More music choices

[Kobus]

Hi

I have a full collection of the classic classics. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky etc.

I also have the modern stuff like Krall, Brightman, McLachlan an Mae.

And obviously I have the usual pop and metal stuff we listened to in the 70's and 80's.

I want to expand my collection and listening pleasures. I feel there is a huge gap in my collection.

Can you help me with some pointers as to whom/what I should explore.

Thanks.

[madmac]

Sounds like you need to expand your Jazz listening. Try Shannon Butcher, Stacy Kent, Meaghan Smith, Lori Cullin, Carol Welsman, and of course, Chris Botti.( How can you tell I'm a sucker for female vocal Jazz!!)

[Kal Rubinson]

How about more modern classics? Stravinsky, Mahler, Shostakovich, etc.

[Kobus]

Thanks, keep it coming...........

The word etc is not allowed.

[Chris D]

I second Chris Botti. Based on what you wrote there, I can't get a good feel for your music preferences. If you like guitar music, I HIGHLY recomend Dave Beegle. Definitely check out Keiko Matsui for fusion jazz. My personal favorite group is U2, and love all their stuff.

[wkhanna]

I second Kal's recommendation of Mahler (especially) & the other latter classics.

As for Jazz, like most genres, the category tends to lump many unique styles into one.
I would personally recommend starting with more classic, traditional & groundbreaking artists.
By understanding where Jazz came from, one can better understand & appreciate the different forms that evolved over the years.
I recommend anything from the Dave Brubeck Quartette.
From Miles Davis:
Kind of Blue (Modal Jazz)
Some Day My Prince Will Come
Porgy & Bess
A Tribute to Jack Johnson (fusion with John McLaughlin on guitar)
Sketches of Spain (know as Third Stream, a musical fusion of jazz, European classical, and world music arranged by the incomparable Gil Evans who played a key role, like Miles, in the development of Cool, Modal, Free & Fusion Jazz.
Big Band Jazz is fun, I recommend:
Just about anything from Duke Ellington & Count Basie.
Keep in mind, the earlier (up through the mid 50's) recordings are not always going to have the sound quality of some of the latter issues. But you will be surprised how good recordings from the mid 50's through the 60's can sound.
Specific recommendations would be Digital Duke on the GRP label ....
Jason Linder for a more Free style in more of a large band format.
Also, I highly recommend Quincy Jones Orchestra - Quintessence
Another one I never got a complaint from is Gene Harris Quartette - Listen Here. People who have said they definitely do not like Jazz have always come to back to thank me for this one.
For softer, introspective small club style.....
Ahmad Jamal - Ahmad's Blues & Blue Moon
Charley Haden & Kenny Barron - Night & the City
Anything from Bill Evans (piano)
For some V good sax, Joshua Redman Quartette
For Female vocal....Madeleine Peyroux, Patricia Barber &/or Ricky Lee Jones
For some Latin flavor (& besides, everyone should have a copy of this regardless) I highly recommend Buena Vista Social Club with Ry Cooder
& finally, The Vince Mendoza & Arif Mardin Project for Latin fusion incorporating traditional Flamenco & electric guitar from Al Di Meola.

[Kobus]

Thanks for that detailed reply. Thanks for the effort. I WILL make use of it and report back.

More please.

[wkhanna]

Thanks for that detailed reply.

You are most welcome!

However, I forgot to mention Melody Gardot... another 'must have'.

Also, for reference of some of my favorite Jazz standards, see this thread at What LP are You Spinning.
Go back thru for a Ton of Jazz & other great recommendations.

[ShadowZA]

Some smooth jazz:

Brian Simpson (keyboard)
Paul Brown (vocal)
Marc Antoine (guitar)
Brian Culbertson (keyboard)
Jessy J (plays a mean saxaphone) - not to be confused with pop artist Jessy J
Peter White (guitar)
Lee Ritenour (check out his CD: Overtime) (guitar)
Bob James (keyboard)
Fourplay (group including Bob James)
Earl Klugh (guitar)
The Rippingtons (group)
Chris Botti (trumpet)
Stacey Kent (vocal) = my favourite
Jonathan Fritzen (keyboard) sounds similar to Brian Culbertson
Jeff Lorber (keyboard)
Michael Franks (vocal)
Dave Grusin (keyboard)
Kelly Sweet (vocal) - Her debut album "We are one" is sublime
David Benoit (keyboard)
Eva Cassidy (vocal) - She's deceased (she passed away from cancer at a young age - very sad - her vocals are nothing less than beautiful imho)

