What CD are you listening to right now?

[Alloroc]

Right now, I'm listening to this...

[wkhanna]

Great to hear! The album is "What it is" alright.

I just got it last night in mail from Amazon (used @ <$8 w/shipping), to find out what all the fuss was about.

My wife said “who is that, I like it” when the CD ended and she had been in the kitchen while I was auditioning it. Funny thing is, I use ‘Money for Nothing’ all the time to ‘show off’ my system, and it is a running joke in the house when she says ‘Oh No! Not Again!’ as I queue it up at 95 dB.

Overall, I did enjoy it, and really like the cameo by Van Morrison. SQ was above average on my system, but did seem to be a bit mono-tone in the artistic sense, as there was little variation in the dynamics in the theme of the compositions and the general style. Not necessarily a bad thing, IOW, the mood it set was consistent throughout the album. Some of my favorites based on only my first listen were, baloney again, the last laugh, el macho, speedway at nazareth and junkie doll.

A solid work, and one I am sure will get its share of play-time from my library.
Thanks, Russ! Great recommendation!

[Burke Strickland]

The Lord of the Rings: Symphony No. 1



Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings"
Composed by Johan De Meij
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (L'apprenti sorcier), symphonic scherzo for orchestra
Composed by Paul [composer] Dukas
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra

The LOTR symphony was inspired by the story in the book and was composed well before the movie, the music having been written between March 1984 and December 1987. It is played dramatically and convincingly on this disc by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Although originally composed as a piece for wind band, the rich orchestration including strings in addition to the various wind instruments is quite effective and evocative -- creates a "movie in your mind" which, if you've read the book and let your imagination run with it, could be quite different from what you saw on the screen at your local cinema.

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is probably most well know from a sequence in the movie "Fantasia" However, having been composed in 1897, its original inspiration was not Mickey Mouse. If you had not already heard "Sorcerer's Apprentice" a zillion times before, it could almost be mistaken for another movement of the symphony. Both selections are quite entertaining and recommended.

Burke

[Russ L]

The Lord of the Rings: Symphony No. 1



Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings"
Composed by Johan De Meij
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (L'apprenti sorcier), symphonic scherzo for orchestra
Composed by Paul [composer] Dukas
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra

Burke

Very interesting. Must investigate.

I just bought Brian Eno "Another Day on Earth" 2005 Hes at his ambient best with this one.



Mastered by Simon Heyworth at Super Audio Mastering. Also purchased
Kate Havnevik Melankton 2006...shes amazing. Also mastered by Heyworth.



Russ

[Burke Strickland]

Perhaps even more than fans of Ottorino Respighi, fans of Mahler, Strauss and Debussy would probably enjoy Sinfonia Drammatica. It does not sound as much like the colorful symphonic poems for which Respighi is best known as it does some of the more spectacular efforts of these other composers whom he admired. I had heard part of it on the radio and am now quite glad I bought the Naxos CD featuring the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra led by Daniel Nazereth to be able to enjoy the whole piece.

[gimpy]

"Brian Wilson, Live at the Roxy Theatre" in DVD-A. I'm liking it.
Just got it this afternoon. Put it on as soon as the D-backs game was over.

Frank

[Russ L]

Alexandre Desplat The Painted Veil Soundtrack 2006

A very moody creation with a blend of Chinese and European influences. Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Soundtrack 2007. Well deserved. On Deutche Grammophon with Lang Lang as featured artist.



Russ

[wkhanna]

Just got Marian McPartland's - windows used on Amazon.

This two disc CD is absolutely wonderful.
The first disc, origianlly released as Portrait of Marian McPartland, are studio works in Marian's straight ahead style, with her typically entrancing melodic, as always, never too many note, style.

Accompanied by Jerry Dodgion on alto sax, Jake Hanna on drums and Brian Torff on bass, we get great interpretations of some classics from the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Oscar Hammerstien performed and recorded with precision, involvement and crystal clear tone.

Disc two is the live session, originally released as At the Festival in 1980, from the Concord Jazz Festival of the same year. Again, excellent recording engineering, and the wonderful ambiance and energy that only live Jazz improvisation by some of the greatest music talents can create.

If you love jazz, think you like jazz or want to find out if you like jazz, my recommendation is to get THIS CD set. I can almost grantee it will be loaded in your player often.

[Fred333]

I am listening to Jimmi Hendrix CD.

[Chris D]

Listening to the radio right now. New Mark Knopfler song came on, "Punish the Monkey".

[Blindamood]

Listening to "2400 Fulton Street" by Jefferson Airplane. A great collection of their older stuff (e.g., "White Rabbit"), on a 2-CD set. Actually, the CD part is irrelevant since I'm listening from my Olive Musica. I love working from home...allows me to catch up on my listening!

