What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. X)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2013
On the cusp of 2014, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume IX: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...16#22826037054683416
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
Piano des lumières de Bach à Mozart: Edna Stern (Piano => Steinway Fabbrini)
A remarkable disc on so many levels based on program / music alone but as always with me it is hard to enjoy any great music to the degree it deserves if it doesn't sound impeccable (the instrument and the outcome whether live, in a home, or on a recording). Edna Stern is always very interesting in her views and ideas and I respect her for this, however, a few recordings I had trouble enjoying due to the piano chosen. In this case though, this is such a superb instrument, recording and outcome that I cannot hardly believe my ears.
My lifelong dream has always been to have a house full of pianos and instruments. Sadly, all my goals ended in a highway robbery and working hard at winning the lottery doesn't seem to be paying off (yet). Of the pianos I dream of though my starting lineup would be a Hamburg Steinway, New York Steinway, Bechstein, Blüthner, and Bösendorfer (and there are many more to name). As of this week though, I definitely would add a Hamburg Steinway-Fabbrini.
This is not a new piano brand but a piano that is modified by Angelo Fabbrini. Not sure what he does but to me it sounds like he modifies or replaces the hammers and changes other factors as I do not hear very much reverberation. I hear a clear, dark, bell like tone and this is perfect for this and most music that I could imagine playing. Anyway, I love many different pianos and their characteristics for different music and I think this Steinway-Fabbrini recorded here is very special and a brilliant choice. This will go very high on my shelf of special discs. Bravo Edna Stern!
The new music for me is the Galuppi and the CPE Bach. Very special music indeed!
On FLAC ripped from CD (but have it on vinyl as well) - some fantastic guitar from Jerry Garcia and some haunting West Coast music on this album from an offshoot of Grateful Dead.
Personnel:
Carla Bley - (piano), Paolo Fresu - (trumpet, flugelhorn), Andy Sheppard - (tenor and soprano saxophones), Steve Swallow - (bass), Billy Drummond - (drums)
"Carla has said that the blending of Fresu's sound with Sheppard's is the raison d'être for the current line-up. It is beautifully explored on the whimsically titled "Banana Quintet", a suite of many moods".
On CD:-
On CD:-
THE ENID - SALOME - on cd. Sultry music for a sultry day. 
A fabulous Van Gelder recording.
I find the most Beatle's covers cheesy but this one is well done. It's bluesy but with a hint of classical bent.
Impressive arrays of supporting musicians.
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Fortune
Baritone Saxophone – Don Ashworth
Bass – Jerry Jemmott, Ron Carter
Cello – George Ricci
Clarinet – Jerome Richardson
Clarinet [Bass] – Don Ashworth
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy, Idris Muhammad
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flute – Hubert Laws, Jerome Richardson
Flute [Also Oboe] – Phil Bodner
Percussion – Andy Gonzalez, Ray Barretto
Piano, Organ, Harpsichord – Bob James, Ernie Hayes, Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone – Jerome Richardson
Trombone, Euphonium – Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bernie Glow, Marvin Stamm, Mel Davis
Viola – Emanuel Vardi
Violin – Max Pollikoff, Raoul Poliakin
I want to thank kuma for pointing me in this albums direction. It is rather wonderful.
Graham.
Another Van Gelder recording, from his arguably "classic" period.
Miles Davis (trumpet), Red Garland (piano), John Coltrane (tenor sax), Paul Chamber (bass) and Philly Joe Jones (drums). Rec. May/Oct. 1956 but not released until 1961.
So many to choose from though. 
Remastered vinyl...
A recent purchase on CD. Very many years ago I had this album on vinyl and thought I would reacquaint myself with it.
Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run". I'm not a Springsteen expert but I really like the sound from this classic album. It's a leaner and almost cleaner sound. Perhaps less "wall of sound"? Don't know, but I really like it!
Next up and last for the evening is "Maestro" from the Norwegian band Kaizers Orchestra - which unfortunately has broken up. On vinyl btw.
Midnight Blue
Aja
Just finished spinning the vinyl for
And now onto the red vinyl of
Just finished on our local classical radio station, WCPE.
On vinyl:-
R.I.P. Johnny.
On vinyl.
Streaming. 1st listen. Very good indeed.