Awesome artist Graham. Funnily enough, that record has the same cover as her 1969 masterpiece "Touch 'Em With Love".

Because I should have seen them tonight but feel like death warmed up so had to give it a miss.

George,

You're right... meant to say the first ever stereo ring. Both Krauss and Furtwangler made earlier recordings - Furtwanger twice with Mödl, one in the Scala (as you say, in excruciating sound), one in much better sound for the radio (live, but one act at a time to keep everybody fresh). Krauss largely had the same group of singers as Keilberth and arguably is the more interesting conductor - but Keilberth is in so much better sound. Varnay, by the way, recorded a complete Walküre as early as 1941, with Melchior in New York (which I haven't heard).

Cheers,

EJ

Dear EJ,

Sorry to write what I did, but much as I dislike Wagner and also Furtwangler, these are seminal works and performances, and I studied them at length. Now I can look back on the study and how it created [for me] a greater understanding of Hansel and Gretel [Humperdink], which I played in the theatre, and also Frieschutz, which I only ever played the overture, and can see how Wagner developed music for the theatre, even if I preferred the solid virtues of Brahms'es Symphonies!

ATB from George

Fair enough George, there's no middle ground with this music. I love Wagner's mature operas - not the man's political and social ideas for sure. Funny that you bring up Freischütz and Hansel und Gretel - I know them quite well, but beyond the fact that they are stage works I wouldn't have made the connection to the Ring (although Humperdinck does sound a bit like Wagner during the orchestral interludes). 

Cheers,

EJ

lo-fi resistance - chalk lines

Chalk Lines (Single Version) - http://lofiresistance.bandcamp.com/ 

Looking forward to seeing the girls again @ The Scala, Kings X in April

Pre-sale Tickets - http://www.thestaves.com/news,...la-shows_76.htm?pg=1

Listening to this album this afternoon in my car reminded me  they don't make music like that anymore. Just playing again and it's  a million times  better on the black stuff.

KR

Tony

Vinyl

Track listing:

1. You and the Night and the Music
2. Someday My Prince Will Come
3. Blues For D.P.
4. Shadow of Your Smile, The
5. Mr. Bow-Tie
6. Double Bass
7. I Remember Clifford

Personnel:

Ron Carter - bass
Stephen Scott - piano
Steve Kroon - percussion
Lewis Nash - drums

Recorded in 1997

Carole King: Thoroughbred
One of my favourite Carole King Album right after the Rhymes and Reasons.

Need a quieter pressing. 

My favorite is Tapestry.  I'll have to keep an eye out for this one in the s/h shop. Never heard it.

Johann Sebastian Bach:  Caspar Frantz (piano)

French Suite no 1 in d minor, BWV 812

French Suite no 2 in c minor, BWV 813

French Suite no 3 in b minor, BWV 814

French Suite no 4 in E-flat major, BWV 815

French Suite no 5 in G major, BWV 816

French Suite no 6 in E major, BWV 817

Suite in a minor, BWV 818a

Suite in E-flat major, BWV 819a

Aahhh, Bach...that's why

Ben E. King: Music Trance

Totally disco.

Chopin Piano Concerto No.1: Zimerman/PFO

Not as entertaining as his Beethoven PC1 but beautifully executed.

One of Perahia's brilliant achievements. His Kreisleriana must be one of the richest performances, fully respecting both the introvert and extravert aspects of the work - but it is the sonata that makes this disc special, the work truly comes to life under his fingers in a way I haven't heard done anywhere else. 

Cheers,

EJ

From the 2012 vinyl box:

Vinyl