Synergistic Red Fuse ...
Kedoades, Frank is correct, I’m a huge fan of jazz vibraphonists. You can’t go wrong with any of Frank’s music/musician recommendations. Another very good Victor Feldman recording is "Merry Ole Soul" (he alternates between vibes and the piano). Some excellent current vibe players to explore are Stefon Harris. Steve Nelson. Jay Hoggard. They all can play! Charles |
Charles ... I really need to explore the new guys more. I’m so stuck in the 50’s jazz scene its pathetic. Perhaps I have a problem with the modern recording techniques or something. Artificial digital reverb and other added electronic artifacts kind of drive me nutz. Some of the "music" they demo at the audio shows is really gross. Patricia Barber? Uhhh ... no thanks. I’ll take a good, natural recording of Margaret Whiting or Jo Stafford any day of the week. In fact, we usually take good recordings to the shows in order to determine what the offered equipment is really doing. I checked out Jay Hoggard on Spotify tonight. His "Soular Power" album sounds nice. I especially like the accompaniment of the Hammond B-3. Do you have this album, Charles? If so, I was wondering how it sounds on a good system. I’ll buy it upon your recommendation. Of the three recommended musicians, none of which I’ve heard of before reading your above post, Jay Hoggard would be my first choice ... based upon what I heard on Spotify playing through my trusty AudioEngine A2+ speakers that are hooked up to my PC. All of the Stefon Harris albums offered by Spotify have the artificial electronic artifacts added that to my ear sound very unnatural. :-) Spotify only offered one album by Steve Nelson, so not much to go on there. What I did hear sounded very good ... and naturally recorded. Its kind of hard to judge this stuff listening through a modest desk-top system though. Frank |
Hi Frank, Regarding Jay Hoggard I haven’t heard "Solar Power " but I’ll seek it out. Vibe with the Hammond B3 is usually a winning combination. His "Overview " recording is beautiful music that also recorded well, I believe that you’ll enjoy this one quite a bit. Steve Nelson is really a fine player and is on a label that records him well. I suggest "Sound Effect " and "Full Nelson ". Stefon Harris, I recommend "African Tarantella " he’s a terrific vibraphonist. Some of his recordings do have a bit of the "modern artifact " character but he’s a first rate musician. Nelson and Hoggard are on labels that typically have a more natural sound. Yes in regard to Patricia Barber overkill at shows for demonstration (D. Krall fits this category as well). In a sense I understand it, these two vocalists are extremely popular with the target audiophile crowd attending the audio shows. They will play what they believe people want to hear. Just as you mentioned, I take recordings I’m very familiar with and enjoy. This does help me in assessing various systems and components. It's interesting to listen and realize that some highly regarded and expensive components/speakers fall short on musical emotion and natural tone and timbre. Just an observation. Admittedly it’s a matter of taste. I don’t think they’re bad, but I’m spoiled by the greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Simply pure subjectivity of course. Among the current crop of female vocalists I really like Roberta Garbarini, her "You Are There " recording with the late great pianist Hank Jones is wonderful both musically and recording quality. Frank I believe that you’ll enjoy and appreciate this effort. Charles |
Frank/Charles - firstly thanks for your contributions to these forums, I find your thread input valuable. This AT ART-9 cartridge is really twirling my propeller. Before you give up on Patrica Barber, try her 'Modern Cool' album, it's the only recording of hers where I like the compositions, although all her stuff is well recorded. try 'touch of trash' or 'you the night and the music' on youtube. all the best. |
richmon ... Try just one of Charles' suggestions .... some EARLY Carmen McRae or Sarah Vaughn in her later years when she was actually in her prime. Sarah Vaughn had this enormous voice, not unlike a voluminous tenor saxophone player such as Ben Webster or Lester Young. Unlike Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn never lost her voice and maintained perfect pitch to the very end. Try the last two cuts on this album ("I've got a crush on you," and "A Foggy Day in London Town") to see what I mean about Sarah Vaughn. Your Art-9 will bring out the best in her voice. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SARAH-VAUGHAN-MICHAEL-TILSON-THOMAS-Gershwin-Live-JAPAN-Orig-VG-OBI-LP-/1723... Here's my favorite Carmen McRae CD. She's at her finest here. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARMEN-McRAE-SINGS-GREAT-AMERICAN-SONGWRITERS-COMPLETE-CD-1993-MCA-/32246852... |
