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
(2004)
Playing CD 1 of 2, I don't have many "Best Of" compilation albums and those that I do are usually to replace a lost or stolen collection or to quickly review a band I am not too familiar with, In this case it's the former.
Arrived this AM ripped and playing now. A few tracks in and it's certainly up to the high standard Richard sets.
Still - Richard Thompson
Original vinyl 1st press not played for ages
![The Wall [Discovery Edition]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71jxpq0Lk5L._SX522_.jpg)
Streaming | FLAC Download from Bandcamp
(2014)
Some really rather good music by these boys from Florida, you can also hear this on Deezer Elite if you want to give it a try, so I imagine the other streamers may well have it too.
"Euphoric post-rock melodies to die for – songs that immediately impress, creating a blissful and emotionally uplifting musical experience. I'm certainly a little late to the party with these guys, but know outstanding compositions when I hear them." - A Bandcamp Patron
This is a very sunny sounding album, just right for a sunny morning.
Great choice - I've always found this to be a very enjoyable recording.
EJ
On vinyl.
Streaming wav First listen and so far very impressed great SQ quite a laid back vibe to this one thanks to JN for the recommendation.
Rush. Hold Your Fire. On Mercury promo vinyl from 1987. The fast, punchy sound of the direct metal mastering fits the music well. Not well-received on its release, I think this album now fits smartly in the overall Rush discography.
Some strong songs on it even if it is a little 'odd' compared even to other Rush albums from the period. I saw them on the tour of this album too and some of the songs work really well live and still feature today
On CD:-
On vinyl as god intended.
Rush. Hold Your Fire. On Mercury promo vinyl from 1987. The fast, punchy sound of the direct metal mastering fits the music well. Not well-received on its release, I think this album now fits smartly in the overall Rush discography.
Some strong songs on it even if it is a little 'odd' compared even to other Rush albums from the period. I saw them on the tour of this album too and some of the songs work really well live and still feature today
On vinyl as god intended.
Or the devil. 
as i said elsewhere, it is very warm and balmy here in London and this fits the bill perfectly. On nimbus supercut vinyl. Very special.
Streaming wav...
Earlier this evening - too much special in my opinion...
Later in the evening, I am not a fan of her, while she has quite a following...
- Anouar Brahem : Oud
- François Couturier : Piano
- Jean Louis Matinier : Accordion
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW1QIpiP-Bo
On vinyl. Great record.
If you enjoy Laurie Anderson,Kate Bush or PJ Havey, you should give her a try.
Tony
Thanks.
Striking cover.
I think I should stay clear of her, however. ( can't stand Anderson, Bush or Harvey)
Kuma, I'm surprised you don't like Laurie Anderson. You might try "Strange Angels," a brilliant album from 1989 that is very musical and devastatingly clever.
Originally Posted by Stevee_S:
Just playing CD 1 of 2 for now
Interesting combo!
How is their Schumann piano concerto?
Kuma, I have enjoyed this tremendously but have neither the depth or range of knowledge of Schumann to be able to give you a fitting answer and so I will revert to copying some expert reviews for you. However I can say that the sound quality and the recording is truly excellent and worthy of praise. It comes as a two Disc album one is a hybrid SACD, the other a Pure audio Blu-ray. I ripped the SACD to FLAC and as yet have not tried to rip the Blu-ray element that has up to 24/192 quality, DSD and so on. Nevertheless as a cooking 16/44.1 the recording is excellent. Here are some review clips for you:
"If I had to pick my record of the year, there would be a queue. Leading that queue, and ticking every box, is the stunning, revelatory new recording of Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony and Hebrides Overture, with, to my taste, one of the finest performances of Schumann's Piano Concerto that I have ever heard. All feature Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in electrifying form, and the extraordinary Maria Joao Pires as soloist in an account of the Schumann that, with her moderate pacing of the finale, overcomes technical hurdles in a performance that is as pristine and common-sensical as it is soulful and beguilingly expressive. The whole thing is absolutely wonderful, and an education." -- Michael Tumelty The Herald Scotland, 9th November 2014
"The best piece here is the poetic and rapturously personal account of the Piano Concerto of Schumann, the ivories tickled by the ever-Romantic and always firmly in control Maria Joao Pires ... Pires mines diamonds that are too often overlooked by others ... I look forward to more from these forces, and especially in this magnificent format. -- Steven Ritter - AUDIOPHILE AUDITION, 28th November 2014
"Recording of the Month 'a reading formed by life experience ... Pires is supported by conductor and orchestra magnificently ... I find the two Mendelssohn works to be absolutely outstanding, revealing details hitherto unnoticed, and creating the changing moods of the Scottish landscape perfectly ... the moments of absolute pleasure are too numerous to catalogue ... Bravo. I can only envy the audience at the Barbican in January this year who were privileged to hear this live ... I've never heard so much of the orchestral colour and detail in any other Schumann recording ... My anticipation that this might be a special recording has been met." -- David Barker Music Web International, 30th November 2014
Thanks.
Hope they'll come out with a straight redbook version. I didn't realise this contains 2 discs.
I wish reviewers would give some reference to the past recording.
