What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIII)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 01 January 2017
2017 has arrived today, so time to start this thread afresh.
Last year's thread can be found here;
Delicious Polish jazz for a warm sundown:
Marcin Wasilewski - piano
Sławomir Kurkiewicz - double-bass
Michał Miśkiewicz - drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ahB5UDWJLc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz0wETCivtU
Last one of the evening, nice fat fushion...
Bert Schurink posted:Tony2011 posted:MDS posted:Tony2011 posted:Kevin-W posted:200g audiophile clear vinyl, original pressing. Mastered by Sean McGee at Abbey Road. Not only the best album I own, but also the best-sounding.
really, Kev?
Kevin must be in a Trump-mood
Definitely something wrong, Mike.
Kev, I'm going to add my email to my profile. Get in touch if you need someone to talk to. I'm worried about you, sunshine. Im here for you, bro!
...looks like a serious crisis, how can you go from Goldfrapp to this.....
Just joshing folks, inspred by all the "guilty pleasures" posted on this thread today, and to check that you were all paying attention. I was in fact watching "Dragon's Den" and that excellent new Len Deighton serial on the BBC.
The LP12 remains Beiber-free (has JB even released any vinyl records?), and there is no imminent crisis.
Kevin-W posted:Bert Schurink posted:Tony2011 posted:MDS posted:Tony2011 posted:Kevin-W posted:200g audiophile clear vinyl, original pressing. Mastered by Sean McGee at Abbey Road. Not only the best album I own, but also the best-sounding.
Kevin must be in a Trump-mood
Definitely something wrong, Mike.
Kev, I'm going to add my email to my profile. Get in touch if you need someone to talk to. I'm worried about you, sunshine. Im here for you, bro!
...looks like a serious crisis, how can you go from Goldfrapp to this.....
Just joshing folks, inspred by all the "guilty pleasures" posted on this thread today, and to check that you were all paying attention. I was in fact watching "Dragon's Den" and that excellent new Len Deighton serial on the BBC.
The LP12 remains Beiber-free (has JB even released any vinyl records?), and there is no imminent crisis.
Phew, thank goodness for that, you had us all worried. Just about to report you to the 'bad taste' police.
Don't do that again!
On vinyl.
credo: Hélène Grimaud (piano) | swedish radio symphony orchestra & choir | esa-pekka salonen
It is time to return to my credo. About a year or two after I started with my first small Naim system this album came along in 2003 and I listened to tracks 2 - 6 a lot - with a constant urge to keep cranking the volume up. This album was probably my first exposure to the "choral fantasy" and it remains one of my favourite inspirational pieces of music that leaves me with such fond memories of that time in life.
Frédéric François Chopin: Sokolov (piano)
Preludes Op. 28 | Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 | Études Op. 25
Over the years, Sokolov has consistently demonstrated his superior musicality in my books. He is one of the greatest living pianists of our time.
I am certain that his Preludes might be one of the sets I grab while running out of my burning house but then I have so many favourites to save. Definitely, I would include Pogorelich as my other top contender. OK, I think I have just officially ousted Argerich to third place and reinserted Sokolov as my no. 1?
Frédéric François Chopin: Ivan Moravec (piano)
Preludes Op. 28 |Ballade in f-minor
There is two ways that one can analyze recordings. One can do the macro view and say this is my favourite Op. 28 Preludes or 32 Beethoven Sonatas or WTC complete etc. Alternatively, one can dive in and attempt with Herculean effort and stamina which individual prelude or sonata or prelude / fugue is played the best. It is my view that one artist may win your easy favour overall but no one player tends to hit a home run with every piece especially among the most difficult sets of all music such as the 24 Preludes or 32 Sonatas or the 48 Preludes & Fugues, for example.
This is why I would never be quick to dismiss anyones view / interpretation. When one looks and listens for the details it is amazing what you can find. Chopin's 24 Preludes are a brilliant display of 24 individual character pieces. None of them should sound the same or said another way, if they sound like they all came out of the same cookie press then something is definitely not up to snuff.
If you compare Prelude by Prelude over 20 or 30 interpretations it can be quite telling what a range of styles and opinions can result. I guess this is why I collect music and will spend a lifetime enjoying it as there is not one right answer ever. Over time though I find that one tends to get more certain how you think a piece should be interpreted. Chain the tempo, change a rhythm, change a dynamic, change an instrument or record label and there is an unlimited variation in the outcome. I find this whole process fascinating and this continues to challenge me in my thoughts and ideas.
