Recordings of special merit . .

jimdgoulding · « **on:** 24 Dec 2013, 05:06 pm »

A friend stopped by and had me play an album he had just gotten from Acoustic Sounds, All In One Day by a new artist to me, Lorna Hunt, on the Classic Recordings label. Whoa, dude. What a fine recording this is and she is quite an original. Acoustic music live in the studio and the sound is almost in a class by itself.

In the same session, tis the season for exchanging gifts, I played one of my own that I hadn't spun since I dunno when, Music for Percussion by the Tristan Fry Ensemble on Gale Maximum Fidelity Recordings. Gale used to make speakers in the UK about three decades ago. Beautiful instrumental purity and clarity w/o any compression.

I'm ordering the Lorna Hunt album. Four discs recorded at 45rpm and cost an arm and a leg. But, I like everything about this release. I would appreciate and suspect I'm not alone knowing something about recordings of special merit to you.

Kenneth Patchen · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Dec 2013, 07:58 pm »

Thanks Jim. I havent't heard that but i'll check it out. I have heard her Sentimental Bedlam, a lot of fun and recommended.
KP

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 05:34 am »

I guess its just you and me, Kenny. Call me befuddled for the lack of participation. I haven't heard that one but thank you.

S Clark · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 05:47 am »

I'll play, though I may be going in a wrong direction. This is more a pretty good recording of a performance of special merit. Sviatoslav Richter's performance of Rachmaninoff's 2nd Concerto. I've heard most of the popular versions, but Richter was born to play this piece. For this one performance, he has the technique of Horowitz, the soul of Rubenstein, the virtuosity of Cziffra, and the power that Richter alone possessed at the keyboard. If there was ever a Russian style, this is it. As a boy taking piano back in the 60's, this was the piece actually inspired me to practice. It still leaves me with chill bumps nearly every time I play it.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 05:46 pm »

Nope, there isn't a wrong direction. Everything I own on the Reference Recordings label is super. Keith O. Johnson, engineer. Most recently I spun Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat as performed by the Chicago Pro Musica (11 musicians) and it's bloody perfect. Also, David Crosby's If Only I Could Remember My Name from Classic Records (originally an Atlantic release and the CR is much improved). Rich sounding and huge. Listen carefully and you can just pick out Grace Slick and Joni Mitchell in the choruses. Dual electric bass players are featured. Jack Casady from the Airplane and Phil Lesh from the Dead, and guitarists from those groups to include Crosby and Neil Young. Very end of the 60's sentimentality and IS a classic record.

liddown · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 06:27 pm »

Gents,

Thanks for the thoughtful thread.... I am going to give these a try. For me one of my favorite recording of merit is the Cisco 45 RPM version of Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat. I think I paid both arms and legs for this box set at RMAF two years ago, but Elusive Disc didn't want to carry it back so they offered a nice cash discount. The mix and the sound stage is very open and natural in my system, and of course her voice is magical to me...

Don_S · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 06:58 pm »

Jim,

I have had the Lorna Hunt Classic release 24/96 DAD for over a year. It is also an excellent quality recording. I think it is also available in DVD-Audio. Most of the release leaves me cold but I thoroughly enjoy the title track "All in One Day". For me, the track "Whipping Post" is worth the price of admission all by itself.

One of my favorites from 2013 is Joe Bonamassa An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House It is also available as a DVD. I saw it on PBS and thought it was excellent.

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 24 Dec 2013, 05:06 pm

A friend stopped by and had me play an album he had just gotten from Acoustic Sounds, All In One Day by a new artist to me, Lorna Hunt, on the Classic Recordings label. Whoa, dude. What a fine recording this is and she is quite an original. Acoustic music live in the studio and the sound is almost in a class by itself.

In the same session, tis the season for exchanging gifts, I played one of my own that I hadn't spun since I dunno when, Music for Percussion by the Tristan Fry Ensemble on Gale Maximum Fidelity Recordings. Gale used to make speakers in the UK about three decades ago. Beautiful instrumental purity and clarity w/o any compression.

I'm ordering the Lorna Hunt album. Four discs recorded at 45rpm and cost an arm and a leg. But, I like everything about this release. I would appreciate and suspect I'm not alone knowing something about recordings of special merit to you.

