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

Paul Weller: Catch-Flame!  2006 release

LIve at the Alexandra Palace recorded in Dec. 2005. Sounds like it was a very good gig.

Did anyone go? 

Strauss Alpine Symphony: Rudolf Kempe/Royal Philharmonic 1966 recording

Lofty and classy rendition if not sounds a bit like a soundtrack makes me realise how much Hollywood composers borrow from the past. Vivid and narrative Kempe does a good job keeping the story in suspense.

starting off the day with some nice string quartet music...

Streaming | WAV

(1971)

It's a bit too early in the day for this but for some reason I could not get the music to the title track out of my head, so it's going on! 

Musically this is an excellent album, with Mark Knopfler on guitar. I never bought this when it came out as I was put off by Dylan "finding God". 

Great album, title is very good chosen...

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(1973)

Their last decent studio album.

 Ludwig van Beethoven:  Pieter Wispelwey (violoncello), Dejan Lazic (piano)

Complete Sonatas and Variations for Piano and Cello

I tend to be turned off by the artist who tend to be loud, aggressive, and play fast all the time.  Typically, it is just a matter of physics and its limitations in this type of interpretation that to me does not suit all music.  It suits some purposes.  Typically, you never see artists who excel at both ends of the scale.  Of the faster and more aggressive crowd though I would place this near the top if not at the top.  

The players work so well together.  One doesn't dominate the other and they play as equals.  The common implication is that these are all about the cello but these are Sonatas for Piano and Cello.  So, for a change I really get this sense that this is a conversation between two people (as it was intended to be).  What sets Wispelwey apart from other aggressive, speedy players is that he still manages to impart some sense of humanity with his playing (although it is still limited simply due to the speed).  I suppose it is how he views his over-arching phrasing and the little emphasis he puts in at various logical points - these flourishes or inflections that seem naturally like breathing as you speak.

Haven't listened to this CD box set in years. I thought it might make a nice accompaniment to the work I have to do this afternoon.

Streaming | WAV 24/44.1 | Bandcamp Download

Omonoia | Allochiria

(2014)

Very dark, very heavy, very enjoyable post metal psychedelic rock.

https://allochiria.bandcamp.com/album/omonoia

Sudbin's Chopin is not one I return to often - it's a bit too episodic and laboured at times, for my taste. But in its way, an excellent recital.

EJ

On vinyl.

Cheers

EJ

From Tidal, YES by YES.

Simon and Garfunkel - Wednesday Morning 3AM

Good first listen big riffs. Back to the 80s sound

Leonard Cohen, Live In London. One of the vinyl albums got for my birthday yesterday. Sounds good at first play!

Just getting used to posting what I am listening to..

Pink Floyd  - Wish You Were Here

Hybrid SACD, stereo and 5.1.  

CD layer.  Would be interesting to hear the 5.1 layer one day.  

Hirose-san is new to me, so is this music - highly enjoyable. Most of this music sounds a bit like a cross of Rachmaninov and Liszt

EJ

Bet that sounds awesome..

Hi Gorgiegus,

Yes indeed!  I used to have a Marantz SACD stereo player which it sounded excellent on as well.  But I decided to simplify to one disc player.  I know, the horror.