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;
joerand posted:
Neil Young. Silver & Gold. On HDCD from 2000. Soft, acoustic music featuring Young's more intimate and fragile vocal stylings. Takes me back to "Harvest".
+1 Always had a soft spot for this album.
2016 - Tidal... Blues with a twist. Not out, yet, on vinyl but I would definitely buy it if available. Highly recommended.
One of the rare sequels that betters the original, a 2000 recording of John Lewis, the pianist from MJQ:
On vinyl.
Tony2011 posted:
2016 - Tidal... Blues with a twist. Not out, yet, on vinyl but I would definitely buy it if available. Highly recommended.
Yep not a bad album Tony.
The Doors. Four CD box set from 1997. Currently listening to Disc 1 "Without A Safety Net". Live tracks and demos. Probably not for the casual Doors fan.
SongStream posted:joerand posted:Owen Davies posted:joerand posted:
Meat Loaf. Bat Out Of Hell (1977). On HDCD from 2001. Among my favorite rock operas.
I've always struggled to find a decent sounding copy of this album, never tried hdcd. How does it sound in comparison to cd/vinyl?
Owen,
I've also got the original CD and vinyl. None of them has particularly better SQ. The album was recorded at Bearsville Studios. Some great albums have been recorded there, but I've never been a fan of the sound signature of that studio - generally a shallow, narrow-field soundstage. Add to that Todd Rundgren's heavy 'wall of sound' production and no mastering is going to make it outstanding for SQ. The important thing for me is the passion captured in the recording, especially on the vocals. Given Meatloaf's and Ellen Foley's powerful voices it must have been demanding on the recording engineers.
The album has just become available in studio master form on Qobuz (24/96). I do really like the album, but having owned it on vinyl, CD, and now streamed the latest remaster, I unfortunately must conclude there's no rescuing this album in SQ terms. Shame.
Owen,
Most of my listening to this classic was on 8-track while driving to high school with my brother in his '66 Chevelle. That was probably the most I've ever enjoyed it - when I had no clue as to SQ. Funny the impact high-end gear can have on the listening experience. Also funny (or maybe odd) the album is listed with sales of 43 million copies, yet rarely gets a post in this thread. Maybe it's the ultimate 'lost classic' due in part to the SQ?
Continuing with The Doors box set. Disc Two - Live In New York. From Madison Square Garden in 1970. Jim's stage presence never lacked assertion. Nice 18-minute performance of "The End".
Onward with disc 3 from The Doors box set; "The Future Ain't What It Used To Be". More live recordings and demos but with better SQ and performance quality than disc one. Some real nuggets here for a hardcore Doors fan.
Streaming | Tidal | Transcoded to DSD 64 via Audirvana +
(2015)
This is a very frosty album discovered on Tidal, not something I could get into in a big way but quite an interesting listen while cracking on with some odds n' dods. It's the sort of music that might get picked up to be used in one of those excellent Nordic thriller series...
"On 'Short Stories', Oslo based trio Slagr give time a sound. With hardanger fiddle, vibraphone and cello they weave artful, swelling sound structures that set the background for new folk melodies and old, almost forgotten stories. Through this Slagr create their own genre, combining the folk tradition of Norway with contemporary classical music and ambient music.
The inspiration for 'Short Stories' came from a story by Norwegian author Hans Herbjørnsrud titled 'On an old farmstead in Europe'. Slagr take different elements of Herbjørnsrud's story and make them into music. Anne Hytta on hardanger fiddle, Amund Sjølie Sveen on vibraphone and tuned glasses and cellist Sigrun Eng create finely woven, pulsating structures that seem delicate but provide enough support for all these memories and emotions. The sounds that Slagr work with are ages old, yet timeless. This is artful, but always musical and natural. Slag transcend their folk traditions into an all new genre of their own."
Today's arrival - early Father's Day present (to myself) 
CD rip : WAV
A play prompted by the copyright lawsuit over Stairway to Heaven. Regardless, this a mighty fine album.
2016 - A Moon Shaped Pool - Just landed on my doorstep. First listen and has not disappointed. Sounds miles better on vinyl than on Tidal.
ewemon posted:Tony2011 posted:
2016 - Tidal... Blues with a twist. Not out, yet, on vinyl but I would definitely buy it if available. Highly recommended.
Yep not a bad album Tony.
One of my best albums of the year so far, Ewe. I do hope they release it on vinyl.
Streaming | FLAC transcoded to DSD 64
(2002)
One of those Santana and guests albums... enjoyable enough.
Tony2011 posted:ewemon posted:Tony2011 posted:
2016 - Tidal... Blues with a twist. Not out, yet, on vinyl but I would definitely buy it if available. Highly recommended.
Yep not a bad album Tony.
One of my best albums of the year so far, Ewe. I do hope they release it on vinyl.
His real name is Xavier Dphrepaulezz, try saying that after a few drinks.