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

+1, and live it's even more exciting....

Unfortunately the Dead have always been one band I struggle to get into so I am probably the last person you should ask whether or not if this is good.

For me it is ok but I think Dead fans will love it.

The first three albums of Melody Gardot were all that I was listening to all night last night (HKG time).  Achingly beautiful songs and voice!  And most of the songs are composed by her, unlike other female jazz singers who only cover the standards.  Not just a pretty face.    

Warren Zevon. The Wind. On CD from 2003. A brilliant cast of musicians joined Zevon on what was known would be his final album.

Motivated by Doug's earlier post on Gould's new reissue. 

Funny that they took the word *digital* from everywhere. The one on the right is the original 1981 digital release. 

As for the sound, no contest. My digital 1981 copy will be permanently replaced with this one. 

Very nice packaging with a gate fold with poly lined inner plus a clear jacket with a flap. The vinyl itself is quiet and flat. And I got lucky no off centre hole!.  Warmer tonal balance just like A State of Wonder CD reissue. Astonishing amount of low level details and dynamics leaving the original digital vinyl issue completely dead. The opening melody emerges from a blacker background on a CD whereas the vinyl version has a slight tape noise running underneath. Music Matters reissues have a lower noise floor than this release as a comparison.

But that's ok. it's just a minor niggle. This is one of the nicest classical music reissue I have listened to with a natural tone and colours and effortlessness. ( Hi-Q, Acoustic Sounds, Speakers Corner don't have it )

This is a rare instance where a reissue sounds much better than the original!

On CD:-

Varied and interesting album....

Will have this often on, first impressions good...

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(1989)

I needed something to get me kicked off this morning and this one has done the trick. 

"All of the ingredients for a grunge classic are here: slow, heavy riffing of sludgy guitars and lyrics which convey the stifling frustration of being a social misfit in a small American town. What sets `Bleach' apart from its peers, though, is Cobain's seemingly innate deftness of touch and pop sensibility. This really shines through on `Blew' and the rightly celebrated `About a Girl' (which Cobain feared might be too poppy for his label) but is also present on heavier numbers like `Floyd the Barber', `School' and the claustrophobic `Sifting'. Even the out-and-out thrilling thrash-fest of `Negative Creep' can be sung (or screamed) along to." - An Amazonian

I'm not a big Smiths fan but i'd forgotten how good they were whilst listening to this. 

Streaming | Deezer Elite

The Occident by Town Portal          (2015)

Really liking this band and their music, yet another in long line of very good Northern European groups who seem to excel in metal, prog rock and all the various post rock or post prog genres too numerous to mention never mind "getting your head around" the names of the styles!

This album is good but I think their previous one Chronopoly is even better.

https://townportal.bandcamp.com/album/chronopoly

His last and probably most accomplished album. 'The Ballad of Johnny and Marianne' is a real highlight.

Perhaps not all - there is a certain contingent of hard core Dead fans who are not impressed with the post-Jerry tour at all.  I work with a guy who followed the Dead on the road for a couple of years back in the 90s and owns God knows how many albums (you literally can't ask him about one that he doesn't know including many bootlegs) he got a button or sticker (I forget which) that proudly proclaims "I wasn't there" pertaining to the Soldier Field event.

That said, I went to a Dead Head dominated college back in the late 70s, and I have a hard time believing those folks didn't love the reunion...these are folks who would buy a recording of Phil Lesh farting!

It does look like a beautifully put together package...

Streaming | Bandcamp

Chronopoly by Town Portal    (2012)

Not their latest but still my favourite album from this band.

Crispy Ambulance - Compulsion. A vinyl-only album released on RSD 2015. Only 500 made. A mixture of new stuff and Plateau Phase outtakes from '81/82.

Public Service Broadcasting - The Race For Space on vinyl. Fast becoming a favourite in these parts.

This arrived on vinyl today, so my first play. All I can say is... wow! Great music made even better by a great package and very decent SQ.

Oh my! Why would you be interested in this? Where do I start? Easier if you have a listen.

[/URL]" alt="" />Always time for some James McMurty - one of his best albums 

On CD:-

Absolutely right Nigel, I got onto her via this forum and after one listen (to this album) went and ordered her entire back catalogue.  

On CD:-

+ 1, First play via Tidal (waiting for the drop outs to start !) Sounding really good .  Thanks to Bert Schurink for pointing this out (& so much more great stuff)

Streaming | WAV

(2005)

I really should play this more but usually manage to out vote myself by choosing Felt Mountain or Tales of Us ! 

Great band, great production.  Eagerly awaiting release of their new album - currently being mixed apparently