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
On vinyl.
Hendrix: Freedom
listening to a great take of Spanish Castle Magic.... full of live prescence, depth and volume... On vinyl.
Richard
p.s. And no SL in site 
Got his for $4.00 last night - fine if you want to hear live versions of Ringo's songs sung a major 3rd to a 5th lower than the originals...also has Greg Lake (doing Karn Evil 9), Ian Hunter, Howard Jones & Sheila E.
It's OK I guess; glad I didn't pay $4.01 for it...
On vinyl:
Santana - "Abraxas"
One of my very favourite albums as a student when it first came out many years ago, and still my favourite Santana album. Lots of happy memories.
Followed by again on vinyl:
Steely Dan - "Katy Lied"
Strangely, I wasn't fond of Steely Dan back in the 70s & 80s, but I just love them now.
First press CD in fat boy case. My favourite Tull - Streamed as WAV sounds great. Amazing dynamics.
G
Haven't played that in ages. Must dig it out.
The HR version is a close call as compared to my red book analogue productions version...
...but it wins....
..now on this one, indeed great interplay...
Lonnie Liston-Smith: Dreams of Tomorrow 1983 release
Terrific sounding George Marino mastered laid back fusion funk.
Marcus Miller addictive funky bass line throughout.
Rounded and nice quiet music....
Lonnie Liston-Smith: Make Someone Happy 1986 release.
Lonnie goes unplugged.
Bass: Cecil McBee
Drums: Al Foster
A simple trio playing mostly the jazz standards. Recorded by Van Gelder but it's digital so not as good as his earlier all analogue Blue Note efforts.
Rounded and nice quiet music....
Wow, is really great....
Klemperer/Philharmonia: Tchaikovsky Symphony 4 1963 recording
Cool and more calculated than Muti’s passionate approach. This is a spartan classy rendition that strips much of unnecessary bells and whistles yet usual Klemperer's narrative makes more sense and his big finale still gives me a chill and excitement.
Phoebe Snow: 1974 release.
Snow's self titled debut album. She was only 24. Every single tune in this album is a gem sung in her unique unmistakable voice and phrasing.
Poetry Man is my all time favourite.
Phoebe Snow: Looks LIke Snow 1976 Release
Her second album is less folksy more hard core upbeat blues tunes which I don't care for as much as her jazzy debut album.
Phoebe Snow: Against the Grain 1978 release
Continuing on more upbeat tunes, Paul McCartney's 'Every Night' opens the album. A bit of funk throughout the album. I suppose everyone was on the disco/funk kick in the mid to late 70s.
Her vocal range and control over spanning multi octaves are impressive but not as lyrical or intimate as her debut album.
Led Zeppelin III (1970). From The Complete Studio Recordings CD box set 1993. Remastered by Page before he went deaf
Streaming | FLAC Download | Bandcamp
(2011)
Very good modern Berlin School ambient electronica. This was the first of what has so far turned out to be their Ouddorp trilogy.
Phoebe Snow: Rock Away 1981 Release
More straight rock'n'roll type tunes. All'n'all, the material is pretty weak. After this album she won't make another for almost 10 years.
I recall her familiar voice was heard over TV jingles. I recall I had to stop and listen when Stouffer's commercial came on. Her lovely voice was heard all over on TV commercials the 80-90s.
I had no idea she was in financial trouble taking care for her handicapped daughter and had to earn living by singing jingles.
She had tough breaks but I am certain she's happy now.
Led Zeppelin IV (1971). From The Complete Studio Recordings CD box set 1993. Since the CDs are housed in dual cases, it made sense to grab this out for a listen while I was putting LZ III away.
Steven Osborne's Ravel is expansive, outward looking, painted in broad strokes. And as always with him, a sense of complete familiarity with the notes. I recall an article by him where he discussed preparing for this recording, and had to learn many of the works specifically for this - it's hard to believe based on the evidence.
This was my first disc by him and many followed - I think his style isn't as well suited to everything he plays, but the Ravel is brilliant.
EJ