Your Music Collection - Which Era?
Posted by: GraemeH on 01 November 2012
Prompted by the 'Bored' thread I was reflecting on my disinterest in most (not all) 'new' 'artists' (not 'music') since about 1980.
The majority of my collection spans 1950's (jazz) to early 80's (rock & Blues) and with that I'm quite happy. No real desire to search out something which hasn't crossed my path by dint of its sheer excellence....
What era forms the majority of your music collection?
G
Mine is the 1990's (mostly rock/popular) but I like to explore pre 90's to discover the "roots" of what I'm hearing.
Prompted by the 'Bored' thread I was reflecting on my disinterest in most (not all) 'new' 'artists' (not 'music') since about 1980.
The majority of my collection spans 1950's (jazz) to early 80's (rock & Blues) and with that I'm quite happy. No real desire to search out something which hasn't crossed my path by dint of its sheer excellence....
What era forms the majority of your music collection?
G
Graeme,
My collection spans a very similar era and music type. Could it have something to do with our age?
ATB
Steve
Prompted by the 'Bored' thread I was reflecting on my disinterest in most (not all) 'new' 'artists' (not 'music') since about 1980.
The majority of my collection spans 1950's (jazz) to early 80's (rock & Blues) and with that I'm quite happy. No real desire to search out something which hasn't crossed my path by dint of its sheer excellence....
What era forms the majority of your music collection?
G
Graeme,
My collection spans a very similar era and music type. Could it have something to do with our age?
ATB
Steve
Nearing 50 myself oh gawd!
From the late 50s 60s lots from the 70s/80s/90s up to? and including now.
Still buying music from the 60s and 70s,
Comes from being the wrong side of 55.
Stu.
Nearing 50 myself oh gawd!
Graeme,
Your just a spring chicken. You're the right side of 55 unlike Stu and I. 
Chin up young man
Steve
Mainly 70's and 80's for me.
Lost interest in music in the late 90's and early 00's for some reason.
Only started buying music and listening to new stuff again the last few years.
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s and being young enough to have experienced it first time round.
I should think most of my albums are from the 60s and 70s and then the last 20 years.
Richard
I'm the right side of 55, just!
My collection, such as it is, goes from the 1920's (Louis Armstrong) to the present day (The xx), but the vast majority comes from the 60's, 70's and 80's - the stuff I listened when I was young(er).
The rise of the dance scene in the late 80's left me cold (and somewhat baffled) and I lost interest. I try to read Mojo & Q to at least try to stay current, but am always playing catch-up.
It is only now that I've been able to afford something that I feel does music real justice - my Uniti2. What those with better Naim systems must be hearing makes me green with envy! This has really revived my interest in music.
This forum & Radio Paradise are excellent for things I've overlooked (or never heard of in the first place!) but not very good for the wallet!
Vlad
Recordings from 1911 till only a couple of years old.
Music from Dowland to to Bob Geldoff in 1979. Is Apolytica newer? If so then newer than 1979!
A sufficient range for a lifetime.
I don't like everything else during these time spans though.
ATB from George
Quite a few members listen to classical music or other types of ancient music, and I used the term with all due respect. Which classification? Century/decade they were composed or performer/performance/recording?
KR
Tony
Quite a few members listen to classical music or other types of ancient music, and I used the term with all due respect. Which classification? Century/decade they were composed or performer/performance/recording?
KR
Tony
There are some real experts posting on the forum - I suspect a fair number are also musicians themselves.
I'm no expert - far from it, I'm always in a muddle with "period instruments", "historically informed performance", "renaissance", "Romantic" etc - but I listen to "classical" music composed from late 1500's (Dowland) to the early 20th century (Ravel) and all stops in between.
Later composers ("in the western classical tradition"?) tend to give me a headache, although I'm told that they are "not as bad as they sound"!
IMO, the recordings I have of classical music from the last 15 years or so on CD are the most satisfactory. To me, they have less of the brittleness/brightness of sound of the early digital efforts of the 80's & 90's. I can't speak for recordings on vinyl as I have very few of them and no longer have the equipment to play them! Also, there are at present many record labels, ensembles and performers dedicated to music from each era - performing in ways thought to be close to the composer's intention and in venues sympathetic to the music. And with the internet, it's all a lot easier to find!
Vlad
Quite a few members listen to classical music or other types of ancient music, and I used the term with all due respect. Which classification? Century/decade they were composed or performer/performance/recording?
KR
Tony
There are some real experts posting on the forum - I suspect a fair number are also musicians themselves.
I'm no expert - far from it, I'm always in a muddle with "period instruments", "historically informed performance", "renaissance", "Romantic" etc - but I listen to "classical" music composed from late 1500's (Dowland) to the early 20th century (Ravel) and all stops in between.
Later composers ("in the western classical tradition"?) tend to give me a headache, although I'm told that they are "not as bad as they sound"!
IMO, the recordings I have of classical music from the last 15 years or so on CD are the most satisfactory. To me, they have less of the brittleness/brightness of sound of the early digital efforts of the 80's & 90's. I can't speak for recordings on vinyl as I have very few of them and no longer have the equipment to play them! Also, there are at present many record labels, ensembles and performers dedicated to music from each era - performing in ways thought to be close to the composer's intention and in venues sympathetic to the music. And with the internet, it's all a lot easier to find!
Vlad
The interesting part is that most classical music/musicians/listeners avoid vinyl like a plague especially when it comes to piano recitals and other quieter pieces.
KR
Tony
Because vinyl is not very good at true replay of natural sounds. At its best it is quite good, but rubbish beside a decent Redbook transfer.
