What Are You Listening To?

[Towen7]

 

[Kazaam]

Smashing Pumpkins - "Teargarden By Kaliedescope"

I'm just listening to some of the tracks that have been released so far for this free music project, and even after repeated listens, I continue to enjoy the songs. I really almost kind of hated "Zeitgeist", aside from a few songs. But this newer stuff Billy Corgan has released has restored him to relevance in my opinion. Smashing Pumpkins v2.5 is definitely growing on me. I love the melodic stuff, I MEAN REALLY LIKE THE MELODIC STUFF, but if some of his future Teargarden EPs end up with a slightly heavier sound, I think that'll still be OK as a little variety is good, especially with such a big project. Though, hopefully, even the heavier and harder hitting stuff will still sound musical and not just pissed off.

 

[Dennie]

This is the reason we buy SACD's......... :bow-blue:

Gershwin's World -- SACD

Herbie Hancock

2004 Verve Records

Majestic, a musical experience for body and soul, December 7, 1998
By kim_61@hotmail.com (Thailand) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gershwin's World (Audio CD)

I saw Herbie Hancock live for the first time in London in the early 80's, accompanying Winton Marsalis. He blew me away, for the range of his technique and conceptual genius.On this album, he soars on gilded wings, portraying his vision of Gershwin, aided by the stellar cast he has surrounded himself with.The sound of Wayne Shorter's Tenor horn brings back memories of that all -time great band of Miles in the 60's.The amazing vision that Herbie has, which he gathered under Miles, is shown at its fullest here, in the mental and aural concepts he explores.He takes Gershwin's compositions to their limits, expanding them with a subtle intensity which breaks into white flame on tracks like " Summertime", a piece now so common that one would think it impossible to reignite it with new life. But reignite it he does, with Joni's smoky,etheral/erotic vocals and that piano. The incorporation of African percussionists is a master stroke, and underpins the themes with a breathy freshness. It is marvellous to hear Stevie Wonder exploring those cadences which show here where Rap and Hip hop came from. There are no duds here-this is a coming together of all that is finest in American and world music, united in the vision of genius-Gershiwn and Herbie Hancock. If your are not a jazz fan, if you listen to one "jazz" album a year, but if you listen to musci of any sort, listen to this. Majestic,marvellous, this is a master work for all.

"Fascinating Rhythm Overture"
"It Ain't Necessarily So"
"The Man I Love"
"Here Come De Honey Man"
"St. Louis Blues"
"Lullaby"
"Blueberry Rhyme"
"It Ain't Necessarily So Interlude"
"Cotton Tail"
"Summertime"
"My Man's Gone Now"
"Prelude In C# Minor"
"Concerto For Piano And Orchestra In G, 2nd Movement"
"Embraceable You"

 

[Towen7]

This is the reason we buy SACD's.........

It's the classic chicken-egg dilemma for me. I don't have a SACD player and it's hard to justify the cost of one without without owning much (any) content. It's can't buy the discs since I don have a player. My next BD player will likely be a universal player but who knows when the current one will die.

For now I'll settle on...

 

[Kazaam]

Smashing Pumpkins - "Teargarden By Kaliedescope"

I'm just listening to some of the tracks that have been released so far for this free music project, and even after repeated listens, I continue to enjoy the songs. I really almost kind of hated "Zeitgeist", aside from a few songs. But this newer stuff Billy Corgan has released has restored him to relevance in my opinion. Smashing Pumpkins v2.5 is definitely growing on me. I love the melodic stuff, I MEAN REALLY LIKE THE MELODIC STUFF, but if some of his future Teargarden EPs end up with a slightly heavier sound, I think that'll still be OK as a little variety is good, especially with such a big project. Though, hopefully, even the heavier and harder hitting stuff will still sound musical and not just pissed off.