S Clark · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 07:00 pm »

... about Reference Recordings. Most of them are going for ~$50 on the used market. I just saw the RR version of Appalachian Spring with an asking price of $150

Since Jim and I were listening to the St. Paul Chamber Orch. Sound 80 version a few days ago (there is a NM copy at ebay for under $10) and thought it the equal of the RR (different, but in some ways better than RR), I'll recommend it.
Can't find a pic, but here is the ebay link. somebody buy it (not you Jim, Merry Christmas. I've got you a copy)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSELL-DAVIES-Copland-Appalachian-Spring-Ives-Three-Places-LP-Sound-80-SPCO-622-/350842869390?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item51afdd568e

Kenneth Patchen · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Dec 2013, 11:47 pm »

Uh oh, if we open this thread up to classical then I'll never get beyond opera, and for that matter baroque opera, but I'll try to make a few recommendations that are more contemporary. I mentioned this in another thread awhile back but I'll do so again here, since we've already mentioned Lorna Hunt. I remain surprised that Anais Mitchell's Hadestown didn't attract a larger audience; everyone for whom I've played this cd has bought it. I suppose it would help if one's listening history predated 90s electronica, death metal and hip hop and its offshoots. In Hadestown there's a familiar sort of magic and inventiveness that was once expected from recording 'artists', before the horror of MTV, thugland and the predictable prechewed and digested replication that passes for much of what is considered creative music today.
Collaborators with Ms. Mitchell include, among others, Ani DiFranco, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, Greg Brown, Ben Knox Miller of The Low Anthem, and angelic harmonies by the Haden Triplets (Charlie's daughters) and some smokin' harp and trombone. It's fun, it bumps and boogies, it's broadly conceived and very well performed. Buy it, you won't be disappointed. And if you are, just pm me and tell me to STFU. (Hey, Diamond Dog, I'm talkin' to you).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDqBzuh-DIg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Kp

charmerci · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 01:24 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 26 Dec 2013, 05:34 am

I guess its just you and me, Kenny. Call me befuddled for the lack of participation.

It's Christmas.

Normally, Dave Grusin plays MOR instrumental jazz/soundtrack music.

But his Discovered Again (I think the Plus version is a bit heavy on the bass) is a straight, recorded-live, jazz combo. Nothing like his other stuff. An incredible 30+ minute live-in-studio recording by Sheffield Labs.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 01:41 am »

I have the Grusin (Sheffield) and can attest to its very good sound. Speaking of Ani DiFranco, "Up, up, up, up, up, up" is a must hear. I believe it was recorded in her studio in New Orleans which sounds pretty much like a bare warehouse but don't let that stop you. She writes from the heart, very engaging and the sound is pure and open ended.

ksbruce · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 05:51 am »

Maybe not the best recording, but not too shabby either. Peter Green Splinter Groups "I Can't Help Myself" from Destiny Road.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIJP9tWeyg

Airborn · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 07:37 am »

Pleasure & Pain by Ben Harper & Tom Freund (2012) - Limited Edition vinyl

Ron Stewart · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 04:50 pm »

I'd nominate the soundtrack to the movie Toys. I don't remember a whole lot about the movie, other than that it was a bit quirky and surreal, but the music has stuck with me for many years. It's not Christmas music, but I think it's infused with the Christmas spirit. It's also great sounding.

It has a very interesting blend of artists, everyone from Wendy & Lisa (Prince and The Revolution), Grace Jones, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Tori Amos, Thomas Dolby, Pat Metheny, and others. If nothing else, it's a reminder that pigeonholing artists is often a mistake.

Wendy and Lisa, The Closing of the Year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9geCS0v7w8

Hans Zimmer, Battle Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ach9s0cHk

Grace Jones, Let Joy and Innocence Prevail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DX0uUtNzz0

Ron

Scotlynn · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Dec 2013, 05:54 pm »

For those who enjoy female vocalists and haven't discovered Lizz Wright yet, check her out. This record is very well-recorded, great song writing and she's got a wonderful, warm voice.

Youtube link to what I think is one of the record's highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6kYvIeq9k

PETE6737 · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jan 2014, 05:05 am »

Thanks for the lead on this Lorna Hunt music. I ordered the last one on Amazon! Thanks

vinyl_guy · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2014, 07:29 pm »

Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde, 180g 45RPM 3LP Box Set from Mobile Fidelity.

I have a first pressing mono and an original stereo version and this 45 RPM is without question the best Bob Dylan's best album (IMO) has ever sounded. Definitely worth the $75.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jan 2014, 09:26 pm »

Quote from: Ron Stewart on 27 Dec 2013, 04:50 pm

I'd nominate the soundtrack to the movie Toys.

Hans Zimmer, Battle Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ach9s0cHk

+1!

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Jan 2014, 04:04 am »

Quote from: Kenneth Patchen on 26 Dec 2013, 11:47 pm

Buy it, you won't be disappointed. And if you are, just pm me and tell me to STFU. (Hey, Diamond Dog, I'm talkin' to you).

Kp

Black Francis? Is that you?

D.D.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2014, 10:20 am »

This is a great performance & recording (DSD by Concord) even better sound quality than the Sheffile Labs CDs, unfortunately it was released only in regular CD:
http://www.amazon.com/Blonde-Various-Artists/dp/B00005JCHS/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1389695041&sr=1-6&keywords=blonde+soundtrack