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;
TIme for some guitar jazz:
A + 3 | WAV
(1959)
More from the same box set and once again sounding absolutely wonderful. So far (two albums in) these are highly recommended!
Florestan posted:Philip Glass | Piano Works: Víkingur Ólafsson (piano)
Full disclosure: This is the first disc of Philip Glass that I own. For whatever reason, in my 40 or 50 years of collecting music and playing the piano our paths have not crossed. Yes, I knew of Philip Glass but that is as far as it went.
Today, I wonder what else in this world is worth discovering but either through willful ignorance or just by lack of opportunity that I have yet to be touched by it?
Some of the pieces on this disc of mostly études appeal to me. Just as opposites tend to attract this is music that might fill a void in my almost exclusive classical piano diet. Ranging from dreamy through hypnotic there is something magical that takes over. What seems repetitive at first can become like a trip through the cosmos. In this atmosphere, one can float far away, without the inconvenience of gravity, into it with never any urge to return.
Another reason this music effects me is that it tends to confirm in me a belief that is growing stronger in me year by year as I get older. I personally do not believe anymore that music (well, the music I listen to) is meant to be experienced in a large venue with many people. Sure, this is something we tend to do occasionally just because society tends to make us believe this normal but ideally, it should should be played by yourself while in quite solitude in the wee hours of the night or early morning. Occasionally, when one or two like minds come together it can be a wonderful experience to share a musical listening experience but this is the exception rather than the rule.
Much of this music for me tends to lead me to believe that it is actually music very suitable for a one on one experience; one soul, your instrument and the possibilities are endless.
So out of this is a new task this week to try to pick up the complete score to the études of maybe a few other things of Philip Glass.
Regarding the recording, I think that DGG has done a satisfactory job with this recording. My preference in this music calls for a piano that is darker and non-percussive sounding. Actually, equal parts of the responsibility in the outcome fall to the player and I think Ólafsson has done quite well here. I wouldn't want to label this "new age" and the like but I would highly recommend this album.
The bottom line is that from time to time it is nice to listen to something like this - especially if you are a reflective person. I know that when I listen to Bach or Beethoven or Brahms etc. it tends to cause me to think more in concrete terms. Yes, there is the emotion as well but I have difficulty thinking about anything else than the wonderful logic and equations and puzzles that we attempt to solve that these composers have presented us. Glass on the other hand is music that is very abstract. In fact, listening to it encourages you to think about nothing while in fact being lost in it. In both cases, I think music is therapy applied. While I may be sitting on a bench connecting with my instrument maybe this is no different than lying on the proverbial couch in the head doctor's office?
A profound description of what you are experiencing, thanks for it, it speaks to me. I as well like the disc. It better than Valentina Lisitsa....
Jeroen20 posted:TIme for some guitar jazz:
It was on my list to buy. I will most probably pull the trigger this weekend, this label has some great albums.
This is a great album. Sold under the label jazz, but sometimes exploring a kind of world music feeling...
Stevee_S posted:
(1958)
Playing Burning Hell from this recently acquired (4 CD 8 Album) box-set. I have to say it sounds fantastic, crystal clear and seems to have been sympathetically and very well remastered indeed. I've just run the Audirvana Dynamic Range checker over it and the album comes out with a DR of 15/16 which is right up there with the best. This box set looks like being a wee gem and bargain.
From the usual place here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Class...ords=john+lee+hooker
* Update, I am only 8 tracks into this first album of the set and I have to say its one of the finest CD (rips) I have, wow it sounds superb.
Although I've got a ton of JLH in the collection, the write up of the remastering of these, on 't net, and your confirmation of how good they sound, makes this a no brainer, especially at the price.
Just ordered .......... good shout! 
Turning into a Hooker evening at yours then? 
dave marshall posted:Stevee_S posted:
(1958)
Playing Burning Hell from this recently acquired (4 CD 8 Album) box-set. I have to say it sounds fantastic, crystal clear and seems to have been sympathetically and very well remastered indeed. I've just run the Audirvana Dynamic Range checker over it and the album comes out with a DR of 15/16 which is right up there with the best. This box set looks like being a wee gem and bargain.
From the usual place here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Class...ords=john+lee+hooker
* Update, I am only 8 tracks into this first album of the set and I have to say its one of the finest CD (rips) I have, wow it sounds superb.
Although I've got a ton of JLH in the collection, the write up of the remastering of these, on 't net, and your confirmation of how good they sound, makes this a no brainer, especially at the price.
Just ordered .......... good shout!
Turning into a Hooker evening at yours then?
Dave, you're far more of a blues fan than me but as mentioned earlier this set (so far) sounds absolutely fantastic, for the few pounds it costs to buy in its a no brainer. Loving it, Wow!
