What CD are you listening to right now?

[wkhanna]

excellent way of auditioning new music......& supporting vital local community services!

[bigburner]

The Teskey Brothers - "Half Mile Harvest" (2017)

This is the finest new album I've heard for quite a while.

The Teskey Brothers are four young Australians from just outside of Melbourne. They play a blend of soul and blues, and they write all their own material. Although they've been together for eight years this is only their second album. The band recorded this album in their own studio, utilizing a purely analogue production. The sound quality is lovely.

I just wish The Teskey Brothers would come over the ditch and visit us here in New Zealand. In the meantime "Half Mile Harvest" is getting a lot of play time in my house.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

all analog production!
i will check this out if just to evaluate the SQ.
then most likely fall for the music, too!

thanks, Nigel!

[bigburner]

Steve Gadd Band - Way Back Home Live From Rochester NY (2016)

I first discovered jazz in 1975 when my flatmates in London introduced me to Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Lester Young, Chick Corea, Milt Jackson and many more. One of the bands we listened to was The Crusaders who released an album called “Scratch” which included a song called “Way Back Home” written by Wilton Felder who was a member of the band. It’s a lovely song.

Fast forward 40 years and I discovered that “Way Back Home” had been recorded live by one of my favourite drummers Steve Gadd. I looked up the song on YouTube and immediately ordered the CD. What a fabulous album it is, with great music and stellar musicians.

You can see them performing the “Way Back Home” song here. Wait ‘til you hear the guitarist and bass player duelling.

Over the years I have somewhat ignored jazz in favour of others genres of music, but when I come across an album like this one it makes me wonder what I have been missing.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Ray Davies - "Americana" (2017)

This is my favourite new album of 2017 so far. I listened to it last night at volume sitting in the sweet spot on the couch, and every song was good. It has great production values and the backing band (The Jayhawks) sounded wonderful. I was in the right mood having participated in a good session at a craft beer bar with friends earlier that evening, so that definitely helped. However it also sounded good when I heard it a couple of days ago at lower volume on my office speakers.

If you don’t know Ray Davies he was the singer and main songwriter for The Kinks. He’s regarded as one of England’s best song writers, and this album proves it.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

heard him interviewed a few weeks ago on radio.
snippets of the album sounded good.

i was always (still am) a huge fan of the Kinks

[Ovation]

Listening to something quite different:

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto, No. 2, Theme and variations, Piano pieces--Boris Berezovsky (piano); Sinfonia Varsovia with Alexander Vedernikov conducting.

Up next, though, Windy City (Deluxe release)--Alison Krauss. Never let it be said my tastes are too narrow.

[wkhanna]

never

[JonMarsh]

Rachael Podger, "Rosary Sonatas", SACD/CD




to give you an idea of how off the charts SACD has fallen, this was sold on Amazon as just a CD. Much to my pleasant surprise, it's both Stereo and multi-channel SACD. Now, if ONLY I had some time to get out the Oppo BD93 with the AudioPraise board in it for multi-channel S/PDIF real time recording and set it up with my RME Fireface to record it to 24/176.4...

Sheryl Crow, "Be Myself". Sheryl's is not completely satisfying to me, but it does remind me of why I liked a lot of her older stuff... need to dig those out from the HD archives!

[wkhanna]

wonderful that you should even have time listen, let alone post about it!

[BadiVeganaf]

PRIMARE D20 Keith Richards - Main Pretenders

I'm enjoy listening to Keith Richards - Main Pretenders

[bigburner]

Main Offender mate...

... but I really liked his last album Crosseyed Heart so I'll give it another go.

Nigel.

[bigburner]

Willie Nelson - "God's Problem Child" (2017)

If there is a God I'm confident he loves Willie... because I do.

An 84 year old American legend approaches the finishing line and he does it with a fine album.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

The Allman Brothers:

hi rez needle drop rip- A&R Studios: New York, 26th August 1971

hi rez needle drop rip- At Fillmore East (Nautilus LP)

vinyl- Idlewild South (MFSL 180g)

[bigburner]

Bill, I suspect that you and I may have been doing the same thing. In my case it was Gregg Allman's "Low Country Blues" (2011).

He was only 6 years older than I am, which provides food for thought.

