Having just enjoyed Red, I thought I'd have a look through what appears to be a rather large collection of King Crimson (how did that happen?) and have settled for this, which I seem to recall being rather good. And that's now confirmed just a few minutes into the first disc (ripped and streamed).

Sat in the middle of Hyde Park with The Stereophonics��

Pablo Held trio - Lineage

From amazon:

Ten years together – already an impressive feat for any relationship in this day and age; for a jazz group, virtually unheard of. Yet the Pablo Held Trio has survived and flourished: in January pianist/composer Held, bassist Robert Landfermann and drummer Jonas Burgwinkel completed Lineage, their eighth PIROUET album together, and are now in the midst of a year-long tour spanning three continents. At the age of 29 Held has a decade of astounding music behind him. It has won him International praise as one of the most innovative pianists in jazz, and his trio is at the creative center. Downbeat points out that, “... no matter how distinctive the frame, the trio is the picture, always sounding like its ruminative, glowing self." As for Lineage, Held says that, “it has always been important to me where we come from – what influences us – My music is as much influenced by Monk as it is by Debussy or Bach. Everything that influences me is part of that lineage.” The pieces are mostly played as written, and yet there is such a feeling of integrated freedom that it is often difficult to know where the writing ends and the improvisation begins. For all its complexity, the music has an innate naturalness, brilliantly balanced between the known and the unknown; it makes you think and feel the exuberance of discovering something new, something you’ve never heard played quite that way before. As Pablo Held says, “We’ve been together for ten years now but it doesn’t feel like it. It still feels fresh when we play together, it still has that enthusiasm and energy, and I don’t think we are anywhere near done.”

A Telefunken vinyl released in 1978:

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

Kind of Haunting...

Second play (on vinyl) for this rather spiffing new release, which came out a couple of days ago:

Richard Morris posted:

Brilliant posted:

Jacques Coursil -  Trail of Tears. Recorded 2007, released 2010. CD-rip

Jacques Coursil Unit -  Way Ahead from 1969. CD-rip

 

 

Wow, that Actuel is a cover I haven't seen for years. Used to buy lps in the series from Ray's Jazz in New Oxford Street in the 1970s. We favoured Archie Shepp and the Art Ensemble recordings  so I've not heard that one.

He had a couple on BYG/Actuel: 19 & 49 - 'Black Suite' with Anthony Braxton both worth hearing - the full 'Way Ahead' album is on youtube!

Quite a change from King Crimson: Linda Ronstadt's greatest hits. I remember a friend at school who was besotted with Ms. Ronstadt! I'm playing this from the pre-recorded cassette as I'm wondering if I could live without the ability to play cassettes or record programmes off the radio. I think the benefit of cassette replay has largely been lost since car manufacturers have stopped including them (even though they can sound very good). Cassette has a certain sound that appeals. Right now as Linda is striking up a 'Heatwave' I think the answer is no, I could not be without it. 

Tidal Delux edition with the rather fine sounding live set.

G

Radio 2 FM - live in Hyde Park

Just been enjoying Rick Astley, next up Emeli Sande

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow. Vinyl

In contrast to raging IRMA in south Florida:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0S3TIT26l8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQGWRHh1hQ

Dexter Gordon - Homecoming: live at the Village Vanguard

From allmusic:

The acclaim that met Dexter Gordon when he returned to the United States after 14 years in Europe was completely unexpected. Not only did the jazz critics praise the great tenor but there were literally lines of young fans waiting to see his performances. This double CD, recorded during his historic first American tour, improved on the original double LP with the inclusion of previously unreleased versions of "Fried Bananas" and "Body and Soul." Gordon -- in a quintet with trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Louis Hayes -- frequently sounds exuberant on these lengthy performances; eight of the ten songs are at least 11 minutes long. The excitement of the period can definitely be felt in this excellent music.

After Barton Hollow now listening to their second album - The Civil Wars. Vinyl again

I definitely need to keep the ability to play cassettes. Playing this now as I type. Superbly enjoyable music, but great sound too from a little 1/8" tape.

This is a jolly fine album indeed.

Time for some Jordi Savall. Beautifully chosen pieces (or composers), superbly recorded, and brilliantly performed, Savall is one of the best interpreters of Early and Baroque music out there. Another great disc on his Alia Vox label:

TIme to raise the BPM with some English jazz funk on vinyl

Kevin-W posted:

Time for some Jordi Savall. Beautifully chosen pieces (or composers), superbly recorded, and brilliantly performed, Savall is one of the best interpreters of Early and Baroque music out there. Another great disc on his Alia Vox label:

Thanks for posting this one! Seems interesting. I am not familiar with Jordi Savall (or Marin Marais). But with also Ton Koopman and Hopkinson Smith this must be a good recording.

Jeroen20 posted:

Thanks for posting this one! Seems interesting. I am not familiar with Jordi Savall (or Marin Marais). But with also Ton Koopman and Hopkinson Smith this must be a good recording.

Jeroen

Marin Marais (1656-1728) was a French composer and viol player, who studied under Lully and went on to work at the Court of Versailles.I only really know his viol music, which is very good; but he also wrote operas, sacred music and 'program music'.

Jordi Savall is also a composer and viol player, only he's Spanish. He is still with us, and at 76, is still recording. He is a master of the viola da gamba and specialises in Renaissance, Medieval and Baroque music, but he does occasionally venture into the Classical era. Since 1989 he has recorded mostly with his group Le Concert des Nations. His recordings are distinguished by their attention to detail, pecision, wit, verve, and for their superb SQ.

His recording of Couperin's Les Concerts Royaux (Alia Vox AVSA9840) is stunning - one of my very favourite classical albums.

In the post above, to Jeroen, I reminded myself of this wonderful disc - so I just HAD to play it. One of the best sounding CDs/SACDs I have ever heard, Couperin's warm, tender and witty music is rendered with exquisite lightness of touch by Savall and friends; but also with precision, amazing attention to detail - particularly on the phrasing - and supreme expressiveness. I absolutely love this record - and if you are a fan of Baroque music, it's a must-have in your collection.

Lee Morgan - The gigolo

From allmusic.com:

Lee Morgan was the leading trumpeter in hard bop during the 1960s and he recorded quite a few classic albums for Blue Note. This is one of them. The CD reissue (which adds an alternate take of the title cut to the original five-song program) features Morgan at his best, whether playing his memorable blues "Speed Ball," an explorative ballad version of "You Go to My Head," a lengthy "The Gigolo," or his other two originals ("Yes I Can, No You Can't" and "Trapped"). There are no weak selections on this set and the playing by the leader, Wayne Shorter on tenor, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Billy Higgins is beyond any serious criticism.

With the first fire of the season