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

Continuing with Charles Mingus "MINGUS AH UM". His flamboyant style and drive makes him my favourite Jazz artist/band leader.

1970 unfortunately I don't have this great album on vinyl. CD rip still sounds great.

As might be expected, this is in far from audiophile SQ but it is better than I expected and has some fantastic playing by Peter Green, on some of the same repertoire that is on the Beano album.

The the best of the Czars, bought in a record shop in Kilkenny, the likes of which have all but disappeared from Dublin. A guy behind the counter who could discuss music with you. I had picked up an album by Microdisney on the Cherry Red label and I enquirer about spizzenergi, also on Cherry red - " It's a long time since I heard of Spizz Energy" and a conversation ensued. 

I had had to buy a few albums then, this being one of them. 

SJB

Another fine album by Tori. Her version of the 10cc hit 'I'm not in love' is both interesting and enjoyable.

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2015)

Trying a bit of this country music, It's ok.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b4rsOkBwP4

Before sundown, before dinner and before the last coffee of the day. Just delicious music.

On vinyl. Still great.

Benedikt Jahnel Trio: Equilibrium 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqRuT1MlY3E

http://player.ecmrecords.com/jahnel

Two takes on Beethoven Symphony 8

Harnoncourt/Chamber Orchestra of Europe 1990 Recording

Wand/NDR Sinfornieorchester : 1987 recording

Altho, they are very different, I like both interpretations.

Harnoncourt is dashing out of the gate fresh and lively. 

Expressive and animated exciting and captivating read. Notes and leading edges are well defined and articulated keeping me engaged. 

Clear division of instruments creates intricate textures and build effect. Hard stops and excellent clarity keeps the orgnaization in tact. Harnoncourt makes sure it’s easier to follow the path. One the most playful build to the finale. 

Amazingly, Wand set is even faster than Harnoncourt but the tune never gets frantic. Less angular and abrupt he leads the way with many elegant moves. Equally exhilarating and dashing but Wand lets the notes to breath a little longer. 

Impeccable comic timing on Scherzando and highly polished Menuetto. 

I love the the interplay of minor and major keys adding a human touch in the final Allegro. Wand's Skillful instrumentation creates rich and colorful soundscape but finale does no sound overcooked by maintaining a perfect proportion. 

The 4 albums that were last nights listening.

Haitink/LSO : Beethoven Symphony 8  2006 recording

As his earlier set with LSO, this is a lyrical and smooth approach but it does not have the ease and flow of Wand or playful sense of humour of Harnoncourt. Competently directed but it feels too generic and he’s still much too much serious and a sense of timing is stiff.

I loved his Missa Solemnis live with CSO but so far I am not completely convinced he's the right man for Beethoven's music at least on a recorded media.

Kuma, you know Lenny's Vienna set, don't you? The live recordings aren't great sound quality but the performances are some of the most vital and relevant ever committed to discs.

EJ

Must be something in the air that is causing just about everyone to record the Goldberg variations. Lars Vogt's new recording is another superb reading: lyrical, softspoken but clearly delineating musical strands through dynamics and limited peddling means this falls squarely in the traditional camp. What sets him apart - for me - are those tiny subsurface injections of energy that makes the difference between boring and exciting Bach - and Vogt is extremely good at these, and even more subtle about it than Ashkenazy. (Vogt can be highly interventionist; he isn't here).

Cheers,

EJ

Really enjoying this album..

Music Matters 33rpm Blue Note reissue.

Gorgeous on Sony Mobile setup...