Heard any new releases with good recordings?

SwedeSound · « **on:** 22 Oct 2008, 02:22 am »

I am a huge fan of the "What are you listening to right now?" thread. I regularly use it as a source for new music. But now that I have my hi-fi where I REALLY (and I mean that sincerely) really want it, I intend to spend some serious time adding to the music collection.

But I've read so much lately -- and experienced some of it myself (to wit Hold Steady's "Stay Positive" to name one suspect recording) about the dreaded "compression" issue, that I'd appreciate a heads-up when somebody encounters a new (or relatively new) CD release that doesn't appear to exhibit those symptoms. Maybe if there's enough interest -- and encounters with such recordings -- we could make it sticky.

The more good ears out there we have helping each other, the better odds we have of not encountering crap when we spin it on our rigs. Genre matters not -- rock, jazz, folk, classical, country -- if it's good, I'll give it a listen.

Just a thought...

-Jason

Rocket · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Oct 2008, 10:17 am »

Hi Jason,

I'm on this one with you. I'll listen to most any types of music but it needs to be well recorded. I bought a Sarah McLachlan 'Greatest Hits' and it was pretty hard to listen to.

Regards

Rocket

bprice2 · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Oct 2008, 05:02 pm »

These aren't necessarily new releases, but they are new to me.

Jerry Garcia & David Grisman

Shady Grove

Excellent music and recordings...at least to these ears. I can't stop listening.

The links I put here are to HD Tracks and are music downloads, which can only be purchased in the US. I do believe the cd's can be purchased elsewhere, though.

martyo · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Oct 2008, 06:08 pm »

Arabia aa

ipy · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Oct 2008, 06:51 pm »

Perhaps these....

Just A Little Lovin' - Shelby Lynne

Orchard - Lizz Wright

The Third Man - Enrico Rava (Trumpet) & Stefano Bollani (Piano)

Breakfast on the Morning Tram - Stacey Kent

SwedeSound · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Oct 2008, 07:26 pm »

Excellent suggestions! Keep them coming... Not too worried about them being RECENT releases -- just trying to freshen up the collection with newer material.

-Jason

Folsom · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 12:09 am »

What about something that is not going to bore the hell out of me? I want anotther Black album, time ten, in different genres, that are exciting.

Seriously, I do like Jazz, and nice singers, but the well recorded stuff, lately, seems to be super boring, weak old lyrics.

satfrat · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 12:23 am »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 23 Oct 2008, 12:09 am

What about something that is not going to bore the hell out of me? I want anotther Black album, time ten, in different genres, that are exciting.

Seriously, I do like Jazz, and nice singers, but the well recorded stuff, lately, seems to be super boring, weak old lyrics.

AC/DC: Black Ice (2008)

AC/DC delivers the same stuff that's made them a great rockin' band. The album is definitely heavily processed but it's still a tight album and it rocks!

Cheers,
Robin

Folsom · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 12:28 am »

Do you mean produced? Er? It sounds good then? ?

I guess I also feel like AC/DC and Metallica have often pretty poor lyrics. I just listen to the Black Album because it is a metal symphony that is amazing, not because they sing about anything that really means much.

satfrat · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 12:30 am »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 23 Oct 2008, 12:28 am

Do you mean produced? Er? It sounds good then? ?

Buy the album and figure it out for yourself.

Folsom · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 12:38 am »

Quote from: satfrat on 23 Oct 2008, 12:30 am

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 23 Oct 2008, 12:28 am
Do you mean produced? Er? It sounds good then? ?

Buy the album and figure it out for yourself.

It cost money, something I do not have much of, so I can wait for someone to tell me if it sounds decent. Oh way I have zero at the moment because Digital River hacked my Paypal and drained my bank.

My most recent purchases for CDs has been buying ones in new condition but for whatever reason at like $1-3 on Amazon through other sellers, people that just want to get rid of it. I search look up recommendations once in awhile on forums and then go search, and maybe it will only be $1.

JimJ · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 02:09 am »

Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 23 Oct 2008, 12:38 am

Quote from: satfrat on 23 Oct 2008, 12:30 am
Quote from: Destroyer of Smiles. on 23 Oct 2008, 12:28 am
Do you mean produced? Er? It sounds good then? ?

Buy the album and figure it out for yourself.

It cost money, something I do not have much of, so I can wait for someone to tell me if it sounds decent. Oh way I have zero at the moment because Digital River hacked my Paypal and drained my bank.

My most recent purchases for CDs has been buying ones in new condition but for whatever reason at like $1-3 on Amazon through other sellers, people that just want to get rid of it. I search look up recommendations once in awhile on forums and then go search, and maybe it will only be $1.

Lossless copies of it are available on even public torrent trackers

Believe me, I know what it's like not to have a lot of money for new music

ipy · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 03:14 am »

Quote from: SwedeSound on 22 Oct 2008, 07:26 pm

.....just trying to freshen up the collection with newer material......