For those who listen to amplified sounds, then vinyl buries a mutitude of sins in its wishy-washy mellowness!
Each to their own, but LP is hopeless for classical music. VHF radio showed that speakers and ampliers could do better fifty years ago.
ATB from George
20s, 30s,60s,70s,90s,00s ... 65 -72 lots of records from that era, 77 loads of stuff.
Ah but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now
I do like a bit of Tallis and Dowland though .... but wasn't around to buy the originals.
Because vinyl is not very good at true replay of natural sounds. At its best it is quite good, but rubbish beside a decent Redbook transfer.
For those who listen to amplified sounds, then vinyl buries a mutitude of sins in its wishy-washy mellowness!
Each to their own, but LP is hopeless for classical music. VHF radio showed that speakers and ampliers could do better fifty years ago.
ATB from George
Very true George. But then again, one would not expect sound quality from a head banging performance. I do listen to a lot of vinyl, 90% of music I post on these forums are, but always with a bit of reservation.
KR
Tony
Because vinyl is not very good at true replay of natural sounds. At its best it is quite good, but rubbish beside a decent Redbook transfer.
For those who listen to amplified sounds, then vinyl buries a mutitude of sins in its wishy-washy mellowness!
Each to their own, but LP is hopeless for classical music. VHF radio showed that speakers and ampliers could do better fifty years ago.
ATB from George
Oh dear - I think we can expect a visit from the vinyl police any minute now!
In truth, I can't offer a comparison as I've never had decent TT-based system.
I suspect the pitch instability, dynamic range and noise of vinyl, relative to CD, may mar a recording for some. I'm sure we hear shortly that the ambience, harmonic distortion, imaging etc of vinyl are more desirable properties......
Vlad
Because vinyl is not very good at true replay of natural sounds. At its best it is quite good, but rubbish beside a decent Redbook transfer.
For those who listen to amplified sounds, then vinyl buries a mutitude of sins in its wishy-washy mellowness!
Each to their own, but LP is hopeless for classical music. VHF radio showed that speakers and ampliers could do better fifty years ago.
ATB from George
But dear George, this doesn't explain why vinyl records invariably sound better than live performances ... even red book transfers of live performance
Live performance are more about the performance than the music and lack the discipline that a good studio session imposes.
Apart from Bellowhead, Kate Rusby and Christy Moore and HMHB ... I doubt I would go to another live performance because they usually disappoint. 2 hours of somebody coughing in my ear doesn't help.
So music on vinyl is the way forward for me ... I'm thinking of analogising my digital juke box on to cassette.
All the best, Guy
20s, 30s,60s,70s,90s,00s ... 65 -72 lots of records from that era, 77 loads of stuff.
Ah but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now
I do like a bit of Tallis and Dowland though .... but wasn't around to buy the originals.
I've heard that Dowland was meticulous with his microphone placement and that he wrote the first ProTools manual.
Dear Guy,
Your night soon!
I love you to bits from your posts, but I disagree with your post immediately above as a regular concert attender, and retired pro' double bass player in orchestras playing classical music. I don't suppose JS Bach was able to approve any recordings as authoritative!
Let along Mr Dowland be careful with microphone placement - but Sir Edward Elgar was and the recordings are not as good as live!
Only with modern popular music [where the arrangements are for synthesised instruments that are not recorded in ensemble] can a recording exceed what is possible live ...
ATB from George
I have never enjoyed live performances, whether rock, country, symphonic--or anything in between. The two exceptions to that would be (1) chamber music and (2) solo piano in an intimate setting--also piano accompanying a solo violinist. Perhaps that is because although by no means a professional, the piano is my instrument. I agree that audience noise is a factor--as well as noise from the "artists" in many performances. But mostly because I am an old fart, set in my ways, who has always avoided crowds, I greatly prefer listening to good music--of whatever genre--in the comfort of my own home--on a great Hi Fi system. Back in my drinking days, I even extended this to my social life, largely eschewing visits to the local bars with my friends, preferring to buy a bottle of rotgut whiskey and swill it in my own living room for far less money than the one or two...or twenty drinks I would have quaffed down at the local watering hole. Ah memories--kind of makes me want to start drinking again, get roaring drunk, and beat the crap out three bouncers at once. Oh, wait--I'm 67 years old--kind of creeps up on you, what?
Russ
How on earth can you have better fidelity than being in the same room as the performers????
Sorry, live music played by competent musicians is much more preferable to me. And infinitely so when played by good musicians!
Have you ever felt the visceral impact of being 12 foot away from Art Blakey playing the drums? Watched in stunned silence as Tal Farlowe played his guitar with the rhythm section laying out? Been close to tears when Wayne Shorter plays a ballad on soprano sax? And this is just with jazz!!!
Ry Cooder with Terry Evans & Bobby King live on "I Can't Win"? The Jesus & Mary Chain??? Little Feat??
I could go on and on, and probably have........
Vlad
Or even in the front row of the Choir at the Shrewsbury Music Hall for Stefan Grapelli playing his fiddle! He turned to bow to us plebs at the back [in the cheap seats] every time he did so to those in front of him!
Vlad, I agree with you entirely.
The kind of music that cannot be played better live is not for me!
ATB from George
I did work for a well known choir/orchestra in a church in Trafalgar Sq and I can categorically confirm that theres' no way a classical live performance will ever sound the same on a recording, no matter its format or how expensive your system is: ther is no substitute to a LIVE performance: end of!
KR
Tony
Neville Marriner?
Not my favourite. Believe or not, there were others, and better!
KR
Tony