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Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue is an effects album

Drives me a little nuts how many still praise this album as the end all Jazz album for audiophiles. 

Mind you, I really like Miss Barber's music, and some tracks on Cafe Blue, but Cafe Blue, the darling of many an audiophile, isn't even close to her best album.  At best its Audiophile bait. At worst it's preternaturally sterile and lab grown. 

Live at the Green Mill for instance is just such a better album to listen to.

 

 

erik_squires
newbee
4,823 posts
 

At least you like her! I haven't gotten that far yet. :-)

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,398 posts
 

To each his own. I’m not particularly fond of Nina Simone either and there are thousands out there who love her .

whipsaw
775 posts
 

Well, it is very well recorded, though of course that isn't unusual for her albums. But if an audiophile is looking to test or compare components, I could see why this album might be in the rotation.

In terms of the actual material, it's not my favorite of hers either, but obviously that's subjective.

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,872 posts
 

 Feel the same way about Famous Blue Raincoat. Growing up, I experience more than my share of 3rd degree hangovers. The ones where you know you're awake but wish you weren't?

Whenever I hear this album, I go back to this place.

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,638 posts
 

I have never gotten Ms. Barber"s appeal.  I haven't listened to all her stuff, but what I've heard hasn't motivated me to make the effort.  Sounds like bland audiophile music to me.

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