recording sound so good & the mezzo who had never heard Mario or this recording said she wasn't going to follow that... I have to say it have me goosebumps!!!

[Derek McGovern]

Just a thought relating to Vince's comment above that this thread was closed: yes, it's true that any thread older than 60 days automatically closes on the old version of this forum (http://groups.google.com/group/mariolanza). But on the new version of this forum (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/mariolanza), all discussions stay active indefinitely.

I do recommend switching permanently to the new version (which you can do by clicking on "home" once you're actually in the new format), as the old forum format doesn't allow photos, HTML, etc, and is not nearly as easy on the eye. In fact, I can't understand why Google still maintains the old version!

[Michael McAdam]

Great to hear that, Vince. Imagine hearing the CD reproduced in a Cathedral....wow!

Your post (thru Derek) prompted me to play that track once more as I hadn't listened to any of that opus since I mailed the multitude out!

Mario really set a benchmark here that I don't believe any vocalist will ever attain.

Improved health in the New Year, Vince and....nice to see you back!

 

Mike