Hi all, Any Harry Belafonte fans? Has anyone heard Classics new 45 r.p.m. reissue of Belafonte at Carnegie Hall? I recently bought it, however I have not spun it yet due to waiting delivery of a new tonearm. I appreciate your comments...
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Hope everyone is being able to enjoy friends, family and music this weekend. Tonight, my listening partner and I have been enjoying: Mahler: Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection"), Solti/LSO (with Heather Harper and Helen Watts), London CSA 2217 Martinu: Nonet | Trio in F, Dartington Ensemble, Hyperion A66084 Frank Martin: Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Ansermet/OSR, London CS 6241 . |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K.525 on King Records Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -Concerto For Flute And Orchestra in C Major, K 299 -Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 on King Records J.S. Bach: Violin Concerto in E major- Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G on EMI Happy Birthday Wolfgang! |
Tonight I've been listening to various alternative pressings of some duplicate recordings in my collection: time to help some find a new home... Mahler, Symphony No. 3 - Horenstein/LSO, Unicorn RHS 302/3 (my all time favorite performance and recording of this work! The Nonesuch pressing is very good, but the original Unicorn pressing is simply better: cleaner, more transparent, more dynamic. Object lesson in record cleaning here: when I first listened I thought I preferred the Nonesuch. Then I remembered the Unicorn had been cleaned with an old home-brew cleaning fluid of distilled water and isopropyl. So, did a quick Disc Doctor fluid cleaning and listened again. BIG difference! Once "properly" cleaned, it became completely apparent which pressing was better.) Dvorak, Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) - Kertesz/LSO, Decca SXL 2289 (SpeakersCorner reissue, King SuperAnalogue reissue, London early pressing, Decca Jubilee -- it's been a lot of Dvorak tonight... The Decca Jubilee was a real contender, btw. I'm always impressed with how well re-mastered were the budget reissue Jubilees.) Playing now... Donovan's Greatest Hits (Epic). Coming up... Neil Young's Zuma Sandra, no tv, but will a laptop and internet connection qualify? :^) . |
Hi all. Tonight I am listening to Roy Etzel "The Silence" (Il Silenzio), It's A Beautiful Day "Marrying Maiden", and Billy Vaughn "The Shifting Whispering Sands". Yes, Rushton, when I lived in Seattle I would occasionally watch the Mariners while the TV was on mute and listen to my music drinking Perrier water. (drink of choice at the time). I loved it. Sandra |
Raytheprinter, Thanks, so am I. Just got the bug for the Monk and after playing each album we just wanted to hear more. So I dug another one out. It became a late night listen. These are in beautiful shape for their age, someone took great care of them. I picked every one of them up second hand some years ago for cheap. It never ceases to amaze me how emotionally satisfying and compelling good vinyl is. Cheers! |
Prokfiev - Romeo & Juliet (complete) Maazel/Cleveland/Decca LP Ellington - Jazz at the Plaza. I'm curious if anyone else is familiar with this astonishing series released by Columbia in the mid-70's. Apparently these were performances for Columbia record execs back in 1956 at some kind of small party. I've got another of the series, Miles Davis Vol.I with the identical cover art, and the sonics, as with the Ellington are superlative. What other LPs are in this series?? -Richard |
Madman Across The Water -Sir John on Toshiba DJM Japan ...(This one would be the only competition for Hoffman's DCC I've heard) Thelonious Monk -Plays Duke Ellinton on Riverside/Milestone Jp (Nice engineering by Rudy Van Gelder, The man!) Thelonious Monk -Thelonious Himself on Riverside/Milestone Jp Thelonious Monk Quartet -Misterioso on Riverside Jp Thelonious Monk Quartet Plus Two -At The Blackhawk on Riverside Jp Thelonious Monk Quartet -In Action, Live at the Five Spot Cafe NY on Riverside Jp |