[Fred333]

I got some Miles Davis in there right now.

[wkhanna]

I got some Miles Davis in there right now.

I new I liked you, Fred!

I have lost count at 40 on the Miles CD's I have, my most recent purchase was Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet, should be here soon.

What album did you have spinning?

[wkhanna]

Just came in the mail today! It is sounding sooo sweet right now.....

I'm having a ball! Why Oh Why did I wait so long before I ever got a copy of this classic?!?!?!?

[greenhorn]

I Just Put In.....

Lean On Me - The Best Of Bill Withers
Very nice, easy clean sound. Mellow but upbeat groove. Serious cool styling. :T

1. Lovely Day
2. I Want To Spend The Night
3. Let Me Be The One You Need
4. Hello Like Before
5. Tender Things
6. I Wish You Well
7. Ain't No Sunshine
8. Grandma's Hands
9. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
10. Lean On Me
11. Harlem
12. Use Me
13. Who Is He (And What Is He To You)?
14. You Just Can't Smile It Away
15. Just The Two Of Us
16. Steppin' Right Along
17. You Try To Find A Love
18. My Imagination

[Gump]

Ec

Picked up the new EC CD "Complete Clapton" yesterday and have been wearing it out ever since. Basically a 2 disc best of CD but it's very, uhh, "complete". His autobiography was also just released to coincide with the CD.

Worthy of perusal by even the most casual of Clapton fans. :T

[joetama]

Listening to a little Minus the Bear "Highly Refined Pirates" To start off the morning here...

[JudyLou]

Jenifer Warnes - The HUNTER

[Ovation]

Sylvain Cossette--The 70s (a cover album by a locally famous Quebec singer).

Includes covers of:
Boston--More Than a Feeling
Kansas--Carry On Wayward Son
10CC--I'm Not in Love
Elton John--Rocket Man
Foreigner--Cold as Ice
and others

A bit uneven, but some good covers.

[dknightd]

Listening to the radio right now. New Mark Knopfler song came on, "Punish the Monkey".

From "Kill To Get Crimson". Nice Album, but I prefer sailing to Phil.

[Alloroc]

I seem to be listening to this one quite a bit lately....

The new one from Fountains of Wayne.... Traffic and Weather

FoW, imo have the art of creating infectious pop melodies licked.

[joetama]

I'm not listening to any music at all right now...


And that makes me sad...

[Russ L]

I seem to be listening to this one quite a bit lately....

The new one from Fountains of Wayne.... Traffic and Weather

FoW, imo have the art of creating infectious pop melodies licked.

Do you have Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers in your collection? If so hows the sound quality? I know its an outstanding pop album which I desperately want to purchase. -Russ

[Fred333]

Right now I ma listening to Superchunk. Very cool music.

[Alloroc]

Do you have Fountains of Wayne's Welcome Interstate Managers in your collection? If so hows the sound quality? I know its an outstanding pop album which I desperately want to purchase. -Russ

Hi,

It's a great album alright - I do have it. Can't particularly remember about SQ though. I'll pull it out sometime soon and give it a spin.

Anyhow, right now I've got Fleetwood Mac : Rumours on...

[Alloroc]

So this arrived in the post yesterday from those nice fellows at B&W. First, it sounds as good as you'd expect. Second, it has a great selection of tracks... Pina was new to me as was a few others and I'll definitly have to explore more.

[Russ L]

I seem to be listening to this one quite a bit lately....

The new one from Fountains of Wayne.... Traffic and Weather

FoW, imo have the art of creating infectious pop melodies licked.

Picked up a copy and enjoying the superb songwriting. The SQ is very good with the mastering by George Marino at Sterling Sound in NY. He worked on Welcome Interstate Managers as well. Gotta Have Pop! :T Regards, Russ

[Chris D]

Just got this from Amazon. Phil Keaggy, who has been called by many as the greatest guitar player in the world, played a performance with the "Glass Harp" trio at Carnegie Hall in the early 70's. There's some phenomenal music on here, including a possible 30 minutes of improvisational jamming by all three musicians. It has a nice early 70's rock feel to it. Very enjoyable.

[bigburner]

Stephen Stills - Just Roll Tape, April 26th, 1968

This album is a breath of fresh air in a world of over-produced music. It's a demo tape that Stephen Stills recorded in 1968 after bribing the sound engineer who was recording a Judy Collins album. It's just Stills and his guitar.

At age 23 Stills had an exquisite voice, which sadly he lost many years ago. So if you want to hear songs like "Suite: Judy Blues Eyes" and "Wooden Ships" performed by the writer of those songs long before they became hits for Crosby, Stills and Nash then this is the CD for you.