Hi Richmon, Thanks for the kind comments. I do not dislike Barber and I am familiar with her music. That’s why I acknowledged these preferences are nothing but personal. Don't know if you are familiar with or listen to Sarah Vaughan but here are a few examples of her marvelous talent. "Sarah Vaughan +2" Early 1960s recording. "After Hours " another excellent early 1960s studio recording. "How Long Has This Been Going On " 1978. Features Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass, need I say more? 😊 Carmen McRae "The Great American Songbook " which Frank suggested is an excellent live jazz venue recording from the early 1970s. Joe Pass is featured. "Bittersweet " 1964 studio. "Velvet Soul" Early 1970s. All of these are terrific in my opinion. Charles |
I recently saw Brad Mehldau do a solo show doing Bach and Bach-ish improv on an unamplified Steinway. The sound was amazing (Sanders Theater near Harvard), and Brad is a friggin' genius (a step up from regular genius). I have a lot of his recordings and sonically they're generally balanced and great sounding things, avoiding the "30 foot wide drum kit" sound and obvious digital effects…highly recommended. |
Charles ... I was fortunate to have seen what I believe to be Ella's last concert. It was at the Hollywood Bowl and the co-star was Mel Torme. Ella, the poor thing, had glaucoma to such a degree that she had to be led onto the stage by Torme and a stage hand. As she began to sing, her voice warbled in the way of old folks ... the way in which we will all sound if we are fortunate to live long enough. With each song, you could hear the greatness of the "young" Ella trying to force her way through the aged vocal chords, but never making it. The audience, the conductor, the orchestra members all treated Ella with the utmost respect out of the memory of what was once stellar. I needed several tissues. And Torme? Great as always. A little known factoid about Torme: He made most of his money throughout his career as an arranger for major orchestras. He was a musician extraordinaire and a genuine song stylist. Wolf-Garcia ... I'm listening to Brad Mehldau on Spotify as I'm writing this. The guy is really good. Thanks for the recommendation. Man, do I have a problem being hung up on 40's and 50's jazz. I've never heard of Brad Mehldau before. I hear the influences of Monk and Bud Powell in his playing ... even a little Bill Evans. I like it. I need to get out more. :-) Frank |
Well it turns out that I have a recording featuring Brad Mehldau as a sideman. "Alone Together " it is a live recording of leader Lee Konitz (alto saxophonist) and Charlie Haden on bass. Venue is the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Definitely an influence of the avant-garde but I'm listening and like what I hear. Haven’t played this in quite some time. Blue Note label and very good sounding! Charles |
Frank, Early influence for Mehldau were Wynton Kelly and McCoy Tyner (you can’t go wrong there). Listening to him right now and he certainly has his own sound (which is how it should be). He has style similarities to Fred Hirsch, but not identical. He is definitely interacting well with Konitz and Haden 😊 Charles |
Charles thanks for the vibe recs I have Jay Hoggard queued up next "Duke Ellingtons Sacred Music-Something Bout Believing" great title found it on Tidal. Listened to some Brad Mehdldau some of his work is excellent some skews a bit modern for my tastes but love Lee Konitz and Charlie Haden will check that out. Thanks for the Tardo Hammer rec to forgot all about him going to add that to the queue also! |
Charles ... Thanks ... I'm listening to Tardo Hammer as I'm writing this. Another musician I've never heard of. Love his break out on the first cut ("Focus") of the Look, Stop and Listen album. As I continue to listen I hear a real tight group. Excellent drumming too. Listen to cut #6. It reminds me of Bud Powell. Frank |
Well, getting back to little black fuses, a few days ago i received 2 . 1 for pre, one for cdp, and i must say that i am somewhat disappointed...that i can't(wont) return them. I had no intention of paying $240. for some silly little fuses. I was sceptical, and wanted to prove it to myself, but they do provide an improvement! So this fool is parted from his money. I had every intention of returning them after trying them, never thinking that a "fuse" would have an impact in SQ, but must admit i was proven wrong and will keep them. |
