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

'A Handful of Beauty' - Shakti. On vinyl.

Beauty indeed. 

This is one of my very favourite albums, and probably my favourite track from it...

LP - Wichita 2015 : )

Meg Baird - guitars, voice, organ, piano, percussion
Charlie Saufley - guitars, organ, percussion

Recorded November & December 2014
by Eric Bauer and Bob Marshall
at Bauer Mansion, San Franciso, CA

An album of pleasantness, easy on the ear tranquillity in the style of Espers : )

Debs

(2013) CD

(2011)  CD

Recorded live at The Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, CA.  May 6 & 7, 2011. 

LP - Warner Bros reissue : )

This album includes the best rendition of Hotel California that I've heard.

M

Bowie

ewemon posted:

Bowie

Have you managed to snaffle a copy already Ewen?

Kevin-W posted:

ewemon posted:

Bowie

Have you managed to snaffle a copy already Ewen?

Yep from an old friend but like always I ain't allowed to comment. I also see that it has leaked out on to the net ahead of the albums release.

ewemon posted:

Yep from an old friend but like always I ain't allowed to comment. I also see that it has leaked out on to the net ahead of the albums release.

Lucky you! I've heard three or four tracks, it sounds like a stunna. Can't wait until Friday when it comes out (have pre-ordered the vinyl with die-cut sleeve from Bowie's website).

Last day before I'm back in work even with everlasting man flu so an epic listening session this evening.  Just finished Bruce Springsteen and now onto the rather lovely Woodface by Crowded House, an album I've always liked by fine musicians.  Flac via audirvana/Hugo 

Borders Nick posted:

Borders Nick posted:

Not my usual type of thing - but this sounds very nice.

via Tidal

Sorry to repeat myself - but I'm playing this for the second time today which is quite unusual ! - very nice blend of styles & good production - worth a look - on Tidal 

 Review from London Jazz News copied below to tempt folk 

"McCallum has used a rock line-up, merged with subtle electronica. The vibe is thrillingly slow, rich, sensuous, dark and mellow, one might almost say druggy. There are echoes not only of McCallum’s band The Cinematic Orchestra, but of the late lamented Durutti Column, with shades also of the Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Plastyc Buddha and Zero 7 - downtempo, chill-out, call it what you will. And before the jazz police come knocking (perhaps looking for the aforementioned drugs), I should add that there are clearly improvised elements to the music, with echoes of Emily Remler in McCallum’s beautiful, plangent guitar work.

As well as himself on both acoustic and electric guitars, the band consists of Robin Mullarkey on bass, Sean Foran on Fender Rhodes and most significantly of all, Richard Spaven on drums, synths and electronics. Spaven, who has contributed so much to José James’s sound, should really be co-credited with McCallum, having shared the writing and production duties with him. A variety of vocalists have been used, not in a conventional way, more as additional tones used like instruments in the overall mix.

It’s tough to pick out individual tracks: these don’t feel like conventional ‘tunes’ or ‘songs’ but looping, dreamlike pieces that flow from one to the next. But if I were compelled to mention any in particular, Mk II and Inhale are gorgeous, McCallum’s chiming guitars underpinned by Spaven’s signature broken-beat drumming to create a very fresh, contemporary sound picture. Lushly romantic as it is, it’s romance with a somewhat bleak northern aspect, in the best ‘ECM’ sense. "

Very nice to hear you are enjoying this album. The first I heard of Stuart McCallum, was on https://www.naimaudio.com/naim-label. I downloaded "Distilled Live" from Naim, a while ago. My wife and I were totally blown away by this album, which has amazing virtuosity, power, and presence.

We just had to see Stuart play. When we discovered he was doing a "gig", at Leeds College of Music, we were straight on the train. The afternoon turned out to be better than I had imagined, not only were Stuart Mc, and Richard Spaven, playing, they also did a drum clinic & Q&A session.

Richard  explainained his "Broken Beats" technique (from hip-hop), narrated with examples. I was hooked, his drumming was more than catchy, to say the least, and PRaT though the compact P.A. was among the best (and loudest) I've heard live.

We shared a few words with Stuart, following the performance, and  bought "City" LP and CD from him. Back at home (after a great curry and a few beers). I downloaded City, 24 bit from Naim Label.

Must say, City, is a very good argument for 24 bit. The dynamics in particular are awesome. More than worth a download, just to test the strengths and weaknesses, of your gear. Sart with T-ONICS. No need to worry if hip-hop isn't your thing, it isn't mine either.

Thanks to Stuart, Richard, everyone else on the album, and Naim.

Finally an evening alone, with the stereo at realistic volume doing justice to this record. Kempf (grandson of Wilhelm Kempff, although stylistically you wouldn't guess) is utterly hypnotizing in all works on this disc, but greatest honors go to his Gaspard de la nuit. It's a weird performance - a bit heavier on the left hand than usual - but I don't think I've ever been as transfixed by this work as I was earlier this evening. Balakirev's Islamey is not in the same league musically, but a fun encore given that this was the work which Ravel wanted to one-up in the most-difficult-to-play stakes. 

EJ

On vinyl from back in the day. Still a great album.

Tony2011 posted:

Separated at birth?

Solti/CSO: Beethoven Symphony 6  1974 recording

Large presence and scale from the start. It’s a bit like watching Lawrence of Arabia. Usual Solti program where it looks good but it has a tendency to sound the same  in that this reading won't let me go deeper into the score.

Dear Kuma,

May I suggest, though you may already know the recording, the glowing performance that Erich Kleiber made for Decca in the 1950s. 

That will take you to the heart of the score!

Happy New Year from George

George,

I bet Erick Kleiber's 6th would be very good. I have his 5th and like it very much.

Right after above Solti's 6th, I put on Klemperer's. This is an ill fated DMM remaster and I don't think it's Klemperer's best effort but much more captivating than same same Solti set. Solti's record sat on the table for over 2 years. ( becuase, 6th isn't my favourite symphony nor Solti my favourite conductor )

AC/DC. Back In Black (1980). On CD from 2003, remastered by George Marino. Great album, but better played on vinyl.