critical listening

[hasafraker]

I'm always looking for new music, when you (everyone) sit down for a critical listen, what do you listen to? One of my all time favorites has been Roxy Music, Avalon. I don't care what kind of music it is I'll listen to anything once so... what do you guys listen to? The stuff that really interests me is stuff that is well recorded.

I've been breaking out a lot of my old music and through my headphones and the Crack... it's brought everything to a whole new level. I can't get enough of this amp. I dunno if I'll be able to contain myself when my speedball gets here

 

[denti alligator]

Where to begin?

Albert Ayler and Animal Collective all the way to The Zombies and John Zorn.

Favorite audiophile recordings: Monk's Brilliant Corners (SACD) and Jordi Savall's Folia (SACD). Those Creedence SACDs are pretty amazing, too (Steve Hoffman mastering, I believe).

 

[hasafraker]

yeah I realize to pick a single favorite is an exercise in futility thanks for the suggestions I will check them out

 

[Thoburn]

For years I have used Jenifer Warren's "The Well" on CD. One of my other favorites is Hugh Masekela's "Hope" on 45 rpm 180 gram vinyl from Analogue Productions. Side 4 is a piece call Stimela (The Coal Train) that will severly test your systems dynamic range.

 

[Maxwell_E]

I have a couple favorites. "If There Is Something" by Roxy Music is a common one for me. Also "Uncommon Ritual" & "3rd Movement from Amalgamations for Solo Bass" from Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, and Mike Marshall.

 

[Doc B]

Where to begin?

Albert Ayler and Animal Collective all the way to The Zombies and John Zorn.

Favorite audiophile recordings: Monk's Brilliant Corners (SACD) and Jordi Savall's Folia (SACD). Those Creedence SACDs are pretty amazing, too (Steve Hoffman mastering, I believe).

When I listen to Brilliant Corners I listen to a Tape Project album. And recently I've been listening to an upcoming Tape Project release of Creedence as well (Paul Stubblebine mastering)  ;^)>

 

[jrebman]

I'll second Sam's recommendation for Jordi Savall -- early baroque on period instruments and brilliant arrangements and musicianship.  One of my faves.

Also, any of the Blue Note xrcd remasters; one favorite is Bill Evans "Sunday at the Village Vanguard"  recorded less than 2 weeks before Scott LaFaro died in an accident.  Recorded with all tube gear, and fast, wide tape.  Great stuff.

-- Jim

 

[Doc B]

I'll second Sam's recommendation for Jordi Savall -- early baroque on period instruments and brilliant arrangements and musicianship.  One of my faves.

Also, any of the Blue Note xrcd remasters; one favorite is Bill Evans "Sunday at the Village Vanguard"  recorded less than 2 weeks before Scott LaFaro died in an accident.  Recorded with all tube gear, and fast, wide tape.  Great stuff.

-- Jim

I listen to the sister album from the same sessions, Waltz for Debby, on tape and with tubes.

 

[hasafraker]

now see this is what I'm talking about, outstanding! I love it when my list of music to check out is nice and long, thanks for the input everybody

 

[xcortes]

On tape:

Linda Sharrock, Confessions, Quinton Tapes 15 ips 2 track
Little Hatch, Rock With Me Baby, The Tape Project 15 ips 2 track
Stravinsky, L'Histoire Du Soldat, