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

Returning to Oliemans' new Lieder disc, his approach is more operatic than most - grand gestures, primary colours and a willingness to open up the volume at the expense of detailed word painting and legato. In that respect, the choice for a toy piano rather than a modern grand is somewhat curious, although Giacometti adapts his style well. All in all, highly enjoyable.

I have this disc as a 24/192 high-res PCM, but listening to a CD-R redbook conversion (izotope) on the Accuphase - there is an intangible quality to a really good CD player that I find to (usually) somehow offset the reduced bitrate. 

Cheers

EJ

Neil Young. Old Ways. On vinyl from 1985. Very easy to sit back and relax to this one. Probably the best of the "musically unrepresentative" albums Young released on the Geffen label.

The Who. Who's Next. A German pressing on the Polydor label from 1971. Better SQ than my late-70's MCA pressing (US). Most notably the bass is more solid and percussion has better impact. Either way, a fantastic album. One of my all-time favorites.

Salonen/Finish Radio Symphony : Salonen Foreingn Bodies  2004 Recoesing

Scored for a large orchestra, looking forward to hearing this real with Salonen conducting tomorrow at the Orchestra Hall.

There are many beautiful rich harmonic blend as well as explosive percussion work. Full of suspense and drama. 

The Allman Brothers. Brothers And Sisters. On original vinyl from 1973. I'm starting to gain a deep appreciation for the talent of keyboardist Chuck Leavell and his amazing career. This album bears proper testimony to his abilities. What an autobiography Chuck could write! I hope he does one day.

The Kinks. State Of Confusion. On vinyl from 1983. Their 19th album in their 20th year as a band. Constant touring all along the way. Quite the industrious band. Good album.

Aerosmith's Greatest Hits (1980). On 20-bit remastered CD from 1993. Granted there's some edited versions, but these tracks from the 70's are all I really need to hear from Aerosmith. Chock full of the band's bluesy influenced hard rock songs and void of any fluff filler or subsequent tripe from the 80's and beyond.

Solti/CSO: Brahms Symphony No.2 1976 recording

Inviting to listen to than either Levine or Abbado/Berliner sets due to more civilised strings and better balance on brass. There is more solidity than Levine’s CSO handling and London has done a beautiful job recording. This is a classic *chunky* Brahms with earthy bronzed hues. Excellent macro dynamics but he also fills in enough textures with lovely winds. Opens in a broad tempo which creates a huge comfortable vista you can relax in. The music sounds a bit Wagnerian at times with hero theme and less intimate than Klemperer but at least he’s got the right colours.  Solti slowly tightens the leash stepping on a gas in the final movement. This is relatively a *calm* and less over the top for Solti showcasing  control and rhythmic pulse similar to the Reiner/CSO sound.

spurrier sucks posted:

This is just too good!

Indeed - it's a cracker.  Picked this one up through the forum some time ago and bought the CD from the usual source

Recent posts re this one have spurred me on to dig it out for the first time in years.   Sounding great this morning.  I'd forgotten there was a version of "Please  read my letter" (also on Plant's album with Alison Krauss) on this.

CD rip : WAV

Pink Floyd. The Division Bell. On original CD from 1994. Giving this a late night, relaxed listen and I wonder if "Poles Apart" might not be Gilmour's finest song? Superb leads, well developed with some dark moments, but ultimately triumphant. Really struck a chord with me this evening.

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2013)

Getting to know James Hunter and enjoying this one.

Borders Nick posted:

Recent posts re this one have spurred me on to dig it out for the first time in years.   Sounding great this morning.  I'd forgotten there was a version of "Please  read my letter" (also on Plant's album with Alison Krauss) on this.

CD rip : WAV

This one is very good, turned it grey for quite a while in my younger years...

Staying with Mr Plant: Some selections from this one now.

CD rip: WAV

Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily.  Tidal.  Haven't heard this one before  - Very distinctive voice - like it so far 

Continuing on my Motown kick

Borders Nick posted:

Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily.  Tidal.  Haven't heard this one before  - Very distinctive voice - like it so far 

There are two mixes of this album, the DVD and original album. Not sure what version Tidal has but the download version is the DVD.

ewemon posted:

Borders Nick posted:

Natalie Merchant - Tigerlily.  Tidal.  Haven't heard this one before  - Very distinctive voice - like it so far 

There are two mixes of this album, the DVD and original album. Not sure what version Tidal has but the download version is the DVD.

Can't tell which version Tidal has - sounds OK to my cloth ears though.

I'd been trying to play this via a Tidal for the past 2 or 3 nights but it just wouldnt play at all (quite often see this phenomenon where some stuff plays fine and other albums are no-go at certain times of day).  Played flawlessly this morning.

Placebo MTV Unplugged on CD.

I have listened to this on Tidal a few times and needed the CD. So glad I got it as it sounds wonderful.

Back to some up to date "Jazz" - this is a very good album.

Via Tidal will buy this at reduced price today...