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

Great Album, as an award winning album it has many 5-star reviews.

Linn Records 24/88.2

Depeche Mode:

Selections From The Commercially Available Limited Edition Box Sets.

'91 Promo copy vinyl. Surprisingly sounding great.

 I think it was 1987 when was visiting the pinkpop festival in the Netherlands. I was making my way for a good spot at the main stage to listen to In Tua Nua or Chris Isaak, while waiting there was a band on stage I did not know. Very impressive, turned out be Hüsker Dü. 

Texas blues on CD

Ashkenazy/Concertgebouw's Rachmaninoff Symphonic work.

Rhythmically alive it has a friendly and earthy appeal and keep it real. Certainly less soundtrack-like. 

This early 80s digital recording does not hold up well.

Great Blues Rock on Chrysalis vinyl

Box of frogs Box of frogs

good Rock LP from the 80s 

I was not familiar with this budget reissue label 'United Classics' but I've decided to give them a try for this Kempff/Van Kempen/Berliner Beethoven Concerto set. I have a few original mono vinyl but they all are a bit dynamically challenged and frequency limited which is typical for mono pressings from the early 50s. 

So far I only listened to the PC 5 but  it has an excellent clarity and piano stands in front strong and immediate. Low noise floor so I can hear a hall acoustics or nice note decays, too. ( or added reverb ) Good natural midrange and minimum peakiness in upper register. Decent bass weight and scale, too. There is a slight congestions in busy passages but all’n’all this is a decent digital transfer. It is unusual to get a good lower register piano tone from a recording in this vintage.

Perfomance wise, I sitll think that the later Laiter/Berliner set is more interesting as this set is rather straight up and missing his usual playfulness lyrical flow. Even his cadenza is on a conservative side compared to his usual. This is a classy paring but Van Kempen's orchestra is too stiff.

Another brilliant Jazz release from 2014...

Free jazz ?!? Doesn't float my boat unfortunately. 

Streaming on Spotify Premium.

Back to Paolo Fresu...................

Dave

Definitely a 'Marmite' sound.

Wondering Sound / Bird is the Worm always do an excellent round up of their favourite jazz releases...

http://www.wonderingsound.com/...jazz-albums-of-2014/

RVG CD. Looking forward to the vinyl release from Music Matters in July 2015 

Some of the new 2014 releases I have enjoyed and purchased are:

• The Real Note, Vol.2 / Geoff Gasgoyne & Dave O'Higgins
• The Art of Conversation / Kenny Barron & Dave Holland
• Interlude / Jamie Cullum
• Last Dance / Keith Jarrett & Charlie Haden

Probably more "mainstream" than some of those referenced in the link.

Dave

Ozric Tentacles  -  SPICE DOUBT STREAMING  a Gig in the Ether  -  c.d..

from 1998 live without audience streamed straight to tinterweb.

Talk about high energy, this recording will charge the parts of the orgone molecules in your room others can't reach! wow!

Some great albums there Dave. 2014 has been a great year for jazz.

Gordon

More Grant Green.........................

Personnel: Grant Green, guitar; Joe Henderson, tenor sax; Bobby Hutcherson, vibraphone; Duke Pearson, piano; Bob Cranshaw, bass; Al Harewood, drums.

To quote AllMusic.com “Idle Moments” is the essential first Green purchase, and some of the finest guitar jazz of the hard bop era.

Streaming on Spotify Premium.

Dave

On Spotify, via Muso:-

Aimee Mann - I'm With Stupid.

Suzanne Vega

"Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles"     (2014)      mp3

Dave not sure how much Grant Green you have listened to but try this one below. It is a great live album. There are 2 versions the later one has a bonus track