Whoa! Just finished listening to William Alwyn's "Miss Julie" and I need to go do something else for a while. For those who don't know this piece, its a 2-act opera with just 4 performers, based on a play about class/love/lust, and the tragic intersection of the these for a young woman. Powerful performances by the cast (Jill Gomez as Miss Julie) and very direct sparse music by Alwyn. The excellent engineering by Kenneth Wilkinson brings all the musical drama forcefully into the room. Lyrita SRCS 121/2. Sheesh... Last night it was Martinu's "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (Supraphon 112 1808) and all of the drama of that work. I think I'm gonna switch to Suppe. . . |
Ray, Speakers Corner reissued the Cole Porter Songbook a few years ago in a 2-LP set. It's still available from the usual mail order sources. . |
Rushton, My early thoughts on the "Blanton" 45 is good to very good, but not in the same way some of the others are, as they are blockbusters for sonics. This is good, but not "great", especially being played on the heels of the "Time Out" 45. The 45 is so far improved over the 33 in sparkle, image, and impact from the kick drum. A real winner! |
Nice additions to the collection, Joe! I second your comments about the 45rpm version of "Time Out" - a worthy improvement in the sonics. So, what's your take on "This One's for Blanton" - "highly recommended" or just "very good" or .... ? I've had this one on my wish list, but there are about 8 more from the Acoustic Sounds 45 series that I've got ahead of it at the moment (e.g., Monk/Misterioso, Bill Evans/Interplay, Miles Davis/Walkin', Coltrane/Standard...); would welcome your thoughts as to where "Blanton" should fall. . |
Some birthday present listening today: Dvorak "Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104" Starker/Dorati/LSO (Mercury SR90303) Speaker's Corner reissue. Dave Brubeck Quartet "Time Out" (Columbia CS8192) Classic Records 45 rpm reissue. The 45 reissue is far and away superior to the excellent 200g 33 1/3 reissue Duke Ellington/Ray Brown "This One's For Blanton" (Pablo 2310-721) Acoustic Sounds/AcousTech 45 rpm reissue. Plus, some interesting experiments in transferring LP direct to CD in the analog domain by going from the phono stage of the Supratek Chenin preamp to the analog inputs of an HHb 830 Burnit standalone CD recorder. |
Dlwask, Congratulations on the 'table upgrades. I've always been impressed with the Scoutmaster, and I'm looking forward to hearing the results of these upgrades you're talking about when I can get over to hear Slipknot1's system again. And, thanks for the enthusiastic recommendation of "American IV": now I'll have to find a copy! Raytheprinter, I've been working my way through the Ella/Gershwin Songbook, too. Great stuff in her inimitable style. Have you heard her sing the Cole Porter Songbook? To my tastes, she's even better with Porter's material. . |
Last night it was Johnny Cash "American IV". I had just made numerous tweaks to the 'table and was ready to hear how things would work out...holy sh*t was it great!! That was the best my system has sounded to date so the tweaks certainly worked, this is one amazing LP too. I am now on a mission to find the first three of the series. |
Sandra, that seems like an excellent way to watch a game! I wish I could have done the same through the US Nationals women's competition. Tonight... Pink Floyd: Ummagumma, EMI Harvest SHDW 1/2 Roy Orbison: All-Time Greatest Hits, S&P Records (2)-507 Schwantner: Aftertones of Infinity Lutoslawski: Livre pour orchestre ... Effron/EastmanPhil, Mercury SRI 75141 Stravinsky: Violin Concerto Berg: Violin Concerto ... Ozawa/BSO, Perlman -vn, DGG 2531 110 . |
So far this evening... Count Basie: Atomic Basie, Roulette 52003 (Classic Records reissue) Johann Stamitz: Double Concerto for Bassoon and Clarinet, Lehel/BudPO, Vajda -bn, Kovacs -cl, Hungaraton SLPX 12530 JS Bach: Flute Sonatas BWV1030-1033, Waterlily 14 (a beautiful ORTF recording by Kavi Alexander) Jennifer Warnes: Famous Blue Raincoat - Songs of Leonard Cohen, Cypress 661-111 . |
Tonight... Neil Young: "Greatest Hits", Reprise 48935 (Classic Records reissue) Lee Morgan: "Candy", Blue Note Bn-1590 (Classic Records reissue) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1, Solti/VPO, Curzon -pf, Decca SXL 2114 (Speakers Corner reissue) Mississippi John Hurt: "The Best of Mississippi John Hurt" Vanguard VSD 19/20 (recorded live performance at Oberlin College, 1965) . |
