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

Came to this disc with some trepidation, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy her interpretation. Her approach is lucid and with plenty of power, as expected, but emotionally arresting and with plenty of abandon in the wilder passages. Crucially, she lets the music almost meander in the quiet passages, giving the effect of stopping time. 

I love her notes, this time, too. The way she explained the door to the sonata's structure being opened by her teacher, exactly mirrors my own experience at a masterclass I was attending (I wouldn't dream of playing these works in a million years, but at least the education helps my listening )

EJ

Vol 3 - 'States of Being' tonight.  The enjoyment continues. Undertow, My Favorite Plum, Solitude Standing, and Cracking are superb.    

On CD:-

I did give SHM cds a second chance. I don't know if at A&M know my caps are exausted but i did expect something better. Everything's there but so cold. My cheap old vinyls did it better. Imho.

It was a DDDdisaster when it first came out, not listened to it since.

Following on the theme of female singers, US born Stacey Kent is based in the UK and married to the saxophonist Jim Tomlinson (also featured). This album is a 2013 remastered collection of some of her recordings for Candid Records. Mostly songs from the Great American Songbook but none the worse for that.

Dave

Ah, Stacey Kent; what a wonderful singer, and a great live performer. This album was recommended on here - I'd never heard of her, but bought it anyway, and it's excellent. Highly recommended.

Power jazz they call it, indeed it's different...

I'm listening for the 7th time to Little Wing. It's an awesome version or cover if you like. But really noisy. Must get anothe turntable.....

Bjork, 'Vulnicura'   24/96 .wav

The usual Bjork weirdness:  not mellow as in musical, no chord progression & some strange time signatures,  like I said its Bjork.  

It's fascinatingly different, some nice sound effects & some speaker testing & listener startling bass. 

If you feel depressed or need cheering up, best not play it,  its all in a minor key & its a "breakup" album.    Its one of those albums that is a compelling listen - providing you "get it". Try it on Spotify or Qobuz before you buy,  you will know if you've "got it" by track 2.

Cool. You already have it.

I just saw an ad for the box set. 

How are the recording and vinyl quality?

I am not usually an MTT fan but when I saw his Mahler 9th live, it was excellent.

A before sleep treat - well executed..

Pete Fiji & terry Bickers - Broken Heart Surgery

Ex House of Love guitar player ,, Mellow bluesy with some rather good guitar playing, worth it alone for the final tracks humour in itself

Another fine performance of Mirabassi in a trio:

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

Already ten years old, this remains an ear-catching performance of some very unusual Vivaldi concertos. Manze is brilliant in music you'd not immediately associate with him - virtuosic, warm and fluent.

EJ

EJ,

I will join you with a favorite Manze and Egarr from 2002:

Total lack of imagination. Makes me question her whole career.

Thanks Haim, will give it a try. I really enjoyed Canto Di Ebano.

Excellent choice Tony, The MM reissue is due in April. Can't wait! (but I'll have to)

Thanks Richard. I am sure the MM pressing will probably sound magnificent and I will keep an eye for It. Cheers.