Oh, that Billy C. Such as drama kid.

http://www.nme.com/news/smashing-pumpkins/59456

So does this mean he's done with the Teargarden project and free downloads? Oh, well... I can understand his desire to go back to albums. I think that people, even in 2011, still get more excited about your band (at least classic rock bands like the Pumpkins) if they see an entire album come out all at once. (Though, they'd surely be more excited if there were an actual hit single getting radio airplay that they could buy on itunes.) That said... I think I can pretty much guarantee Billy that sales of the upcoming "Oceania" will fall short of his expectations. This isn't the early Nineties. He and his hired backing band probably won't ever be on top again, so if that's the criteria he uses for determining whether or not to break up the so-called "band" again, then so be it. Way to be insecure, Billy. Don't bother making music because it's what you enjoy doing or anything.

 

[Dennie]

This is the reason we buy SACD's.........

It's the classic chicken-egg dilemma for me. I don't have a SACD player and it's hard to justify the cost of one without without owning much (any) content. It's can't buy the discs since I don have a player. My next BD player will likely be a universal player but who knows when the current one will die.

I know what you're sayin'! Fortunately for me, I've been collecting SACD/DVD-A/XR-CD's for many years now and have 100+. I was an early adopter and bought the Pioneer 563 (I think) universal player in '03 0r '04. I haven't paid over $150 for a Universal player since. I upgraded to the Pioneer 578 and then found a Oppo 970HD on CL for $80. That lasted a number years and then crapped out, probably from over use! LOL

Recently a friend upgraded his Pioneer DV79AVI ($1000) to a Marantz SA11-S1 ($3500) and sold me the Pioneer DV79 for $150 shipped. :handgestures-thumbup:

Watch your local Craigslist and/or Audiogon and get a used one and save the $$$'s, if you want to step into this arena. For me it is worth it and the difference is noticeable, but it is not for everyone.

I know it is an "investment" and I've found it easiest to spread it out over time and shop the used market.

As long as you're enjoying the music, that is all that matters! :handgestures-thumbup:


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Black & White Night -- DVD/SACD :eusa-clap:

Roy Orbison & Friends

2005 Image Entertainment

A Magical Night, March 21, 2005
By H. Goodman "cicadabro" (Hopewell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Roy Orbison - Black & White Night (DVD & SACD) (DVD)

On September 30th, 1987, the stars were in alignment, and an incredible concert took place. Thankfully, they filmed and recorded it. This DVD features not only an amazingly warm and relaxed performance by Roy, but also includes a remixed SACD soundtrack of the film. If you already have the "Black & White Night" CD (first issue) you may want to pick this up anyway. The sound mix is crystal clear. I think there were at least three acoustic guitars being played that night, and on this reissue, they positively shimmer! The other differences from past issues of this concert on disc or video are the inclusion of "Claudette", restored to its proper place in the running order, and on the SACD, "Blue Angel" is added on as a bonus track.
This package is really worth the price. I paid no more than I would for an average new DVD, so the SACD is really a bonus. If you're a fan of the great Mr. Orbison, I think you'll watch this one over and over.

All tracks composed by Roy Orbison; except where indicated

"Only The Lonely" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"Dream Baby" (Cindy Walker)
"Blue Bayou" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"The Comedians" (Elvis Costello)
"Ooby Dooby" (Dick Penner, Wade Moore)
"Leah" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"Running Scared" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"Uptown" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"In Dreams" (Orbison)
"Crying" (Orbison, Joe Melson)
"Candy Man" (Fred Neil, Beverly "Ruby" Ross)
"Go Go Go (Down the Line)"
"Mean Woman Blues" (Claude Demetrius)
"(All I Can Do is) Dream You" (Billy Burnette, David Malloy)
"Claudette" (Orbison)
"It's Over" (Orbison, Bill Dees)
"Oh, Pretty Woman" (Orbison, Bill Dees)


Roy Orbison: lead vocals, guitar, harmonica
Glen D. Hardin: piano
James Burton: lead guitar
Jerry Scheff: upright bass
Ronnie Tutt: drums
Jackson Browne: backing vocals
T Bone Burnett: acoustic guitar; musical director
Elvis Costello: acoustic guitar, electric organ, harmonica
k.d. lang: backing vocals
Bonnie Raitt: backing vocals
J. D. Souther: backing vocals; acoustic guitar; vocal arrangements
Steven Soles: backing vocals
Bruce Springsteen: guitar, vocals
Tom Waits: electric organ, acoustic guitar
Jennifer Warnes: backing vocals
Alex Acuña: percussion
Michael Utley: keyboard

 

[PaulyT]

This is the reason we buy SACD's......... :bow-blue:

Yeah, I got the SACD of that one after getting the CD and really liking it. Good quality stuff, fo' sho'!