My Morning Jacket, Z. My Daughter's Xmas present to me. Very good sonics and great music. Ever since I heard the last release, It Still Moves, I haven't been able to go more than a few days without playing these guys. Also my latest Goodwill finds: Laurie Anderson - Mister Heartbreak Simply Red - Men and Women Nillson and Newman - Nillson sings Newman All for 3 bucks. |
The Who - "Tommy" ; the version performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, et al. I sold my original copy while in College in the 70's, just purchased a new (ie used) copy complete with box, gatefold, and program. It's always been a favorite, and it's well recorded and a good vinyl pressing. Gary Jules "Greetings from the Other Side", and "Trading Snake Oil for Wolftickets" (on cd - is it ok to discuss cd's in this thread?). I recently bought these after hearing his version of "Mad World" on an episode of "CSI". It's a haunting and beautiful song, and struck me like Jeff Buckley's "Halleluja" the first time I heard it. Both of these CD's are excellent all the way through - Songs, Performance, and sonics. . . . If you're not familiar with this guy you should check him out. |
Once again, Analog is the King. So beautiful and amazing: - Kyung-Wha-Chung/ Bach/ Parita No.2 in D Minor/The Super Analogue Disc/London Sterephonic/Japanese pressing/1974 Recording. All the 5 movement were just stunning. The string, strength, vibration of the string, every touch are there! That's for tonight! |
christmas gifts! 1) richard thompson "front parlour ballads" - stellar, stellar, stellar! 2) cat power "the covers record" - almost as mesmerising as she is in concert 3) dirty three "cinder" - quite good to my ears, i like 'em--chan marshall vocals on one track is icing on the cake 4) jack johnson "on and on" - can't recommend this one on vinyl, sounds pinched and forced (?compression). this is one that you're better off with the CD imho, sorry to say. love the music though. |
Hi, Foster. Yes, the King Super Analogue label is a Japanese label of King Records. They have made some superb LP reissues of London/Decca catalog over the years and I have many of them. Copies of many these LPs are still available new through Acoustic Sounds and others. At one time the Super Analogues were both mastered and pressed in Japan, and those Japanese pressings now command pretty high prices on the used market. They then switched to US pressing (not sure by whom) and many of mine are these US pressings, which are quite good. Although some claim the US pressings have never have been up to the standard of the original Japanese pressings, my suspicion is that we're just dealing with later stampers but I have no way of knowing that. The major "big deal" about the Super Analogues was always the very simple and direct all-tube mastering chain, done in Japan. Cisco Records is the importer/distributor. That London pressing you mention of the Albeniz: Suite Espanola is most likely the same performance/recording I was listening to. It's a nice record. Kind regards, |
Rushton, Do you know if the King Super Analogue reissue from the U.S. you were referring to is in an affiliation to King Records Toshiba Japan? The reason why I ask, I have a number of pop rock reissues by the latter with the designation DJM on them. These pressings sound amazing for vocals and acoustic string instruments. The sound is analog, although I was concerned DJM may have meant "digital Japanese Master" before listening. I have not seen a single classical music selection on this label. My only experience of Albeniz: Suite Espanola was on a London UK pressing that as I recall sounded splendid. Interestingly enough I was so taken by the music that I was not paying too much attention to the fidelity. Is that what might be referred to as suspended disbelief? It also struck me funny that the wind solos through the middle of the piece sounded more eastern or Egyptian in nature than Spanish, but what do I know? I am by no means well versed in classical music. It was very enjoyable in any case. Happy Listening! |
