either ive had my head in the sand or something worse. forget cdnow, amazon, or b+n, towerrecords.com has about the best prices for new stuff, and they have 'used'. the used are customer returns, not items they purchased from individuals. not only that, i purchased new Reference Recordings LPs yesterday! and the good part-shipping is $4.95/order, not /item, not/shipment. i LOVE this place, and they have most everything available. search by artist, title, label, this is great! a guy could go broke saving money and time. another fave for the list--vollenweider-caverna magica on LP. the cd is good, i had it first but the LP is more spacious and the COVER ART. i hate miniatures. |
I will search Tower records tonight, before I go to sleep. I couldn't sleep anyway, with the prospect of finding great music at a bargain! Thanks for the tip. |
Last night I watched the movie, "The Insider" on DVD (with Al Pacino), and was blown away with the sound track. At the end of the movie, I read the music credits and found the name Elizabeth Fraser, the same person I commented about on 3-16-00, at this same posting. It is amazing to me that Audiophiles discover mysterious and wonderful artists so many years ahead of mainstream. "This Mortal Coil" with this near identical sound from Elizabeth Fraser was produced on 4AD Records in 1984, as I am sure many of you music fans are aware of. |
I wanted to let you know of another CD that makes music, its from Mickey Hart Plant Drum, called Supralingua, he has got people from all over the world to do this music, if this doesn`t make you tap your feet, you should check your pulse, YOU MIGHT BE DEAD!!!!! Greg |
This suggestion(s) aren't very 0riginal, but i'll mention them , anyway. Three are from BMG classical club; Eliot Fisk, "ViValdi Concerti", Emerson string quartet "Shoshtakovich string quartet #8" and SUPERB!! sounding and Executed Mozart "Requiem" Berliner Philharmoniker with Claudio Abbado on DG label. I also have, another version on LP but there is no competition, CD wins. This time. Also arrived unticipated "Sacred Treasures II" choral works from the Sistine chapel by "hearts of space". Well, this is the time when i question my system. The sound from this CD was too "reverbant" almost painful. I would like to hear other experiances with this CD. Thanks |
The new Decca Legends Series remastered at 24/96 from the analog masters unfortunately downsampled to redbook but still a major improvement. The Solti recording of Mahler's 8 (symphony of a 1000) is a personal fave and I believe better than the Decca pressing |
I have been looking for "Mirror ball" by Sarah Mclachlan, on vinyl. I don't even know if it exists. Any help on locating this would be greatly appreciated! |
I just listened to the CD today, and it sure is great. I've not seen it on vinyl, sorry. Do you have the Classic Records LP's from Sarah? Kinda "oversmooth" but very good nonetheless. I wish she would leave her husband, and marry me, heh heh heh. |
Carl, your a man after my own taste! That goes for Sarah, Jennifer Warnes, and Meg Ryan all three. I could hear two great voices and just looking at Meg Ryan is music enough! If you find a source of Mirrorball it would be wonderful. And, yes, I do have "Surfacing" on Classic Records, in fact I ordered a second copy today. |
PJ Harvey: "Rid Of Me." Gut wrenching alterno blues-rock. Well recorded, great dynamics, songs from a woman done wrong! Much Much better than the "To Bring Me Your Love" let-down album that won all the awards. There is definately something to be said about singer/songwriters. I love Ella as much as the next guy, but knowing that Cole Porter was a part of her best puts me off a little. Her "Mac the Knife" is great, but I can't imagine in threatening poses brandishing sharp objects. She does do a great Louis Armstrong though. If you are looking for raw human honesty, "Rid of Me" is up your alley. I have also been impressed with recordings from the label "MA"... all audiophile 2 channel with acoustic space in mind. There was an interview with Art Garfinkle in Stereophile last year. MA also put out "Alternasia" the Gamelon stuff from Jon Iverson. Really Really good stuff. It's East meets West; islands of Java meets the good ol' US of A. |
Not "Surfacing", "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy". Meg Ryan is good, but with Sarah you'd have it all. For looks only, I'd go with one with less years, like Jennifer Grant. |
I've been following this thread with much interest and was pleased (and surprised) to see Eldragon (above), obviously both an LP and CD user, have enough cahones (balls) to actually state that SOMETIMES CD actually does sound better than LP. Some LP users are so zealous that they can't see this. Well done digital can be very good, and it's what I've chosen as my music format, but I certainly respect people that have chosen other formats if they're open minded and courteous about it, ie I KNOW that well done LPs played on a good system can be excellent. So... thanks Eldragon. (and sorry about the "soapbox" statement, but I've been roasted about LP vs CD in other threads). Craig |
