[BlackCat]

Because jqp reminded me of a great song I hadn't heard in 20 some years...

Pete Townsend - All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes

Unfortunately I ordered it the day he got arrested for kiddie porn.

Deep Purple - The Very Best of Deep Purple
This is a remastered late '60's Deep Purple - before they had Ritchie Blackmore.  The remastering is fairly well done, but nothing to rave about.  The version of "Hush" is great, but has the tendency to remind one how old he has become.

Eric Clapton - Unplugged
Acoustic version of Layla - what other justification would one need?

Janis Joplin - Greatest Hits
A remastered version of this compilation.  You can hear the difference in a few places, particularly the great bass runs on "Piece o' my Heart".

[JohnR]

Well I'm totally being blown away by this Aqualung CD JoshK traded with me. Where have you been Ian Anderson?!! What with that and the Zep I got from Zach, I must be turning into an old fart, reliving my mis-spent yoof. They don't make rock music like that no mo.

[mvwine]

I had one of the best trips tp the CD store in a long time.

John Williams "The Guitarist" - My favorite classical guitarist playing compositions by him and others. Brilliant!

Dave Brubeck "Time Out" - I like this landmark jazz album better than "Kind of Blue".

Lea Delaria "Play it Cool" - Female jazz singer with small combo. This is rapidly becoming my favorite genre of music. "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" is fantastic!

[SFDude]

Just picked up the following:

Groove Armada - The Remixes
This is a pretty trippy, hoppy, groovy   disc and very cool to listen to in a cafe latte sort of way.

Frolic - Permafrost
Ambient and ethereal music that is extremely soothing. Not very well engineered or mixed but the music is absolutely mind-altering. Best listened when you're a little buzzed and need that slow downward spiral into calmness.  

If anyone can suggest similar stuff to Frolic's (you should be able to find them on MP3.com), let me know!

[mojoman]

I just picked up a blast from my past:

Wishbone Ash - Wishbone Ash (1st)  and The Wishbone Four - Wishbone Ash was a great rock and roll band from the 70's.  There best stuff was before '75.  They never quite got the respect they shoud have.

[Beezer]

I recently picked up the following vinyl:

Miles Davis - In a Silent Way
Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet.  Wait a minute, let me go put it on ... ahh, that's better.  Electric band, groovy shit!

CSN - CSN
Classic first album that is sounds amazing.  Soaring harmonies, pretty basic guitar work and excellent songwriting.  Who says you can't get bass out of vinyl?

Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger
This was a complete find.  An early pressing in mint shape.  More excellent songwriting - good characters, minimalist compositions.  Surprisingly good sound and Willie's voice at its aching best.

The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Fillmore East
A must have classic rock album.  Epic Whipping Post and amzaing guitar work throughout.

Much happy listening,
Beez

[akshobhyavajra]

1. I just picked up on Redbook CD format:

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade
Conducted by Reiner - Chicago Symphony RCA Victor Living Stereo

This wonderful composition was first recorded on three-track in Orchestra Hall, Chicago on 02/08/1960.  Like many  Living Stereo recordings this one is absolutely magnificant - considered one of the finest recordings of the Rimsky-Korsakov work.  In addition the acousitic quality of Orchestra Hall lends itself to a sudden upward projection from stage which fills the house - and will sound excellent on a quality rig.  Instruments are layered and sound rich.  The soundstage is deep.  Highly recommended.  

PS  I am still looking for a good vinly copy of one of the early pressings, which should sound quite good as well.

2. Thriftstore discovery on Vinyl format:

Among the treasures I picked up recently was a recording of Ravel’s transcription of Mussorgsky’s piano suite “Pictures at an exhibition”.

As some of you may know the suite was inspired by the sudden death of painter and architect Victor Hartman, whose watercolors and drawings were displayed in a memorial exhibition.  It is this exhibition, then, which was put to music.

Mussorgsky-Ravel - Pictures At An Exhibition
Conducted by Andre Vandernoot - L’Orchestre De La Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire Command Classics

I must say that listening to this recording was a glorious experience.  Aside from the astonishing mastering from 35mm magnetic film the composition and transcription are sheer emotional genius.  I was very surprised at the detail, soundstage and texture of this 1961 recording.  It was definitely worth the 50 cents I paid for it   .  VG+ condition.


Joyous listening,

~Michael~

[BlackCat]

In an attempt to "broaden my musical horizons" and due to rave reviews by audiophiles and audiophile rags, I picked up Patricia Barber - Verse.
YEECCH!  This thing is the type of jazz I particularly hate.  The music sounds like the instruments were dropped down a staircase repeatedly to provide the background of her fairly good voice.  This is one CD I promptly filed in a special bin called "target practice".  Last time I take a recommendation from any reviewer at The Absolute Sound.  Lessee, $13 for the CD, 50 cents for the 12-guage shell I'm going to send it back to hell with...I coulda got a Who album!

[U4EA]

Black Cat, Don't see the big deal with P Barber either.

I just picked up Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live.  Nice live recording.  Good rythms.  Tony Levin on bass and a good female singer is with him.

[Beezer]

I have to agree with Blackcat on Patty Barber.  She seems to be a good musician and songwriter, but something about her style rubs me the wrong way.  To each their own!!

