Two excellent CD's to recommend

alwayslearning · « **on:** 22 Jun 2008, 06:12 pm »

1) Blue Coast Collection- The E.S.E. Sessions
A variety of acoustic music by a variety of musicians with unique styles- nylon & steel guitars, slide guitar, dobro & vocals. Recorded superbly in hybrid SACD. Engineered by Jean Claude Reynaud (of JM Reynaud speakers), using his monitors & cables. The final cut, Finale, by Glenn Moore (of Oregon) is awesome & full of surprises! More info: www.bluecoastrecords.com

2) Elixir- Marilyn Mazur & Jan Garbarek on ECM
Confirming that Less is More (enjoyable), these two musicians improvise on short vignettes that easily create short visuals for listeners, like scenes from a movie. Titles reflect these, for example- Mountain Breath, Talking Wind, Spirit of Sun, Winter Wish and more. While Mazur plays a wide range of worldwide percussion, Garbarek weaves in with flute and tenor/soprano sax. Again, pristine recordings & accessible music. This, too, would be a great demo disc to give speakers a workout on frequency cohesiveness, dynamics as well as reproducing subtleties, nuances & fading shimmers of various percussion timbres.

Both are standouts and are highly recommended. Any recommended discs from readers as well?

ted_b · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jun 2008, 07:38 pm »

Thanks. Yes, I've been espousing the greatness of Cookie Marenco's Blue Coast Collection for some time now. This SACD's 5.1 recording is exceptional, and so subtle it almost sounds 2 channel...until you realize the performers are out in the room with you. I love the songs, too. And yes, the double bass demo is VERY well done.

I got to meet Cookie at last years RMAF, which is where I got the SACD, and spent an hour or so talking. It was great. She has seen, heard and recorded a lot (Neil, etc.). Very kewl. We've kept up a small email dialog since then. I new solo piano SACD is due out anytime. I'm all for supporting well-recorded hirez music, and to meet a pioneer was very special.

Thanks for the recommendation on the ECM disc!

Ted

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 04:32 am »

I'll throw one in here that I got very recently. This was recommended by Arthurs. When he recommended it, I figured it also had to sound pretty good, and it does. Listened to a moderate volume levels, this recording sounds very lifelike and present in my room. Things spread out nicely in all directions, are generally well focused, and she is intimately front and center. The drums are where they are supposed to be on a stage in a small venue (where you are likely to hear music like this) with a nice thereness. And there is quite a bit of subtle minute musical information just to make it more interesting and inviting. Satfrat gave this a thumbs up, too. Knowin his system, if only theoretically, and his perverse dedication to the real thing, I figure I'm hearing what he's hearing. Nice stuff, Arthurs.

alwayslearning · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 04:47 am »

jimdgoulding - Did my tired eyes miss the name of the CD & the artist , or is it coming in a second posting? Now I'm really curious as to who it is...

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 04:49 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 24 Jun 2008, 04:32 am

I'll throw one in here that I got very recently. This was recommended by Arthurs. When he recommended it, I figured it also had to sound pretty good, and it does. Listened to a moderate volume levels, this recording sounds very lifelike and present in my room. Things spread out nicely in all directions, are generally well focused, and she is intimately front and center. The drums are where they are supposed to be on a stage in a small venue (where you are likely to hear music like this) with a nice thereness. And there is quite a bit of subtle minute musical information just to make it more interesting and inviting. Satfrat gave this a thumbs up, too. Knowin his system, if only theoretically, and his perverse dedication to the real thing, I figure I'm hearing what he's hearing. Nice stuff, Arthurs.

I bet it was this one Jim...Link...

alwayslearning · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 04:52 am »

Got it now. Thanks.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 11:17 am »

That qualifies for my dufus move for the week list. Don't know if it is at the top yet, tho. Thanks, Wolfny, you're spot on as usual. You got hawk eyes.

ted_b · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 01:47 pm »

I just ordered both (Elixir and Tim's House...thank you)!

One more semi-obscure excellent cd to add, and the Kate Walsh cd reminded me.......Rosie Thomas, When We Were Small. Her other work is only fair for some reason, but this one is her masterpiece, IMO. A well-recorded cd of wonderful music.

alwayslearning · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 02:39 pm »

I'll check out Rosie Thomas.

For some reason that triggers an audio memory of older CD with a cut, Small Song, that always brings a smile to my face. If you're not familiar, its by Lhasa De Sela, called The Living Road. La Llorona, her first CD is also Most Excellent.

BTW, it amazes me how much time folks dither on about equipment nuances, and how little time is spent sharing musical discoveries. Odd priorities.

arthurs · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 02:46 pm »

I just friggin love "Tim's House" and you are spot on Ted "When We Were Small" is a tour de force for Rosie...

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 04:39 pm »

Sheesh! I've placed 2 orders today for tunes because of you guys. Slow down!

arthurs · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jun 2008, 05:07 pm »

Pete - go ahead and get Sonya Kitchell "Words Came Back to Me" as well...great tunes and really good sonically....I'll stop now!

Papajin · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 05:11 pm »

Don't stop now! This is my kind of music!

arthurs · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 05:40 pm »

Okay.....

Jacqui Naylor - "Shelter" is my favorite but all her discs are excellent
Catherine Feeny - "Hurricane Glass"

and everyone should own a copy of Shirley Horn - "You Won't Forget Me"

arthurs · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 05:59 pm »

This assumes you know most of the usuals like Katie Melua, Vienna Teng, Stacey Kent....

ipy · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 07:52 pm »

1) Beyond the Missouri Sky - Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden
Great music to come home for after a long week. Recording is stellar.
2) Simple Twist of Fate - Dave's True Story
Listening to the DTS's rendition of Dylan's songs makes me appreciate what a great Artist/songwriter Dylan is. Recording like other DTS releases, very good.

rydenfan · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 08:00 pm »

Quote from: arthurs on 27 Jun 2008, 05:59 pm

This assumes you know most of the usuals like Katie Melua, Vienna Teng, Stacey Kent....

I do not. Do you have any specific recommendations?

arthurs · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 08:09 pm »

Katie Melua - Piece By Piece
Vienna Teng - Waking Hour
Stacey Kent - Dreamsville

Those are three to start with...

marvda1 · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 08:13 pm »

Blast from the past...

1) Jennifer Warnes --- Famous Blue Raincoat (20th anniversary edition)
2) Cowboy Junkies --- Trinity Revisited

launche · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 08:16 pm »

Quote from: arthurs on 27 Jun 2008, 08:09 pm

Katie Melua - Piece By Piece
Vienna Teng - Waking Hour
Stacey Kent - Dreamsville

Those are three to start with...

Katie Melua - Piece By Piece is such a sweet sounding disc.