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;
Katie Perry (my God daughter made me. Honest)
On vinyl.
ewemon posted:
Katie Perry (my God daughter made me. Honest)
I believe you. Really!
Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete Works for Piano Trio Vol. I, II, & III
Swiss Piano Trio
In my listening habits I don't actually listen to such a great of a variety of music. Like the Schubert above and earlier today it was the first movement of the great G major sonata that grips me and I will listen to that movement only for days / weeks / months repeatedly. I guess it is passion (or obsession) over variety.
It's not for lack of choice. There are hundreds of pieces of music that I wish I could listen to everyday but it quite simply is that I'm not a very good multitasker. This week I was catching up on the first three volumes of the Complete Works for Piano Trio. With pangs of guilt I started feeling some nostalgia as I wondered how long it has been since I really listened to my dear friends (aka - these trios).
What is so special for me is to look back many years to what was a very exciting time in my life. My first real exposure to chamber music came exclusively through LvB. About 20 years ago the first was the Spring Sonata (for Piano & Violin). Then about 18 or 19 years ago came the formation of a piano trio for me and the the first works we learnt were the Op. 1, No 3 (c minor) and then the Op. 1, No. 1 (E-flat major). Looking back this week while listening to these three Volumes of the Swiss Piano Trio I shudder to think what it could have sounded like compared to these exquisite recordings. You don't have to answer as I'll be the first to say it would have stunk. Back then this was all new to me and I (well all three of us) were ambitious but completely out of our league. Now after two decades plus where the first decade was mainly piano trios and the last decade has been exclusively piano / cello (and am currently learning LvB's A major Cello sonata) it is quite amazing to think of all the works we laboured over. I can say that with the skills I have developed now I wish I could take them and reverse time and go back to start again. The improvements I think would be very noticeable (first year compared to now) if one could hear a playback of each. It is still a humbling experience to face the challenges of this music but a complete joy to make music with other like minded souls.
No matter what level though that I have played at at different times in my life (in a perpetual learning mode), this music gives me undeniable joy. There is no point where one can say they have reached the finish line with it as the deeper you go the more you realize how little you actually know.
The Swiss Piano Trio play with such skill here focusing on the pleasure and delight of this music. They play very well together as a team and it is clear they have one unified view of what they want. It sounds fresh and new to me even though I have heard these works hundreds of times.
Neil Young. Earth. Hot off the presses on CD. A decent album on first listen, but I need more plays to form an opinion. I agree with ewemon, the bird and livestock noises are a distraction, especially those mother clucking chickens.
Streaming | FLAC | Transcoded to DSD
(1987)
I don't get to play much Chris Rea these days, no particular reason for that. This is one of his lesser played albums.
Lost count how many times I have played this - imho one of the best new releases I have heard this year. CD rip :WAV
Tidal - 1996 release of the 1971 original album. Somehow I prefer the more psychedelic and rustic design of the original cover by Nick Mason as, for me, tends to reflect more the mood at the time.
Tony2011 posted:
Tidal - 1996 release of the 1971 original album. Somehow I prefer the more psychedelic and rustic design of the original cover by Nick Mason as, for me, tends to reflect more the mood at the time.
Good find on Tidal Tony, I agree with you about the album art the original is far better. Got this playing now on Tidal transcoding to DSD.
Stevee_S posted:Tony2011 posted:
Tidal - 1996 release of the 1971 original album. Somehow I prefer the more psychedelic and rustic design of the original cover by Nick Mason as, for me, tends to reflect more the mood at the time.
Good find on Tidal Tony, I agree with you about the album art the original is far better. Got this playing now on Tidal transcoding to DSD.
Yes, the reissue cover is rather charmless compared to the "lo-fi" original. I've been to Nick Mson's HQ near Kings Cross - the model which was photographed for the reissue resides there.
Kevin-W posted:Stevee_S posted:Tony2011 posted:
Tidal - 1996 release of the 1971 original album. Somehow I prefer the more psychedelic and rustic design of the original cover by Nick Mason as, for me, tends to reflect more the mood at the time.
Good find on Tidal Tony, I agree with you about the album art the original is far better. Got this playing now on Tidal transcoding to DSD.
Yes, the reissue cover is rather charmless compared to the "lo-fi" original. I've been to Nick Mson's HQ near Kings Cross - the model which was photographed for the reissue resides there.
Nice one Kevin, odd as it may seem I just never expected a reply like that...! 
All this talk of early Pink Floyd compilations has got me thinking - so I've dragged this old vinyl platter out for its first listen in maybe 20 years 
Streaming | FLAC | Transcoded to DSD
(4th March)
From Floyd's early psychedelia to Heron Oblivion's Modern take on 60s/70s psychedelia one of my favourite new albums and getting a lot play this year (thanks to Bruce Woodhouse for flagging it up). Downloadable from Bandcamp and recommended for anyone that enjoys the early psychedelic music scene.
Vinyl for a wet Sunday afternoon
Vinyl. Beacuse it is absolutely splendid:
Apart from their debut this is the best album they've ever produced. The rest is just passable. One of Roger Dean's most iconic covers imho.
1972 - Original vinyl...