List or discuss your favorite 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