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 | CD FLAC rip
The Barr Brothers ~ The Barr Brothers (2011)
Their debut album which, I much prefer it to their latest one.
On original vinyl. I remember being very disappointed with this at the time. Now I see it as the masterpiece it really is. A case of being 27 years ahead of its time.
Indeed a masterpiece. I have it with me every day in the ipod. And no needs to get some fancy ultra japanese precision print as first cd release is a wonder! 
Rush. A Farewell To Kings. On original vinyl from 1977. Quintessential Rush .
This was my first ever Rush album and I've loved them ever since.
Not usually one for compilations but this is such a beautiful collection that works together seamlessly.
Qobuz FLAC stream.
G
Just arrived so currently listening to ...
Steven WIlson - HAND. CANNOT. ERASE. (according to the metadata ...) on standard res FLAC as I haven't had a chance to put the bluray on yet. Sounds good so far.
Yesterday in preparation...
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Steven Wilson - The Raven That Refused to Sing
and in response to a post by MDS ...
Royal Blood - Royal Blood which I have only heard a few times but must admit I like it a lot. First heard their music in HMV and used the TrackId app on my phone to find out what it was.
Nikolai Medtner: Chloë Hanslip (Violin), Igor Tchetuev (Piano)
Violin Sonata No. 3 in E minor Op. 57 "Sonata Epica"
Violin Sonata No. 1 in B minor Op. 21
The Violin Sonatas change my total perception of who I thought Medtner was as a composer. A welcome disc in my Russian section thanks to a timely remind by EJ.
Great rock based blues, and great vocals... fans of Joe Bonamassa will like,...
On original vinyl. I seem to be in an 80's mood today! Some great cover versions on here.
Frédéric Chopin: Nelson Freire (piano), Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, Lionel Bringuier
Impromptu No.3 in G Flat Major, Op.51
Ballade No.4 in F Minor, Op.52
Berceuse in D Flat Major, Op. 57
3 Mazurkas, op. 50
- No.1 in G Major
- No.2 in A Flat Major
- No.3 in C Sharp Minor
Polonaise In A Flat Major, Op.53
Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21
Nelson Freire, a pianists pianist. I can relate to what Freire speaks of in the booklet notes. He talks of the mixture of Classicism and Romanticism within Chopin. It is very pure, yet at the same time it has panache. He also provides a wonderful illustration of the music by describing it as "a tree that is moved in the wind and sways back and forth, but stays anchored because it has deep roots." And the Polish roots run equally deep here in this music as well.
The more one hears this music the more one realizes its shear perfection. Freire is amazingly connected to this music and through sensitive touch and tone works a wonderful magic here. This recording was made around Freire's 70th birthday and it shows what a lifetime of growth is capable of. You either grow and mature musically through your life or descend to become musically ineffectual - a eunuch. Nelson Freire is an artist that is highly underrated and is at the top of his game currently.
Keeping the volume down for a while #vinyl
Cheers,
EJ
Diana Baroni: baroque flute
Dirk Boerner: harpsichord
Sarah Van Cornewal: baroque flute
Bob Marley - Songs of Freedom
Some crucial cuts and out takes that remind me of how great the man was.
Richard
1st press Track Mono.
I like their earlier stronger Philly Sound influenced work.
'She's gone' with the addictive intro is a classic.
One of the best live acts I have ever seen.
Streaming | CD FLAC rip
The Barr Brothers ~ The Barr Brothers (2011)
Their debut album which, I much prefer it to their latest one.
I like them both about the same.
Vincenzo Bellini: Norma
Cecilia Bartoli, Sumi Jo, John Osborn, Michele Pertusi, Orchestra La Scintilla, Giovanni Antonini
On Vinyl:-
discovered yesterday by qobuz
Yep been playing this for weeks. Really good album
+1
Recorded after a run at Covent Garden (with some cast changes, but not Margison and Hvorostovsky, both of whom are superb), this Don Carlo was shot down by the press at release and it has taken years for its rep to improve it to its rightful status as one of the best Don Carlos ever recorded. It's a slowish, subtle, introverted reading much in the colours of Giulini's EMI studio recording. But more so than Giulini, Haitink has a firm reign on the work's complex and long dramatic arches.
None of the leads except Hvorostovsky outsings their more famous predecessors. Margison has a slightly throttled top and no squillo - but he compensates with a committed reading. Gorchakova, at the time Kirov's hot property, is in terms of voice excellently matched to her role, but her diction leaves something to be desired. The other leads are good to excellent, with, again, a showstopping performance by Hvorostovsky, who sings his 'Per me giunto' in incredibly long breaths (just as he did live). Recorded quality is excellent.
Cheers,
EJ
Steely Dan
"Royal Scam" (1999) SP
Steely Dan
"Royal Scam" (1999) SP
Reminds me that I haven't played it in awhile.
On original Limited Edition CD with book. Still a breath-taking use of samples and synths and top notch SQ. They don't make 'em like this no more!