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

The Leonard Cohen Complete Studio Albums box set, to get me into the Christmas mood.

Nils Frahm - Felt

Perfect music for this time of night.

C.

First spin of the night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiCzfGAjkig

On vinyl.

I've been enjoying "Der Klang Der Offenbarung Des Göttlichen" by Kjarten Sviensson on Tidal...a sweeping / surging / building modern classical opera / choral suite that debuted in Berlin in 2014 (I was there several times as my girlfriend was living in that awesome city for four years, but never saw this). The composer is formerly from Sigur Ros (a band I've heard of but don't know, as they always seemed too heavy for me). This is a highly emotional listen, and I enjoy it relaxing with the Xmas tree lights and have also listened on my phone while walking in the snowy evening here. Highly recommended. 

Also: after an amazing listening session at my local dealer's Audio Note days and hearing a rare pressing of Shirley Horn "A Lazy Afternoon" on a quite remarkable rig with some kind of monster LP12, an AN triode amp (see what I did there?!) and a pair of AN-K loudspeakers, I've discovered that this, too, can be had on Tidal. Not the same laid back and live in the room sound here from my Qute into Kudos S10's (the SU is in on spec to trade against a new UnitiSomething if / when they hit our shores), but really quite amazing and a totally different live in studio ensemble sound from the Rudy van Gelder binge I've been on lately. 

Two to recommend as we head into holiday time. Thanks for letting me share. 

Regards alan

ps - agree with all who are loving "Blue and Lonesome" by the Stones; Mick kills on vocals and especially on harp, Clapton sitting in for two or three to show he really does know how it's supposed to be done...just an awesome album with a great loose and tight feel that makes you want to go

pps - sorry no cover art, too lazy to figure that out just now haha

alan33 posted:

I've been enjoying "Der Klang Der Offenbarung Des Göttlichen" by Kjarten Sviensson on Tidal...a sweeping / surging / building modern classical opera / choral suite that debuted in Berlin in 2014 (I was there several times as my girlfriend was living in that awesome city for four years, but never saw this). The composer is formerly from Sigur Ros (a band I've heard of but don't know, as they always seemed too heavy for me). This is a highly emotional listen, and I enjoy it relaxing with the Xmas tree lights and have also listened on my phone while walking in the snowy evening here. Highly recommended. 

Also: after an amazing listening session at my local dealer's Audio Note days and hearing a rare pressing of Shirley Horn "A Lazy Afternoon" on a quite remarkable rig with some kind of monster LP12, an AN triode amp (see what I did there?!) and a pair of AN-K loudspeakers, I've discovered that this, too, can be had on Tidal. Not the same laid back and live in the room sound here from my Qute into Kudos S10's (the SU is in on spec to trade against a new UnitiSomething if / when they hit our shores), but really quite amazing and a totally different live in studio ensemble sound from the Rudy van Gelder binge I've been on lately. 

Two to recommend as we head into holiday time. Thanks for letting me share. 

Regards alan

ps - agree with all who are loving "Blue and Lonesome" by the Stones; Mick kills on vocals and especially on harp, Clapton sitting in for two or three to show he really does know how it's supposed to be done...just an awesome album with a great loose and tight feel that makes you want to go

pps - sorry no cover art, too lazy to figure that out just now haha

This one was one of the pleasant downloads of the B&W Society of Sound. They offer 2 albums per month for 40 euros a year. A fair deal given what they offer.

During my workout...

Bert Schurink posted:

Not as popular for me as the famous Anderson, Brufford ...album, but still good and interesting music....

How do I give this a double 'like'? It's not great SQ, but the music is sublime. 

IMHO of course!

On CD:-

Trying this album again. First go made me think something was seriously amiss with my Hi-Fi - it sounded totally f*cked.  I then realised it was meant to sound like this (the album not my system). 

Challenging ...

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

1978 - First U.K. Pressing...

Soul II Soul - Vol II. Ripped CD to FLAC. Converted to WAV. This takes me right back to being at art college and the optimistic buzz of the time. Still sounds really fresh today and crackles with energy. Superb album. Also, for bass heads, the track "Courtney Blows" is a good system bass test.

Listening to 'Honey and smoke' reminds me that i must pull out 'Ingenue' later for a listen...

Case / Lang / Veirs

David Bowie - Blackstar iTunes AIF converted to WAV.

Keb' Mo' - Keb' Mo'. So good they named it twice!

Why? Because....err.....I like it. 

Beth Hart - Better Than Home.

I am on a roll this afternoon with another belter, this time from Ms Hart.

A+ | Transcoded DSD

(1969)

The original UK release (also released in Germany and elsewhere) had 14 tracks and did not include 'Oh Well'. In 1970, the 12 track version was revised to include the hit single 'Oh Well' (parts 1 and 2 together) which replaced 'When You Say' and 'My Dream', reducing the overall track count to 11, and resequencing the album. This is the most commonly found version on vinyl today. 

In 2013 this remastered album finally restored the original running order and album tracks while adding a sensible 4 track bonus.  

UB 40 - Labour of Love part 1.

Relaxed start to the evening with this, the band's first album of covers of their favourite reggae standards.

The same covers album the record company executives didn't want them to make, as it would be "commercial suicide"

What do they know, hmm. 

Elephant - White Stripes. Ripped CD to FLAC. Converted to WAV.

1967 - U.K.- Mono - First pressing...

UB 40 - Rat in the Kitchen.

Every bit as enjoyable as that much lauded first album. IMHO.

That's a nice £600-700 worth you have there Tony

One of my favourite albums released this year, 60's psychedelic retro of course and jolly good...