What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XIII)

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840):  Rachel Barton Pine (violin)

24 Caprices and other works for solo violin

I can imagine myself here as a quasi listener in a way as I do not play the violin but the analytical side of me tends to still be analytical with any music and what better music than Paganini should one marvel at all the "nuts and bolts" that form these creations?  I also acknowledge that there are dual competing forces for any musician in that one wants to play the hardest music known to man and make it sound 'easy;' that is, so that a common listener would never be aware that they are actually hearing a miracle unfold each time some musician pulls it off.  (this is despite the fact that every common listener who couldn't play a triangle is quick to judge if a wrong note is played or the musician is struggling in a difficult piece).  The other side is that most musicians want (at least a little part of them) to have any listener acknowledge or understand what extreme sacrifice it takes to be a musician who even attempts music such as these Paganini Caprices.  And rightly so, very few people can actually play this music so it is logical that much respect should be given those who can.  Usually, anyone who ever played an instrument understands that the goal is the former point (to reach an olympian level) and the reality is the latter - that very few can actually reach these heights (so we should really honour and respect those that have earned it or even try to).

Rachel Barton Pine is just one of those musicians who has earned it and rightly deserves to be praised.  Whether you listen technically and are in awe of what she so seemingly effortlessly achieves or just like the "simple" straightforward outcome of this beautiful music and its catchy tunes, it is all the same - an excellent recording so be enjoyed.

Many know how I am very picky about pianos.  From recordings in how they sound and in real life there is the reality of each piano's tactile nature and personality.  I am equally fascinated by stringed instruments and of course the two most famed being those from the Stadivari and Guarneri lineage.  In general, a Stradivari has a more pinpoint accurate tone and elegance (happiness) while the Gaurneri are known for a slightly rougher, darker (sadder) tone.  I like both styles in different instances but my heart belongs to Gaurneri (del Gesù) with its more interesting possibilities.  You could actually equate the two based on Major key tonality (Stradivari) and Minor key tonality (Gaurneri) and so this is obvious then since I prefer most music in the minor key tonality.

The name of this album is Bel Canto which refers to a style of 'beautiful singing' qualities that of course was very common in Paganini's time and especially in Italian opera.

Rachel Barton Pine plays here on the 1742 'ex-Bazzini ex-Soldat' Guarneri del Gesù which was made two years prior to his death in 1744.  Paginini himself played on the Il Cannone Guarneri which was made in 1743 (after losing his Amati due to his penchant for gambling).  The 'del Gesù' you see often after the name of Guarneri means "of Jesus" because he always labeled his instruments with the characters I.H.S. (iota-eta-sigma), a Greek acronym known as the Christogram. 

WAV CD Rip. I picked up a haul of over 40 discs at a library clearance today, so it's a ripping day. 1st disc I ripped and played was this. John Tams played with 2 great folk rock bands, the Albions and Home Service, for the latter he was lead singer and main songwriter. He's been a music director and actor at the National Theatre and for TV, including a lot of music for War Horse. Here it's a Tams solo album,socially committed extremely well written songs, sung by a man with a great voice who knows how to interpret a song. Just lovely.

WAV CD Rip. Another of today's haul, the Dan noodling as only they can, brilliant songs played well, very good SQ for a live album.

Europe

War Of Kings - CD Rip

1. War Of Kings
2. Hole In My Pocket
3. Second Day
4. Praise You
5. Nothin‘ To Ya
6. California 405
7. Days Of Rock n Roll
8. Children Of The Mind
9. Rainbow Bridge
10. Angels (With Broken Hearts)
11. Light Me Up

Edward

.....something soft and lovely this morning to start off the day

Antonio Forcione & Sabina Sciubba - Meet Me In London

I saw this posted by HH yesterday and others previously and thought I would give it a listen. Found it on Tidal this morning and into the fifth track, drinking my coffee and thoroughly enjoying the moment within the day.

I've put on my pink jumpsuit and legwarmers, the deely boppers have been extracted from the attic, the hair and shoulders have just got bigger, and we're ready to go back to the Frapp, on vinyl:

On Vinyl

.....next up

Antonio Forcione Quartet: In Concert

Enjoyed Antonio's guitar playing in the previous album and though I would continue on with more.....

Another WAV Rip from my bargain CD shopping today. A Mary Black album I didn't have, what you'd expect, excellently chosen songs, excellent band, Mary has a great voice and inhabits a song wonderfully, so great music. Standouts on first listening, Eric Bogle's All the Fine Young Men, Steady Breathing is poignant, and Lighthouse Light is Mary Black duetting with Janis Ian!

Christine Hitt - You'd be so nice to come home to.

Like the review below says, the comparison with Diana Krall is easily made. The both sing and play the piano well. I prefer the voice of Diana Krall. The music of Christine Hitt is more towards straight ahead jazz.