 

[Botch]

This is the reason we buy SACD's......... :bow-blue:

Yeah, I got the SACD of that one after getting the CD and really liking it. Good quality stuff, fo' sho'!

I didn't realize it was out on SACD until mentioned above.
I double-dipped... :eusa-whistle:

 

[Kazaam]

I've got Black & White Night on Blu-ray. It sounds awesome!

 

[Dennie]

All Things Must Pass -- 2 Remastered CD Box Set

George Harrison

1970/2001 Capitol Records

Amazon.com

It's hard to imagine, but Beatles resident mystic George Harrison has arguably become the band's most curmudgeonly cynic. We offer as evidence this splendidly remastered 30th-anniversary edition of his 1970 multidisc solo epic. If the mini-boxed set's booklet and twin inner CD sleeves won't convince you (the album's familiar cover is colorized and altered to include backdrops of a freeway-tangled cityscape and nuclear reactor cooling towers, respectively), then maybe his liner-note apology for Phil Spector's "big production" (kind of like Da Vinci grousing about Mona's crooked smile) or his laconic, stripped-down, 2000 rethink of "My Sweet Lord" will. With such a mindset, it's unsurprising Harrison has allowed a nearly decade-and-a-half gap to grow between recordings. Still, no amount of grumpy auto-revisionism can subtract from the admittedly overwrought majesty of these tracks, which were the logical sonic extension of Abbey Road. It remains Harrison's unequaled masterpiece. The devolved "My Sweet Lord" aside, the bonus tracks here offer new insight: the unreleased "I Live for You" further highlights the album's oft overlooked country facet; spare takes of "Beware of Darkness" and "Let It Down" underscore the strength of Harrison's songwriting; an alternate backing track of "What Is Life" demonstrates the meticulousness of Spector's production. And then there's the project's truly stellar session lineup, which included Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voorman, Jim Gordon, Dave Mason, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Ginger Baker, Carl Radle, Gary Brooker, Jim Price, Bobby Keys, Pete Drake and, it turns out, even Phil Collins! --Jerry McCulley

Original release
Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "I'd Have You Anytime" George Harrison, Bob Dylan 2:56
2. "My Sweet Lord" Harrison 4:38
3. "Wah-Wah" Harrison 5:35
4. "Isn't It a Pity" (Version 1) Harrison 7:08
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
5. "What Is Life" Harrison 4:22
6. "If Not for You" Dylan 3:29
7. "Behind That Locked Door" Harrison 3:05
8. "Let It Down" Harrison 4:57
9. "Run of the Mill" Harrison 2:49
Side three
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Beware of Darkness" Harrison 3:48
2. "Apple Scruffs" Harrison 3:04
3. "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)" Harrison 3:46
4. "Awaiting on You All" Harrison 2:45
5. "All Things Must Pass" Harrison 3:44
Side four
No. Title Writer(s) Length
6. "I Dig Love" Harrison 4:55
7. "Art of Dying" Harrison 3:37
8. "Isn't It a Pity" (Version 2) Harrison 4:45
9. "Hear Me Lord" Harrison 5:46

Track 1-9 as per Side-one and Side-two of original issue.
Additional tracks
No. Title Writer(s) Length
10. "I Live for You" (New backing vocals and instrumentation from George and his son Dhani in 2000, alongside steel guitar played by Pete Drake in 1970) Harrison 3:35
11. "Beware of Darkness" (An acoustic run-through of the song recorded on 27 May 1970) Harrison 3:19
12. "Let It Down" (An acoustic run-through of the song recorded on 27 May 1970, with overdubbing added in 2000) Harrison 3:54
13. "What Is Life" (An early mix of the song's backing track on 9 August 1970 with piccolo trumpet and oboe) Harrison 4:27
14. "My Sweet Lord (2000)" (A re-working of the original recording with new overdubs in 2000, including new lead and backing vocals from George and Sam Brown) Harrison 4:57
Disc two

