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

I heard Pete Jones speaking tonight about his album - Cocoon by Tiger Moth Tales

Good enough for me to buy it - https://tigermothtales.bandcamp.com/album/cocoon 

Home page - http://www.tigermothtales.com/ 

All Bowie'd out .. now for some

Metallica - Metallica (1991)

Original 2xLP vinyl

Soft and gentle Requiem.

Gut wrenching it isn't. 

Rich vocal layering and harmonizing. Polished and professionally done but not as involveing as Gardiner or Herreweghe sets. Ellegant orchestration but perhaps missing the darker side of this tune implies. 

This set already resigned from the start so less compelling.

It's a live recording using a DCS DSD SACD DA but it has a weird balance with massed strings sticking out like a sore thumb. I've heard much better PCM recoding than this. 

Toscanini/NYP Triple Concerto recorded in 1942.

Strictly historical interest only.

A clicking noise sounds like a mouse munching away the tape. 

None of the instruments are on pitch due to an excessive tape wear. Violin is so off key it's unintentionally funny.

Both sonically and musically, this set did not survive the test of time.

Fast forward about 20 year and this is much nicer in terms of sound. Realistic tonal colours and no more rabbit munching a carrrot in the middle of the tune. 

Yet this is about a text book example of good taste rather exciting fun ride but from the soloist line up, it's to be expected, perhaps. 

Cello – Pierre Fournier

Piano – Géza Anda

Violin – Wolfgang Schneiderhan

Porcelain is still my favourite but this her debut album also is enjoyable.

When the Kandid hit the 'Happy Ever After', it took me by surprise how powerful the bass output on this tune.

Blood, Sweat & Tears. Eponymous second album on original vinyl from 1968. Bought today at the s/h shop. It's an identical pressing to the one I already own, but in better condition. Instant $4 upgrade. Woohoo!

Serkin/Parnas/Laredo with Alexander Schneider leading Marlboro Festival Orchestra.

Serkin’s phrasing ever so lyrical yet precise. It does not have the lofty big but the trio remains intimate whilst the proportion of the orchestra feels more right than overblown Karajan set. The strings are a bit on a dry side, but this is a well put together rhythmically tight performance with the right amount of urgency and intimacy for slow passages.

This is the famous Russian dream team trio with Karajan/Berliner's Triple Concerto.

The entire score has gone through a 'Karajan treatment'.  Luxurious and cushy ride, it's not a bad set per se but considering with all the talent involved, this is a low energy and certainly the balance is a bit odd.

I have found later tho, in Ricther's poignant documentary 'The Enigma', he talks about this very recording event. He talks about how Karajan did the 'Unforgivable things' and the odd political dynamics between Rostropovitch and Oistarkh. Behind all that smiles at the press party for the Triple Concerto, Richter was seething.

Watch this film from 4:00 in. No wonder this set wasn't gelling. Listen to the same trio with Kondrashin. Much more like it. 

Paul Revere & The Raiders. The Spirit of '67. On original vinyl from 1966. I picked this up today mainly because it was a mono pressing on the Columbia 360 Sound label, and it was in great condition for $3. It's from an era of music I enjoy. The sound is a bit on the shrill side, like AM radio, perhaps why the stereo version commands a higher price. Producer Terry Melcher's influence is recognizable with the Beach Boys type harmonies.  "Good Thing" and "Hungry" are instantly recognizable tracks, but I found the final track "The Great Airplane Strike" especially good. The band was quite prolific in 1966, producing three albums.

Paul Simon. Songwriter. On 2 CDs from 2011. First listen to this compilation that begins with two live performances and Aretha Franklin singing Bridge Over Troubled Waters. Accompanied by a thick booklet of extensive liner notes.

Wes Montgomery - Bumpin

Kuma, don't know if it's in the documentary, but Richter has claimed that Von K. was more interested in the album cover photo than the performance. It is, indeed, a splendid cover photo.

EJ

I really love this record.....

Good old fashioned Prog Rock!  Purchased :-)

Got any more like that hidden away? ;-)

Can a performance make the music? Yes, in the case of Beethoven's early string trios. These are effectively string quartets less one violin, and sounded as such (starved, dull) to me - before I had heard the Zimmermann Trio. These guys are at this music like a master watchmaker opening up an old Rolex, no detail gets left untouched. Turns out op. 9 is one of Beethoven's early masterpieces.

EJ

Great record with Ry Cooder. Must give it a listen.

Fairport Convention - Myths and Heroes. Bought at the concert on Tuesday and ripped to FLAC. A brilliant concert and it never ceases to amaze me the stuff that Dave Pegg plays on his bass while chatting. Definitely one of the best bassists I've ever hear.

and before that ...

Led Zeppelin IV Deluxe 24/96 FLAC. Stairway to Heaven sounds especially good on this one.

Here's the new release from Simon Steensland - A Farewell To Brains

https://altrockproductions.ban...a-farewell-to-brains 

Other Prog Releases - http://newprogreleases.blogspot.co.uk/

They made a second album: Rhythm, Blues, Soul & Grooves.  This one is rough, straight and strong but can cradle with songs like Let Love Begin or At The Dark End Of The Street. Enjoy!

Listened to Shrodingers Cat not for me, started off fine but the just degenerated into tuneless noise(Jazz I think).

Nothing new IMO, Crimson (ish).

Streaming CD rip AIFF:-

Yello - Flag

There are 5 tracks on the album Howard, don't hear any KC vibes myself. Simon's other releases have featured Accordion as well, but in his 'Swedish Avant Prog' genre, which may also not appeal. Still, other people can decide for themselves, which after all is what this thread is about.

tbh I generally like to hear the album a couple of times via spotify before clicking on the buy now but this band is a bit obscure. Anyway I've stumped up the fiver so I can give it a proper listen... What's a fiver nowadays? ;-)

Streaming | CD FLAC rip

The Barr Brothers ~ The Barr Brothers (2014) 

My first play of this [as a FLAC rip] since it arrived in the post a few weeks ago. An excellent album, many thanks to Ewemon and solwisesteve for the recommendation.