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

yep.
he had ten years on me......hope i can at least equal him, but that is not high in the odds with current health issues.
just gotta make the best of the rest......no ordinary moments from here on out.....

i suspect he died from the same thing as my brother-in-law.
beat his liver to hell & back with booze, then got straight.
but the damage was done.
my b-in-law was on xplant list, but for many years (13+) he was doing really good.
then the liver cancer came.....and it came fast........same as Steve Jobs.

B-in-law was dead in a matter of less than four weeks.


any who......we keep on trucking, looking for only good stuff, let the bad stuff pass us by......

[bigburner]

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Downey To Lubbock (2018)

One of the best Americana albums I've heard for a while. The acoustics are good too. I have a 24-bit version and it's rich and detailed.

Nigel.

[bougti]

"Red Sea, Black Sea" - Shearwater
"The Only One" - The American Analog Set
"Ocean Of Noise" - Arcade Fire
"Clockwork" - Augie March
"Tiny Paintings" - Architecture In Helsinki
"Don't Have To Be Sad" - Yo La Tengo
"The Warning" - nine inch nails
"New Son" - rex


Bluestacks Kodi Lucky Patcher

[wkhanna]

how nice to see some activity here!!!!!

[Ovation]

Hilary Hahn--Samuel Barber Violin Concerto and Edgar Meyer Violin Concerto

I've been on a Hilary Hahn kick for a bit and this one gets heavy rotation.

[JonMarsh]

It's been ages since I've posted about CD's, and since I had time to read about CD's, and since I've had a normal full tilt system at home to listen to CD's or other digital audio.


But just in case someone else occasionally lurks in this rather quiet (now) section of the forum, some words about a band for which I've had one really nice recording for nigh on 20 years, and recently discovered more, ones that mark a slightly more unconventional evolution of their artistic career.


Remember way back when Sony introduced SACD? 1999? YES, that was TWENTY YEARS AGO, and those have mostly been INTERNET years, so that's like, well, FOREVER! Might as well be during the Roman Empire, culturally and historically speaking. I mean, no one listens to CD's anymore, right? But SACD never gained anything like the momentum of CD... unfortunately.

Well, back then, Sony pulled a lot of stuff out of their vaults, albums for which they had better than average sounding even if they didn't use them to master the run of the mill CD...

If you think I'm making this stuff up, go back and compare the cut, "Gaiia" on the "Hourglass" CD and the SACD version... the former sounds it was recorded through a pillow with an aggressive compressor and the low end rolled well off, to protect your portable Bluetooth speakers, even though those hadn't been invented yet.

Well, I bought a LOT of those first release SACD's... and some of you may remember I also built up a couple of modded Pioneer disk players with the AudioPraise board that would do conversion of DSD to high res PCM and output it on SPDIF. And if you happened to have an audio interface that would plug into your Mac DAW that would ignore the copy protection bit embedded in the stream, why, with the right software one cap capture right to HD in the native DAW format, then export to stuff that is more suited to network music players or general computer music players.

I have a newer set of boards from Audio Praise designed for the Oppo BD93, and an Oppo BD93 in storage up in Idaho... Never even had the time to put them together. But back to the music...

One of those SACD's was the debut album of "Nickel Creek", a blugrass band.

The recording definitely merited being an early SACD release, and the music, while clearly having roots in bluegrass instrumentation and arrangements, was more pop oriented, though still keeping themes in the lyrics that were were somewhat traditional.





I have a desktop system I listen to while I work, and it provides some ambient music for the living room area, too. That album is ported to the music lib on that iMad Pro, and it got me to thinking and wondering what, if anything, they've done since then.

Well, they have done a few things, and most notably one album I really enjoy that has a pronounced edgy evolution in both musical style and in lyrics- "Why should the fire die?"






While many songs start off with a somewhat traditional feel, both musically and lyrically, they usually veer off very quickly into rather different territory. In fact, if I had to put a label on the genre, I'd be tempted to call it "Acid Bluegrass" (not an original concept, but derived from the Acid Jazz moniker of old).

It's an intriguing juxtaposition, which I enjoy quite a bit (ET likes it even more..., I hear)

maybe the most extreme example is the cut "Helena", which starts off like a typical plaintive ballad, but before it's finished is rocking like a Brit style power pop more typical of the early 70s-

If you're in the mood for something a bit different, a little further off today's typical musical paths, and well recorded, check it out!

