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
Especially Saint-Saëns' second piano trio shows a much more serious composer than you'd think based on the works for which he became popular (Carnaval des Animaux and the Organ Symphony). Excellent performances by Trio Latitude 41. The close miking and dry acoustic give a bit of a 70s Decca vibe, quite enjoyable at that.
EJ
Okish album, not in the top 100, last one of the evening
Janowitz's Strauss lieders. Never heard of this soprano but she was said to be big in 60-70s.
Nice enough voice but Janowitz is struggling a little with a lower register and loses control in some spots.
All string Metamorphosen piece is unusually solemn for Strauss but this rendition isn't definitive.
Originally Posted by Bert Schurink:
For this cycle I prefer Jessye Norman....
Thanks Bert.
I made a note of it. I'd think she'll be good!
I still need to explore Strauss' songs further. I am just familiarizing with them before next week's concert. Matthias Goerne will be singing these Strauss' tunes.
My favoruite so far is Morgen!, Allerseelen and Ruhe, meine Seele.
Cheryl Studer sings the Four Last Songs, supported by Giuseppe Sinopoli. Very different than Norman; but at least as beautiful. One of my desert island discs.
EJ
Two nights performed in L.A. in 1964 with his quartet.
Musicians:
Thelonious Monk (piano), Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Larry Gales(bass), Ben Riley (drums).
Klemperer's Stereo version Symphony 5 with Philharmonia.
Recorded in 1959. This is a slower take on the score than his earlier Vox mono sets.
Oddly, Karajan's 5th is 10 min. faster than Klemperer.
Surprisingly Rhythmic for Karajan. But somewhat dated sounding and even a touch Wagnarian. Or perhaps too familiar. Oddly, Toscanini's rendition sounds more fresh today inspite poorer fidelity. Elephant dancing 3rd movement is a hoot. For a classic *generic* sounding 5th, this is the best of the bunch. Certainly over Reiner/CSO or Krips for sure for me.
Glenn Gould's Liszt transcription of Beethoven 5th Symphony is one of my favourite.
You'd think how could a single piano can emulate all that large orchestration but somehow in Gould's creative hands, the score comes alive and so fresh.
Bill Evans
Conversations With Myself
Original Release: 1963
This is an album that courted controversy with the technique of overdubbing Bill Evans on three separate takes. Some thought this sacrilege and an impure art as it was impossible to recreate in concert. It is with the passing of time acknowledged as a masterpiece by a genius. Both David Foster and Tommy LiPuma cite this album as an inspiration; many others agree and 1964 it won the Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group. Evans played Glen Gould’s piano, CD 318, on the recording that was created from a ‘conversation’ between the first two takes with subtle embellishments added on the third take. As it says on the liner notes of the album regarding ‘Bill three’: ‘He was their Greek chorus, and sometimes he had the best lines.’ The cover photography is by the celebrated photographer, Roy DeCarava.
John Lennon. Rock 'N' Roll (1975). 2004 remix/remaster on CD. Listening last night to McCartney's Run Devil Run made me want to hear Lennon's equivalent album. Great covers and I most like Lennon's stirring rendition of Stand By Me.
Concert For George. On 2 CDs from 2003. Disc 2, the rock performances. A lovely tribute and quite an assemblage of talented artists.
On CD:-
Think I'll join you dav
Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear (1983)
Original vinyl
Streaming | Spotify Premium
The Jimi Hendrix Experience ~ Electric Ladyland (1968)
Keith Urban
"Live Right Now" (2005) DVD Audio Track
Art - Supernatural Fairy Tales (1967 - Mono)
The same line-up morphed into Spooky Tooth in 1968
Original vinyl
The self-assessment income tax is done, and the bill has been paid. For once, both done before the deadline! 
Time to chill with a nice shot of Japanese whisky (Hibiki 17) and this CD:
The self-assessment income tax is done, and the bill has been paid. For once, both done before the deadline!
That's exactly what I have been doing today Kevin. Great to finally press the "submit" button.
Rob
The self-assessment income tax is done, and the bill has been paid. For once, both done before the deadline!
That's exactly what I have been doing today Kevin. Great to finally press the "submit" button.
Rob
Rob, normally I am hopeless and get fined £100 for being late. Late last year I got myself a really good accountant, subscribed to a brilliant and convenient book-keeping program called FreeAgent and things were much more organised this time round.
You're right - there's a real sense of freedom and release when it's all been done. 
Ry Cooder - Paris, Texas (1985)
Original vinyl
