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
Elvis Costello & The Attractions. Get Happy!! On original vinyl from 1980. With 20 tracks on one LP you certainly get your money's worth from Elvis.
Mackerras/English Chamber Orchestra: Handel Messiah 1966 recording
This is actually the first time I am listening to the entire score. Mackerra's reading is more rhythmic and quite self effacing compared to the *famous* Ormandy/Philly. Nicely paced throughout and very listenable. I still can't get over the English language as an operatic oratorio piece as the words don't quite flow like Italian or even German albeit I understand all the lyrics.
Chorus piece like this needs to be heard live as most system, mine included, has tough time reproducing the scale and power. I haven't played this record with a 500 but the 300 hasn't clipped so far...
Lenny White: Present Tense 1995 Release
Surprised to find this in vinyl in the mid 90s when CD pretty much killed the vinyl back then.
Down tempo 90s groove. Marcus Miller's influence is obvious.
Bass – Marcus Miller
Keyboards – Bernard Wright
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Robert Cray. Strong Persuader. On CD from 1986. More American blues rock. This album always takes me back to a soggy wall tent outside of Juneau, Alaska where I first heard it in 1988 powered via a Honda generator. Fond memories with fond friends. There may have been a bottle of rum involved as well.
Talking about fond teenage memories I have some attached to this. I was generally more in the punk camp but could nevertheless appreciate good music when I heard it regardless of the genre.
"There weren't that many American-born rock & rollers who were willing to fly the flag for rockabilly at end of the '70s, and if other acts would surpass Gordon in imagination and impact a few years on, he certainly gets an 'A' for effort, and there's some real fun to be had on Fresh Fish Special."
Chuck Berry. Icon. On Geffen/Chess CD from 2011. Chuck Berry has an extraordinary musical gift and his songs always put a smile on my face.
Very enjoyable, especially due to the high resolution...
Wispelwey's first (of three, to date) recording of the Bach suites remains a favorite - a clear headed, unadorned reading, in spectacular sound quality.
EJ
Streaming | Deezer Elite
(1999)
Streaming | Deezer Elite
(2004)
Not an artist that I am very familiar with so using Deezer E' to find out more.
Francesco Piemontesi's Préludes is likely to end up as 2015's best piano release, for me - performance is up there with Zimerman and Gieseking, in demonstration quality sound.
EJ
EJ, thanks for pointing this one out. I have ordered this and can't wait to hear what he does with these Préludes. While I wait for this I'll put on my last album from Piemontesi.
The first disc that opened the Tharaud door for me eleven years ago.
Billy Gibbons on Tidal.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Friedrich Gulda
Das Wohltemperierte Klavier BWV 846-893 (5 LP Set)
Recorded in April 1972 (Book 1) and May 1973 (Book 2) at MPS-Tonstudio in Villingen Germany, I already have this set on CD, so I am familiar with Gulda and his eccentricities, if you prefer to call them as such. Like with any interpretation of music, everyone has high and low points and everyone will see things differently.
I am very happy to have this on vinyl (finally) - my first complete WTC in this format and so this makes this undeniably special for me. Complete with a proper size (and complete) original program notes and the wonderful analog reproduction, I'm in heaven. In the CD versions, Philips couldn't even be bothered to stuff the original program notes in there tiny booklet (just as well, as it would be so tiny that you can't read it anyway).
Gulda's sound is as sparse and dry as can be but gone here is the additional creepy digital sound. If you value clarity (totally void of anything superfluous) and find the interplay of voices (the different lines) this is a treat.
Now if only I could get other highly regarded music of Bach and everyone else on truly analog vinyl.
On my way to the Jazz festival, great set of cd's
As it's modern jazz, a very appropriate warm up..
This has appeared a few times on here so I thought I'd give it a go. It's great.
Streaming | WAV
(1970)
Some great old Groundhogs with wonderful guitar but the under appreciated Tony McPhee.
Just can't get enough of this brilliant box set. Beautifully performed and recorded; and depth and consistent quality of songwriting that is truly stunning. I can't recommend this one highly enough. She's a real treasure.
I very much agree with that, Winky.
M
Streaming | WAV
(1970)
Some great old Groundhogs with wonderful guitar but the under appreciated Tony McPhee.
Hmmm. Must dig that out. Haven't played it in ages. Somehow seems appropriate given it's Remembrance Sunday tomorrow.
M
Buddy Guy on Naim rip
Hi res. Good to play every now and again.