Naim label (suggestions)
Posted by: John C on 05 March 2002
So, do all Naim Cds sell in the US or to forum members who take Naim's taste as a given?
Perhaps no one has confidence to make that decision in this country, whereas Christianson does? etc etc
I'd like to suggest Tim Garland Dean St Orchestra, world class music and crying out for records (I think!)
John
Others: Please substitute any musical genre for jazz.
(with apologies to Fred Simon who is ofcourse a marvel)
Obviously it is impossible to please everyone.
My point is simply that great opportunities exist for Naim to sign fantastic jazz musicians and make it a great label.
I have no interest in Naim as an "audiophile" label.
Hockman
quote:
Originally posted by hockman:
My point is simply that great opportunities exist for Naim to sign fantastic jazz musicians and make it a great label.I have no interest in Naim as an "audiophile" label.
I would also like to see naim become a 'great' (jazz) label; at the moment (IMHO) it's mostly pleasant, well recorded stuff which sits some way back from the bleeding edge.
The 'problem' is that there are already excellent jazz labels which seem to have all bases covered. For example, Babel is The Biz for current British jazz, and includes top-banana dudes such as Huw Warren, Billy Jenkins, Richard Fairhurst and so on. Bugge Wesseltoft's Jazzland label has those funky Scandinavian types with their amusing jazz cigarettes and several types of magic cheese. The Norwegians have also got in on the act, with Runegrammofon, created as the bastard offspring of John Cage's underpants and Aphex Twin's left nipple. The label's so far out it's coming back in again.
Even Linn are doing OK; Clark Tracey's recently released 'Stability' reads like a who's who of British jazz. (Apparently the CD sounds better on a Linn CD player, so I now balance my naim rig on top of 4 Ikemi players).
I suppose there are jazzers wandering around in the muso-wilderness (hm, some would say jazz is the muso-wilderness). E.g., I'd love to see a Nikki Yeoh album. Hey! Piano duet album with Fred! (Slighly bizarre thought, that one, must be the Scandinavian cheese addling my cortex).
In the end I don't think the naim label ever set out to be radical / cutting edge / goatee-bearded, and though it may have an 'audiophile' sheen many people (here) seem to like what's produced. And I reckon even those of us throwing small fruit from the sidelines will like the odd disc.
BfT.
quote:
Originally posted by Boldface Type:
I would also like to see naim become a 'great' (jazz) label; at the moment (IMHO) it's mostly pleasant, well recorded stuff which sits some way back from the bleeding edge ...... In the end I don't think the naim label ever set out to be radical / cutting edge / goatee-bearded
BfT.
Each to their own, of course, but I do want to suggest that music steeped in creativity and substance does not reside solely on the "bleeding edge," nor need it wear a goatee.
Just my opinion,but there could do to be a little more in the "rockier" department or perhaps some modern day blues,folk etc ?
Regards
Chris
When I first got it, I thought "Hmmm...This is quite nice"...and not too much more.
So why is it that I've played it almost every day since? Answer: I love it.
I can pay it no bigger compliment than to say that it's grabbed me just like the Loussier Satie Variations (Telarc). In fact the Fred originals have a certain something that's very Satiesque about them without ever seeming like poor relations.
If I do have a slight quibble (and it is slight), it'd be with "Old Folks", which to me at least, sounds a bit too loungey.
Whatever this release has got though, it's totally hooked me emotionally. And I want more please. Preferrably now. If not sooner. Please.
Nick
P.S. Having had a bit of a moan about Naim's p&p charges, I will say that the CD arrived quicker than anything I've ever ordered over the net!
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Lees:
I've had Dreamhouse for about three weeks now.When I first got it, I thought "Hmmm...This is quite nice"...and not too much more.
So why is it that I've played it almost every day since? Answer: I love it.
I can pay it no bigger compliment than to say that it's grabbed me just like the Loussier Satie Variations (Telarc). In fact the Fred originals have a certain something that's very Satiesque about them without ever seeming like poor relations.
If I do have a slight quibble (and it is slight), it'd be with "Old Folks", which to me at least, sounds a bit too loungey.
Whatever this release has got though, it's totally hooked me emotionally. And I want more please. Preferrably now. If not sooner. Please.
Nick
Nick, effusive thanks for your glowing endorsement. I couldn't hope for any better, unless, of course, you were actually in charge of things at Naim. I strongly urge you to copy your post directly to the powers that be at Naim (in case they don't see it here).
Your account of having it sink in slowly is a common experience with Dreamhouse; it is not an album that hits one over the head, but, rather, insinuates ... much like thoughts and images that find their way into one's dreams at night.
Very perceptive of you to hear the Satie influence; his music figured prominently in my formative years, and still does. I haven't heard the Loussier variations, sounds intriguing.
Regarding "Old Folks" ... I hope that your characterization of it as "loungey" applies to its dissimilarity from my originals, being a standard jazz ballad (covered by myriad musicians, including a famous rendition by Miles), rather than a critique of my particular version. I hope.
By the way, it marked the first time I had included a jazz standard on one of my albums. We were playing it, and other standards, in between takes of the originals as sort of a palette cleanser but not with the initial intention of including it on the album. But it felt right, we played it well, and its introspective vibe fit the rest of the program.
Anyway, a recapitulation of thanks are in order.
Currently getting repeated play from me. Quite brilliant!
