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
Vinyl
Now listening through Qobuz streaming will download it today or tomorrow as I pre-ordered, now much cheaper - so a bit frustrated about that......
Is this Melody's latest album, Bert? And what do you make of it?
Mike
It's indeed her last one and it came out today - at least for downloading / streaming. I didn't yet have the possibility to completely hear it - but as far as I could listen to it, it was enjoyable. Will give it tomorrow a more intensive listen when I download it.
Thanks, Bert. I'll be interested in your more considered reflections. I've found Melody's albums a bit mixed but am tempted by her latest
Mike
Yes, the one before this one wasn't my favorite - I will give an update tomorrow...
Booked tickets to see her at the Royal Festival Hall, London in November so I thought I'd give this CD a play.
Love this album....would love to see her perform live...think you will be in for a treat
Booked tickets to see her at the Royal Festival Hall, London in November so I thought I'd give this CD a play.
Love this album....would love to see her perform live...think you will be in for a treat
Hope so, Rob. November feels a long way away at the moment.
Still, I've got a Suzanne Vega concert to look forward to in a couple of weeks. 
Mike
Great tracks and Jack's killer vinatge guitar tones. I find I can ignore Meg for the most part.
Booked tickets to see her at the Royal Festival Hall, London in November so I thought I'd give this CD a play.
Love this album....would love to see her perform live...think you will be in for a treat
Hope so, Rob. November feels a long way away at the moment.
Still, I've got a Suzanne Vega concert to look forward to in a couple of weeks.
Mike
Mike now you really are rubbing salt in....
A long Schubert recital from András Schiff, played on his own 1820 Brodman fortepiano. The instrument is beautiful (and beautifully recorded) - looking forward to the development of the modern grand a few decennia later, rather than the old harpsichord. It has decent sustaining power and brilliance at the top, both essential to justify Schubert's long breathed melodic lines.
In his notes - considerably less controversial this time - Schiff ends with "The fortepiano is certainly not to everyone’s taste. Some people are irritated by its alleged lack of power; to them it is strange, alien, colourless, and monotone: it cannot match the modern piano in strength, robustness and brilliance. However for those who care to listen, a whole new world may open up. Who knows, perhaps some of you will also be converted?" Personally I think he makes the best possible case. Highly recommended!
EJ
First play on the new system..... fantastically well recorded album Stunning
Thanks Rob. Sounds very nice. Ordered here too.
John.
If you like that one try their first album Identity also highly recommended!!! Sorry just spotted your post there Peter, yes it might just sound ok 
Never heard of Airbag until I saw this, looked it up, ordered from Amazon. Have had first listen via the download as the CD is on its way. REALLY liked it! Cheers Guys. Simon.
Hi Simon, glad you like it! their first album is also really good I highly recommended it.
Hi Rob, On order. Looking forward to giving it a spin.
This one is in the CD player now, OMG how good is this??
Yep
First listen to this album and really enjoying it. 
Vinyl...180g
Public Service Broadcasting - Inform, Educate, Entertain:
One of the most innovative pop (for want of a better word) bands working now. Track 10 (Everest) is very moving in its descriptive powers. On a more prosaic note, Track 7 has the most fantastic deep bass moment towards the end from 3.30 to 3.35.
Great fun all round.
Mark
A long Schubert recital from András Schiff, played on his own 1820 Brodman fortepiano. The instrument is beautiful (and beautifully recorded) - looking forward to the development of the modern grand a few decennia later, rather than the old harpsichord. It has decent sustaining power and brilliance at the top, both essential to justify Schubert's long breathed melodic lines.
In his notes - considerably less controversial this time - Schiff ends with "The fortepiano is certainly not to everyone’s taste. Some people are irritated by its alleged lack of power; to them it is strange, alien, colourless, and monotone: it cannot match the modern piano in strength, robustness and brilliance. However for those who care to listen, a whole new world may open up. Who knows, perhaps some of you will also be converted?" Personally I think he makes the best possible case. Highly recommended!
Interesting. I might give it a try. Altho, an idea of sitting through Schiff sounds a bit torturous. ( No pain, no gain I suppose )
I don't mind a fortepiano at all. This is one of my favourite Schubert by Andreas Staier.
