Naim CD "True stereo"

Christian,

I don't have the "True Stereo" CD -- which is a sampler -- but I do have several of the Naim CD's that were recorded in what they are calling Ture Stereo, and from which some of the samples were taken.

Charlie Haden and Chris Anderson -- None but the Lonely Heart
Haden and John Taylor -- Nightfall
John Moulder and Ken Hall-- Spirit Talk
John Gailloreto's Split Decision -- Shadow Puppets.

I'll leave you to judge the music (I think it's all great), but the recordings are all very, very good and will really light up any system beautifully. The engineer on these is Ken Christianson who was my Naim dealer when I lived in Chicago. Ken teaches classes on sound engineering and (I think) True Stereo at a local arts college, and is a long time Naim dealer there. His recordings are really excellent and I'd recommend them all.

It was because of a listening test with the Haden/Anderson CD that I a) bought my first piece of Naim (CDX) and b) fell deeply in love with Haden's music. I'm also awaiting delivery Ken's latest recording, Fred Simon's "Remember the River."

I could go on, but probably have said enough. Suffice it to say, I think that despite the seeming simplicity of Ken's engineering technique it engenders a vastly more complex appreciation for the artists he works with and in capturing what it is they have to say to each other. These recordings really get to the soul of music.

have fun with them,
daniel

Daniel,

thanks for your reply. I know some naim-label recordings too, highly enjoyable is Acoustic Mania - "Talking hands" in my opinion. I also like Charlie Haden´s music very much, saw and heard him live with Pat Metheny about two years ago.
My reason to become a naimee 6 years ago were the SBL´s. I was very impressed by the superb sound of that "tiny" speaker when powered by a naim system.

Regards to Seattle
Christian

I have The True Stereo Sampler - - I enjoy listening to it and it is great value (apart from the fact that it will introduce you to other CDs that you wll have to buy)

I first was introduced to the CD by Ken C in June when he played it on his Naim1052 system in his basement demo room. It sounded great.

Derek

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Christian, Derek,

Have you guys checked out 'Song for the Whales' on Nightfall (Haden & John Taylor). This tune really astounds me, not just for the obvious and virtuosic whale effects of Haden's bow-work (if that's even what it is); but more so because, despite all that, the tune remains a tune, a song no doubt, greater than what could have seemed merely like sound effects. Something in how Taylor brackets the bow-work with his playing, his timing, when he decides to come in.... I find the whole thing rather moving. (I recently happened to be on the water in a small craft which found itself in the midst of a large pod of Orcas. It was very foggy, about 20 yards visibility, and so very ethereal. There must have been a dozen whales, porpoising all around us and then disappearing into the fog... it was very like that song.)

Have either of you heard the Antonio Forcione or Kai Ekhardt cd's? If so what are your impressions?

Derek, what is the Naim 1052 system? Is it 500+552=1052? Whatever it is it sounds fearsome. I was always cautious of 'listening-up' at Pro Musica, as I didn't want to aim too high.

Christian, Seattle sends its grey regards back to you.

dn'l

Christian,
sorry to hijack your thread, but wasn't it possible to listen to extracts from naim-CDs? I was trying to do this for the said CD as well as or other CDs announced in the autumn newsletter, but without any success. Can anybody help?
Cheers
Uwe

Hi,

There are mp3s of one track from each album on our website. Click on music, then choose various options for what you want to listen to until you get the chance to listen to an mp3 - there's a little ear symbol.

here's the track from the True Stereo sampler, it's from Fred Simon's first album with us, Dreamhouse:


fred simon - true stereo

Anna

Yes the Naim 1052 is as you describe - strictly speaking the sytem I heard the True Stereo CD on was a 1055 (add a CDS3)


Re the latest Naim CDs - Nightfall and Remember the River - not heard them and the samples I listened to did not get me to open the wallet - perhaps I might get tempted at the Bristol Show

Re Forcione - Interestingly the first of his records I bought (Talking Hands) has remained my favourite - perhaps what I am looking for is more of the same - I did not like "Live" I find the audience atmosphere (noise) recorded at too high a level and some of the adulation noise a bit intrusive

I have a three other of his CDs which get used occasionally so I cannot have been too unhappy with his skills.

Overall favourite CD from this type of CD is Dreamhouse.

Do not know any Cds by Kai Ekhardt - I am a bit reactionary and decrepit.

Derek

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Anna,
thanks for the link to a short audience,

Daniel, Derek, Uwe,
regards to you!

Christian

quote:

---

Originally posted by Derek Wright:

Remember the River - not heard [it] and the sample I listened to did not get me to open the wallet

...

Overall favourite CD from this type of CD is Dreamhouse.

---

I'd urge you to let the latter help you with the former.

Best wishes,
Fred

quote:

---

Originally posted by dsteady:

I'm also awaiting delivery Ken's latest recording, Fred Simon's "Remember the River."

---

I hope by now you've taken delivery and enjoyed.

It's possible that I'm biased, but I think it's one of Ken's best recordings. And the music's pretty good, too.

Best wishes,
Fred

Fred

I promise I will take a serious listen to "Remember the River" again and if I get a chance I will buy it at the Bristol Show where I hope I can get it at a bargain price - not denying you the ability to feed your wife and child as you talked of in the downloading thread

Derek

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Derek ... bargain price, list price, twice the price ... as long as you get it and dig it I'm happy!

I am curious, though, why Dreamhouse was your favorite off the Naim sampler yet you weren't initially grabbed by Remember the River ... is it the lack of drums? Or, assuming you've only heard the track up on the Naim site, Folk Songs of the Cold War, is it the bass clarinet that was off-putting?

Hi Derek

I will be promoting and selling the entire catalogue at the Bristol show as usual. My stand is in a different place this year though. I will be next to the show sales desk, on the lower ground floor. I will be selling at special show price of £10 per disc.

See you there!

Anna

Christian

If you want to PM me your address I can post you my copy of the sampler - Naim gave it to me on a factory visit. I bought about six of the albums featured on it. I love Fred's record and really like the Jim Lampi - he plays a chapman stick whick was new to me but absolutely fascinating.

Regards

Nigel

Fred

Why Dreamhouse and not so much Remember the River

I have the Dreamhouse CD and so have listened to it many times - hence I find the music very accessible - with RTR I have not had the exposure to it so it does not have the instant hit of familiarity

I have only heard RTR on the computer - unlike DH which I have heard on my music centre

I do like a bit of percussion and so I was less enthusiastic about RTR - the Sax was not a negative - this is getting like a focus group on designing the next FS cd <g>

I have relistened to RTR sample and will buy it from Anna or her colleague at the Bristol show - the discount will help pay for the rail fare along with my old fogey card.

Anna - looking forward to raiding the collection in February

Derek

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