John
quote:
Originally posted by John C:
Have either of you heard " The Minimalism of Eric Satie" by the Vienna Art Orchestra?Currently getting repeated play from me. Quite brilliant!
John
John, tell me more, what is it? Sounds intriguing!
I've never heard of it before - it just sounded like an old standard. Although the playing fitted right in with the rest of the album, it somehow lacked that certain something that grabbed me with all the other tracks.
The Loussier Satie is a gem. Even though he takes the old war-horses for the starting points (Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes) he gently wrings new stuff out of them. His drum sound is to die for, BTW!
I checked out Amazon for other stuff by you and only came up with a rather strange-looking Beach Boys album...and the All Music Guide, where they have a record of a few much older albums that appear to be deleted.
Oh, and AMG have you down as playing sax in the 40's for Charles Brown, Arnett Cobb, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton, amongst others!
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Lees:
[Old Folks] somehow lacked that certain something that grabbed me with all the other tracks.
I'm determined to take that as a compliment.
quote:
I checked out Amazon for other stuff by you and only came up with a rather strange-looking Beach Boys album...and the All Music Guide, where they have a record of a few much older albums that appear to be deleted.
That would be The Music Of the Beach Boys, an album that is better than it perhaps sounds. I was commissioned to arrange their music for solo piano, my choice of tunes: mostly early Brian Wilson songs, and some from Pet Sounds, played as if Bill Evans and Joni Mitchell melded into one inside my head. In other words, it is not the bouncy, surfing Beach Boys sound but, rather, the lyrical, poignant, introspective sound of Brian alone in his room. In preparing for the album, I discovered that his songs are laden with melodic and harmonic sophistication, innovation and genius, easily on a par with Burt Bacharach and Lennon/McCartney; indeed, McCartney praised Brian's masterpiece God Only Knows, (included on my album, incidentally) as the most beautiful song he'd ever heard.
The label that commissioned it specialized in music with nature sounds, so they later added an accompaniment of ocean waves. It wasn't my idea, but actually I dig it ... I've always loved the ocean, had once thought about combining music with its sounds, and it's tastefully done and unobtrusive. And not inappropriate considering the program.
Concerning the other albums of mine listed in the AMG -- if you or anyone else is interested in them feel free to contact me directly via e-mail: fredsimonmusic@aol.com
quote:
Oh, and AMG have you down as playing sax in the 40's for Charles Brown, Arnett Cobb, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton, amongst others!
It's true -- I am 97 years old, and damn grateful to be riding the second wave of my career.
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Lees:
The Loussier Satie is a gem. Even though he takes the old war-horses for the starting points (Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes) he gently wrings new stuff out of them. His drum sound is to die for, BTW!
It's funny, but I had never heard of (Jacques, I assume?) Loussier until your mention. And then, a day later, I read that he is suing Eminem for plagiarizing one of his tunes. Small, strange, world.
Did anyone enjoy it? Although I have enjoyed some of the output on the Naim label, this was a great disappointment. It left me wondering why anyone would bother.
Sorry to sound negative. The classical and jazz discs are alot better.
David
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
Concerning the other albums of mine listed in the AMG -- if you or anyone else is interested in them feel free to contact me directly via e-mail: fredsimonmusic@aol.com
Urgent Telegram for Fred:
Dreamhouse nearly worn through from repeated playing. Stop. Need more music urgently. Stop. Tried emailing above address. Stop. No response. Stop.
Urgent Telegram for Naim:
Get Fred back the the Union Church soonest. Stop.
quote:
Originally posted by David Sutton:
Did anyone else buy this disc?
Did anyone enjoy it?
Yes and yes, respectively. I wouldn't go so far to say it's a "must have", or anything like that, and would generally steer people interested in this sort of thing towards the Indigo Girls, but although it's lightweight I don't see there's anything wrong with that.
quote:
It left me wondering why anyone would bother.
Very large tracts of music available in the world generate just such a feeling in a lot of people, so it's hardly surprising some bits of music affect you (or not) that way. My Mum doesn't see any point in the Messiaen on the Concerts Under the Dome 2 disc, but that hardly makes it bad...
Pete.
I feel well and truly repremanded over my narrow minded views. But I still think Foo Foo is crap and a waste of time and effort.
Sorry
David
I don't think it's being narrow minded not to like it though. Like any other piece of music, you either like or you don't.
Steve B
The recording quality isn't up to the Naim jazz standards (IMHO!) but that has helped me appreciate the music more quickly than the 'sound' - an easy thing to slip into with stunning discs.
It's light hearted, fun music, by people with a sense of humour - and they're great fun live.
A.
quote:
Originally posted by Nick Lees:
Quote: "Originally posted by fred simon:
Concerning the other albums of mine listed in the AMG -- if you or anyone else is interested in them feel free to contact me directly via e-mail: fredsimonmusic@aol.com"
Urgent Telegram for Fred:
Dreamhouse nearly worn through from repeated playing. Stop. Need more music urgently. Stop. Tried emailing above address. Stop. No response. Stop.
Urgent Telegram for Naim:
Get Fred back the the Union Church soonest. Stop.
Hi, Nick. By now you've probably received my e-mail response; sorry for the delay.
Please tell me that you are also forwarding your impassioned and welcome requests for another album directly to Naim; that would be crucial.
Thanks, as always, for your consistently strong support.