My Records of the year...
Posted by: T38.45 on 21 November 2017
maybe a bit early....here are my most played LPs/ files....
1. Jamie Saft: loneliness road (can‘t stop spinning this, best Jazz trio recording- Not a single boring note imho)
2. Matthew Halsall: when the world was gone (2016?- it‘s like a musical flood, diving into...)
3. Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunk: Bach H-Moll Messe (download, it sounds great too)
4. Pegido: greetings from Amarillo (tip from audiostream, great guitar transformiert me in the planes...)
5. The Still: the Still (bronze rat recording, Vinyl, guess this is hard to find but worth it)
6. Aldous Harding: Party (strange and beautiful recording....dont watch the video called Blend :–)
7. Julie Byrne: Not Even happiness (took me 5sec to buy the record)
ralf
Seasons greetings to all forum-ites.
Not posted for a while due to other preoccupations.
It’s been a good year for a huge variety of new music for me and ECM now being available on Tidal has been the icing on the cake.
Like others, Ive pretty much fully embraced streaming now, having bought only a handful of CDs / downloads this year. Mixed feelings about this, but the convenience, SQ and vfm (@£20 / mo on Tidal) are a compelling combination when it opens up so much new stuff to try.
My top 5 below fwiw.
Offa Rex - Queen of Hearts
No contest for me, my most played album of the year by a long chalk. Beautiful singing by Olivia Chaney, great playing by the Decemberists and outstanding production. Standout Track - “The Gardener” - a real ear worm.
Chris Stapleton - From a Room Volumes 1 & 2
This chap can’t put a foot wrong at the moment, 3 great albums in quick succession.
Anouar Brahem - Blue Maqams
I sometimes found his previous classic “Thimar” a little dry, but on this, the addition of Django Bates’ lovely piano playing, subtly colouring the sound, is absolutely great. Some real groovy moments on this one.
Rodney Crowell - Close Ties
Not an artist I’ve been familiar with at all, but this autobiographical look-back over his musical career is choc full of good songs, playing and production. Much played this year.
Rhiannon Giddens - Freedom Highway
Another new artist for me. Worth the price of entry for the exquisite “We Could Fly” alone.
Honourable mentions also include;
Leo Richardson - The Chase
Richard Thompson - Acoustic Classics ll
Tommy Smith - Embodying the Light
Shelby Lynne - Not Dark Yet
Cheers
Nick