Hi Jond, You are welcome and I’m glad that you like the suggested music . Here’s another really fine Lee Konitz, "Live At The Half Note ". Wonderful playing and the recording puts you right there in the club. I know that your Audio Note DAC will do all this great music justice 😊 Frank, I was pretty certain that you’d like Tardo Hammer. He has very strong Bop roots and is just a fine jazz pianist . His version of "If You Could See Me Now " track 8 and track 4,"Dial B For Beauty " are just gorgeous. We’re all very fortunate that there’s so much excellent music available for us to enjoy. Charles |
As for the 100 hrs of breakin, does music actually have to be playing, or is leaving the equipment on enough?The AC current drawn by a preamp will be essentially the same regardless of whether or not music is being played, as long as the preamp is in an operational mode as opposed to a standby mode. The AC current drawn by a CDP will increase somewhat when the transport is spinning a disc, but almost certainly by an amount that is too small to matter, IMO. So assuming that the fuses you replaced in those components are AC mains fuses there should be no need to play music to break them in. Regards, -- Al |
Hi Jond, Yes, I certainly agree with your assessment! It’s a very good and involving listening experience. We apparently have pretty similar taste/listening perspectives. I’m going to recommend two recordings I believe that you’d like if they’re available on tidal. Both are Verve recordings done in the mid 1990s using analog tape rather than straight DDD format. The musicians were still in their 20s but were already fully developed at that young age. "Parker’s Mood" Charlie Parker music played by Roy Hargrove (trumpet) Stephen Scott (piano) and Christian McBride (bass). "Fingerpainting " music of Herbie Hancock played by Nickolas Payton (trumpet) Mark Whitfield (guitar) and Christian McBride (bass). If they're available and you can listen let me know your thoughts. Charles |
Burning in electronics without playing music is like breaking in a car on cruise control - not recommended. All the gears and moving parts in your electronics are not getting a varied enough workout. Like with oil in the car it is a good precaution to change all the electrons after break in. I check electron levels in my electronics every time before starting - nothing worse with regard to wear and tear than running an amp without enough electrons or dirty electrons. Fuses are akin to oil filters - they should be changed regularly or face the cosequences when your amp seizes up. |
Agree with EARLY Carmen McRae , best singing I ever heard was on a Decca LP from ’"57 with Ray Bryant on piano . Her voice was as clear as a mountain spring and perfect in every aspect . As to old voices giving out , Tony Bennett may not be quite what he once was but he can sell a song better than ever and is not just a walk down memory lane . I never did understand why Torme was so underrated . I know its heresy but I always thought Sarah was better than Ella. To me, and of course says more about me than Ella, as beautiful as her voice was I always felt like she would rather be somewhere else doing something else, while Sarah seemed like there was no where else she’d rather be or nothing else she would rather be doing .. |
Since using a break-in device or break-in track will further break in an older fuse, even one that's been in the system for 10 years, wouldn’t it be fair to say playing music will never break in the fuse completely? So, one might conclude playing music for 100 hours might break in the fuse, say 80-85%. Certainly not 100%. |
Shubert, It’s as if you’ve read my mind given your observations. When I first began listening to jazz my exposure was as would be expected to the iconic and well established names. Ellington, Armstrong, Miles, Coltrane, Oscar Petterson and Ella’. Over a period of time you naturally become aware of many other artists of much merit. I have numerous Ella Fitzgerald recordings and unquestionably she has a very beautiful voice. The eventual introduction to Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae simply moved me to a different level. They convey a communicative emotional connection that I just didn’t reach with Ella despite her enormous talent. Sarah and for me even more so Carmen McRae allow a deep connection that’s hard to explain, it’s either there or it is not. Obviously this is purely personal and othermusic lovers will feel quite diffently. Another example, Oscar Peterson vs Thelonious Monk. Early on it was Petterson (I still enjoy him) Monk is my "guy" and just takes me to a higher and deeper place. I still enjoy Miles, Coltrane and Ellington as much as I’ve ever had. Charles |
charles1 dad, you’ll never know how much you post meant to me . In my not very humble opinion what Sarah and Carmen both had in common was everything thay did was an act of love for both the music and the musicians they made it with . Sun-Ra once told me Sarah was the most beloved singer among jazz-men,as a person, he ever met . Carmen was a lover of a world which broke her heart over and over . She fought on. . Lovers are a takes one to know one thing . Simple . P. S . Just between us, a footnote to the "I never understood why Torme was such an underrated singer" . It puzzles me why people think that Patrica Barber IS a singer . |
