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;
Vinyl
Love these 33RPM reissues
Kevin-W posted:Time for a bit of the old Floyd. The 1980 CBS Half Speed Mastered LP - of the many, many WYWHs I have, this is probably my favourite.
Fully agree. An early venture from analog to digital back to analog with quite amazing results for its time. Among my treasured LPs.
Nice start of the weekend...
A+ | Transcoded DSD
(1969)
On Japanese vinyl. I actually rather like the George Martin orchestral bits:
ewemon posted:
This has been on my 'might buy' list for a while. Seems to be well regarded, so might have to raise it to the 'must buy' list. Or even the 'bought' list!
Delicate...
The first set of discs spun today.
UK first press vinyl from 1993. Patchy LP, but when it's good, it's great. Very good SQ as well:
Clive B posted:ewemon posted:
This has been on my 'might buy' list for a while. Seems to be well regarded, so might have to raise it to the 'must buy' list. Or even the 'bought' list!
CORRECTION: This has now made it to the bought list!
Vinyl
This 1965 release is the most jazzy Aretha ever and if she'd wanted to concentrate on this one area of her talent, she would still be ruling it. Worth the buy just for the track “Without The One You Love”.
Personnel: Aretha Franklin, vocals & piano on B1 & B4 / Teddy Harris, piano / Kenny Burrell, guitar / James “Beans” Richardson, bass / Hindel Butts, drums
This Could Be The Start Of Something
Once In a Lifetime
Misty
More
There Is No Greater Love
Muddy Water
If I Had A Hammer
Impossible
Today I Love Ev'rybody
Without the One You Love
Trouble In Mind
Love For Sale
Pure Pleasure Records
About to listen to DG's new re-issue of Karajan's RIng des Nibelungen as a highres download. This is likely the same remastering that was used for the 'originals' issue in the '90s, which incidentally was very good - excellent presence, detail and dynamics, and no overt attempts to control the (audible) tape noise.
For those not liking the Ring operas, this won't change your mind. For those looking for the best recording ever of these works: this is it. For those wedded to Solti based on years and years of comparative surveys in Gramophone: you'll miss some of the experience in the voices here, but in terms of vocal and orchestral quality , sound (no gimmicks here), and vision (Karajan's mastery oozing through every bar), no contest.
EJ
A remarkable album from the Tempts' Norman Whitfield/wah wah phase, on early 1980s UK pressing:
Quad 33 posted:
Pure Pleasure Records
What's the SQ like G? I am tempted by this PP pressing and Diverse have it in stock...
Kevin-W posted:Quad 33 posted:
Pure Pleasure Records
What's the SQ like G? I am tempted by this PP pressing and Diverse have it in stock...
K as you would expect from Pure Pleasure excellent. However, I have nothing to measure it against as I have been been on the hunt for an original 1st press for what seems like forever with no success big money wanted 
So this seemed worth a punt which it is IMO
Kev worth noting..."This 'live' nightclub date with a jazz trio, revealed to be a faked on the Columbia compilations that have since come out, is nonetheless a great LP, maybe the best single Columbia LP"
ATB G
EJS posted:
About to listen to DG's new re-issue of Karajan's RIng des Nibelungen as a highres download. This is likely the same remastering that was used for the 'originals' issue in the '90s, which incidentally was very good - excellent presence, detail and dynamics, and no overt attempts to control the (audible) tape noise.
For those not liking the Ring operas, this won't change your mind. For those looking for the best recording ever of these works: this is it. For those wedded to Solti based on years and years of comparative surveys in Gramophone: you'll miss some of the experience in the voices here, but in terms of vocal and orchestral quality , sound (no gimmicks here), and vision (Karajan's mastery oozing through every bar), no contest.
EJ
It's interesting to learn that this is being released as a Hi-Res download now. Although I already have this set on vinyl, I might be tempted to buy again in 24-bit. It's interesting what you say about comparison with other versions. I have several versions of Wagner's Ring cycle, but don't have a consistent favourite (although I do have 3 versions of Solti's). I find that they all have something that sets them apart. For overall consistency though, Karajan is indeed one to be considered.