Track 1-9 as per Side-three and Side-four of original issue.
Apple Jam
No. Title Writer(s) Length
10. "It's Johnny's Birthday" (Based upon "Congratulations") Martin, Coulter; renewed lyrics by Evans, Harrison, Klein 0:49
11. "Plug Me In" Clapton, Gordon, Harrison, Mason, Radle, Whitlock 3:18
12. "I Remember Jeep" Baker, Clapton, Harrison, Preston, Voormann 8:07
13. "Thanks for the Pepperoni" Clapton, Gordon, Harrison, Mason, Radle, Whitlock 5:31
14. "Out of the Blue" Aronowitz, Clapton, Gordon, Harrison, Keys, Price, Radle, Whitlock, Wright 11:1

 

[Dennie]

Original Masters -- CD

Jethro Tull

1985 Chrysalis Records

This cd belongs in any classic rock collection, July 31, 2000
By "mr_comment_person" (Greenville, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Original Masters (Audio CD)

This cd is where I first remembered hearing Aqualung, and ever since then I've liked practically every song on the cd. I have a friend who listened to my cd on a trip once and said that Aqualung just flat out scared him. I still tell him that maybe he would like Locomotive Breath. All of the songs on this cd are cool, but I especially like "Aqualung," "Locomotive Breath," "Bungle in the Jungle," and "Minstrel in the Gallery." I think a part of the reason that Jethro Tull is such an important classic rock figure is the eerily cool way that he regularly integrates flute, a instrument not usually associated with rock, into his songs. Also in the way that many of the songs will switch from electric guitar to acoustic or vice versa all of the sudden. I would have to say that this cd should be in every serious rock and roll fan's collection.

"Living in the Past" – 3:18
"Aqualung" – 6:34
"Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young to Die" – 5:38
"Locomotive Breath" – 4:23
"Skating Away on the Thin Ice of the New Day" – 3:28
"Bungle in the Jungle" – 3:34
"Sweet Dream" – 4:01
"Songs from the Wood" – 4:52
"Witch's Promise" – 3:47
"Thick as a Brick" – 3:00
"Minstrel in the Gallery" – 7:47
"Life's a Long Song" – 3:16

 

[Dennie]

This is the reason we buy SACD's......... :bow-blue:

Yeah, I got the SACD of that one after getting the CD and really liking it. Good quality stuff, fo' sho'!

I didn't realize it was out on SACD until mentioned above.
I double-dipped... :eusa-whistle:

You ol'double-dipper, you! :teasing-neener:

I think you'll be pleased, although I only have the SACD, so you'll have to let us know if you like the SACD better than the CeeDee or not.


Dennie :eusa-clap:

 

[Dennie]

I've got Black & White Night on Blu-ray. It sounds awesome!

I bet it sounds fantastic! I haven't gone Blu, so the SACD/DVD will have to be Good enough and with this set, I think it is. The SACD is outstanding quality and is much better than the CD version!


Dennie

 

[Dennie]

.................. :banana-dreads: :banana-guitar: :banana-blonde:

Funk Beyond The Call of Duty -- CD

Johnny Guitar Watson

1994 Collectable Records

Funking above and beyond the call of duty, October 5, 2000
By aL (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Funk Beyond the Call of Duty (Audio CD)

Hot on the heels of the success of his previous two albums (they both went gold), Johnny 'Guitar' Watson dropped another 70's funk classic. I'd heard this wasn't as good as the previous two but I'd say its my favourite Johnny 'Guitar' Watson cd so far, there are more grooves on this one and less ballads. Watson wrote , preformed, and produced, this and played all the instruments except for drums and horns. For fans of 70's funk music that want an introduction to one of the genre's lesser known master's, 'Funk Beyond the Call of Duty' is the perfect introduction. After all, this is: FUNK BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.
Track Listing

1. Funk Beyond the Call of Duty
2. It's About the Dollar Bill
3. Give Me My Love
4. It's a *** Shame
5. I'm Gonna Get You Baby
6. Barn Door
7. Love That Will Not Die

 

[Kazaam]

I've got Black & White Night on Blu-ray. It sounds awesome!