Bill (Grannyring) true. This is why I try to make it clear that I'm not putting down an artist who may not be my favorite. Surely Barber has many fans who adore her and her music and I respect that. It just so happens that Schubert, Frank and I have considerable admiration and love for Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. As we all recognize we're simply discussing our own taste. Schubert, Miles Davis said the same thing about Sarah, saying that she was absolutely adored by all of the top jazz musicians of her era . Charles |
schubert ... "I know its heresy but I always thought Sarah was better than Ella." Not heresy at all. Its the down to earth truth. There's just more soul being released from Sarah, and its transferred to the heart of the listener. In reading your's and Charles' last couple of posts its apparent how close our taste in jazz is. It seems we've come to the same conclusions ... Monk over Peterson, Sarah over Ella. And this is with what? ... probably close to 100 years of cumulative listening combined? "It puzzles me why people think that Patrica Barber IS a singer." Thank you. :-) Frank Rep |
Patricia Barber may be a great singer, but how can anyone tell? Her recordings are so drenched in artificial digital reverb it sounds like she's singing from the depths of an enormous cave. This isn't intended to put Patricia Barber down ... its intended to put down the ham-handed recording engineer who can't keep his mitts off of the reverb dial on his mixing board. Frank |
Tolerance my fellow Agoners for music and artists others feel have value. I like all the artists mentioned including PB. Charles is very cordial and open minded as his comments always convey. I hope some are not saying she has no value because she is simply not their taste. I like the the style of her recordings and like reverb and creative atmosphere at times. There is a season for many styles of music in my life. I love Sarah Vaughan as well. i live in Nashville and while I am not particularly fond of country music, especially the new pop style stuff, I certainly respect the fact that many love it and feel the artists do add value to our culture and lives. |
Charles has shared a lot of great music that I have very much enjoyed as well as others on this and other threads. I have been listening to Carmen McRae today. I like her recording of Billie Holiday tunes as well as Book Of Ballads. I do think her voice was better in the late 50’s and 60’s, but no doubt she sang with emotion after these years. I have also added Fingerpaintings to my favorites! |
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The best is 110% subjective. What is best to you may be mediocre, at best, to another. Surely we cannot say the other’s subjective reaction to an artist or style of music is less worthy than our own? That would be, well, elitist. Correct? In the end we all have different tastes and nobody is "right". This applies to gear and wire also 😊 |
Fred Hersch was (and likely still is) an influence on Mehldau…I mixed a Hersch (his trio) show last year and he's basically a brilliant if somewhat quirky dude who plays his ass off. Interesting fact: He was in an induced coma at some point and wrote and performed music that was inspired by his thoughts while comatose. Another mind blowing fave is Vijay Iyer (the New Yorker said he may be the best pianist alive…a silly statement but interesting)...his trio album "Break Stuff" is not for the faint of heart and is an intensely rewarding listen. |
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Good is the enemy of the best. Good-enough is the enemy period . The main job of old-men is to impart the wisdom of truth to others , and for that you need to be as "elite" as possible ! If you told a teen the Beetles are as good as Bach, you'd need your mouth washed out with soap . What could be considered an "open-mind " at 18 would be an empty mind at 80 . |
Jond, I’m happy that you enjoyed those two recordings, I had a feeling they’d appeal to you. Regarding Nickolas Payton, he is one heck of a trumpeter. I really like Roy Hargrove but Payton has the better chops IMHO. Wolf, Yes, listening to Brad Mehldau yesterday Fred Hersch came to mind. It must have been fun to have worked with him. I’ll seek out Vijay Iyer. You could live 2 full lifetimes and still not cover all of the talented jazz musicians out there. Bill, Agree, music and audio components are the epitome of subjectivity, we simply like what we like. Charles |
