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;

https://forums.naimaudio.com/cr...nt/45070658828583310

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by spurrier sucks

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by dayjay

The Police, Synchronicity. Talented and underrated band at their best, wish I'd watched them live when I had the chance. Flac via Audirvana/Hugo

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by spurrier sucks

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by BigH47

Gave this Airbag album a go earlier.

If I want Floydy, Porcupine Tree stuff I guess I'll listen to PF or PT.

It's Ok but nothing too original.

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by spurrier sucks

The Smiths. No particular album. Just random songs from different albums.

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by Slim68

Watched a Jools Holland show tonight that featured Joan, so had to play this album. Interesting that my 20 something Boys enjoyed it too. Quality never gets old I guess.

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by Slim68

BigH47 posted:
Gave this Airbag album a go earlier.
If I want Floydy, Porcupine Tree stuff I guess I'll listen to PF or PT.
It's Ok but nothing too original.

Give it a couple of listens and enjoy it for what it is, it's a grower.

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by joerand

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Californication.. I bought that album when it came out on CD. I think it sounds dated now.. and its mix / production is quite edgy and compressed.. seemingly quite common at that time.. Joerand what do you think of it?

Simon,

Sorry it's taken me a month to get back to you on this CD. Yeah, compression and loudness is the name of the game with The Peppers, isn't it? I find the instrumentation on Californication is overall smooth and mellow. To me the edginess comes from the vocals - as if they were separately recorded and then mixed back into the music - probably a typical practice, especially for digital studio recordings. The vocal edginess is quite apparent on my Naim system whereas the CD plays much more forgiving in my car or on the boombox in my shop. I like the album and fully welcomed John Frusciante's re-entry to the band.

Posted on: 26 March 2016 by joerand

Mark Knopfler. Get Lucky. On CD from 2009. First listen. I'm trying to play catch-up on Knopfler's solo discography. A strong Celtic influence to the music without much of a hint of rock. Slow and melodic throughout, and perhaps something to fall asleep to.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by joerand

Mark Knopfler. Kill To Get Crimson. On CD from 2007. Another first listen. While I can't criticize Knopfler's musical quality and artistry, the overall theme and pace is altogether too geriatric for my tastes. Like Dire Straits on sedatives. The final track "In The Sky" with its Kenny G-like saxophone was so downright painful I had to cut it short.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Christopher_M

joerand posted:
Mark Knopfler. Get Lucky........perhaps something to fall asleep to.

Bit harsh Randy!

I'm fond of Border reiver, with her 'crash box and lever, she needs the heel and toe'. I like Knopfler's journalistic ear for language and that his lorry, his 'Scotstoun lassie' is an 'Albion, sure as the sunrise, they say'.

Chris

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by joerand

Chris,

Oh dear. you'd better not read my subsequent post here eek .

I'm not knocking Knopfler for his music, more to do with my expectations for him coming from Dire Straits, and my propensity for rock listening.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Christopher_M

Totally get it! I love the first two Dire Straits records and I've a couple of the others.

There's a BBC 'Arena' film from 1980 that I liked very much at the time, which is easy to find if you Google 'Knopfler Arena documentary'. You might like it too.

Best, C.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by ewemon

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Slim68

Slim68 posted:
Watched a Jools Holland show tonight that featured Joan, so had to play this album. Interesting that my 20 something Boys enjoyed it too. Quality never gets old I guess.

With the picture

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Borders Nick

Jessca Hoop - Undress . Tidal.

Picked up after listening to this taster from upcoming release from Sam Beam & Jessca Hoop.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by dayjay

Birdy, self titled album. A young lady with a beautiful voice covering songs in a way that makes the originals seem boring. The album features Skinny Love for which she is best known. Qobuz via Audirvana/Hugo

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by james n

Borders Nick posted:
Jessca Hoop - Undress . Tidal.
Picked up after listening to this taster from upcoming release from Sam Beam & Jessca Hoop.

She's great - try Kismet acoustic if you get the chance. Not only great music but a very nice recording too.

James

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Bert Schurink

1st run of a new talent, sounds interesting in the 1st run...

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Borders Nick

james n posted:
Borders Nick posted:
Jessca Hoop - Undress . Tidal.
Picked up after listening to this taster from upcoming release from Sam Beam & Jessca Hoop.
She's great - try Kismet acoustic if you get the chance. Not only great music but a very nice recording too.
James

It's available on a Tidal - I'll give it a run later - thanks

Meantime this one from Lucinda Williams backing band - great bluesy rock.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by dayjay

The Cult, Hidden City, this is a strong album with some brilliant songs on it. If you like the Cult back in the day I'd strongly recommend a listen to this. Qobuz via Audirvana/Hugo

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by MDS

A recent purchase. Quite a bargain at £6 for two CDs and a DVD. Only on CD1 so far but so this this is very nice. Eva certainly does (did) jazz.

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Jeff Anderson

Taken By Trees "Open Field"

Posted on: 27 March 2016 by Haim Ronen

Iddo Bar-Shai's delicate touch on the piano never lets you forget the harpsichord which this music was originally performed on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0xLHdb9MWE