I bet it sounds fantastic!

Oh... it does, indeed!!! (fwiw... The audio is 96kHz, but I've no idea what the bit depth of it is.)

Anyway, I currently have most of my SACD's and DVD-Audios hidden away. Unfortunately. So what I've been listening to mostly is CDs via lossless music files on my computer. And I've also been using my computer to listen to a bunch of DTS 5.1 surround conversions that I made of my SACDs and DVD-Audios. Anyway, my point in bringing this up is that I'll be streaming these music files from the computer to my home theater, and I'll be starting to think that "they sound pretty darn good". But then I pop in "Black & White" night on Blu-Ray (or a similar quality hi-rez disc) and I realize that even my modest system is capable of sounding so much better. The Roy Orbison Blu-Ray (or similar well-mastered DVD-A/SACD) really brings my system to life! Admittedly, I'm listening to the surround mix and not the stereo mix.

Additionally, we all know that not all CDs are mastered equally. Similarly, who hasn't heard crappy sounding SACDs/DVD-As/BluRays? And, obviously, there is some signal loss with my home-made DTS conversions, what with going through a digital-analog-digital conversion that ultimately leaves them in a lossy format. It all varies. But, regardless, I can't help but to find the sound of the Roy Orbison Blu-Ray amazing! And I'm hard pressed to come up with too many stereo CDs that I think have a sound quality that rivals it. Maybe... and this is just off the top of my head... but maybe the Jackie Allen "Which" CD from the Naxos label might come close?

 

[Dennie]

The Best of Donald Byrd -- CD

Donald Byrd

1992 Blue Note Records

The Standard for Funk, May 7, 2001
By Patrice J. Jackson (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Best of Donald Byrd (Audio CD)

Because Donald Byrd exists, we have groups like 'The Brand New Heavies', 'Incognito', 'Nuyorican Soul'. Because Donald Byrd exists, numerous rappers are able to create, and rap to, beats that makes us wanna dance. Had it not been for Donald Byrd, a lot of music would sound so much different, if it would have existed at all.

Donald Byrd does something with the trumpet that makes is sound so funky. The rhythms in the background just bring out the trumpet style that D.B. has mastered, and make one hell of a combination. Songs like "Places and Spaces", "Wind Parade", "Flight Time", and other beautiful selections are works of the mastermind that influenced a lot of funk artist today.

A must have.

Track Listing

1. Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle)
2. You and Music
3. Black Byrd
4. Think Twice
5. Onward 'Til Morning
6. Lanasana's Priestess
7. Street Lady
8. Flight Time
9. Places and Spaces
10. Wind Parade
11. Dominoes, (Falling Like)
12. Steppin' Into Tomorrow

 

[Dennie]

I've got Black & White Night on Blu-ray. It sounds awesome!

I bet it sounds fantastic!

Oh... it does, indeed!!! (fwiw... The audio is 96kHz, but I've no idea what the bit depth of it is.)

Anyway, I currently have most of my SACD's and DVD-Audios hidden away. Unfortunately. So what I've been listening to mostly is CDs via lossless music files on my computer. And I've also been using my computer to listen to a bunch of DTS 5.1 surround conversions that I made of my SACDs and DVD-Audios. Anyway, my point in bringing this up is that I'll be streaming these music files from the computer to my home theater, and I'll be starting to think that "they sound pretty darn good". But then I pop in "Black & White" night on Blu-Ray (or a similar quality hi-rez disc) and I realize that even my modest system is capable of sounding so much better. The Roy Orbison Blu-Ray (or similar well-mastered DVD-A/SACD) really brings my system to life! Admittedly, I'm listening to the surround mix and not the stereo mix.

