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;
CCR. Eponymous debut from 1968. Canadian pressing on the Fantasy lightning label. The band really evolved rapidly after this album.
3 x CD boxset - hyperion 1991 first edition : )
Recorded in London, September 1990
Endured the first half of CD1 before deciding the sound quality was faltering due to tragic CD bronzing disease. A few years may have passed since i last played this set, and i remember the condition, and which has worsened. As with usual 'CD bronzing' it tends to get really bad to the point of unplayable towards the end. This is probably accounts to why theres a big bronze horse on the cover art with a guy running away from it.
Fortunately my Malodiya box set version is available at hand, and taking up on CD1 from where i'd left off the difference is immediate, more focus, sensitivity, depth, never mind the absence of bronzing this set is a far superior close up and real feel recording and i would say Tatiana's performance is better too, imho.
I think USSR means Utterly Superior Studio Recording : )
Debs
3 x CD boxset - Malodiya 1987 / 1994 BMG music : )
Recorded in USSR, 1987
Bob Mould Beauty & Ruin on vinyl.
Today's arrival, recorded 40 years ago.
CCR. Green River (1969). Early 1970 "dynaflex" pressing on the Fantasy blue label. I doubt the LP weighs even 80 grams, but the SQ is surprisingly good. Plays a bit noisy, however.
Streaming | WAV
(1974)
This was the first TD album that I ever bought and although this one was remastered in '95 it has had no detrimental affect on the sound quality.
"Tangerine Dream’s brilliant use of the sequencer is an outstanding compositional element of “Phaedra”. The patterns shift through different time signatures in linear progressions, creating sensations of depth, as if the listener is descending deep within a bottomless expanse. Delay effects are timed in unison with the sequenced notes, cascading them into more complex divisions. Lush synthesizer strings and a Mellotron are enhanced by phasers, morphing the tones with an elastic character that one might describe as “otherworldly”. Dark and surrealistic, “Phaedra” is a masterpiece of the era and sets a precedent for excellence." - M.Parker/Discogs (2006)
PJ Harvey. To Bring You My Love. On CD from 1995. Switching from CCR swamp music to a darker side. Gaining some appreciation of PJ's artistry and enjoying her music much more as of late.
Streaming | WAV
(1973)
Immediately preceding Phaedra, Atem was more accessible than their previous albums with a more prominent role for the mellotron, an instrument that became a staple in their subsequent electronic line up.
Having recently watched "Love and Mercy", a truly wonderful film about the life of Brian Wilson, I now can't stop playing Beach Boys! This on vinyl, compressed but still great music.
This one I am regularly playing as it's that good...
Great half way modern jazz music..
Nice concert....
Original double vinyl...
Streaming | WAV
(2011)
A little bit of well recorded live Gazpacho at a small gig in Dingwalls (Camden Town) in 2011. This double 2 hour double CD contains a number of tracks from their 2010 Missa Atropos album, Tick Tock (2009) and Night (2007). Recommended to anyone who likes the band.
Just finishing:
Dave Matthews Band "Under The Table And Dreaming"
Next:
Fionn Regan "100 Acres Of Sycamore"
On CD:-
New second hand vinyl
Streaming | Deezer Elite
(2014)
Airbag's lead singer's first solo album which is very good, continuing in their prog rock, Pink Floydesque style.
François Chaplin is an excellent pianist with, amongst others, a great recording of Scriabin's mazurka's to his credit. However, I can't really warm to his Schubert Impromptus. The piano and the playing are gorgeous and full bodied, but there is a reticent sameness, a lack of contrast that other, seemingly more plain-spoken pianists like Brendel, Perahia and Lewis bring out more clearly.
EJ
James Morrison "Undiscovered"
The 10cc album that I've had the longest and still my favourite. I always find it soothing.
M
Equally sensitive, but far more expressive: Steven Osborne on best form.
EJ
Joe Henry "Tiny Voices"
A while since I've played any Eddie Reader and this is a nicely reproduced album.
M