Weekend pickups included:
CD:  Lyle Lovett - I Love Everybody
Typically strong Lyle album with plenty of good songs.  Great sound also!
CD: Guy Clark - Old No. 1
This artist is new to me although he is a pretty well known country song writer.  I'm really liking it, although the twang does get a bit strong at times.
CD: Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
I love this CD.  Great dark and stark countryish songs writing.  She seems to have a strong Appalachean/Irish influence.  Excellent production values are a bonus.  I also recommend another album by her, "Revival".
SACD: Rolling Stones - Flowers
Thank you Abkco for releasing these DSD remasters.  This one has a good mix of originals and R&B standards.  Sounds good, but not amazing.
LP: Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
One of her early ablums with plenty of good songs.  I really like to get her stuff on vinyl because her voice is tough to tame digitally.  Album's in decent shape, but does have some rice krispie action - not so noticable during tracks though.

I also picked up some classical works at a local thrift store, time to do some experimenting.  Both are operas, one on a London ffrr and the other a RCA Red Seal.  Sound is pretty impressive and both are in good shape except for one side (of 12) with a big old scratch.

Happy listening,
Beez

[Tyson]

Picking up very soon (if I can find it) Schubert Piano Sonata's (complete) played by Schiff.  Was inspired to pick up more Schubert after seeing "The Piano Teacher" on DVD this weekend.  Great music.

[Bwanagreg]

Moondog. My brother pointed it out on the "Big Lebowski" soundtrack and I bought the re-issue CD. Cool stuff.

Also, I bought 2 tickets to see King Crimson at a club in Chicago March 15. Definitely a band best seen live.

[mojoman]

Here a my most recent purchases.

DVD-Audio - Yes - Fragile  - The 5.1 remaster is pretty amazing.  It puts you in the middle of the band.

SACD - Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed - The new high res format is like hearing this classic for the first time.  

CD - Soulive - Next - Good organ jazz trio that has some tight grooves and are all excellent players.  Couple of the songs feature rap lyrics, can't say I really care for those tracks but overall very good.

[BlackCat]

You guys get the idea that I buy a lot of CD's??

Noticed the entire "old" catalog of Yes has been remastered.  Had to go out and get:

Fragile - A bit "cleaner" than the original.  Sounds great.
Close To The Edge - same thing

These were both at Best Buy as "Super Savers" for $11.99 (for the Remastered ones!).  They also have the Yes Album, Yessongs, and Tales from Topographic Oceans remastered.  I'll be picking those up next week.

And finally, because I can occasionally talk the wife into wearing Victoria's Secret lingerie and singing "Good Girls Don't" - the remastered version of the Knack - Get the Knack.  Nicely remastered,  seems to rock a bit more.  Has a real strange version of "My Sharona" on it that wasn't on the original.  Highly recommend it.

[Beezer]

This weekend's vinyl purchases:

Grateful Dead - Live Dead
Amazing sound for a '68 live show.  1-2 songs per side, plenty of noodling/jamming.

Ry Cooder - Paradise and Lunch
I bought it based on Stereophile "records to die for".  Initial impressions are positive.

Saunders/Garcia - Live at Keystone
Early 70's Jerry band.  Pretty much all covers with great sound.

Midnight Cowboy - Soundtrack
Everybody's Talkin' is a classic.  Other than that it sounds like movie music.

Willie Nelson - Sweet Memories
Mainly covers, including the aforementioned "Everybody's Talkin'".  A bit cheesy at times, but he is unique and it works for me.

John Prine - Prime Prine
A "best of" albums covering his 1st 4 albums.  Many classic Prine songs and a great intro for those interested in learning about his music.  He has a pretty dark, wry take on line.  The compositions tend to pretty simple with a country twang.

Otis Rush - Right Place, Wrong Time
Considered modern blues in the mid-70's.  He has a great voice and tone on his guitar.  A real gem!

Beez

[JoshK]

Hey beez,

I have some Willie Nelson on Vinyl, a good 3 I think.  One is Willie and Waylon Jennings.  They might not be in the greatest condition but I don't like Willie so let me know if you are interested.  I can clean em up on my VPI 16.5 for you.

[Rob Babcock]

I bought a few '80's remasters; GTR really sounds a lot better than the original CD did.  It's not a masterpiece, but I'm pretty fond of it.  Ditto for Kix "Hot Wire."   Just got Geoff Tate's new CD, haven't even had a chance to listen to it yet.  

I bought Mark Knofpler's The Ragpicker's Dream a while back, and for the first time in my entire life, I was dissappointed with one of his albums.  Just didn't much care for this one; there are a few songs I really like, but overall it's not nearly as good as Golden Heart or Sailing to Philidelphia.[/i]

[Tonto Yoder]

CD: Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator)
I love this CD.  Great dark and stark countryish songs writing.  She seems to have a strong Appalachean/Irish influence.  Excellent production values are a bonus.  I also recommend another album by her, "Revival".

Happy listening,
Beez

If you like Gillian's "Time," you might check out the companion DVD--couple videos not-ready-for-MTV and a very basic concert.

http://www.gillianwelch.com/news/index.htm

There's a lengthy video of Red Clay Halo at link above.
TY

[Beezer]

Tonto, you are a fount of information.  Thanks!

Beez

[Tonto Yoder]

Tonto, you are a fount of information.  Thanks!

Beez

Only if you ask the right questions!!

I just happen to REALLY like Gillian and David Rawlings. I bought a one track DVD off eBay maybe a year ago of the title video "Time: The Revelator" and was thrilled to see that there would be a complete DVD.

If you get the Gillian DVD bug, you might check out "Down From the Mountain" DVD, a concert companion to "O, Brother Where Art Thou?"
Gillian does several tracks, and there are performances by the late John Hartford, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Ralph Stanley.
TY