Nigel.

[jack667]

Max Richter - The Blue Notebooks

All day every day. This album is INCREDIBLE.

[Chris D]

Okay, you guys got me to go ahead and order this album. Got it on DVD-A. So far, I'm very, very impressed. I do like "Sailing to Philadelphia", but my favorite by far on the album is "What It Is". I'm amazed by the riffs that Knopfler puts in there. Thanks so much for the recommendation! I might have to pick up Knopfler's latest album now, too.

[ShadowZA]

Stacey Kent - Breakfast on the Morning Tram



British-American singer Stacey Kent's new album, "Breakfast On The Morning Tram," shows the youthful jazz chanteuse with the sweet, yet strong voice, to be enjoying unprecedented growth in her career. She's put together a bigger band, with a number of talented musicians, and she's allowed them lots of room to stretch on this disk. She has also, for the first time, recorded original compositions: this album has only three songs from the Great American Songbook, on which she had so successfully relied until now. She has also moved on from her first recording label, the small independent Candid, to the prestigious jazzy Blue Note.

Kent, who was born in South Orange, New Jersey, met her talented husband, saxophonist, now producer/arranger/composer, Jim Tomlinson, with whom she works, while both were students at London's 125 year old Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The singer, whose clear voice and delivery lie somewhere between the flirtatious sound of Norah Jones, and the ever-popular smoky barroom sound now delivered by Diana Krall and Claire Martin, among others, was initially championed by British critic and jazz trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton. She credits Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Nancy Wilson, and Cannonball Adderley as the biggest influences on her work. She has won the 2001 British Jazz Award, and the 2002 British Broadcasting Corporation Jazz Award for Best Vocalist. She has a large, devoted following that should be pleased by her newest release.

[dknightd]

Tommy, The Who (MSFL) and oldie but goodie

[micagreenmachin]

The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Sometimes, I just can't help myself...

[Charles]

Neil Young: Decade

[bigburner]

I've just taken off "How I Quit Smoking" by Lambchop and now I'm listening to "Five Days In July" by Blue Rodeo. Both are pleasant, low key, understated albums in the alt country genre.

Edit: No wait, Blue Rodeo has finished and now it's "Between Daylight and Dark" by Mary Gauthier. This is a bit of a change from the last two albums.

[bigburner]

I'm currently listening to "Morph the Cat" by Donald Fagen on a rainy Saturday afternoon here in God's own country. This guy is the king of clever lyrics.

Instead of taming my garden I've been forced to listen music all day because of the weather. It hasn't been easy I can tell you. The highlights have been:

"Garden Ruin" by Calexico - a 2006 sort of alt country rock album with a Tex Mex flavour, and

"Here Come the Warm Jets" by Brian Eno - a brilliant 1974 pop album that I've just rediscovered after a 32 year break. I was stunned at how innovative it sounds all these years later.

[Alloroc]

Really enjoying by Kurt Elling's latest "Nightmoves".

[Yasvanth]

Hi

I'm listening to Usher - Confessions.

Is Kurt Ellings - Nightmoves a rock,pop or acoustic CD?

Cheers

Yas

[Alloroc]

Hi


Is Kurt Ellings - Nightmoves a rock,pop or acoustic CD?

None of the above.... It's Jazz, on Blue Note.

[wkhanna]

I'm currently listening to "Morph the Cat" by Donald Fagen on a rainy Saturday afternoon here in God's own country. This guy is the king of clever lyrics.

I just got it in the mail today from Amazon (used)
It's about 3/4 through and while I do have a good first impression, it does seem a bit cut 'cut & paste' compared to the rest of my Steely Dan collection. A bit micro produced and slightly compressed.

The musicianship is still top-notch, and the SQ is superb, but it seems like one small element is missing.

But don't get me wrong, it's a great CD, and well worth having and listening to. I'm pleased to have it and recommend it highly.

[Hdale85]

Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News

[impala454]

Really enjoying by Kurt Elling's latest "Nightmoves".

oh nice I may have to pick this up... I love Bob Mintzer!

on the topic: Listening to the Transformers Score soundtrack

[Alloroc]

So Led Zep's new compilation "Mothership" arrived in the post. It's worth it for the DVD alone. All other tracks I've got either on original (yes original) vinyl and on CD, but nice to have all the same. The DVD has over an hour of live tracks - Moby Dick is great! A decent taster for when 'The Song Remains The Same' is launched on bluray shortly!

[Hdale85]

Just picked up the Donald Fagen - Morph The Cat. Must say excellent cd. Enjoying it very much.