Solti/CSO at Medinah Temple. Recording done by Kenneth Wilkinson from Decca. 1975 recording.
Chicago Brass absolutely shine in this recording giving many interesting musical elements to build the story. Solti's tempo is slowish particularly the final movement does not get cooking till very end even then the final 4 note motif sounds a bit trippy.
But boy the orchestra delivers for him.
Lenny/NYP's Tchaikovsky's 5th 1960 recording.
Timing wise, it's about the same as Solti but feels much quicker and livelier.
Decidedly schmaltzy over gaunt Solti but much more human.
Expressive but somewhat expected out of Lenny.
This is a very personal and narrative told subjectively.
As Solti, the Finale isn't doing it for me, tho.
A long Schubert recital from András Schiff, played on his own 1820 Brodman fortepiano. The instrument is beautiful (and beautifully recorded) - looking forward to the development of the modern grand a few decennia later, rather than the old harpsichord. It has decent sustaining power and brilliance at the top, both essential to justify Schubert's long breathed melodic lines.
In his notes - considerably less controversial this time - Schiff ends with "The fortepiano is certainly not to everyone’s taste. Some people are irritated by its alleged lack of power; to them it is strange, alien, colourless, and monotone: it cannot match the modern piano in strength, robustness and brilliance. However for those who care to listen, a whole new world may open up. Who knows, perhaps some of you will also be converted?" Personally I think he makes the best possible case. Highly recommended!
EJ
EJ, I have to wait until June 2nd for this to be released where I live, so still have to wait a couple of weeks for this to arrive. I will get this regardless but have to admit just thinking about it that I have had mixed feelings about this and I haven't even heard it yet. I am always uneasy about recordings fortepianos. Personally, other than an novelty, I don't see the point or the appeal but your writeup here has gone a long way to settle some of my apprehension.
Cheers,
Doug
Booked tickets to see her at the Royal Festival Hall, London in November so I thought I'd give this CD a play.
Love this album....would love to see her perform live...think you will be in for a treat
Hope so, Rob. November feels a long way away at the moment.
Still, I've got a Suzanne Vega concert to look forward to in a couple of weeks.
Mike
I am more lucky - I will see her already mid July at North Sea Jazz Festival.
A long Schubert recital from András Schiff, played on his own 1820 Brodman fortepiano. The instrument is beautiful (and beautifully recorded) - looking forward to the development of the modern grand a few decennia later, rather than the old harpsichord. It has decent sustaining power and brilliance at the top, both essential to justify Schubert's long breathed melodic lines.
In his notes - considerably less controversial this time - Schiff ends with "The fortepiano is certainly not to everyone’s taste. Some people are irritated by its alleged lack of power; to them it is strange, alien, colourless, and monotone: it cannot match the modern piano in strength, robustness and brilliance. However for those who care to listen, a whole new world may open up. Who knows, perhaps some of you will also be converted?" Personally I think he makes the best possible case. Highly recommended!
EJ
EJ, I have to wait until June 2nd for this to be released where I live, so still have to wait a couple of weeks for this to arrive. I will get this regardless but have to admit just thinking about it that I have had mixed feelings about this and I haven't even heard it yet. I am always uneasy about recordings fortepianos. Personally, other than an novelty, I don't see the point or the appeal but your writeup here has gone a long way to settle some of my apprehension.
Cheers,
Doug
I was also skeptical as I am totally not into Fortepiano, but I have to admit like EJ that this one reveals some additional insight due to the use of the instrument and it's playing. While it's not like I will put it on often. Still by far appreciate a normal piano, even by less gifted players.
Nirvana. Unplugged in New York. On the 1994 CD. Great performance. This and Clapton are my favorite unpluggeds. OTOH, the cover art on this leaves much to be desired.
Paul & Linda McCartney. RAM. On an early US Apple pressing from 1971. A bit of surface noise doesn't quash the great SQ on this pressing. One of my favorite Macca solo albums, the bluesy "3 Legs" being my favorite track.
Music Inspired By The Big Chill. 3 CD set from 2006. A nice Motown, R&B, and Soul compilation. Songs from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and The Temptations steal the groove for me on this one.
Some Coldplay during my workout - I like this album, while it's not a masterpiece
