What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2016
2016 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread (and links to previous years) can be found here;
Borders Nick posted:Gomez - Liquid Skin. Cd rip - WAV.
Had this for many years but rarely played - first time playing through a decent system - sounds good !
This is a really good album, I too have not played it for a long time. Will have to play it soon.
For good measure. Cd rip :WAV
Bobo Stenson - Serenity. To end the evening on a calm(ish) note.
CD rip : WAV
Can't say I agree with the review Roon links to, this is a great listen.
SJB
Pachelbel is mostly known for his famous canon, but as these discs prove, he wrote many more canons - as well as other ditties and a few songs.
Two discs worth of Pachelbel's music might be a bit much in lesser hands than Amandine Beyer and her band of unknowns, but this group spins magic from everything they touch. Since moving labels to Harmonia Mundi, their annual release has been a highlight event.
EJ
just finished: next:
Joni Mitchell "Hejira" David Gray "Draw The Line"
Original vinyl...
Sinead O'Connor "I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss"
Tracy Chapman "Tracy Chapman"
Kuma, thanks again for the recommendation. His music flows much better than his name.
Gregg Allman "Live: Back To Macon, Georgia"
George Fredrik Fiske posted:kuma posted:
May I offer the thought that the latest CD release of this in a boxed set of several CDs for about £2 per disc sounds far better even than the superb Germen Electrola LPs, which really were probably the best LP release of this.
In any case, your later performances are likely to seem rather outclassed after listening to this. Try as I might for thirty years, and nobody seems to have made better recordings of the Brahms symphonies than Klemperer, vintage in era though they now are!
George,
I do have his other Warner/EMI CD box sets ( Bruckner/ Mahler ) and they are indeed very value.
But I am holding out for the original UK Columbia stereo pressing with a silver label which is my only hope for a high res. format 
US Angel reissues often are terrible ( especially the later ones ) I have individual pressing on the same Brahms on Angel but in UK pressed mono which are much better actually.
I wish Testament would reissue Klemperere/Philharmonia Brahms set like they did on Cluyten's Ravel. I suspect the demand for Klemperer's Brahms is relatively low. 
Haim Ronen posted:
Kuma, thanks again for the recommendation. His music flows much better than his name.
Haim,
Did you get to his Waltzer yet?
That's my kind of Chopin's Waltz!
kuma posted:Haim Ronen posted:
Kuma, thanks again for the recommendation. His music flows much better than his name.
Haim,
Did you get to his Waltzer yet?
That's my kind of Chopin's Waltz!
Yes. Playing now Waltz No 7 in C sharp minor, op. 64/2.
Heart. Dog & Butterfly. On vinyl from 1978. Last of what I consider the band's credible albums, after which began their slide into pseudo-metal, big-hair, power-anthem trash.
The Hollies' Greatest Hits. On vinyl from 1973. Some great songs but all of the few Hollies' LPs I own have a strident SQ.
Levine/CSO: Brahms Symphony No.2 1976 recording
Smooth and lyrical intro sort of eases into the tune but somewhat of a generic rendering. The top of Adagio already lost the tension and anticipiatoin as the music just flows right by.
Another legato Brahms with no life. Allegreto does not have the fresh outlook after coming off from heavily pastel hued Andante.
There is a burst of energy in the final movement but lack of organization makes it out of place. The entire movement seems like a ending of an opera buffa with a lots of confusion and Chicago brass working overtime.
Flawless Vinyl
Willie And The Poor Boys. On vinyl from 1985. A Bill Wyman production supported by an all-star cast of players and singers. It's mostly old rock standards performed to a very high standard. Great SQ as well. Reminds me I need to keep an eye out for a Rhythm Kings CD next time I'm out shopping music - suggestions welcomed.
Looking online I just found that, coincidentally, these two CDs are on pre-sale in the US for $20 each with a March 25 delivery date. Haven't found anywhere yet to do online sampling, but Volume 1 is a 4CD set so seems like a good starting point for me.
Clifton Chenier. Boogie 'N' Zydeco. On Sonet vinyl from 1979. Willie & The Poor Boys put me in the mood to hear some Zydeco.