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

40 years after discovering classical music I discover the late piano sonatas.  I hope I'm enjoying new treasures in the years to come.

Dayjay - had same problem with her The Sensual World album. Had liked most of her stuff up to that point, but think it is the only album I have never managed to play past the first couple of tracks. I am sure I am missing something too.

Yo La Tengo - Fade

(2013)  CD

Prompted by their recent tour.  They are making a local stop, but won't be able to attend.

Now:

Ellen Jewell - Sundown Over Ghost Town

(2015) CD

First listen.  Very good first impression.  One of those Amazon "people that bought <x> also purchased this" suggestions.  A nice find. 

Falls into the alt-country/roots rock/Americana grouping.  For a comparison, some of the musical style and phrasing reminds me of Laura Cantrell. 

Looking forward to listening to this album a few more times. 

10cc: How Dare You!  1975 Release

Not one filler in this album. loving from the beginning to the end. 

I've got the originalUK, US and Japanese pressing and guess what, UK pressing by far has the best natural balance.

10,000 Maniac : In my Trite 1987 release

Coming off from a beautiful sounding 10cc's analogue recording above,  this digitally recorded intro tune ( 'What's the Matter Here' ) is like someone just pour a bucket of ice cold water over my head.

They came out in the era I did not have my hifi or time to actually listen but I certainly remember some of the hit tunes such as 'Like a Weather' contained in this album.

A collection of head bopping light weight bubble gum pop.

 Ludwig van Beethoven:  Angela Hewitt

Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major Op. 2 No. 2

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor Op. 10 No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-Sharp major Op. 78

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat major Op. 110

Volume 5 of the Angela Hewitt survey of Beethoven's piano sonatas.  I believe Hewitt is wholly capable and has her own way with Beethoven.  She plays all the notes and does her Bach voicing thing but for whatever reason it is I just don't connect with the overall outcome.  Perhaps the worst thing about this recording is the recording.  I just cannot get on with the Fazioli sound as recorded here.

Ludwig van Beethoven:  Evgenia Rubinova (piano) 

Piano Sonata in B-Flat Major Op. 106, No. 29 'Hammerklavier'

Piano Sonata in E Major Op. 109, No. 30

In the future, when I'm looking to play some Beethoven and someone forces me to choose between Angela Hewitt and Evgenia Rubinova, I wouldn't even have to think about it.  It is Evgenia Rubinova for me.  In fact, there is lots more choice of inspiring young players in this category and just to give a handful I find the likes of Anna Vinnitskaya, Dina Ugorskaja, Marylin Frascone, Sofja Gülbadamova, or Dora Deliyska to have way more depth and easily more inspiring than Hewitt who comes off as slightly arrogant.

This is a live recording and I think it is recorded quite well.  For those with the ears you will be delighted to hear a Sauter concert grand piano.  It is extraordinary and compared to the Fazioli - well, there is no comparison.  I personally believe that the best pianos after Steinway (Hamburg followed by New York), then equally convincing are Bechstein, Blüthner, Bösendorfer, Sauter, Grotrian, Schimmel, Seiler...

Generally, the top names are still Steinway followed by the three B's above.  I believe this is the first recording I have that is with a Sauter.  This and the others listed are smaller firms and most have never heard of these.  I find all of these pianos sound like a piano.

Sadly, with the history of some of these pianos and in a world where very few think it is important to own or play an instrument many are struggling or disappearing.  Currently, I believe Yamaha owns Bösendorfer, one of the oldest piano companies around.  For a time Bechstein was owned by Samick but this was eventually undone.

Cheers to the Brits...

Really thick, hard record...edges very sturdy.

Garrett was originally criticized by some for being a White Australian taking on Aboriginal issues, then again when he parlayed his Midnight Oil fame into a political career that led to him at times standing opposed to "green" issues. You were in Oz for some of this. I wonder how Garrett is regarded locally today and whether environmentalists consider him a turncoat?

Jackson Browne. Looking East. On CD from 1996. My second listen. Browne's voice has an inherent calm and relaxing nature to it, yet he can summon urgency on his politically motivated tracks. It all works here though I don't consider this a strong album relative to his earlier releases.