[impala454]

Love this album by LAGQ (Los Angeles Guitar Quartet) on SACD

http://www.amazon.com/LAGQ-Latin-Angeles-Guitar-Quartet/dp/B00006L3MZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376137269&sr=8-1&keywords=lagq+sacd

and +1 on Chris Botti

If you care for big band type jazz that's more modern:
Bob Mintzer
Homage to Basie (SACD): http://www.amazon.com/Homage-Count-B...b+mintzer+sacd
Incredible Journey is my favorite: http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Jou...ds=bob+mintzer

If you like ultra modern big band jazz, the University of North Texas One O' Clock jazz band is awesome. You won't find anything else like it. I love their "Lab" CDs they release each year.

http://music.unt.edu/store/catalog/12

[Finleyville]

Interested in any electronic music? There are some artists that have impressive collections. Plus since it is all in the digital world some recordings can sound fantastic on a good system. Just because a song/artists can be lumped in the electronic music genre doesn't mean that it is all mindless dance music.....

[PewterTA]

Melody Gardot.... hands down awesome. Her newest album "The Absence" is a little bit compressed and volume adjusted. I'd HIGHLY recommend the Japanese SHM-CD version, it's not quite as bad and the quality is better (sounds better... so far like every SHM-CD I've gotten).

I'd also recommend Zero 7's albums "Simple Things" and "When it Falls" are really nice albums that sound amazing.

[Kobus]

Thanks so far.

I got some Stacey Kent and Botti yesterday. Stunning. Really.

Finleyville.......... any more details?

Thanks and keep it coming.

[Finleyville]

I'd also recommend Zero 7's albums "Simple Things" and "When it Falls" are really nice albums that sound amazing.

That would be my first recommendation. The first two albums from Zero 7 are fantastic. Don't bother with the following two.

Finleyville.......... any more details?

Below are some ides for electronic influenced music that might help you ease into the genre without being turned off initially.

Hooverphonic
Kosheen (gorgeous sounding female vocalist)
Pretty Lights
Thievery Corporation
Supreme Beings of Leisure
Groove Armada
Organica
Soulstice
ATB
Air

If you are feeling a little more adventurous then maybe check out some of these:

Oakenfold
Tiesto
Daft Punk
The Glitch Mob (a current favorite for me right now...)
Crystal Method
Deadmaus


I have more suggestion, but that should keep you very busy for now.

[wkhanna]

melody gardot.... Hands down awesome. Her newest album "the absence" is a little bit compressed and volume adjusted. I'd highly recommend the japanese shm-cd version, it's not quite as bad and the quality is better (sounds better... So far like every shm-cd i've gotten).

Absolutely :T

[Kobus]

Melody...... mmmmmmmmmm after quickly looking at her website (images) , what can I say. 8)

[Chris D]

Kobus, what are your tastes? If you have particular genre/styling preferences, it'll help me make recommendations.

I've come to realize I'm the kind of person that can't listen to music just because it's a good recording, if I don't like the music. i.e. The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi album is quite legendary, but I just don't like the music, so even though I bought the album on a blind purchase, I don't ever listen to it.

[madmac]

Some smooth jazz:

Brian Simpson (keyboard)
Paul Brown (vocal)
Marc Antoine (guitar)
Brian Culbertson (keyboard)
Jessy J (plays a mean saxaphone) - not to be confused with pop artist Jessy J
Peter White (guitar)
Lee Ritenour (check out his CD: Overtime) (guitar)
Bob James (keyboard)
Fourplay (group including Bob James)
Earl Klugh (guitar)
The Rippingtons (group)
Chris Botti (trumpet)
Stacey Kent (vocal) = my favourite
Jonathan Fritzen (keyboard) sounds similar to Brian Culbertson
Jeff Lorber (keyboard)
Michael Franks (vocal)
Dave Grusin (keyboard)
Kelly Sweet (vocal) - Her debut album "We are one" is sublime
David Benoit (keyboard)
Eva Cassidy (vocal) - She's deceased (she passed away from cancer at a young age - very sad - her vocals are nothing less than beautiful imho)

There's another good one for Instrumental, awesome sounding jazz......DAVE GRUSIN!!. See if you can score a copy of the GRP 10th anniversary collection 3 CD set. The GRP discs offer an audiophile quality presentation. That one is a MUST GET!!.