What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIV)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2017
On the eve of a new year, it's time for a new thread.
Last year's thread can be found here:
Rather nice.
Beethoven Symphonies 2 and 3
Jan Willem de Vriend - The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra
Playing on Compact Disc on Eleckta Records 1990
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nigelb posted:Filipe posted:MDS posted:Filipe posted:MDS posted:nigelb posted:Melody Gardot - Currency Of Man
I have found this is one of the most challenging albums for my system to 'make sense of'. Tonight it is sounding wonderful with nuances I hadn't previously fully appreciated. My mood/state of mind may also have something to do with how receptive I am to this intricate piece of work.
What wonderful, interesting and engrossing music!
As well as wonderful album, it's a great test record for systems. The challenge of presenting the detail and dynamics is a test of any system.
Melody Gardot - Currency of Man - CD from the River Prime. The second hand ones are quite expensive.
Mike, It arrived this morning and I’m having mid morning break from the many jobs. The early impression is that there is deep bass drum (timbre) in some tracks and double bass in others (long decay of notes). There is lots of room acoustics in the sound noticeable in her voice on track 7 until I turn the volume down. Paraphrasing what you say “lots going on”.
How do you a Nigel like it presented? I think this demo 552 could change its presentation.
The album is quite a change from the first two that I have. Everything including her voice is much more sophisticated and it works very well. There are so many different instuments spread across various tracks. What amazing sax playing on track 8. I like it a lots - thanks both for the recommendation.
Phil
Glad you like it, Phil. I think this album will come to be viewed as something of a classic.
Mike
Melody Gardot - Currency of Man - CD
This is an update on the previous posts of 27 March. Now playing this on the 252 demo last used a week ago while I tried out my beloved 282. It is sounding better than last time when I had the demo 552 DR, and the 252 hasn’t had more than an hour to warm up! However, the 552 DR didn’t have the benefit of the Naim isolation glass and cups! So as Mike (@MDS) says it is a good test of system setup.
This time the 252 has just grabbed my attention. The sax and the bass in particular. Much more like a live performance. And before you ask, yes I played it on the 282 just beforehand. No turning back now!
Phil
Phil, my original posting about this album was using my trusty 252 with a SuperCapDR but before the 4.6 update on my NDS. Listening to this wonderful album after the 4.6 Firmware update brings so much more detail, insight, air, emotion, voice tone and texture…the list goes on.
So are you going to get the 552 back and listen with the benefit of Naim glass, cups and balls or are you settling on a 252?
Nigel, I did ask my dealer about demoing the 552 again but he was not enthusiastic, and I waited at least 3 months last time! Logic suggested that any improvement to the 282 from the glass, cups and balls should also lift the 252 and 552.
Its so good to get equal enjoyment every time one listens to a piece! So frustrating not to be able understand why not. Could my mains really have been crappy etc? Now I can blame four wooden legs instead of three! I’m glad that the firmware update has given you SQ benefits.
I’m also hoping that the spare Powerline will now work on the 300DR as the DC1 now seems to be better than the Chord Clearway digital. My explanation of the hardness both the DC1 and PL seemed to bring to my ear is that the benefit can get lost through extra vibration without Fraim or the isolation glass, cups and balls.
I’ll take stock next week and think whether I can justify a 552! It’s annoying to have had the demos spoiled by racks, but at least the problem seems to be behind me now apart from he OCD maybe!
Phil
...still need to digest - is it more music or more freaking.....
Recorded in '56, but not released until 1961, Steamin' by the Miles Davis sounding very realistic in mono, of course, with the whole system mounted on Fraim glass, on Fram balls and, oh, Fraim!
All black!
Clive B posted:
Recorded in '56, but not released until 1961, Steamin' by the Miles Davis sounding very realistic in mono, of course, with the whole system mounted on Fraim glass, on Fram balls and, oh, Fraim!
All black!
I’m close to giving it a rest! Love to hears yours with balls and whistles!
Phil
All this talk of Melody Gardot can only mean one thing. Starting the weekend with this...
Melody Gardot - My One And Only Thrill
Melody Gardot - Worrisome Heart - CD
Just to finish off hearing my three CDs by this talented lady. Blissful listening from her first album made mostly by her own efforts.
Phil
Filipe posted:Clive B posted:
Recorded in '56, but not released until 1961, Steamin' by the Miles Davis sounding very realistic in mono, of course, with the whole system mounted on Fraim glass, on Fram balls and, oh, Fraim!
All black!
I’m close to giving it a rest! Love to hears yours with balls and whistles!
Phil
Well you've got my number.
This recorded in the same sessions, 1956.
Ese and the Vooduu People - Dynamite, WAV CD rip
Great stuff , Ese has a superb voice and really interprets these songs well, the Vooduu People are a tight band. They’ve got some excellent songs, Fairytale and Lies both astound me every time, great soulful bluesy rock .
Getting seriously Funky - Playing on Vinyl on Westbound Records 1974
(2015)
Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown - The Devil To Pay
Good blues guitar playing allied to wonderful vocals, KS and Savoy Brown still making great music fifty (or so) years on.
YellowJackets - Dreamland
A mixture of jazz and smooth jazz. As the title suggest this is a more relax album. With some excellent tracks.
After Melody it's time for some Missy...
Missy Elliott - Under Construction
When I was in my first year at University, I didn't have a record player, but I did have a cassette receiver. Although I bought the vinyl LP on the day it came out, I also picked up this US import cassette (Factory didn't start releasing tapes in the UK until 1985) from Virgin a week or so later so I could play the album!
Despite getting played to death back in the day, and being 35 years old next month, it sounds stunning on the Nak!
Melody Gardot - Currency of Man, WAV CD rip
With family coming to stay for the weekend, last serious listening until Sunday night. A special album from an artist I discovered through this thread, bluesy soulful jazz, these are varied songs with the emphasis on the torchy, and she interprets them so so well.
(2017)
Savoy Brown - Witchy Feelin'
Tidalising this one.
Wes Montgomery - Live in Belgium 1965
Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama - There Will Be a Light.
Absolutely sensational blues / gospel album, which is receiving much playtime Chez Dave.
Another fine recommendation from the good folks here in The Music Room ........................ respect! 
Years old vinyl
Why? Friday night is classics night. (Well, this Friday is anyway.)
steve
Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite - No Mercy In This Land.
More Ben Harper, I'm afraid, but this album, Ben's second outing with veteran harp player Charlie Musselwhite, is simply stunning.
One which should be in everyone's collection, IMHO. 