Additionally, we all know that not all CDs are mastered equally. Similarly, who hasn't heard crappy sounding SACDs/DVD-As/BluRays? And, obviously, there is some signal loss with my home-made DTS conversions, what with going through a digital-analog-digital conversion that ultimately leaves them in a lossy format. It all varies. But, regardless, I can't help but to find the sound of the Roy Orbison Blu-Ray amazing! And I'm hard pressed to come up with too many stereo CDs that I think have a sound quality that rivals it. Maybe... and this is just off the top of my head... but maybe the Jackie Allen "Which" CD from the Naxos label might come close?

I agree, if the SACD sounds this good, the Blu-Ray must at least equal it and it is one of the best sounding shinny 5" disc I own. There are a few outstanding CD's, but not many rival Roy's Black & White Night Hi-Res Versions!

:text-bravo:

Dennie

 

[Dennie]

Raven -- CD

Don Grusin

1990 GRP Records

As he proved in his production of David Benoit's 1989 smash Urban Daydreams, the younger brother of Dave Grusin is a master at texturing various synth textures with the acoustic piano. On his solo debut Grusin once again does a remarkable job of this, mixing up his styles along the way to include bits and pieces of funk, Brazilian and mainstream jazz, along with healthy doses of the obligatory pop jazz formulas. Though the ballads here, such as "Oracle," are likable, Grusin the player is most at home on funky and frisky numbers like the stealthy "Catwalk," which features some tasty acoustic improvisations layered sparingly amidst a contagious synth groove. The best cut is another funkfest, "Graffiti Bird," which features the very punchy solo chops of saxman Eric Marienthal. The horns of Gary Herbig, Gary Grant, and Jerry Hey brass up this cut, as well as the softer line of "Light in the Window," while Sal Marquez's trumpet (which added so much to The Fabulous Baker Boys) adds a mainstream touch to songs like the title cut. The Brazilian vocalizing by Djavan makes "Two Lives" a memorable experience as well. And let's not forget kudos for the solid backbeat by bassist Flim Johnson and skinmaster Tommy Brechtlein. GRP was the smooth jazz mecca for many years, but once in a while the label released a project like this which added a lot of twists to the tried and true. ~ Jonathan Widran

Track listing

1. Flight of the Raven
2. Two Lives
3. Hip Hop Be Bop
4. Oracle
5. Outback Oasis
6. Light in the Window
7. Zuma Noon
8. Um Beijo (A Kiss)
9. Graffiti-Bird
10. Highline
11. Catwalk

 

[Dennie]

My last one for the evening....

Acoustic -- CD

Everything But The Girl

1992 Atlantic Records

Not your typical "unplugged" release, February 28, 2002
By C. Brennan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
This review is from: Acoustic (Audio CD)

Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn spent quite a bit of time touring in the late 80s and early 90s, playing concerts to smaller audiences in theaters and similar venues all over Europe and the US. Most concerts included a purely acoustic set. By the time of this release, ebtg had quite the stable of lushly produced, beautifully orchestrated albums to their credit. The most beautiful instrument in Ben Watt's arrangements, of course, is the voice of Tracey Thorn. "Acoustic" is the prime showcase for her vocals, over and above every other ebtg release.

There is a poignancy to Thorn's vocals that demands yearning, aching, hope and solace from the listener. Her naked rendition of "Come On Home" can transmute hope to dispair or back again. Their treatment of "Tougher Than The Rest" reveals the vulnerability behind the lyric's bravado, which is nearly lost in Springsteen's own interpretation of this tune. And, of course, the album wouldn't be complete without this riveting rendition of "Fascination", one of their most-requested songs.

I will admit a bias since I've been an ebtg fan for well over ten years now, but even given that, "Acoustic" is a must-have for appreciating the musical - and emotional - chemistry between Ben & Tracey. It's what makes them work.

"Love Is Strange" (Ethel Smith, Sylvia Robinson, Mickey Baker)
"Tougher Than the Rest" (Bruce Springsteen)
"Time After Time" (Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman)
"Alison" (Elvis Costello)
"Downtown Train" (Tom Waits)
"Driving" (Ben Watt)
"One Place" (Tracey Thorn)
"Apron Strings" (Live) (Thorn, Watt)
"Me and Bobby D" (Thorn, Watt)
"Come On Home" (Thorn, Watt)
"Fascination" (Live) (Thorn)