Stoned Immaculate. The Music Of The Doors. On CD from 2000. A CD my son placed on my shelf and my first listen to it. A mix of pure covers and tracks that sample Morrison's vocals in a rap-style format. Contributors include Aerosmith, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker, Stone Temple Pilots, Creed, Smash Mouth, The Cult, and The Doors themselves.

Streaming | FLAC

Just in the mood to listen to this music being played exquisitely by HS, he seems to have such an affinity for the work (transcribed by himself) playing delicately and yet so eloquently. 

During my workout this morning, not as good as the other one, but still a great album..

This morning, some powerful music

Back in the late 70s this was one of the albums the various hifi mags suggested as a test album. I've just checked and I've still got my original 1975 copy! Haven't got a turntable now though... ;-)

I still have my Italian, Mercury print of 1976. I loved it...

BTW, I think I have everything by the band or by the two couples and even a few things by GG alone; I even bought the few songs Godley and Gouldman did for download on their website.

My UK, original box of Consequences is one of my treasures. A little nice story I have posted years ago: when I bought my first, 2nd hand XPS, around 2006, it was sold by a young woman in Dorking, on behalf of her brother in law who was abroad.

We exchanged a few emails, I told her that I knew Dorking because of 10CC, and she told me that her mom used to work at Strawberry Studios as secretary, and hers was the voice whispering Big boys don't cry in I'm not in love..

Originally Posted by BigH47:

I was quite disappointed with the album, not up to his other solo works. Sounded a bit strained in the voice at times, nothing stayed with me after hearing it. Might have another listen on Spotify at some time, maybe I'll be in a more receptive mood.

BigH47,

Thanks for your comments. Aside from posting a picture, I'm interested in what others think of it, though I realize it can take repeated listens to form an opinion. I tend to give aging rockers a pass on vocals, as that's really beyond their control. To me it's more important to get involved in the musicality they still have to offer. The bits I've heard indicate that Gilmour hasn't lost any virtuosity on the guitar, but I wonder about the overall ebb and flow of the album.

My vinyl copy arrived this morning so I will be listening to that later. I hope it is better than Jeff's!

The opening track is lovely and after that on first listen it went down a bit but having listened several times I have decided its ok. It's just an album rather than a great album. The guitar remains very Gilmour and if you like that then it will probably be fine. I think the lyrics are fine and better than in the past. There are several lovely tracks it is just that it is a very samey album in overall tone. That heavy swirling thick sound. I think I miss the lightness of touch that was in the mix of the Floyd records. It gave contrast. Anyway I will see if I am still listening to it in a month! I think I probably will.

And yes, as someone has said, who am I to say what Gilmour should and shouldn't do these days. If he is happy then he is absolutely entitled to do what he wants............................we just don't need to buy the records!

Streaming | FLAC

Listening to the 42 minute track Mellowtronic recorded live almost (forty years ago) at their Birmingham Concert 12th October 1975. The SQ on so many of these Tangerine Tree project tracks is more than acceptable and a great way to access many hours of live TD gigs.

Streaming | FLAC

(1991)

Lovely older prog' from Pendragon with some great guitar solos by Nick Barrett (Voyager, Shane) reminiscent of Steve Rothery in many ways. It always surprises me that this band seemed to have more of a following in Northern Europe, Poland and Germany, where they continue to pack out venues, than back home, perhaps there is greater prog' appreciation there these days.

An earlier Schubert of Lewis which works better for me.

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2003)

De-loused In The Comatorium ~ The Mars Volta

A quite stunning debut album, psychedelia, heavy rock and punchy prog right from the start. There are too many influences to mention but Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Genesis and Carlos Santana are all very evident in their style. Very strong vocals help make this a really good album and one that has gone (belatedly) straight into my virtual shopping trolley. 

On CD:-

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2005)

Frances the Mute ~ The Mars Volta

This one is going to take a little more listening to get into. It's a full on assault, the music's good, well played and interesting but the sound levels are just cranked to the hilt with a dynamic range average of just 7. 

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/18976

Doug, I agree with you that Rubinova seems the more interesting Beethoven player in this instance, particularly in Op. 109 - and I do love the piano sound, quirks and all. But that guy sniffing into the mike throughout the recording is a big turnoff for repeated listening, for me. 

EJ