[r100gs]

33 1/3

So happy to see these guys still releasing new music. One of my favorite bands.

[r100gs]

Wow, this thread is 14 years old, time flies. 8O

[Burke Strickland]

One of two symphonies presented on this exceptionally well recorded disk, Shostakovich's Eleventh Symphony: "The Year 1905", is a brooding, atmospheric, haunting, dramatic and rewarding symphonic poem based on seven revolutionary folk songs which tell the story of the 1905 revolution in Russia. It's engagingly played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Andris Nelsons -- a standout performance. Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony is also very well presented, and while this performance is perhaps eclipsed by some other outstanding recordings previously available by other orchestras and conductors, it's still worth listening.

[Ovation]

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One of two symphonies presented on this exceptionally well recorded disk, Shostakovich's Eleventh Symphony: "The Year 1905", is a brooding, atmospheric, haunting, dramatic and rewarding symphonic poem based on seven revolutionary folk songs which tell the story of the 1905 revolution in Russia. It's engagingly played by the Boston Symphony Orchestra led by Andris Nelsons -- a standout performance. Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony is also very well presented, and while this performance is perhaps eclipsed by some other outstanding recordings previously available by other orchestras and conductors, it's still worth listening.

Shostakovich is one of my favourite composers. Just added this (and a couple of others by the same conductor/orchestra) to my Apple Music library (my way of testing whether I plan to buy a CD). Will give it a listen later today.
Cheers.

[r100gs]

Philip Aaberg

I am not my much into piano music. This one does it for me.

[Ovation]

It's a DVD-A disc, not a CD, but I just finished Soular Energy by the Ray Brown Trio (Ray Brown--bass; Gene Harris--piano; Gerryck King--drums). Recorded in 1984 and transferred to DVD-Audio at 24 bits/192 khz in 2 channel, it might be the best sound quality I've ever heard. The music is fantastic (jazz standards and some blues). Stand out tracks are Teach Me Tonight and That's All, along with Take the 'A' Train. I've had it on my shelf for years (probably close to ten) and I only unwrapped it a few days ago. But I've listened to it six times already and will be listening to it again really soon.

[wkhanna]

...Soular Energy by the Ray Brown Trio (Ray Brown--bass; Gene Harris--piano; Gerryck King--drums).....

i have yet to hear any album with Gene Harris on it that does not go straight to my 'A' list.

:T

[wkhanna]

strung four Rolling Stones albums together saturday just cuz what the hell else is there to do when you have been cooped up in the house for over 8 weeks......

[Ovation]

Listening to Miles Smiles on SACD while grading essays. When your sidemen include Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock, you know you've put together an all-star band (as Miles did on a regular basis).

Before that, ran through Brubeck's Take Five on SACD.

[wkhanna]

SACD converted to DSD via my PC > Gungnir

[wkhanna]

[wkhanna]

[Lex]

XM radio blue tooth Beatles something, dunno... Elenor Rigby! Now we go to Paperback Writer, as per Meg Griffin...

[kpodolski]

[Ovation]

Vaughan Williams
Job
Symphony No. 9
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis
SACD

[Lex]

Well, I am listinging to jazz on XM radio via blue Tooth headphones (B & W) Not sure who is playing right now. This is south african jazz, he say. Apparently ths guy that has same name as a drummer I know Stevie Hawkins. This guy knows South African Jazz. I did not realize there was such a thing...

[Ovation]

Well, I am listinging to jazz on XM radio via blue Tooth headphones (B & W) Not sure who is playing right now. This is south african jazz, he say. Apparently ths guy that has same name as a drummer I know Stevie Hawkins. This guy knows South African Jazz. I did not realize there was such a thing...

There's all sorts of jazz out there. I once went to a show at the Montreal Jazz Festival (must be over ten years ago now) and the band's name was the Indo-Pak Coalition (co-band leaders were from India and Pakistan, respectively). Cool stuff. Bought a CD right after the show. I should dig it out. Been a while since I listened to it.

[JonMarsh]

Steve Wilson Remixes

Doing things "Free Hand"... OK, the work on the Osiris led me to thinking about Gentle Giant again, and having seen a listing for a "Free Hand" Steve Wilson remix- and having seen those sold for some Yes albums a couple of years ago.

