What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2014
On the cusp of 2015, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume X: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-be-interested-vol-x
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
Streaming vinyl rip. A blues classic.
From the brilliant Japanese LP replica CD box set. Because it's probably the best, most eclectic, monumental rock album ever made:
Lambchop - Is a woman - 2002
Originally Posted by EJS: Mendelssohn's piano concertos, with Murray Perahia and Neville Marriner. I've long found these concertos to be Mendelssohn at his most faceless and professional-yet-emotionally uninvolved, and even Perahia doesn't change that (he does wholly embrace all moments for drama, though, which give some good moments - especially in the opening movement of the second). This set comes from a 5-disc box, with sleeves in original album covers, and doesn't have the solo works that were included in CBS' first release on CD. Recorded sound is OKish, spotlighting the soloist Columbia-style, but with hints of tape wow, and the orchestra swimming behind Perahia as a result (a remastering rush job?)
EJ,
I have the same thoughts in regards to this performance. It's been a while so I just gave it a spin. I've a pretty decent US original Columbia pressing albeit it's paper thin due to the *oil shock* of 1973.
I still don't get on with either tunes and Perahia and Marriner could not save them from being uneventful. I am still just trying to figure out what Mendelssohn was on about.
Sound wise, overall balance is a bit more forceful on the orchestra but piano still is clear and pitch is solid to my ears. This is pre digital era recording done in CBS studio in London and i found it rather better than say, what's done in the State side.
If you hear the piano is spot lit, they must have done some remastering for the digital release cuz, I don't hear that on my record.
Did they give any credits to remastering engineers?
Gianluigi's playing of this last week reminded me of what an excellent album it is so I've dug it out for a spin. It's every bit as good as I remember and it reminds why I used to use it to test new kit.
She gave a great contribution to Tears for Fears' Seeds Of Love album. Woman in Chain could not have been the song it is without her voice imho.
The Bench Connection
"Around The House In 80 Days" (2007) MP3
Sirkis/Bialas International Quartet - Come To Me
http://asafsirkis.bandcamp.com...l-quartet-come-to-me
Review
The Israeli-born drummer Asaf Sirkis and the Polish vocalist Sylwia Białas have Frank Harrison on piano and keyboards, and Patrick Bettison on electric bass and chromatic harmonica for a programme of ten original songs, half with lyrics, half with wordless vocals. Some are collaborations between the co-leaders, some by either of them.
The fact that Białas sings the lyrics in Polish makes all the vocals more like pure music for us non-Polish speakers, and that adds an attractive lack of specificity to the music. It’s a rich, melodic jazz/world fusion. All four musicians are eloquent melodists, and the soundscape is warm and wide.
The timings don’t get as tricky as they sometimes do in jazz fusion, or at least they don’t sound as if they do, but that could be the group’s sleight of hand.
As usual, Sirkis is the driving force, though a most accommodating one. And he sings in “drum” just as Białas sings in Polish; we might not understand the words, but we know what they’re saying. Harrison is always a joy, whether in support or soloing, and Bettison is succinct and spot-on on both his instruments.
Eric Gale: Touch of Silk 1980
Very Grover Washington jr. like.
Even its cover art.
The Opium Cartel
"Night Blooms" (2009) MP3
Not listened to this for awhile. I think finally I can say this is his best work and just what a genius Walker really is. In 100 years his work will still sound unique.
Superb musically and about as well engineered as it is possible to get.
Agree with that, Graeme. All four of these Close Up are top-drawer reproductions, as well as great music.
Strange Little Girls. Another enjoyable album from Tori. She's very talented but some of her songs suggest she's also a bit, well, strange.
Not listened to this for awhile. I think finally I can say this is his best work and just what a genius Walker really is. In 100 years his work will still sound unique.
Tilt was not bad as well imho
Strange Little Girls. Another enjoyable album from Tori. She's very talented but some of her songs suggest she's also a bit, well, strange.
She's a nutter but when my wife and I saw her she was lovely, and perfectly happy to pose for photographs for a pair of drunken fans
Strange Little Girls. Another enjoyable album from Tori. She's very talented but some of her songs suggest she's also a bit, well, strange.
She's a nutter but when my wife and I saw her she was lovely, and perfectly happy to pose for photographs for a pair of drunken fans
Nice to know she's good to her fans. Would like to see her live one day myself, though I guess her concerts are not for those who need cheering up 
Strange balance...
Chicago Pro Musica
"Stravinsky: Cappricio Espagnol,
The Soldier's Tale" (2001) SP
Strange Little Girls. Another enjoyable album from Tori. She's very talented but some of her songs suggest she's also a bit, well, strange.
She's a nutter but when my wife and I saw her she was lovely, and perfectly happy to pose for photographs for a pair of drunken fans
Nice to know she's good to her fans. Would like to see her live one day myself, though I guess her concerts are not for those who need cheering up
My wife is a huge fan, I have to admit I once fell asleep stood up in one of her concerts! I've seen her loads of times and it all depends what she chooses to play on the day, at her strangest she's too much for me
Takacs Quartet
"Schubert String Quartet and Piano Trio"
Art Garfunkel's 1973 debut album 'Angel Clare'.
He wasn't a tune smith but boy his voice was from heaven.
Gorgeous 70s Columbia analogue sound.
Highly unusual the album opens with a single chord on a harpsichord. This is one of the RARE instance that actually the instrument sounds wonderful.
