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

Billy Squier. Happy Blue. On CD from 1998. First listen. Just Billy and his acoustic guitar recorded live in the studio. As the title indicates, there's an upbeat blues bend to most songs. Squier is truly brilliant on guitar and I'm happy to have spent time with this, though I'm not sure its one I'll hang on to.

Bruce Springsteen. Working On A Dream. On CD from 2009. First listen. Could be my mood tonight, could be the dreadful loudness mastering, but I found this a sadly pedestrian effort by The Boss. The best track "Tomorrow Never Knows" was coincidentally also the shortest. Hopefully I'll get more from it on another night.

On vinyl. 'Cause I'm going to Brighton for the weekend shortly:

1st run..

A complete change in the type of music..

I heard Made of Stone earlier today in Radio – quite an earworm, now I need to listen to the full album. 

For a brief moment of time they really were the best rock band on the planet.

The Bristol Show playlist...I feel like I'm in a hotel room somewhere.

G

joerand posted:

Cdb posted:

joerand posted:

Grateful Dead. Terrapin Station (1977). On CD from 1989. Having "Shakedown Street" as my only other Grateful Dead album I've just doubled my Dead catalog. On first play I'm rather surprised with the female lead vocals, chorals, and use of strings. Not sure whether this is an atypical Dead album?

These really aren't  the Dead albums I would recommend as the beginning of a collection! I think Sunrise was the only time Donna Godchaux sang a lead vocal on a studio album and the production by Keith Olsen was an idea of Arista's to sell more records. In my opinion, the stronger songs on the two albums are more enjoyable live. However, it is true that many Deadheads rate Terrapin Station. Shakedown Street was nominally produced by Lowell George but he was not very involved it seems. If you want another Dead studio album try Working Man's Dead or American Beauty - they are classics!

Clive,

Thanks for the response, very helpful. I like Shakedown St but no too hot on Terrapin Stn. I'm trying to get myself better acquainted with The Dead and Dylan. Both have such extensive discographies with mostly good albums, but also maybe a few misses and it's hard to know where to start. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the two you suggested.

Live Dead & Anthem of the Sun & Mars Hotel...

G

osprey posted:

I heard Made of Stone earlier today in Radio – quite an earworm, now I need to listen to the full album. 

For a brief moment of time they really were the best rock band on the planet.

 

 

I used it to audition my first system purchase around a few places when it was brand new

Ended up with Rega 3, Creek 4040 and Royd a7's. I think the bloke in RPM quite liked it too in the end...

On vinyl...

Cesar Franck: Bertrand Chamayou - Prelude, Chorale and Fugue & Symphonic Variations.

Four tracks in particular: Bears, Fresh Air, Just for Love, Fire Brothers

Ian Dury - New Boots and Panties

apye! posted:

On vinyl...

Always a great listen....Saw him perform this at Newbury Corn exchange many years ago. Great night.

Followed by...

Airbag, on vinyl...

Halina Czerny-Stefańska (piano):  CD 6 from the DGG The Mono Era 1948 - 1957.

Frederic Chopin:  6 Mazurkas, 2 Ballades, Andante spianato & Grande Polonaise brillante

First disc I pull out of this box and the price of this box for me is quickly forgotten with this disc alone.

I was vaguely familiar with the name Halina Czerny-Stefańska but I do not think I have any of her recordings so this is a serendipitous find this morning.  From one of my favourite periods of time for music making.

from

for interest...

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17H4zsWPlT8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_AYlDx5cH8

joerand posted:

Cdb posted:

joerand posted:

Grateful Dead. Terrapin Station (1977). On CD from 1989. Having "Shakedown Street" as my only other Grateful Dead album I've just doubled my Dead catalog. On first play I'm rather surprised with the female lead vocals, chorals, and use of strings. Not sure whether this is an atypical Dead album?

