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

Posted on: 11 July 2015 by Stevee_S

Streaming | FLAC Download

(2013)

Well played and very enjoyable old fashioned prog' with hints of Yes, Asia and Genesis while superb female vocals help make for a style of their own.

Posted on: 11 July 2015 by kuma

I am not totally convinced if poker faced Richter is the right man for Schumann's piano pieces.

this is a rude wakeup call. Stiff, hard and militant. A lot of push and go-go lacking Schumann's playful side. Even his pianissimo sounds a bit too controlled.

Horowitz's Schumann piece from 1985 has a friendly feel and much more approachable than Richter. ( but perhaps more polished and touch of pretension ) A liberal use of pedal makes the notes breath longer even in the march section. Sense of fun and adventure where he deliberately keeps irregular tempo just to throw a listener off. ( a sort of same technique Erroll Garner uses )

Posted on: 11 July 2015 by ragman

Originally Posted by kuma:

I am not totally convinced if poker faced Richter is the right man for Schumann's piano pieces.

this is a rude wakeup call. Stiff, hard and militant. A lot of push and go-go lacking Schumann's playful side. Even his pianissimo sounds a bit too controlled.

Richter for Schumann - never ever!

Posted on: 11 July 2015 by JamieWednesday

Downloaded via Bandcamp. Big wall of sound, layered indie/rock, nice atmospheric lead vocal from Rachel Stolte. Quite fulfilling played moderately loud through the 'phones on a Sunday morning. Seems like they've been at it a long time. Definitely worthy of being picked up IMO.

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by kuma

Originally Posted by ragman:

Richter for Schumann - never ever!

There is one Richter/Schumann performance I love.

Richer recorded the Piano Concerto 4 times but this early 50s or late 40s ( probably live ) with Alexander Gauk/USSR State Radio Orchestra by far shows Richter at most passionate and uninhibited.

The back end of this performance he does not hold back anything exposing all the raw emotions behind the notes.

Way more lyrical effort than his later set with Wislocki or all-dressed-up-but-nowhere-to-go

Matačić version.

Unfortunately, Gauk set has the worst sound of all other releases. ( figures! 9 out of 10 Richer's best performance comes from poor sounding live recording rather than ultra polished studio recording)

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Christopher_M

Sometimes the WHY? can only be answered with because it feels right.

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Slim68

Originally Posted by Stevee_S:

Originally Posted by Slim68:

Pendragon, Pure on CD. Seen it on this thread and looked it up. Very glad I did too. I can see some of their back catalogue heading my way

Good stuff Slim68, I can recommend "Not of This World" from 2001 and "Passion" from 2011 to get you started with some of their back catalogue.

Thanks for the Heads up Steevee_s, I'll have a look! This forum is costing me a small fortune! hay-ho I am discovering plenty of new music. I never thought buying in a brand would open my eyes to so many new Artists. Having the equipment to enjoy them on too

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Slim68

Frank Turner, Poetry of the deed. as recommended by my 22yo old Son. A good choice it is too.

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Bert Schurink

As preparation for the third day of North Sea Jazz...

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by naim_nymph

Enjoying CD 1 : )

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Raider

Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard

24/96 Flac

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Kevin-W

Original vinyl. Arty, pretentious 2-LP compilation from early '80s Belgium. Why don't they make music like this any more?

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Stevee_S

Streaming | FLAC Download from Bandcamp [16/44.1]

S/T by This Patch of Sky (2014)

Very good instrumental post rock, played very well by this Oregon based band.

"This is premium music developed by a talented and cohesive set of muso's. The post rock-genre nature is wonderfully executed with lots of dynamic and textural changes as each track rolls into one brilliant composition. They should be described as an orchestra rather than a band..." - Bandcamp Comment

Posted on: 12 July 2015 by Stevee_S

Originally Posted by Slim68:

Originally Posted by Stevee_S:

Originally Posted by Slim68:

Thanks for the Heads up Steevee_s, I'll have a look! This forum is costing me a small fortune! hay-ho I am discovering plenty of new music. I never thought buying in a brand would open my eyes to so many new Artists. Having the equipment to enjoy them on too

In that case don't follow the "What was the last CD you bought" or the "what is the latest music you downloaded, what resolution and where from" threads! And most definitely don't follow any of us (especially that chap AKA Nick Lees) over on Bandcamp for music downloads!!