What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.IX)

Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2013

With 2013 upon us, it's time to start a fresh thread.  I've gone back to an earlier thread title because often the "why" is the most interesting part of the post.

Anyway, links:
Volume VIII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/12970396056050819
Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1
Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229
Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495
Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042
Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474
Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043
Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by DrMark

OK Paul, here's (one of) mine; with the only defense being that I had to learn to play the title cut years ago on the guitar for a junior college thing (a friend was singing the Celine Dion part in the duet)...but I found that it was a very good "system check" song as well. 

 

I have honestly never listened to the rest of the disc...somehow the thought of hearing Angela Lansbury belting one out just doesn't tempt me.

 

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by DrMark

Now this one I am actually listening to!

 

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by kuma


Produced by Maurice White, E,W&F touches everywhere. Groovy.

oj,

Nice to see you back in here again.
Posted on: 09 January 2013 by DrMark

More live Stones...

 

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by Florestan
Originally Posted by Haim Ronen:

 

Doug, did you obtain this recording?

Haim, yes I have this.  I had to think about it for a moment because I couldn't find it - I desperately hate these confounded recordings that have more than one composer because then I can't file it properly.  I like the Bach although I seem to remember that the Bach/Siloti was unusual?

 

What do you think of the album?

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by joerand

 

The Best of Warren Zevon, Genius.  Just installed a HiLine and I'm evaluating it with this on CD.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by joerand:

 

The Best of Warren Zevon, Genius.  Just installed a HiLine and I'm evaluating it with this on CD.

+1. One of the Great American Songwriters.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by joerand
Originally Posted by Quad 33:
Originally Posted by joerand:

 

The Best of Warren Zevon, Genius.  Just installed a HiLine and I'm evaluating it with this on CD.

+1. One of the Great American Songwriters.

Indeed.  Simple melodies at times accompanied by more complex arrangements, but always delivered with guttural emotion.  Lost him too soon.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by fasterbyelan

Started the day with -

 

 

On vinyl, part of the 'Decca Sound' 6 LP set.

 

Later followed by this which had just arrived from the States -

 

 

Then -

 

 

Karl

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by BigH47

CD:-

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by DenisA

 

Getting tuned in for tonights gig.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Quad 33

On CD.

 

This was a recommendation by Steve J on here last week. The music is fantastic, fabulous piano.The CD production is not the best 'bit loud' and digital sounding.

 

Graham. 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by maze
Originally Posted by kuma:


Produced by Maurice White, E,W&F touches everywhere. Groovy.

oj,

Nice to see you back in here again.

Very easy to spot a Maurice White EWF production, rhythms, horns and harmonies, super.
Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Kevin-W

Vinyl:

 

 

This album  - four LP sides plus an EP - is way, way too big. There are far too many soppy ballads on it.

 

But then again, it does contain Stevie's most ambitious and expansive writing  - "Black Man", "As", "Sir Duke", "I Wish", "Another Star", "I Am Singing", "Have A Talk With God" - as well as some of his most heartfelt singing. The arrangements are superb; and playing, by Stevie himself and his other musicians - Nathan Watts on bass particularly - is out of this world.

 

A towering achievement by a towering figure. Despite the sprawl, it's even better, on balance, than "Innervisions".

 

I had forgotten just how masterful, joyful and utterly brilliant this record is. One of the highlights of '70s music.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Phage

An amazing tribute album by three not-so-well-known but nevertheless great american artists.

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Dustysox
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

Vinyl:

 

 

This album  - four LP sides plus an EP - is way, way too big. There are far too many soppy ballads on it.

 

But then again, it does contain Stevie's most ambitious and expansive writing  - "Black Man", "As", "Sir Duke", "I Wish", "Another Star", "I Am Singing", "Have A Talk With God" - as well as some of his most heartfelt singing. The arrangements are superb; and playing, by Stevie himself and his other musicians - Nathan Watts on bass particularly - is out of this world.

 

A towering achievement by a towering figure. Despite the sprawl, it's even better, on balance, than "Innervisions".

 

I had forgotten just how masterful, joyful and utterly brilliant this record is. One of the highlights of '70s music.

Spot on Kevin, this and Marvin Gaye "Whats Going on"  two of my favourites ever.

 

O and Guilty...O and Guilty 2 Good ol,Barbra! Confessions good for the soul, until you mention your Guilty Pleasure!

 

Gulty as charged!

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Kevin-W

I'm in a Stevie mood.

 

From 1972, this is the first in a run of five albums ("Music of My Mind", "Talking Book", "Innervisions", "Fulfillingness' First Finale" and "Songs In The Key Of Life") in four years which, outside of the Beatles, is without equal and without precedent in popular music.

 

The songs are exquisite, as is the playing and singing. Stevie plays everything apart from trombone and guitar. He was 21 when he made it.

 

Astonishing.

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by fasterbyelan

+1 regarding Stevie Wonder.  'Songs to the Key of Life' was one of the first albums I bought.  It came on yellow vinyl.

Now listening to -



Karl

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Dustysox

 

Ok, Kev let's make Thursday Stevie Day!!

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by dav301

On CD:-

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by dav301

On CD:-

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Dustysox:

 

Ok, Kev let's make Thursday Stevie Day!!

Let's.

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Kevin-W

On vinyl.

 

 

This is a landmark album. Not just for Wonder, or for soul, or black music, but music, full stop. Here he starts to leave his peers and predecessors - James Brown, Sly, Gaye - behind. He starts reshaping soul, much as he Fabs reshaped pop.

 

At a time when the ghastly Keith Emerson used the synthesiser like a souped-up organ, Stevie Wonder (with TEHB) uses it as an instrument in its own right, for texture and mood and colour. As Kraftwerk were starting to do in very different ways at the same time thousands of miles away, Stevie Wonder showed us what the synth was capable of, in ways that a vulgar and empty showman like Emerson could never dream of.

 

Everyone knows the mighty "Superstition" but the standout track might be "You've Got It Bad Girl", which shows off the Moog to beautifully subtle effect.

 

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by fasterbyelan
As I am ripping CD's at the moment, I'm discovering many forgotten gems. Whilst listenable, this is not one of them!



Karl
Posted on: 10 January 2013 by VladtheImpala
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

On vinyl.

 

 

This is a landmark album. Not just for Wonder, or for soul, or black music, but music, full stop. Here he starts to leave his peers and predecessors - James Brown, Sly, Gaye - behind. He starts reshaping soul, much as he Fabs reshaped pop.

 

At a time when the ghastly Keith Emerson used the synthesiser like a souped-up organ, Stevie Wonder (with TEHB) uses it as an instrument in its own right, for texture and mood and colour. As Kraftwerk were starting to do in very different ways at the same time thousands of miles away, Stevie Wonder showed us what the synth was capable of, in ways that a vulgar and empty showman like Emerson could never dream of.

 

Everyone knows the mighty "Superstition" but the standout track might be "You've Got It Bad Girl", which shows off the Moog to beautifully subtle effect.

 

Absolutely agree - SW's sequence of albums around this time are groundbreaking. And much better than anything ELP ever did!

Vlad