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:
1st real run..
(2016)
Because, this is a rather lovely collection of Dowland's early 17th century music, beautifully played and recorded here.
"Given John Dowland’s gifts as an exceptional songsmith, it comes as no surprise that the collection he entitled Lachrimae (1604) is by any reasonable estimation the most sensuously tuneful hour of music ever written. The sing-along quality of so many of these pieces seems so self-evident that it’s worth focussing not just on the extraordinary set of seven opening Lachrimae pavans – each named for different sorts of tears – but also on the fourteen ‘other pavans, galiards and almands’ – many of which are arranged from songs – so as to measure an artistic achievement which has cast such a remarkable spell on early music and beyond." - From the Linn album notes.
Eagles - Live, prompted by all the talk regarding The Long Run,
1982 
I had a hankering to "Echoes" (and who doesn't, now and again?). So out comes my favourite pressing of this, on 1974 Japanese vinyl...
High-quality noodling from Bert, Danny Thompson and Martin Jenkins, on CD. Perfect for a lazy Sunday...
Paul McCartney - Run Devil Run, a rock'n'roll covers album from '99 with a useful back up band
On SACD, DSD direct to analogue, stereo. "Let It Take You" is one of W and A's most sublime tracks and it is wonderful to hear it in this SQ.
An interesting different take on Beethoven, need more spins to rate if this is great or just different...
First run of a concert which seemed to have made an impression...
Bert Schurink posted:First run of a concert which seemed to have made an impression...
Indeed a remarkable concert, painting with sound...
Black Sabbath, probably my favourite heavy metal album
Another one of the excellent 2007 Sly CDs, and an underestimated masterpiece from '73:
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): Alexandra Conunova, violin | Michail Lifits, piano
I am always aware of the conflict that exists in music where one is tempted to rate a performance as opposed to experiencing the music for what it is. To do this, one has to search for that same spark of life or the inspiration that compelled or drove the composer to create what they did.
The performance here is outstanding. However, the ethereal nature of this music is what drives my fascination and connection with it. When the performance reaches to a certain level that allows revelation then one can forget about the performers and simply drink in the musical beauty. I like this album very much.
Minor comment about a pet peeve of mine. This is chamber music and is really representing an equality between the two musical parts. It is an intimate conversation between two people. The pianist should be given equal billing but of course the marketers focus only on the attractive star. With not one mention or photo of the pianist I had trouble thinking of what else this pianist has done and came up with a Vilde Frang album.
Not to be outdone, one can see by the font size that Vilde Frang is way more important. Alexandra Conunova and Michail Lifits probably are much closer in importance as the text is much closer in size. I guess the curse for poor Michail is to continue getting paired with beautiful violinists. A blessing and a curse, I suppose.
Cream - Royal Albert Hall May 2005.
Original UK vinyl (2001):
Coldplay - Head full of Dreams: On Vinyl
Paul McCartney - New, thought I'd give this a spin before the new album is released next week 
Now Playing..................
Brian Blade Fellowship - Perceptual
Brian Blade (drums, guitar & vocals, Melvin Butler (tenor & soprano saxophone), Jon Cowherd (piano & keyboards), Dave Easley (pedal steel guitar), Kurt Rosenwinkel (electric & acoustic guitars), Christopher Thomas (bass), Myron Walden (alto saxophone & bass clarinet), Daniel Lanois (guitars on tracks 8 & 9 only) and Joni Mitchell (vocal on track 8 only).
Streaming on NAS......... I picked up 'Perceptual' yesterday at Fat Cat Records and having listened to the first three tracks I'm sitting here with a smile on my face, a beautiful album, right time, right place, whatever the reason the music is really making a connection this morning. Loving it, just fantastic!
This MCLD issue sounds so damn good it banishes all thoughts of upgrading in an instant. The 272/XPSDR 250DR & Proac Tablette 10 brings the ambience of the studio right into the room.
It’s all the Hi-Fi I’ll ever need.
Magical.
G
Bryan Ferry - Boys and Girls.
Relaxing with a cold one on a hot, sunny afternoon, and this smooth, relaxed album just hits the spot. Great SQ too, by the way.