Vanilla Fudge, 1 st.album 45 rpm Lp.
Truly Stunning Vinyl Album
Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge! So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album:
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/
Thanks for any recommendations!
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- 152 posts total
Maria Duenas “Beethoven and Beyond” on Deutsche Grammophon. - Stunning once in a generation musicianship by Maria on violin. - Impeccable recording engineering - flawless vinyl pressing I just saw her solo debut at Weill Recital Hall (Little Carnegie Hall, just to the left of Carnegie Hall, seats maybe 200) with the nearly equally young Russian pianist (21 and 24 respectively) Alexander Malofeev this past Tuesday. I have not seen someone so talented at such a young age since I saw the pianist Mauricio Polini, also at Carnegie, some 50 years ago. She brings a staggeringly aggressive and overpowering energy that shifts gears to equally tender passages with confident ease. Her bow control is unlike anything I have ever heard: she is able to extract multiple textures out of individual notes, even as she bends those very notes, deriving emotional nuances well beyond the reach of lesser artists. If you don’t believe me, read this: https://www.vulture.com/article/maria-duenas-new-york-recital-debut-carnegie-hall-weill.html https://bachtrack.com/review-maria-duenas-alexander-malofeev-carnegie-hall-new-york-october-2024 |
Regarding the MoFi one step. I had been buying MoFi releases for a decade or so. I personally found that they were not always better than if you had a well cared for original pressing. At one point, I found that the sound quality had deteriorated on new releases. I didn’t understand why. But they sounded like digitally mastered vinyl pressings, which tend to be lacking in atmospherics, texture and sometimes even dynamics. And so I stopped buying them. Years later, I heard about the one step controversy. And I said “Heh heh …” |
Sorry, @phillyspecial, a typo. Laudate on the Proprius label (brown cover) is wonderful but relatively obscure sacred music with wonderful accompaniment for organ. The Christmas music is Cantate Domino, also on Proprius. The soprano, Mellnas, has a voice of sweetness and power like no other, not even Kiri Te Kenawa, and as distinctive as Joan Baez. Both are perennial favourites of mine, so you also might enjoy. |
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