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
On CD:-
The Head and The Heart
"Let's Be Still" (2013)
Recommended by Anthony Mason on CBS This Morning: Saturday
Originally Posted by EJS:
EJ,
How's this release?
Any good?
On vinyl from the 70s: Man - "Be good to yourself at least once a day"
Haven't listened to this for over a decade - quite enjoying it!
Brilliant album even on cd.
To start the weekend's listening. This is the Discovery version which is a significant improvement over my earlier CD. Lead guitar has proper 'edge' the bass and kick-drum more weight and the soundstage more depth. I have a soft spot for this Floyd album as I saw them perform it live at Wembley Empire Pool many moons ago.
In the mood for more Marillion and so carrying on with this re-mastered version from '99.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
On vinyl from 1973: "The Ozark Mountain Daredevils"
Still sounding pretty good, if not a favourite.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ 
, I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ , I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
I totally agree MDS + 1
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ , I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
Thanks a lot MDS! 
Which year release?
And Houses of the Holy had to follow. I can still recall watching Old Grey Whistle Test when it broadcast for the first time No Quarter from this album. It was (another) big shift in style for Led Zep but I was wowed (again).
On vinyl from the early 70s: Walter Carlos - "Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 3,4 & 5"
Purists will probably cringe, but I love this recording of the Brandenburg Concertos by Walter (soon to be Wendy) Carlos. He was one of the original (probably the original) pioneer of the Moog synthesiser.
In fact, there is a lengthy endorsement on the back cover from Robert A. Moog himself.
Uplifting music! A wonderful album.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ , I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
Thanks a lot MDS!
Which year release?
2008, I think, Gianluigi. If you're interested in the set it's worth shopping around as the prices seem to vary quite wildly. I paid about £115 for mine from Amazon but I think the last one I saw on that site was over £200. Kevin-W also advised being careful to avoid counterfeits, so stick to reputable suppliers.
To start the weekend's listening. This is the Discovery version which is a significant improvement over my earlier CD. Lead guitar has proper 'edge' the bass and kick-drum more weight and the soundstage more depth. I have a soft spot for this Floyd album as I saw them perform it live at Wembley Empire Pool many moons ago.
My first ever gig MDS - Saturday March 19th 1977. Tickets were a rather pricey £4.25! 
To start the weekend's listening. This is the Discovery version which is a significant improvement over my earlier CD. Lead guitar has proper 'edge' the bass and kick-drum more weight and the soundstage more depth. I have a soft spot for this Floyd album as I saw them perform it live at Wembley Empire Pool many moons ago.
My first ever gig MDS - Saturday March 19th 1977. Tickets were a rather pricey £4.25!
Well, well. It's a small world, as they say. Mind, I'm impressed you can remember the precise date, Kevin. Very sensibly retained the ticket, perhaps?
Originally Posted by EJS:
EJ,
How's this release?
Any good?
Kuma,
I think so - there is no performance like it. Very heavy on interpretation, and thoroughly modern as a synthesis of period performance practice and historic stylistic freedom. Enders is definitely more interested in colors and mood than rythm. Familiar moments can sound oddly strange, but that's part of the deal. Too extreme to be a good choice for first or only recording, but highly recommended if you're open to new angles of this endlessly fascinating music.
The sound is clean and transparent, which fits the interpretation.
EJ
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ , I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
Thanks a lot MDS!
Which year release?
2008, I think, Gianluigi. If you're interested in the set it's worth shopping around as the prices seem to vary quite wildly. I paid about £115 for mine from Amazon but I think the last one I saw on that site was over £200. Kevin-W also advised being careful to avoid counterfeits, so stick to reputable suppliers.
Thanks again!
'Black Friday'.
G
I did likewise earlier today - and it turned into a Steely Dan session
My first ever gig MDS - Saturday March 19th 1977. Tickets were a rather pricey £4.25!
Well, well. It's a small world, as they say. Mind, I'm impressed you can remember the precise date, Kevin. Very sensibly retained the ticket, perhaps?
I did indeed. I was so excited (I was only 14) I stuck it in my scrapbook.
Been a long time ..since I listened to this album, my 'go to' LZ albums being I to III. I'd forgotten how good IV was, helped no doubt by the excellent production of this Japanese import.
What do you think about this japanese?
It's excellent, Gianluigi. I bought it as part of the set below, which Kevin-W recommended. For years and years I had been disappointed with the CDs of Led Zep. All seemed flat, and digitally hard. This set is wonderful. Harshness gone; depth in soundstage; no compression evident; delicate detail. And as well as excellent re-production the packaging is lovely, each CD being a replica LP, even down to the inner sleeve. While plum-label vinyl is still the best LZ , I've not heard better CDs of LZ than this. I'd heartily recommend this album and indeed the full set.
Thanks a lot MDS!
Which year release?
2008, I think, Gianluigi. If you're interested in the set it's worth shopping around as the prices seem to vary quite wildly. I paid about £115 for mine from Amazon but I think the last one I saw on that site was over £200. Kevin-W also advised being careful to avoid counterfeits, so stick to reputable suppliers.
Thanks again!
Gianluigi - it's a very nice set, as MDS says, and well worth tracking down - but beware of counterfeits.
There is a discussion of fakes on this (very) specialist Japanese mini-LP CDs site, here
More of Bach's absolute masterworks: the partitas. Ashkenazy's Bach is hypnotic in its strict rhythmic structure and minimalist approach. Less is more - this is one of the most powerful renditions I know.
EJ
Early 70s Krautrock
Ash Ra Tempel - Seven Up (with Dr Timothy Leary) 1972
CD Rip to FLAC