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
Another of my favourite Jazz albums of 2014...
G,
I have bought more Jazz albums on vinyl and CD this year than ever before and thats with no input from Adrain because he has been too busy playing golf.
What playback format were you listening to it in?
Dave
Dave,
I was listening to a CD played through my Nait 3 and 3.5 player. Both musicians have previous recordings made on the ECM label where to my ears sound much better.
Haim
Haim
This was one of my favourite albums of 2014 so I was a little surprised by some of your comments.
Here are some quotes from Stereophile magazine:
“The engineering is by James Farber, who works his usual wonders with tone, balance, ambience, and crisp transients”.
“The audiophiles among you must be wondering how these albums sound. Well, I didn't select them on sonic criteria, but they won't disappoint by that standard...................”.
“If I re-arranged that Top 10 list according to their sonic merits, top billing would go to the Jarrett & Haden (ECM!), followed by Barron & Holland, then ….........................”
I have several of Dave Holland's ECM albums, especially the Quintet recordings, but wasn't aware Kenny Barron had also recorded on the label.
My "Art Of The Conversation" version is a Qobuz ALAC CD quality download.
Dave
Dave,
Let me first correct my mistake. The Kenny Barron discs I was referring to are on the Verve label.
With all due respect to Stereophile, my subjective ears are still insisting that the Art of Conversation is lacking in sound. The piano could clearly have more sparkle and sound less woody, the bass would benefit from a sharper bite and richer timber. Are you happy, Dave, with the resolution you hear?
Just for comparison, the duo (piano & bass) discs of 'None but the Lonely Heart' (studio recording of Haden and Anderson on Naim), 'Night and the City' (live recording of Barron and Haden on Verve) and Jasmine (Jarrett and Haden recorded in Jarrett's home) sound so much superior in terms of depth and liveliness. They just carry me deeper into the music.
If you are a Dave Holland fan and interested in hearing a spectacular recording get 'Up & Down' on the MA label. The playing and the sound of Milcho's Bosendorfer Imperial 290 will take your breath away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh6S9SwsMQY
This pristine digital recording was made in 1987 so there are no excuses for Impulse in 2014.
Have a good holiday,
Haim
A sublime way to start a morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQbFgKoE03Q
Doug, thanks again. EJ and Debs, to your attention.
Haim,
the samples on the Hyperion site sound interesting and very good.
A bit expensive even for a 2 CD set but it's on my wish list for now.
I wouldn't be surprised if all those Bach - Transcription CDs are good to hear.
Debs
Debs,
Singles that I recommend are No 10 with Nadejda Vlaeva and No 3 performed by Piers Lane.
Haim
What playback format were you listening to it in?
Dave
Dave,
I was listening to a CD played through my Nait 3 and 3.5 player. Both musicians have previous recordings made on the ECM label where to my ears sound much better.
Haim
Haim
This was one of my favourite albums of 2014 so I was a little surprised by some of your comments.
Here are some quotes from Stereophile magazine:
“The engineering is by James Farber, who works his usual wonders with tone, balance, ambience, and crisp transients”.
“The audiophiles among you must be wondering how these albums sound. Well, I didn't select them on sonic criteria, but they won't disappoint by that standard...................”.
“If I re-arranged that Top 10 list according to their sonic merits, top billing would go to the Jarrett & Haden (ECM!), followed by Barron & Holland, then ….........................”
I have several of Dave Holland's ECM albums, especially the Quintet recordings, but wasn't aware Kenny Barron had also recorded on the label.
My "Art Of The Conversation" version is a Qobuz ALAC CD quality download.
Dave
Dave,
Let me first correct my mistake. The Kenny Barron discs I was referring to are on the Verve label.
With all due respect to Stereophile, my subjective ears are still insisting that the Art of Conversation is lacking in sound. The piano could clearly have more sparkle and sound less woody, the bass would benefit from a sharper bite and richer timber. Are you happy, Dave, with the resolution you hear?
Just for comparison, the duo (piano & bass) discs of 'None but the Lonely Heart' (studio recording of Haden and Anderson on Naim), 'Night and the City' (live recording of Barron and Haden on Verve) and Jasmine (Jarrett and Haden recorded in Jarrett's home) sound so much superior in terms of depth and liveliness. They just carry me deeper into the music.
If you are a Dave Holland fan and interested in hearing a spectacular recording get 'Up & Down' on the MA label. The playing and the sound of Milcho's Bosendorfer Imperial 290 will take your breath away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh6S9SwsMQY
This pristine digital recording was made in 1987 so there are no excuses for Impulse in 2014.
Have a good holiday,
Haim
Haim
In addition to “The Art of Conversation” I'm familiar with the 'Night and the City' and “Jasmine” albums. You are right they all sound different but then they were all recorded at different locations (live club, home studio or professional studio), instruments (maybe Steinway, Yamaha?), etc. Personally the differences are very small and in no way detract from the performance. I can't say one is better recorded than another. They are all wonderful piano/bass duo albums. And anyway after a few minutes I'm listening to the music rather than analyzing the sound.
Unfortunately I don't think the Milcho Lieviev/Dave Holland album “Up & Down” is currently available. YouTube clips don't count. 
Happy listening.
Dave
One of my all time favs.
Without a doubt one of my favourite Jazz albums of 2014 ...
G,
Nice album.
Hope you are having a great day man.
Will have to track this one down as I haven't heard it.
Was at this gig and he was on fire.
Another gig I was at.
In addition to “The Art of Conversation” I'm familiar with the 'Night and the City' and “Jasmine” albums. You are right they all sound different but then they were all recorded at different locations (live club, home studio or professional studio), instruments (maybe Steinway, Yamaha?), etc. Personally the differences are very small and in no way detract from the performance. I can't say one is better recorded than another. They are all wonderful piano/bass duo albums. And anyway after a few minutes I'm listening to the music rather than analyzing the sound.
Unfortunately I don't think the Milcho Lieviev/Dave Holland album “Up & Down” is currently available. YouTube clips don't count.
Happy listening.
Dave
Dave,
I think that you can get yourself a copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer...new&sr=&qid=
None but a Lonely Heart is a masterpiece. This is the music they were playing at the Naim dealer while demoing their system fifteen years ago. I bought the music right on the spot and their gear a little latter.
Haim
P.S.
You can tell by my system that I am not one of these ultimate sound fanatics. But right rom the first time of playing the Barron/Hollad disc I got the impression that such a good music deserves a much better sound.
A well known album in these parts I think.
Streaming on Spotify Premium.
With thanks to Haim Ronen.
Dave
Gideon Coe playing 3 hours of great Beatles covers on 
TV tonight has gone right out of the window.
You're not missing much Stu. The kids are watching Planet of the Apes and SWMBO and the MIL are watching Downton. 
You're not missing much Stu. The kids are watching Planet of the Apes and SWMBO and the MIL are watching Downton.
Don't you just love iPlayer TV.
I have one DVD and one film stick to watch 
Can watch later or tomorrow though.
Notice a few one handed people 
