What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol.VIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 29 December 2011
With 2012 almost upon us, it's time to start a fresh thread. I've gone back to an earlier thread title because often the "why" is the most interesting part of the post.
Anyway, links:
Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1
Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229
Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495
Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042
Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474
Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043
Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290
Erroll Garner doing the Carpenter's cover.
Love this tune. An absolute fun playing this on record. 
Cheers
Flettster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVNtRLcLtYY
Absolute unique record; performance and sound are perfect.
Frescobaldi - full of strange but tuneful harmonies as usual.
Quite rare - I see on Amazon for USD80
More Hendrix
on vinyl.
Got my copy today, why don't they make albums that sound this good any longer from a perspective of technicaly wonderful, no compression, just sinply listenable. Sounding very analogue even on cd.
Hi Maze,
What artist is this?
Best regards,
Pat
Pat, the band are Rare Earth the album Ma.
One of the few white bands signed to Motown in the sixties, check out Smilin faces and Hum along and dance, but all tracks wonderful.
Ifyou wanted to catagorise them you could call it rock/soul/funk but that is an over simplification.
Regards to Kevin-W for bringing it to my attention.
Hi Maze,
Thank you. I am not familiar with this band. They sound interesting, and I will check them out.
Pat
Pat
This is their first album, also worth checking out, esp for the side-long title track:
Cool! Thanks Kevin.
pat
This Steven Wilson produced album.
2003 Delerium Records.
Stu.
Original CD rip, not the LOUD remaster. Just takes me places - easy top 10.
Neil
Incidentally, does anyone know anything about the 2012 release of this (and The Colour of Spring) on Amazon. Not listed as remaster. Thanks.
'I count the hours since you slipped away!
I count the hours that I lie awake,
I count the minutes and the seconds too!'
Paddy's best!
On CD:-
After listening to disc 1, my initial view is that this Carmen is blessed by fantastic orchestral work, and an OKish but mixed vocal cast. Kozena is a true mezzo Carmen. She forgoes on the shtick of trying to sound like a gypsy on heat, but on the other hand also misses the last ounce of charisma required for the role. Her suitor, Jonas Kaufman, on the other hand is heard here in a role that suits his dark voice to a tee. Their voices are not an ideal match, his being obviously the more powerful one.
Genia Kühmeier, is new to me and sings a lovely Micaela. The toreador, Kostas Smoriginas, is gruff, slightly too small scale to match the swagger that Rattle so brilliantly draws from the orchestra. However... the sum is infinitely bigger than the parts, with Rattle providing a coherent, exciting orchestral framework and background. In terms of pacing, excitement, and building climaxes, he dances rings around every other performance I have heard, live and recorded.
I think it's a matter of letting go of preconceptions - will definitely listen to this performance often and expect it will grow on me over time.
Packaging: CDs in cardboard sleeves bound in a hardcover book, with synopsis and other information. No libretto - a link is provided to access that online.
Cheers,
EJ
Listening to disc 2. This is when the drama becomes serious... and all singers improve on their game. Kaufman is the real deal, he is hugely impressive in his solos and duos with Carmen. Smoriginas / Escamillo and Kozena / Carmen both find the charisma they were lacking earlier. (I was perhaps in a too critical frame of mind yesterday - will find out in due course). Stellar contribution by the chorus, too. Rattle and the Berliner shine, this remains really their show. Sound quality is amazing.
Cheers,
EJ
First play & very good. I'll check out live dates which should be interesting.
On original black stuff.
Another first play and very enjoyable too. A bit late to the party to catch Ben's autumn gig's, but will look for a return if possible.
First spin... George is right, brilliant performances. Arrau and Davis take their time, but shape these concerti to perfection. The slow tempi are filled with genius piano playing - not a bar goes by unnoticed by Arrau, every note judged just right.
Arrau in later life was not universally loved for his studio work... but all the recordings of him I've heard from the 60s onward, Chopin and lately Beethoven, are unusually satisfying on an emotional level as well as from a technical point of view... really glad to have discovered him.
EJ
On CD:-
dav301 how does this compare musically with lizzy.
Cheers,
EJ
On a stick guy.
Stu