Well, I thought, what the heck, and ordered the Free Hand Steve Wilson remix not knowing anything.

It came in early this week, and I also discovered this very interesting article.

https://www.soundonsound.com/people/steven-wilson-remixing-classic-albums

It spells out his philosophy and how he does what he does- which is very thorough and meticulous!

And besides, he gets instant points with me for having a lot of the DAW software I have on hand AND having two older Mac Pro's like models I have tucked away in storage!




But, the point is the music, yesterday I received the two copies of Free Hand that I ordered, and listened to it in Living Mono, through my one Isiris in the great room area, and if the job he did on the Yes albums and others is anything like what he did on Free Hand, I see why artists and record companies have been giving him all the business he can handle.



So I tracked down and ordered Tales from Topographic Oceans (one of my absolute all time favorite Yes albums, especially for the early work) and Relayer. Should be here soon. Not cheap, but for a fan boy like me, I expect they will be worth it.

And HDTracks has a special package 26 remastered cuts at 24/96kHz. That's on my shopping list once I get the networked music player back up.

[JonMarsh]

"Proof of life"

it will be a while before I can listen in stereo..... but it's just another hunk of deferred gratification for now.

Realistically, this is probably only for the serious Yes Fanboys. If you are one, you know who you are.

[wkhanna]

"Proof of life"

it will be a while before I can listen in stereo..... but it's just another hunk of deferred gratification for now.

Realistically, this is probably only for the serious Yes Fanboys. If you are one, you know who you are.

i just saw this, and yes, i know who i am, lol!

[JonMarsh]

There is a huge Steve Wilson YES bundle on HD Tracks spanning many albums, and that is on my must do list once I get the networked music system back in place!

So much to do... literally. No one ever told me retirement would be this much work! They probably thought I'd have the time to figure that out!

[wkhanna]

knowing you, your 'new' boss is probably the most demanding one you have ever had.

[Ovation]

"Proof of life"

it will be a while before I can listen in stereo..... but it's just another hunk of deferred gratification for now.

Realistically, this is probably only for the serious Yes Fanboys. If you are one, you know who you are.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]31879[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH=CONFIG]31880[/ATTACH]

I have both of these in Blu-ray Audio, with both MCH and stereo mixes by Wilson (along with other goodies). I’ve also got a few others. Picked them up when they came out. Wouldn’t want to have to replace them now (afraid to look at current prices).

[JonMarsh]

I have both of these in Blu-ray Audio, with both MCH and stereo mixes by Wilson (along with other goodies). I’ve also got a few others. Picked them up when they came out. Wouldn’t want to have to replace them now (afraid to look at current prices).

Just finding them available anywhere might be the real challenge... when I searched for Yes Steven Wilson BD Audio didn't come up.


There's a lot of things in life that are like shopping at Costco- if you see something you really like, better buy it now, unless it's a real commodity. And even then- I've scored some very nice clothing bits at Costco for my sort of weird general contractor style tastes, and tool items too. Plus specialty foods.

now, how that works in the real world on other things, a good example is Epiphany Limited edition guitars. Epiphone is the off shore division of Gibson. They use the same parts and hardware as Gibson, but are usually limited to lower end models, to avoid cannibalizing Gibson's business. Gibson allows them to do "limited edition" runs of some higher end models, and the cost difference to the same Gibson model is typically 1:5 or 1:6. Same pickups, same hardware, but SE asian manufacturing, and a polyurethane finish instead of Lacquer.

I own a few Gibson's, but I've bought quite a few Epiphone limited edition models over the years, that I could not procure now for any reasonable amount of money. Things like the Frehely Budokan Les Paul, the Frampton Phenix Les Paul, the Johnny A custom, the G1275 double neck, etc. Epiphany used to list all the "legacy" models on their web site, but they took that down a year or so ago- too many people realizing that there was a lot of good stuff you can't buy anymore, if you didn't get in on the 200 piece limited edition run (world wide).

A frequent thing these days is reading a review of a new limited edition model in Premier Guitar, and then finding out it's already sold out. This has happened twice in the last year. Probably just as well... some might say I don't need a new Les Paul that has really high end bridge and tuner hardware (Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess), like my Schecter, but hey, I'd have like the opportunity to vote with my pocket book! And this was just last October...