These really aren't  the Dead albums I would recommend as the beginning of a collection! I think Sunrise was the only time Donna Godchaux sang a lead vocal on a studio album and the production by Keith Olsen was an idea of Arista's to sell more records. In my opinion, the stronger songs on the two albums are more enjoyable live. However, it is true that many Deadheads rate Terrapin Station. Shakedown Street was nominally produced by Lowell George but he was not very involved it seems. If you want another Dead studio album try Working Man's Dead or American Beauty - they are classics!

Clive,

Thanks for the response, very helpful. I like Shakedown St but no too hot on Terrapin Stn. I'm trying to get myself better acquainted with The Dead and Dylan. Both have such extensive discographies with mostly good albums, but also maybe a few misses and it's hard to know where to start. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the two you suggested.

My suggestion would be look for concerts. That's where the Dead shines, not in the studio.

GraemeH posted:

joerand posted:

Cdb posted:

joerand posted:

Grateful Dead. Terrapin Station (1977). On CD from 1989. Having "Shakedown Street" as my only other Grateful Dead album I've just doubled my Dead catalog. On first play I'm rather surprised with the female lead vocals, chorals, and use of strings. Not sure whether this is an atypical Dead album?

These really aren't  the Dead albums I would recommend as the beginning of a collection! I think Sunrise was the only time Donna Godchaux sang a lead vocal on a studio album and the production by Keith Olsen was an idea of Arista's to sell more records. In my opinion, the stronger songs on the two albums are more enjoyable live. However, it is true that many Deadheads rate Terrapin Station. Shakedown Street was nominally produced by Lowell George but he was not very involved it seems. If you want another Dead studio album try Working Man's Dead or American Beauty - they are classics!

Clive,

Thanks for the response, very helpful. I like Shakedown St but no too hot on Terrapin Stn. I'm trying to get myself better acquainted with The Dead and Dylan. Both have such extensive discographies with mostly good albums, but also maybe a few misses and it's hard to know where to start. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the two you suggested.

Live Dead & Anthem of the Sun & Mars Hotel...

G

Throw him in the deep end!! My suggestions for live albums, if Working Man's Dead or American Beauty go well, would be Skull and Roses:

or Europe 72:

Clive

Cdb posted:

GraemeH posted:

joerand posted:

Cdb posted:

joerand posted:

Grateful Dead. Terrapin Station (1977). On CD from 1989. Having "Shakedown Street" as my only other Grateful Dead album I've just doubled my Dead catalog. On first play I'm rather surprised with the female lead vocals, chorals, and use of strings. Not sure whether this is an atypical Dead album?

These really aren't  the Dead albums I would recommend as the beginning of a collection! I think Sunrise was the only time Donna Godchaux sang a lead vocal on a studio album and the production by Keith Olsen was an idea of Arista's to sell more records. In my opinion, the stronger songs on the two albums are more enjoyable live. However, it is true that many Deadheads rate Terrapin Station. Shakedown Street was nominally produced by Lowell George but he was not very involved it seems. If you want another Dead studio album try Working Man's Dead or American Beauty - they are classics!

Clive,

Thanks for the response, very helpful. I like Shakedown St but no too hot on Terrapin Stn. I'm trying to get myself better acquainted with The Dead and Dylan. Both have such extensive discographies with mostly good albums, but also maybe a few misses and it's hard to know where to start. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the two you suggested.

Live Dead & Anthem of the Sun & Mars Hotel...

G

Throw him in the deep end!! My suggestions for live albums, if Working Man's Dead or American Beauty go well, would be Skull and Roses:

or Europe 72:

Clive

...Full immersion is the only way!

G

Ra Ra Riot "Need Your Light"

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Raider posted:

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Trying find  24bit version of this album. All I have found is a DVD-A version with a 24/96 5.1 surround. Has a DSD been released from its SAVD version?

Dan43 posted:

Raider posted:

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms

Trying find  24bit version of this album. All I have found is a DVD-A version with a 24/96 5.1 surround. Has a DSD been released from its SAVD version?

Not seen a 24 bit version. But I do have the 5.1 SACD and its stunning.