...I should have also noted that Drumsgreg and Carl are also in both the the LP/CD camp and don't mind saying so. I swear to gawd I'm not trying to stir up an old controversy. I'm just wanting to say thanks to a all who can embrace more than one music format. Thanks, and I'll shut up. Craig. |
Garfish, I use both formats because I have alot of LPs , I quit buying LPs along time ago, when CDs came out I was taken by there easy use and there dead quite back ground, later I started to hear what people were saying about the format, I had a maplenoll turntable and a grado cartridge at the time and it sounded better than the CD player, today I`am not so sure the big lead turntables have over CD is there as it once was ,I say this because I beleive CDs have made some head way in the format over the years and have come close if not surpass LPs in some ways. I buy music, I really don`t care to much about the format wars that go on these days if I find the music I want on cd, thats great, if I find it on LPs, that just as good to me. I love music, I play it, I live it, I enjoy hearing it all the time, live as well as recorded, its all music to me!!!!!! Greg |
Since this particular posting is about music, and not about format, it would be nice if Eldragon expanded on his comments. It appeared to me that the Mozart "Requiem" Berliner Philharmoniker with Claudio Abbado on DG label was the winner, and on CD. But, perhaps the judgement was one of musical performance and or content, and did not involve a judgement about LP versus CD. It would be interesting to know. |
albert, how did you like tower? aside form local used stores, its where i go now for product. i LOVE getting used vinyl for a fraction of the new prices. los angeles is plentiful with this kind of outlet. (poor english, i know). everyone is excited about patricia barber and rightly so, but her '91 album 'a distortion of love' is a masterpiece. thats all you get this time peeeeeeple, one title. regards........tr |
Tommy, Liked Tower very much. I did not find anything this visit, but will return again soon. I have been going strong on EBAY, they seem to always have multiple titles that I want. I just missed a T Bone Walker, outbid by .50 cents! Anyway, I just ordered 24 new titles from Classic Records, 8 of which are the 45 RPM pressings. Can hardly wait to hear all of them. |
albert, i havent gotten any of the classics but the kind of blue interests me a lot. with about 6k LPs, i have plenty of choices at home. it doesnt stop me from buying more tho. sometimes buying a new cartridge is like buying new records. thats what happened when i got the oc9. evay sounds like a good thing, but sight unseen is difficult for me. there are a multitude of places to get used vinyl here in LA, and i feel fortunate. theres a hi fi swap llisted in the audio asylum genersal asylum on 30apr plus a record swap at the same loc. hit upscaleaudio.com for info. |
Anything by GENTLE GIANT the best 70's progressive band. Also anything by Pat Metheny, Flim + The BB's , Bela Fleck on the jazz side. |
Here's a few of my favorites: Pat Metheny - standouts are "First Circle" (wonderful sense of composition and performance aesthetic, but only average sound quality) and "Secret Story" (widely eclectic mix of styles, very detailed production). Liquid Tension Experiment - "Vol. 1" & "Vol. 2" - Progressive rock isn't dead...it just snuck behind Metal, choke-slammed it and stole it's wallet when it wasn't looking. Seriously, though, some of the most brilliant keyboard work from Jordan Rudess, loud, fast and cool compositions. Manic drum work from Mark Portnoy...best double bass work I've ever heard. Anyone who was into early Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP or King Crimson (and then got into Metallica, Blue Murder or Queensryche) has gotta hear these two instrumental discs. Diana Krall - "When I Look in Your Eyes" - wonderful, understated and elegant - quiet cool of Nat "King" Cole, gorgeous voice, immaculate, detailed production. Keith Jarrett - "Hourglass/Staircase" - I'm not sure of the whole title, but originally a double record album. Solo studio piano, more contemplative than similar live work (i.e., Koln Concert) of same period. Incredible piano timbre...I think I read once it was Manfred Eicher's personal rosewood Steinway on this record. Van Der Graff Generator - "Pawn Hearts" - '70's progressive without the "fairy dust, alien-world" lyrics. Instead, you have the very dark ruminations of bandleader/singer/guitarist Peter Hammill seemingly slowly going insane. You want angst? You want desperation? You want driven existentialist rants? NIN seems childish and obvious by comparison. Vladimir Ashkenazy - "Complete Chopin Etudes" - There may be cleaner recordings of the Etudes, but one of my personal faves. Tilson Thomas conducting Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto - more romantic than Marvin Gaye or Luther Vandross. And good recent recording, decent production aesthetic. Bill Bruford's Earthworks - "Earthworks" - their first release. In which Bill proves you can jam in 15/16 and still stay in a nice hotel. Seriously, though, wonderful blend of electronic percussion, acoustic percussion, traditional jazz small ensemble and way cool modern composition. Lyle Mays - "Lyle Mays" - I think Mays is good candidate to pick up the mantle of our dearly missed Bill Evans. Very sensitive used of electronic keyboard orchestration, great tunes. King Crimson - "Discipline" and "Beat" - hard to describe...the harder-edged incarnation of the '80s of this long-lived band. "Larks' Tongues in Aspic", "Red" and "USA" are also watershed releases from Crimso. Barber's Adagio - I have a recent release which contains every authorized version of this wonderful work (for string ensemble, pipe organ, choir) as well as more innovative versions...every one is a gem. I have hundreds more I could list...but this post is too long as it is. Sorry about that. |
