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
Jackie McLean: Right Now! 1965 release Stereo
Another beautiful Music Matters production inside and out.
If you are not familiar with McLean's work, give this album a try. I am curious what you'al think of it.
Originally Posted by ClaudeP: Looks like a great suggestion Kuma. Do you have the vinyl version? It seems to be b/o on amazon.ca.
Claud,
Get the Music Matters reissue from Music Matters Jazz direct or any of the US based online record vendors ( Music Direct, Acoustic Sound, Soundstage Direct, Illusive Disc ) stock it..
For me, old jazz need to be listened to on vinyl if there is a choice.
Jackie McLean : 4, 5 and 6 1956 release Mono
Line up:
- Jackie McLean - alto sax
- Hank Mobley - tenor sax
- Donald Byrd - trumpet
- Mal Waldron - piano
- Doug Watkins - bass
- Art Taylor - drums
This is a second solo album by McLean when he was at Prestige Label. In spite star studded line up, this album is not as good as 'Right Now!' in both the sound quality ( this was also recorded by Van Gelder ) and maturity and style of his playing. He was just 25 when he recorded this.
The album contains 6 tunes but many are covers of standard such as 'Sentimental Journey', 'When I Fall in Love' 'Why Was I born' altho, cover of Parker's 'Confirmation' is interesting mingling with Mobley giving the tune a rich rendition. But it just does not have the swings and roundabouts of the original.
Two of the original scores 'Contour' ( written by Kenny Drew ) and gorgeous ' Abstraction' ( by Mal Waldron ) could have been a lot better if the piano was more upfront and clear. This was before Van Gelder started to record piano properly so everything from this period sound of piano is a huge compromise.
Overall reissue quality of Analogue Production reissue isn't bad ( Kevin Gray remastered ) but this is no Music Matters pressing.
Brandi Carlile. The Story. On CD from 2007. Brandi delivers her trademark powerful, impassioned vocals with wonderful alternative country/folk rock tunesmithing from her and the Hanseroth twins, Tim and Phil.
Halina Czerny-Stefańska: Chopin Preludes Op.28 1959 recording
Completey unknown piano player but according to the liner notes, she was Joint First Prize winner at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1949, sharing this prize with Bella Davidovich.
Expressively played with friendly disposition but lacking drama not the flashiest Preludes. Technically she also falls behind today's professional pianists.
Mel Tormé : I Wished on the Moon 1965 release
Another smooth velvety voice I love from the past.
His excellent sense of timing comes from drumming.
Meat Puppets. Backwater. On CD from 1994. A brief set of outstanding metal-driven alternative rock from the band that influenced and later played with Nirvana. Five upbeat tracks concluding with a cover of Marty Robbins' "White Sport Coat" from 1957 - go figure. Highly recommended.
Great band! Have you heard Meat Puppets II from '84 or Huevos from '87? Both awesome albums.
Kevin,
Thanks for the recommendations. Will keep my eye out. Relative to many alternative bands that relied on the forgiveness of crunch and other distortion for their sound, the Meat Puppets feature a tighter and more technically accomplished polish to their music..
First couple of releases numbers...
Very airy nice execution...
Borrowed from a mate at work, now on my wishlist, great album! 
On vinyl...
On CD:-
Santana - Borboletta
Streaming | FLAC rip
(1973)
This CD was delivered today in error, it seemed a good enough reason to dust off my older definitive collection '94 remaster for a play.
On vinyl...
Brilliant 
.... Vinyl
On vinyl...
Streaming | FLAC Download
(2013)
It's been a while so giving this lovely 24/192 from the 'Frapp a run out.
alt-J
On vinyl...
More live Elvis from the early 70s: the superb Prince from Another Planet set recorded at Madison Square Garden in June 1972. What's great about this late 60s/70s King live stuff is that a) it's on the whole very well recorded and engineered; b) the bands (usually built around the core of James Burton on guitar, bassist Jerry Scheff and drummer Ronnie Tutt) are never less than absolutely stunning; c) Elvis sings with good grace and playful humour; d) there are lots of (sometimes radical) rearrangements of old faves.
I can remember the Day while during a radio Broadcast they Tell that Elvis was gone.
My mother starts crying and doesn't stop for a while.
Born at the Same Day 35 later than Elvis I can now assume what he represent for my mothers generation.
Nothing from today is comparable.
Listening to his Voice and Interpretations every idiot can realise that he was "they King"
Streaming | FLAC
(2000)
Her first album which, to my mind, stands equal with Tales of Us as her best work to date. Standard CD rip for this one and sounding lovely.
Rather charming neo classical, nice and relaxing
30 years old this week.
FFS
Still one of the greatest albums of all time, and when she came on at Hammersmith last year and sang Cloudbusting for an encore, it was one of the (not just musical) highlights of my life.
Not listened to this in a while. Like meeting an old friend.
M
One of 2 great albums I have by a band I knew nothing about until quite recently.
Hollis Brown - "Gets Loaded"
A fantastic version of the Velvet Underground's "Oh Sweet Nuthin", but a great album all round.
Followed by another blues based artist I have also discovered very recently - a very fine high-res download from Qobuz:
Fred Chapellier - "Electric Communion"
I was playing this earlier this afternoon when I was aware of so much thunderous bass. When the bass continued between tracks, I realised it was the Army on tank exercises on Salisbury Plain!
Is this not one of the finest rock albums of all time?