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;
A jazz album 60 years after the Shelly Manne recording. Piano and accordion, played together beautifully and with absolutely stunning sound quality.
Todays listening.
1970 - Original vinyl...
British folk. Warning: may cause drowsiness and sleepness due to its sugary contents at times. 
On CD
Nickel Creek - Nickel Creek
IMHO these guys and gall are brilliant. A meging of folk, country and bluegrass. Stunning musicianship (just listen to the mandolin, guitar and violin playing), lovely vocals and wonderful choons. What's not to like?
Oh yes and I just picked up this CD on the river for £1.94, one of my more extravagant recent purchases there.
It's on Tidal if you fancy a quick listen - except it won't be quick as I suspect you might want to listen to more than one track.
2013 - Vinyl...
Bit of a melancholic mood this evening...
A+ | Tidal
(2014)
Tony2011 posted:Borders Nick posted:Clive B posted:This classic. With superb sound quality in well mixed stereo, it's hard to believe that this was recorded in October 1958 - Moanin by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers.
You've prompted me to give this a run on Tidal Clive as I only have a "Best of" Art Blakey on Blue Note CD. This does sound great - I'm also always amazed how good these recordings from that era sound. May have to seek out the CD.
Yes, that's a masterpiece even in digital form. Now if you really want to be spellbound and mesmerised have a listen to the original vinyl pressing or even the 2014 Music Matters remaster: You'll be blown away.
This type of album could convert me to Vinyl, if I wouldn't have cats.....
great album, and also sounding great in high res....
First play of this new purchase. Hadn't even heard of this lady until a few others on here played it. When dayjay said he rated up there with Nerina Pallot's Fires album - an album I love - I thought I'd take the gamble and bought it blind. Very favourable first impressions. To my ears this lady has a Sheryl Crow-like voice and style - another female singer I like. Yet another excellent tip I've had from this thread. I've discovered so many new (to me) artists on here. 
..never felt magic as crazy as this....
Brightening my Northern Sky.
1992 - Original vinyl...
This is her debut album. She's just great. You either get PJ's music or you don't. She has been one of the most creative musicians in Britain over the last three decades.
Bonnie Raitt - Nick Of Time
MDS posted:
First play of this new purchase. Hadn't even heard of this lady until a few others on here played it. When dayjay said he rated up there with Nerina Pallot's Fires album - an album I love - I thought I'd take the gamble and bought it blind. Very favourable first impressions. To my ears this lady has a Sheryl Crow-like voice and style - another female singer I like. Yet another excellent tip I've had from this thread. I've discovered so many new (to me) artists on here.
Glad you like it Mike, it's not as instantly accessible as Fires but has some depth I think. New music, like a new author, is a true gift and I agree this thread is great for providing it
Gazpacho, Firebird. Kscope reissue on cd. Really enjoying this early work. Their "sound" is developing nicely here.
Bert Schurink posted:Tony2011 posted:Borders Nick posted:Clive B posted:This classic. With superb sound quality in well mixed stereo, it's hard to believe that this was recorded in October 1958 - Moanin by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers.
You've prompted me to give this a run on Tidal Clive as I only have a "Best of" Art Blakey on Blue Note CD. This does sound great - I'm also always amazed how good these recordings from that era sound. May have to seek out the CD.
Yes, that's a masterpiece even in digital form. Now if you really want to be spellbound and mesmerised have a listen to the original vinyl pressing or even the 2014 Music Matters remaster: You'll be blown away.
This type of album could convert me to Vinyl, if I wouldn't have cats.....
great album, and also sounding great in high res....
Most of the Rudy Van Gelder Blue Note albums recorded from the late '50s all through the '60s enjoy exceptional recorded sound with great instrumental separation, clean bass lines and cymbals that sound like, well, cymbals (as opposed to sounding like a paper bag being tapped). The same is true of many Decca classical recordings of the same period. All IMHO, of course. Why is it such a rare thing to hear similar great recorded sound on more recent recordings? What has gone wrong? Have we lost the art? There are still some great modern recordings, but it doesn't seem to be such a frequent finding.