Frédéric François Chopin: Tzimon Barto (piano)
Preludes Op. 28
Frédéric François Chopin: Nikolai Demidenko (piano)
Preludes Op. 28
Frédéric François Chopin: Vanessa Perez (piano)
Preludes Op. 28
Frédéric François Chopin: Andrew Tyson (piano)
Preludes Op. 28
...and so comes to an end my day of Chopin preludes. A small drop in the bucket and I am determined to continue on this adventure for the days and weeks ahead.
Florestan posted:Frédéric François Chopin: Sokolov (piano)
Preludes Op. 28 | Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 | Études Op. 25
Over the years, Sokolov has consistently demonstrated his superior musicality in my books. He is one of the greatest living pianists of our time.
I am certain that his Preludes might be one of the sets I grab while running out of my burning house but then I have so many favourites to save. Definitely, I would include Pogorelich as my other top contender. OK, I think I have just officially ousted Argerich to third place and reinserted Sokolov as my no. 1?
I would vote together with you on Sokolov. I think he is right now the greatest alive...
Doug, you are putting me in the mood, so here is a favorite of mine:
John Cougar Mellencamp. Scarecrow. On original vinyl from 1985. In the mood for some driving All-American heartland rock. I'm not sure how much has changed in the US heartland since Mellencamp began expositing the plight of the farmer some 30+ years ago. He could probably release this album today with the same lyrical impact.
John Mellencamp. The Lonesome Jubilee. On original DMM LP from 1987. Mellencamp was always very well recorded and the DMM vinyl plays with an exacting sonic - crisp shine to the strings, fast attack on percussion, and well defined bass lines. At the verge of, but never over the top or strident. If I could play a well mastered CD on my RP6 it might sound like this album.
Jackson Browne. Standing In The Breach. On CD from 2014. I enjoy the music on this album but it is very loudness mastered with heavily compressed bass. I wonder if the vinyl is better mastered but can't find any info in the DR database.
Anyone that's heard the LP versus CD and might care to comment would be much appreciated.
During workout...
The usual breakfast treat...
I am quite in love with Yoncheva's debut disc from 2015, which showcases not just her lovely voice (which is somewhat reminiscent of the young Netrebko), but good taste, decent diction, and great choice of repertoire.
Cheers
EJ
Florestan posted:Frédéric François Chopin: Nikolai Demidenko (piano)
Preludes Op. 28
My personal #1 preludes, and an underdog as well. You won't hear a clearer connect between Chopin and Bach, or how Chopin 'modernized' the baroque prelude. And Demidenko does it while at the same time exposing all the eddies and undercurrents in this often turbulent music.
EJ
Kevin-W posted:Bert Schurink posted:Tony2011 posted:MDS posted:Tony2011 posted:Kevin-W posted:200g audiophile clear vinyl, original pressing. Mastered by Sean McGee at Abbey Road. Not only the best album I own, but also the best-sounding.
Kevin must be in a Trump-mood
Definitely something wrong, Mike.
Kev, I'm going to add my email to my profile. Get in touch if you need someone to talk to. I'm worried about you, sunshine. Im here for you, bro!
...looks like a serious crisis, how can you go from Goldfrapp to this.....
Just joshing folks, inspred by all the "guilty pleasures" posted on this thread today, and to check that you were all paying attention. I was in fact watching "Dragon's Den" and that excellent new Len Deighton serial on the BBC.
The LP12 remains Beiber-free (has JB even released any vinyl records?), and there is no imminent crisis.
Damn, I've just ordered that on the back of your recommendation!
A + | WAV
(1973 | 1996 remaster)
"Throughout much of Atem, [the mellotron's] looping string sound is as obvious as the organ, adding a richer, more orchestral feel to the music. Edgar also uses it in a more conventionally melodic manner than listeners will have been used to from the band; indeed, parts of the album look ahead to the group's more accessible period as melodic ambient pioneers."
"... from the early years of TD. Hypnotic, majestic, heavy percussion, space wind, and trumpet blasts reach a crescendo and then stop to reveal a mystical, ambient, spacey atmosphere. Mysterious drones and soft percussion with sounds from outer and inner space create this timeless soundscape. Influences from Ligeti's "Lontano" can be detected on this piece but taken to another level."
Haven't played this in years.