If you are after some "newer" Jazz, try any of the below..
Tord Gustavsen Trio - Being There
Wolfert Brederode - Currents
Enrico Rava - Easy Living
Stefano Bollani - Piano Solo
John Taylor Trio - Rosslyn
Marc Johnson - Shades Of Jade

slinco · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 02:57 pm »

Quote from: SwedeSound on 22 Oct 2008, 02:22 am

But I've read so much lately -- and experienced some of it myself (to wit Hold Steady's "Stay Positive" to name one suspect recording) about the dreaded "compression" issue, that I'd appreciate a heads-up when somebody encounters a new (or relatively new) CD release that doesn't appear to exhibit those symptoms.

Genre matters not -- rock, jazz, folk, classical, country -- if it's good, I'll give it a listen.

-Jason

Actually, I've found that genre matters a LOT. If a recording is meant for ( or hopes to have) commercial radio play, it's probably going to be compressed and over processed. That means rock, pop country, and other forms of "pop". Most jazz, folk, and other "non pop" music is recorded very nicely these days. At least that's what I've found. I buy tons of music (none of it "pop"), and I'm almost always happy with the recording quality.
Having said that, there is of course the occasional recording that stands above the rest. I don't go out of my way searching for them, but they're a nice bonus when they come along. I'll list a few later today when I get some time....

martyo · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 03:26 pm »

Quote

If a recording is meant for ( or hopes to have) commercial radio play, it's probably going to be compressed and over processed. That means rock, pop country, and other forms of "pop". Most jazz, folk, and other "non pop" music is recorded very nicely these days. At least that's what I've found. I buy tons of music (none of it "pop"), and I'm almost always happy with the recording quality.

My recent experience is the same. The compression is minimal and the sound in rich or full or whatever word works for you, not thin with that bright upper midrange.

On the down side, it seems Rhino Records further compresses some of the older rock recordings when they remaster, gotta work for the ipods I guess.

SwedeSound · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 04:10 pm »

Quote

Having said that, there is of course the occasional recording that stands above the rest. I don't go out of my way searching for them, but they're a nice bonus when they come along. I'll list a few later today when I get some time....

That's the value in a thread like this. I agree that genre might have a correlation with compression -- all's I'm sayin' is that genre matters not to me in terms of my musical tastes and preferences.

As to recent releases that are well-recorded, if the default position is that more pop recordings are more prone to being compressed, highlighting those that somehow don't fall prey to that trend is even more helpful (as well as pointing out those that DO).

It's not that I won't listen to something that's compressed. I just won't listen to it on the hi-fi rig. I'll dump it onto my computer and maybe -- just maybe -- it will show up during a run on my shuffle. For now, I'd rather invest in music that will sound good in my easy chair.

Keep those suggestions rolling in. I'm placing my Amazon orders as we go.

-Jason

martyo · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 04:37 pm »

Since your listening to CTA rather than Chicago does that mean your listening to the first album?
I aleays thought I and II where pretty good. Saw them twice at the Fillmore West back then, once right before Chicago(II) came out and then soon after it came out. They were really hot, cookin', back then.....

Sorry going off topic.

SwedeSound · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 04:41 pm »

Indeed, their first (unless there's another out there I don't know about). It's a great album. Early Chicago is like a different band compared to their later stuff. They were really edgy, experimental, huge, soaring horns and arrangements, great drumming... just a tight, tight outfit. Good stuff.

R_burke · « **Reply #18 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 06:58 pm »

I personally like the new David Gilmour and think it was produced quite well, especially since it is a "live" recording

http://www.amazon.com/Live-Gdansk-CD-David-Gilmour/dp/B001BKG9RQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224788282&sr=1-2

slinco · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Oct 2008, 09:01 pm »

Here's a short list. Great music IMHO and top shelf sonics:

First of all, I'll second the Garcia/Grisman stuff. All those discs sound great.

Bill Morrissey - "Songs of Mississippi John Hurt". This one's on the Rounder label and I find their stuff usually sounds great. This one is particularly sweet sounding, and fantastic music. One of my favorites.

Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder - "Talking Timbuktu". Every CD that I've heard produced by Ry Cooder sounds outstanding. The guy's got the magic touch in the studio.

Jessica Williams - "Live at Yoshi's, Volume One"

Sinikka Langaland - "Star Flowers". This is on the ECM label - another safe bet for great sonics. This is magical, mesmerizing music from Norway. Another favorite of mine.

Anouar Brahem - "Le Voyage De Sahar". Another mesmerizing ECM release.

Duke Ellington - "Blues in Orbit". This is the remastered version. The presence of the horns is amazing.

Persuasions - "Persuasions Sing U2". This is on the "audiophile approved" Chesky label. Male vocals at their best.

Neil Young - "Live at Massey Hall". Great live recording of a young Neil solo.

Tim O'Brien - "Two Journeys".

Mary Gauthier - "Between Daylight and Dark"

Over The Rhine - "Drunkard's Prayer". Recorded in their living room. Gorgeous sonics and a musical masterpiece.