what was the last cd you bought?

Very good collection of the Bruce. Enjoy! I am quite certain I paid quite a bit more when I bought it around 15 years ago.

Matt,

I'm listening to disc one right now. I really enjoy HDCDs on the 5x and Bob Ludwig's mastering, so this hits a sonic sweet spot for me. Plenty of energy coming through the music as well. It was your recent post of this set that inspired me to go online and buy it. Thanks!

Isabelle Faust almost 20 years ago!

This 3 CD box is currently very good value over at a certain reseller S/H and just about completes my DT set. 

Rovo & System 7 - Phoenix Rising

A couple of years old, but only just caught up with it. This is a collaboration of the Japanese jam band Rovo (guitar, violin, bass, keys, double drummers) and Steve Hillage & Miquette Giraudy. 

The result is very good indeed, leaning strongly on Steve's 70s roots rather than the dance/techno style of most System 7.

I'd heartily recommend the Rovo albums too.

This is a must have very good

SHM - CD 

His interpretation of Chopin pieces are excellent but I am curious to hear how he does Russian tunes.

Kuma,

Zimerman plays a bit too loud & fast in Rach2 in my view. He bangs along, out of pace in the intro from 0:40 onwards. Same story from 5:45 until 6:50: does he think he is playing solo or what? The poor Boston orchestra is trying to keep up with this galloping horse.

I prefer Yuja Wang with Abbado: brilliant technique, much more delicate and perfect sound quality. Your view?

Bert,

Zimermann CD isnt' here yet and I have not heard Yuja's Rach2.

I stopped looking for Rach 2 cuz, it's pretty hard to top Richter, Katchen, Janis and Rubinstein.

My go-to Rach's No.2 is Richter/Wisloki set.

Richter maintains the romantic notion of the score with a tinge of bitter sweet and turn up drama and dynamics. In my view, there's absolutely nothing to fault from technical stand point as well as musicality and sheer elegance. This is the recording that I understood what Glenn Gould meant by saying Richter as 'the most  powerful communicator or our time'.  Everyone plays perfectly in unison with great dynamic contrasts and expression. The beautiful melody  can bring me down to tears as well as just carried away with overwhelming emotions in the ecstatic close. 

I have heard Rach's 2nd many many times as this is an extremely popular piece, but this album, to me, stood the test of time and so far it hasn't been surpassed. 

For the sound quality, Red stereo bar pressing sounds most dynamic and clear. I would assume the first pressing of stereo issue would be even better.

Anyways, thanks for the reco for Abbado/Wang. I will listen to it some day but right now I am exploring Rach 1 which hasn't been popular as the other but I found it refreshing. 

Kuma,

Also Askhenazy/Previn is nice, unfortunate with a bit muddled sound. Thanks a lot, I will try to check out your recommendations!

Oh, man ...!

enjoy

ken

East Coast Jazz (1954)
Flamingo (1955)
Herbie Mann With The Wessel Ilcken Trio (1956)
Love And The Weather (1956)
Mann Alone (1957)
Salute To The Flute (1957)
Right Now (1962)

~ <> ~

4 x CD set..... £5.80 from Amazon uk : )

Thanks Ken I have only recently got into her voice and her style of music... more fool me!

Steve

"This epic live radio broadcast captures ZZ Top at the very cusp of their worldwide success, recorded during the East coast leg of their 1980 breakthrough tour at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey."

A few interesting charity shop purchases today from 50p - £1!

Really looking forward to this one, the other box of her was also great...