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

(2015)

Yuri Gagarin - At The Centre Of All Infinity

Really enjoyable modern psych and space rock which, would probably have made Hawkwind proud.

Shakura S'Aida - Time

I make no apologies posting this lady again. This is the third album I have listened to of hers and it is a hatrick of belters IMHO. Just snapped this up on the river. Her stuff is on Tidal though if you would like to sample her talent.

Freddy Kempf - Bach: partitas 4 & 6

(2013)

Yuri Gagarin - Yuri Gagarin

Some more hard hitting spacerock required from these Swedish lads, this was their debut album.

Franz Liszt (1811-1886):  Daniil Trifonov (piano)

Transcendental:
Études d'exécution transcendante, S. 139
Zwei Konzertetüden, S.145
Trois études de concert, S.144
Études d'exécution transcendante d'après Paganini, S.140

Does your artist dictate your choice of music, or your choice of music dictate your artist?  There have been rumblings as of late about system vs. choice of music and this has made me think about things.  If we change this supposition slightly we come to the question of whether any musician should play 'everything.'   If so, I would imagine one can play everything badly or a handful of things very well.

Maybe the point I am trying to make is that every hi-fi set has certain characteristics that you just have to accept (based on its creators intelligent design).  No use trying to expect that something designed to be very flat earth would ever sound all warm and rounded because it wasn't created to do so.  Futile really, if you try.

Same with musicians.  For the most part, Martha Argerich will play like only Martha Argerich can, Glenn Gould will play like only Glenn Gould can and as is the case here, Daniil Trifonov will play like only Daniil Trifonov can.

So we have the tale of two Daniils in this album.  Of course, the technical difficulties are simply ate up and spit out.  His technique is beyond pale.  The problem then becomes Franz Liszt.  He was such a multifaceted character who explored every emotion.  There are the pure physical pieces that tend to focus purely on the muscle flexing part of a study (étude).  These are cool in their own right but it is like comparing the experience of going to the drag races to that of the pure human emotions of falling in love or going to the funeral of a loved one.

I think you get both extremes and everything in between in these sets of études from Liszt.  From a technical standpoint, it is hard to imagine anyone better than Trifonov.  His technique actually is one of turning on the energy bursts and off as he isn't really a physical banger like that of say a Yuja Wang?  On the contrary, in my opinion, he excels in pieces of breakneck speed and chromaticism.

To be fair, this includes the majority of the Études d'exécution transcendante and Paganini études.  To this I would add Gnomenreigen, Waldesrauschen, and La leggierezza.  Really wonderful playing here.  His imagination and ability to turn up the energy or reduce it in an instance is remarkable.  This to me is like flourishes of wind swirling in unpredictable ways.  Really amazing to listen to.

The divide comes with the more emotionally laden works.  Top of the list for me goes to Il lamento, Un sospiro, Ricordanza, Harmonies du soir, Chasse-neige and similar.  Is it an age thing, intentional, or is it simply not possible to be great in all things?  

In my view, the greatness of this set would rise dramatically if he would learn how to bleed a little and venture into the profound beauty of exploring the pain, struggle, anguish of some of these specific masterpieces.  For example, if you understand the underlying theme of Il lamento (the lament) you should not be able to play this quickly and without some sort of unease.  The title gives this away.  

So to make a long story short there is no use in complaining that he does the majority of things so well here but he lets me down specifically in the more serious music dealing with heartbreak and a host of other emotions.  For this, I have to go elsewhere to satisfy my soul.

Besides this problem which might only be applicable to me and my temperament I would say this is one of the top Liszt étude album in many ways overall.  I would substitute a handful of studies where I think others excel for specific reasons such as they found the real emotion that seems necessary for me (even if it is at the expense of less perfection in the technique).

If anyone is capable of becoming a player with equal parts technique and emotion (and judgement), I would put my money on Trifonov though.  Time will tell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Oy7lebHkDU

(1994)

Yello - Zebra

Tearing myself away from spacerock and psych into something altogether more whacky 

(2015)

Moon Duo - Shadow of the Sun

Had tickets to see them in Edinburgh tonight, unfortunately life got in the way and I'm unable to get there. Playing this one just because...

Now Playing.......

Maciej Obara Quartet - Unloved

Maciej Obara (alto saxophone), Dominik Wania (piano), Ole Morten Vågan (double bass), and Gard Nilssen (drums).

Streaming on NAS.......    Just looking for some nice smooth jazz to listen to, and this fits the bill, second time taking this album out for a spin. Very, very nice.......

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Enough said.

Eric Clapton    - Discs 3 and 4 from the 6 disc set Give Me Strength 1974-1975

essentially an expanded EC Was Here

Alan

Not an album I’ve seen posted on here. It really is a superb covers set. 

The sound quality is astonishing too. The bass on ‘You’ve Got all the Whisky’ turned my Tablette 10 into DBLs...really!

A cast iron recommendation.

G

On CD:-

John Mayer - The Search For Everything

My favourite Manics album (being enjoyed at a decent volume)

Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go

GraemeH posted:

Not an album I’ve seen posted on here. It really is a superb covers set. 

The sound quality is astonishing too. The bass on ‘You’ve Got all the Whisky’ turned my Tablette 10 into DBLs...really!

A cast iron recommendation.

G

It's a great album. Not played it for a couple of weeks so i'm putting that right 

james n posted:

GraemeH posted:

Not an album I’ve seen posted on here. It really is a superb covers set. 

The sound quality is astonishing too. The bass on ‘You’ve Got all the Whisky’ turned my Tablette 10 into DBLs...really!

A cast iron recommendation.

G

It's a great album. Not played it for a couple of weeks so i'm putting that right 

Think I'll take a chance and get that on CD.  

Taking a break from the blues.

Last one ofr tonight.

Yagya..