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Ballet (complete), Ansermet/OSR, SXL 2092-2 (Speakers Corner reissue - marvelous performance and a very nice sounding reissue) Geminiani: Cello Sonatas, Pleeth -vc, Hogwood -hpd, L'Oiseau Lyre DSLO 513. Clannad: Crann Ull, Intercord 160.153 (not sure where this falls within the Clannad discography, but I sure have listening to it for the first time) Handel: Water Music, Szell/LSO, Decca (Speakers Corner reissue) (I've heard of this performance for years, but had never heard it. I can hear virtues in it, but I guess I'm just to imbued with the "historically informed" performance practice to move this very high up on my list of preferred performances of this work. My favorite performance continues to be the Trevor Pinnock/English Concert on DGG (and yes, its a digital recording)) Albeniz: Suite Espanola, De Burgos/NewPhilO, Decca SXL 6355 (been listening to both the Speakers Corner and the King Super Analogue reissues to select which one that stays in the collection. The Super Analogue, USA pressing, has a number of virtues, but it sounds like it was mastered from a tape one generation down from the tape used by Speakers Corner, adjusting volume for the relative difference in gain cut into both.) Poulenc: Gloria, Pretre/FNRO, Carteri -sop, EMI ASD 2835 (a marvelous work performed with great panache and Gallic flavor by Pretre. I always find myself enjoying this performance more than the more refined Fremaux, also on EMI, even though the Fremaux is in arguably better sound. Also compared the EMI pressing to an early brown label Angel and the Angel held up surprisingly well in the comparison.) . |
Well, as the winter solstice is passing and the days grow unrecognizably longer to me yet, If new vinyl on my porch this fine gray day in Detroit can be taken as a harbinger of good things to come in the new year, then the signs have arrived and it will be another good year for our preferred, so called inferior format, that by the way was supposed to be replaced by the new perfect format now decades ago. I love progress. Today, actually moments ago I stepped out in the cold and snow to find a fresh new copy of Richard ThompsonÂs ÂSome Enchanted Evenings EP on OMR @ 45RPM. This record has but five tales of personal disaster, misfortune, despair, forlorn longing and other uplifting affairs to song by one of our finest troubadours of the time, hell of any time. Three songs were originally written by our enterprising lad and two are stylized covers that he performs regularly at live shows with more than a bit of tongue in cheek. If you havenÂt seen Richard live friend, youÂve really missed something on this dust ball. The only bit of sad news about the recording is that OMR stopped there. Two of the songs appear to be from ÂTwo Letter Words an excellent live performance double CD from 1994. Press the whole thing to vinyl and do it justice I say! Anyway, IÂm enjoying what I have and it spins well indeed. Happy Listening and Cheers! In the new year. |
Over the last couple of days... Neil Young: Greatest Hits (Classic Records reissue) (OK, I admit I just don't get it. I'll listen to this one more time and see if I connect with this any better.) Smetana: Ma Vlast (Ancerl/CzechPO, Supraphon SV 801) (From about 1954 and atill one of the great performances of this work) John Lee Hooker: Burnin' (Get Back 7502) (grainy sound, and overloaded by too much backup, but great performances by Hooker.) Stravinsky: Firebird Ballet (Dorati/Mercury/Classic Records 45 rpm reissue) (Our standard recording to pull out for critical comparative listening with new equipment, amp stands in this case...) Vierne: Sym 6 (for organ) (Sanger, Meridian E77067) Grieg: Sonata No 3 for Violin & Piano Brahms: Sonata No 3 for Violin & Piano Olav Thommessen: "Please Accept My Ears" (1981, for vn & pf) ...(Milanova -vc & Smebye -pf, Simax PS 1015) (One of those digital recordings on LP that prove digital can sound very good indeed, one of the best sounding recordings in my collection. The Thommassen piece is a beautiful work that deserves more attention.) Leadbelly: "Leadbelly Sings Folk Songs" (Smithsonian Folkways SF40010) Woody Guthrie: "Folkways: The Original Vision" (Smithsonian Folkways SF40001) (The musicianship on both these Smithsonian Folkways recordings is outstanding, and the sound seems about as good as the mastertapes are likely to allow.) Haydn, Cello Concertos (Christophe Coin, Hogwood/AcademyAM, L'Oiseau Lyre DSDL 711) . |
Björk -Deput on One Little Indian ...thanks Elke for the S/S copy all the way from Antwerp! sounds great Humble Pie - Town & Country on A&M Spencer Davis Group -Gimme Some Lovin' on Island UK Traffic -Mr. Fantasy on Pink rim Island UK Free -Fire and Water on A&M Rolling Stones -Beggars Banquet on London/King records JP (another fine engineering job by Glyn Johns!) |