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

The 2nd version is not my favorite one..

A suggestion for those who are tired of Grimaud and Dinnerstein.

Here she is doing a Chopin Etude:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wb15qltw9E

Haven't listened to this for a while and realised why.

It's not very good.

My wife agrees!  But 'Weather in my Head' isn't so bad.  Quite good even, but nowhere near the 'Nightfly' standard

I can't think of many albums by any artist that come close to Nightfly. Definitely one of my desert island discs.

Note to self. (Get turntable fixed)

"I can't think of many albums by any artist that come close to Nightfly. Definitely one of my desert island discs."  Agree

Just in case you haven't heard it...

Good...

Much overlooked and unknown outside France - but probably my favorite female vocalist.

A well recorded and lively concert. I'm playing the CD version, but the DVD is amazing too.

DB.

Sergeant Thunderhoof - Zigurat. Great rock album, again from Bandcamp. On my next to buy list.

http://sergeantthunderhoof.bandcamp.com/album/zigurat

Followed by another ...

Ruby The Hatchet - Valley of the Snake

http://thehatchet.bandcamp.com...alley-of-the-snake-3

This looks a real bargain; now ordered.

Sorren, you should join myself, Stevee_S and DenisA - we follow each other's adventures on Bandcamp. Details somewhere in the What Have You Downloaded thread (about three weeks ago).

Hi Gary.

I think I managed to find Stevee_S by chance and linked up on Bandcamp. I'll have a look for DenisA and yourself. I joined Bandcamp under my actual name 'Russell Whyman' see you there.

Hello tiger!

^ ditto

Just found you. Should be following now 

Glad I found the right one 

Cesar Franck:  Jean-Philippe Collard, Augustin Dumay, Quatuor Muir, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Michel Plasson

Symphony in D minor

Variations symphoniques

Prelude, choral et fugue

Piano Quintet in F minor

Violin Sonata in A

First reason to listen is the violin sonata.  I typically prefer the A major Sonata with cello but this is just such a fantastic collaboration (Collard / Dumay).  Whether Cello or Violin, the piano part is the same and this is a work that is in my bones and in my heart.  One of my favourite sonatas that I have learnt and played years ago and hope to one day revisit again soon. 

Second reason I am listening to this is the Piano Quintet in F minor.  This is music making of the highest order and now I'm going to be digging out every Piano Quintet I can find.  The opening here is just to die for and it puts me in ecstasy.  So French, so dramatic....

Third reason of course would be the Prelude, choral et fugue. 

I don't know what it is but I just love late romantic French chamber music (Franck, Faure, Chausson, Saint-Saens, Debussy, Ravel....

So much music and so little time in a day in comparison.  Not complaining though.  Better to suffer from an embarrassment of riches than to go senile eating the same bread day in and day out.  Fortunately, I enjoy two or three types of bread and love various types of toppings as much as I do with just plain butter.

I am also fortunate in that great music often makes me feel like a kid again.  I remember as a youth hearing new works for the first time and feeling so excited (or affected by it) that I never knew how to explain it.  After some terrible years where I couldn't even listen to music I am starting to return to my first love with a vengeance.  The three works here that I mention have made me so incredibly happy today....

Carole King. Music. On Ode vinyl from 1971. Found this for $4 at the used book store today, complete with Ode liner and music/lyric book. Gave it a cleaning and I'm enjoying it now, another inspiration from Kuma.

John Lewis, the pianist of Modern Jazz Quartet in a solo album from 1999.

On CD.

King Kooba: Indian Summer 2002 Release.

Sometimes it's interesting to revisit what I was listening 13 years ago. 

A down tempo background music was constant flow in my daily life.

The same vein as Kyoto Jazz Massive.

Ray Manzarek. The Golden Scarab. Ray's first solo album from 1974. I came across a barely used white label promo copy today. I found the music and production (Bruce Botnick) quite good with a definite Doors mystique. The mastering and pressing are excellent. Manzarek is a fantastic keyboardist and this plays well musically, but he really doesn't have the vocal versatility to carry an entire album with interest (barely a song). Makes me appreciate JMs singing abilites more than ever.

Long time since I have heard this album and I would agree with your assessment.

I like this a lot...

During workout - in my opinion this goes to much in commercial attraction