Timwat, Man! What a music lover! I will have to re read this a few times to take it all in. I have Pat Metheny, Genesis, Gentle giant, King Crimson, Nat King Cole, Diana Krall, and some of Keith Jerrett (If only Jerrett wouldn't HUM along with his playing!) As for Bill Evans, I MUST be among his biggest fans. As for the remainder, I will have to look into some of this material and discover what I have been missing. But as stated in King Crimson's "Discipline," "The more I look at it, the more I like it!" |
To elaborate: I mentioned, these new CD's, that i enjoyed, and couldn't but to notice, exeptional sonic quality about them. The same way, i was somewhat disapointed,(about the sound) about another great compilation of work; "Sacred Treasures II" choral masterworks from the sistine chapel. And questioned "need" for "absolutely" neutral sound from your "gear". Of course, the choral recorded in a "live" chapel, will result in somewhat "forward" sound "comming at you". I prefer listening, classical and jazz, on the LP records.However, i find myself enjoying CD's, more often. Lately! |
As my posting says, "why you love them. Sonic excellence, musical and emotional content, or maybe just fun and memories." And, you answered, that lately, is was more often on CD. I guess that is the sonic excellence that I ask to be reported on. I only wish I had your luck, it simply does not work out that way on my system, and believe me I have tried everything. Anyway, this posting is about music, we already have over 100 postings on the format discussion, and I for one am pleased to be reading about all this interesting music! |
Albertporter - here's a few more: Thomas Dolby - "The Flat Earth" - We know him from the novelty hit "Blinded Me with Science", but in that whole new wave mileu he was actually a good idiosyncratic composer. This, his second release, demonstrates that. Very good songs, very good production (even for the '80s!) And one of the first prominent uses of piezoelectric pickups on an electric bass to capture a very acoustic, liquid bass guitar timbre. Christopher Parkening - "Simple Gifts" - Arguably, one of the three best classical guitarists alive (IMHO, the others are Paco De Lucia, John Williams, Segovia passed away right?) Any of his solo work like the referenced title is stunning. Indigo Girls - "Swamp Ophelia" - some revealing close-mike guitar work. If you're into hearing fret articulation and string buzz, this one sometimes sounds like you're 12 inches away from the pick. Could use a little more ambience, but they never called me to their recording sessions :) Kiri Te Kanawa - "Ave Maria" - the REAL diva. Was the soprano at Princess Diana's wedding, (don't hold that against her) this collection of sacred songs (Bach, Mozart, Handel, Gounod, et. al.) is magnificent. Remember that old joke, "I listened to Black Sabbath at 78RPM and saw God"? Well, crank your system to full volume with this and you really will. Robert Fripp - "Pie Jesu" & "A Blessing of Tears" - Two of his Soundscapes (Frippertronics updated for the new millenium) releases, very emotive and poignant - composed upon the death of his mother. The cold, intellectual brainiac tin man of King Crimson gets a heart, and gives us musical insight into it all. P.M. Dawn - "Jesus Wept" - Fascinating hip-hop record. NOT your typical '89 Integra foisting 40hz at 120 DB on you at a Main Street stoplight. Intelligent, thoughtful ponderings on life and all that, provocative use of sampling. Very tasty...and I'm not a Run DMC kinda guy by any stretch. Joe Jackson - "Body and Soul" - From 1984, possibly his greatest opus, even considering his current foray into symphonic composition. Recorded in a big, reverberent Masonic Lodge normally used by Vanguard Studios for classical recordings. Two Neumann M-50 mikes were used 15 ft. away from the full band (horn section included) in this stone-and-wood room for an amazing, explosive mix. You won't be sorry with this one. Pat Metheny's "Imaginary Day" (if you don't already have) isn't his strongest compositional work, but some very surprising and interesting timbre and orchestration. I've found this catches some weaker loudspeakers with their pants down with regard to full range, full timbre integrity. As a novelty item, if you can find an old live release by an Italian prog rock group called Area, you'll have a chance to hear their lead singer (now deceased) demonstrate his ability to sing two notes at the same time! Speaking of singing, I know what you mean about Jarrett. But I detect more histronics in his live work than in the studio..."My Song" is brilliant and he keeps his trap shut, and he's pretty reserved on "Standards Live" as well. Finally, Deutsche Gramaphone has an old digital release of Emil Gilels performing Beethoven's Moonlight and Pathetique sonatas which is breathtaking, IMHO. I could go on for days. These discussion groups advocate talking about what you know. I don't know much about audiophile equipment (that's why I'm here to learn) but I've spent more money on vinyl and CD's (well, and keyboard instruments) than I care to think about, and am finally getting some real gear to listen to it all. |