From Allmusic.com

An artist from Minnesota who studied piano at U-Minnesota and U-Arizona, Hitt recorded these sessions at Southern Illinois University and Studio 88 in St. Louis. This is her debut CD, revealing her talents as a pleasant enough vocalist and pianist whose ultimate comparison could be to Diana Krall, but who ostensibly sounds nothing like the pop-jazz chanteuse. In fact, Hitt plays better piano and sings in a less affected way -- very naturally and comfortably in her midrange. She's not histrionic, but she scats quite skillfully on many occasions, swings without flash or cabaret inclinations, and avoids blatant cuteness. Bassist Tom Kennedy and drummers Jeff Hamilton (five cuts) and Todd Strait (nine cuts) stoke the rhythm, while guitarist Rick Haydon and clarinetist Scott Alberici appear here and there. Ray Kennedy is credited on piano, but his name is missing from any track listings; Hitt sings and plays her own piano throughout, unless there's a typo. This program of 15 standards varies as one might expect, from love ballads and Brazilian music to fun tunes, though there isn't much blues. Hitt scats on the title track, and on "Joyride" she scats exclusively, not singing a written lyric; she employs clipped phrases on the lyric and mad scat on the bridge for the frantic "What Is This Thing Called Love?." On pieces with more relaxed, patient tempos, such as "Dream a Little Dream of Me," Hitt adopts a cozy style; she stays well within herself on "Thou Swell," and emphasizes her upper register to its detriment during "What'll I Do?." South-of-the-border pieces include a uniquely arranged 7/8 to 4/4 samba variation of the e.e. cummings Pooh-bear treat "Sitting in a Tree," the interesting clarinet- and guitar-based "Moonlight," and the fairly standard bossa take of "A Time for Love." Old-time swing with clarinet and strummed guitar on "Moonglow" and "In a Mellow Tone" harkens back to melancholy roots and traditions. On the torch ballad side, Hitt certainly offers an acceptable degree of emotional expressiveness for "My Foolish Heart" and "I've Got a Crush on You," without growing too melodramatic. There are two cuts with no singing that prove her to be quite an able instrumentalist. An exceptional interpretation of "Beautiful Love" sounds like she's played all her life. A waltz treatment of "Sometime Ago" is strangely credited with vocals that never come -- possibly another typo. There's also a bonus CD-ROM video track, "In the Wee Small Hours." For all the things Hitt is, she is not obvious, and that's the best part of her persona. Let others blast you with mushy multi-layered strings, loud beats, or nastily belted-out lyrics; she's searching for something deeper and more profound, and most times on this fine CD, she hits the mark. Recommended.

Kevin-W posted:

I've put on my pink jumpsuit and legwarmers, the deely boppers have been extracted from the attic, the hair and shoulders have just got bigger, and we're ready to go back to the Frapp, on vinyl:

or

Gor blimey!  

I wish you hadn't reminded me of that Stevee, I'd just managed to get the image of Sid James in a pink jumpsuit, legwarmersa nd deelyboppers out of my head, now it's back to my therapist I fear.

A+3 | WAV

(1978)

Time for a bit of new wave rock from Boston Mass', a band I really got into back in the day. 

Def Leppard

Hysteria Deluxe Edition - CD Rip

Eoink posted:

I wish you hadn't reminded me of that Stevee, I'd just managed to get the image of Sid James in a pink jumpsuit, legwarmersa nd deelyboppers out of my head, now it's back to my therapist I fear.

You'll be fine Eoink, put down the phone to your therapist and get into the flow with this one, I've got it queued up next.  

Sounds as creamy in midday as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGl0av2Yly8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1GRLkfNKWg

Still ripping and playing today's haul, lovely performances of Mozart Piano trios from Previn, Mutter and Müller-Schott, 3 excellent musicians letting Mozart flow.

Haiku Salut - Etch & Etch Deep

Soundtrack to an early evening domestic scene.

Haven't played this for a little while . . . . 

Round my place we've now all donned thigh boots, keytars and wolves' heads for some serious Frappage. Hyuk hyuk

A+3 | WAV

(1978)

So, on we go with some more from the wonderful Cars.

We are sticking with the rather more conventional sheer fishnet upper body stockings and high heeled mules. 

Perfect music for a lazy Saturday evening, such a fine guitarist with a catalogue of great songs, good band, on some tracks a wildly enthusiastic audience. Laid-back gittar playing by a master.

Deep Purple

Made In Japan - Wave 24bit 96kHz (2014 Remaster)

1. Highway Star
2. Smoke On The Water
3. Child In Time
4. The Mule (Drum Solo)
5. Strange King Of Woman
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin

Ono of my all time favourite Rock albums, "child in time" would be one of my contenders for the greatest songs ever made.

Edward