Yes It's turning into a Hooker at my place 
A + 3 | WAV
(1960)
Possibly my last Hooker for tonight and its been so very good finding these superbly well remastered wonderful sounding early albums of his.
trickydickie posted:Gazza posted:nigelb posted:trickydickie posted:nigelb posted:Barbra Lica - I'm Still Learning
Can't recall who recommended this but it is rather lovely. Possibly a bit sugary for some but I like it very much. There is a charming quality to it. Barbra doesn't seem to take herself to seriously which makes this all the more attractive. She can hold a choon too. It just make me smile when I listen - always a good sign.
'Tis on Tidal if you fancy giving this one a go.
Twas me!
I've just discovered this lady, I love the humour in her work. She reminds me of Fredrika Stahl.
I've just got this one and have been listening to it almost constantly, I think I prefer it. Must check out her other album.
Wonderful recommendation Tricky. 'Who Knows' is not on Tidal so I am just going to take a punt and buy it. Judging by 'Im Still Learning' and your recommendation, I am pretty sure I will be happy. Her lyrics ooze charm and, as you quite rightly say, humour.
Listened to her on Spotify, very nice indeed. Looked her cds up on amazon UK, but they want silly money like £35 or more. Pity, I will stick to streaming.
Try Bandcamp, they have I'm still learning starting at £10 CAD and also Missing You which is very similar to Who Knows
Barbra Lica - Kissing You
More tounge-in-cheek, cheery musings from Barbra. Just makes me smile.
Thanks Trickydickie for bringing this lady to my attention.
This one is on Tidal.
John Lee Hooker - Mr. Lucky.
Picking up where Stevee_S left off, a more recent JLH album, recorded in the twilight of his long career, which shows him retaining all the fire and power of his earlier years.
A good starter for anyone unsure of where to start with John Lee Hooker ........ a great introduction, and a quality album.
Not an ambitious but relaxing album....
This was my introduction to Ray...
I was given this last Christmas - it's one of my favourite Charles Lloyd albums.
An old fave - There's something rather nice about this album. The combination of Creosote's voice with Hopkin's varying soundscapes and field recordings works so well.
King Creosote and Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine (Jubilee Edition)
dave marshall posted:
John Lee Hooker - Mr. Lucky.
Picking up where Stevee_S left off, a more recent JLH album, recorded in the twilight of his long career, which shows him retaining all the fire and power of his earlier years.
A good starter for anyone unsure of where to start with John Lee Hooker ........ a great introduction, and a quality album.
One of my favorite albums, track 4 this is hip Is a stand out for me, can't help but to bop along with it.
Also love the saturated valve amp on Susie, buttery, lovey, squashness.
Stevee_S posted:Slim68 posted:Evanescence, Fallen WAV Cd Rip.
Their best album imo.
Their best I agree, super album.
I might bring myself to give this another play over the weekend, that's if I get bored sticking needles in my eyes!
Mike Smiff posted:dave marshall posted:
John Lee Hooker - Mr. Lucky.
Picking up where Stevee_S left off, a more recent JLH album, recorded in the twilight of his long career, which shows him retaining all the fire and power of his earlier years.
A good starter for anyone unsure of where to start with John Lee Hooker ........ a great introduction, and a quality album.
One of my favorite albums, track 4 this is hip Is a stand out for me, can't help but to bop along with it.
Also love the saturated valve amp on Susie, buttery, lovey, squashness.
Not a bad track anywhere on this album ............ "Crawlin' King Snake, with Keef ........ qualitee!
Muddy Waters - Sings "Big Bill"
Retreating to the music room for tonight with this one from Muddy ........ Chicago club blues at its bestest. 
I've been filling in the gaps in my collection of Emily Remler. Here Emily plays on six of the twelve tracks on this album. It's very smooth jazz. Perhaps a bit too smooth for me, but it is Emily Remler!
Clive B posted:Stevee_S posted:Slim68 posted:Evanescence, Fallen WAV Cd Rip.
Their best album imo.
Their best I agree, super album.
I might bring myself to give this another play over the weekend, that's if I get bored sticking needles in my eyes!
Oddly, over the next 3 months I will be having needles stuck in my left eye, but not because of this album 
Joachim Kwetzinsky: Polyphonic Dialogues
Kwetzinsky weaves Russian Preludes & fugues composed by Shostakovich and Schhedrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1tiTxDjQlw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiXOMLIY0-o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTgkLAnK7rw
Slim68 posted:Clive B posted:Stevee_S posted:Slim68 posted:Evanescence, Fallen WAV Cd Rip.
Their best album imo.
Their best I agree, super album.
I might bring myself to give this another play over the weekend, that's if I get bored sticking needles in my eyes!
Oddly, over the next 3 months I will be having needles stuck in my left eye, but not because of this album
That sounds scary, Slim. It's just sent a shiver down my spine.