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;
John Mayer - "Where The Light Is: Live In Los Angeles" (2008) disc 2 of 2
Hungryhalibut posted:This second Quercus album is really superb, beautifully sung and played. June Tabor has an incredible voice.
Visually inspired:
Ingolf Wunder: Chopin Ballade No.4
It's been a few years since I spin this record.
He plays with care and feelings. Wonderful micro and macro dynamics plus excellent digital recording from DG. If you've got a quiet pressing, it's a winner. The recording captures breathtaking a thunderous deep low register resonance as well as crystal clear right hand keys. Overall story telling, however, Zimerman & Richter still get down and dig deeper into the score.
Kempff's Chopin is always special for me. I wish this record sounds as good as Wunder's. 
A + | Tidal Masters
(1971 | 2011 remaster)
Remastered in 24/96 stereo from the original quadrophonic version.
I've always been a fan of Archie Shepp since 'Four For Trane' and the later Impulse! albums.
During workout, always nice to hear this one...
Rubinstein's Chopin is like a comfortable shoes. Offering friendliness and inviting warmth.
Samson Francois: Chopin Sonata No.3
Clarity and intensity jump out from the onset. Typical Francois emotionally charged approach exposes many buried canons in field of flowers. Francois does not lighten up on keys even on the lyrical segment losing out on that certain ambiguity created by a contrast between brute and delicate. It’s a bit too binary at times. Hammering acrobatic Polonaise-esq final movement does not disappoint, however. Very macho Chopin.
Both on 1987 CDs. When I got the 2009 stereo CD remasters I liked them better, but over time I'm finding these original CDs are pretty darn good despite any controversy surrounding George Martin's remixing of the original master tapes during the digitizing process at that time. I'd have to guess there was more monkeying with the sound during the 2009 transfers while the tapes were 20+ years older.
Ruminative solo piano.
If you like jazz with some latin elements (or if you like Michel Camilo) then you might enjoy this one as well.
First Harry Manx - Wise And Otherwise
....now Laura Shay - Blue Light Sessions
Both of these are on Tidal if you fancy a listen (and if you have Tidal of course 
).
On CD:-
Grateful Dead - American Beauty
A + | Tidal
(2016)
Enjoying this artist's voice, I don't know much about country music but she is very good to listen to. Thanks for the recommendation Ewen, unfortunately she only has a couple of albums on Tidal so I might have to buy some more CDs...
This is a fine album, with some really excellent piano from the late John Taylor.
A + 3 | WAV
(1973)
Not to be confused with volumes 2 or 3 of their other Live Dates albums whose covers look quite similar, this early one was recorded in June 1973 at Croydon Fairfield Halls, Reading University, Newcastle City Hall, and Portsmouth Guildhall.
Disc: 1
Disc: 2
Old vinyl
Why? Fancied a change.
steve
Paper Plane posted:Old vinyl
Why? Fancied a change.
steve
Good choice Steve and coincidentally I have this queued up to be played next!