Timwat, If you pursue high end audio like you do music, you should assemble a truly world class system. I have some of your choices, including Robert Fripp's work, "Lone Rino", "League of Gentlemen," and his help with The Roches. I will look for "Pie Jesu" & "A Blessing of Tears." No Joe Jackson, but will certainly reconsider. I do have Keri Te Kanawa, but also treasure Frederica Von Stade and the French Coloratura, Mady Mesple'. I enjoy Christopher Parkening, but only have two of his albums. I love Indigo Girls, and a suggestion for less "serious" musical enjoyment, "Two Nice Girls," a three girl band from Austin that does a great job with "Spent my last ten dollars on birth control and beer." (Following line is: "I was better off when I was sober and Queer") I do not have Metheny's "Imaginary Day" and suspect it is not available on LP. Our music group tonight also listened to Tony Bennett at Carnage Hall (1962), Ray Charles and Betty Carter, Bill Evans, (from the new Mosiac Box set), Neil Young, "On the Beach," then on to Yello, Shriekback, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robbie Robinson, Joni Mitchell, Sarah Mclachlan, Alanis Morrisette, The Doors, Frank Sinatra, Hampton Hawes and Charlie Haden, and Carla Bley. I was trying to get to the Blue Note Jazz end of the bookshelf, but was outnumbered. We had a large group for music tonight and everyone got to hear something they liked. It is great to share music with friends, and I appreciate hearing your choices. |
I just received this today, the Classic Records Numbered Limited Edition of Jimi Hendrix Singles. They are 45 RPM, 7" singles with "printed to look like spindle adaptors" in place. They come boxed in what looks like a 11 inch tall Marshall guitar amp stack. All vinyl lovers that are Hendrix fans should go for this before it is sold out. I'll bet that within one year of this issue becoming unavailable, offers to sell at big mark ups will appear on EBAY. |
A favorite of mine is "Whaddup Dog?" by Was (Not Was). This was done in the late 80s and really sounds like nothing else. A sort of frenetic rhythm-and-blues version of Zappa (odd lyrics and tremendous musicianship). The single from this CD was "Walk the Dinosaur," which was great, but only gives a hint at the diversity of the album. Two other albums by these guys aren't quite as good, but still worth checking out. The "Was" is Don Was and his brother, David. If anybody is familiar with this CD and can make a recommendation of something similar in terms of feel and quality of the musicianship, I'd love to know about it. Another album along the lines of superb pop musicianship and very funky bass-playing is "World Machine" by Level 42. |
I got anthoer CD today that I wanted you guys to hear or if you know very much about them, they are Medeski, Martin, and WOOD, These guys just rock, there music is so cool, it sounds like jazz and rock and fusion, does anyone know about these guys? Greg |
Greg. I have been listening to Medeski,Martin and Wood for awhile. Check out their new acoustic cd, "tonic". It sounds great and is a lot of fun. It is different and unpredictable, yet still easy to listen to. Also, there are two great cds under the title "Bang on a Can", by various artists. They are better than M,M and W and even more far out there. |
albert........... sonic excellence is a small part of the musical enjoyment we seek as you know. its nice when tghe recording team was paying attention sukch as on the planets by zubin and the LA phil. dworth seeking out on vinyl, avail paired with some wagbme and john williams on cd. one item i suggest is worth looking for is "osamu" by osamu. japanese fusion describes the style as closely as i can come. i had this disc for years before reading the personnel list. there is a female voclaising on one of the cuts that goes into the stratosphers. it turns out to bed minnie ripperton. osamu has been classified as new age, and he has since sadly fallen down that path (you cant blame a guy for making a living) but this music defied classification and still doesnt fall into new age. there other sounds on this disc which you should be able to identify; they werent made with musical instruments but they fit in with the music. happy hunting..............tr |
Tommy, your right, sometime you get the music, the sonic excellence and a chance to experience unique music all at the same time. It's nice when that happens. I love reading about all this material, I have begun to search for some of it, simply based on comments from Audiogon postings. |
BIbloom, thanks I`ll check those out , I really like these guys alot, its to bad I didn`t catch them sooner. Greg |
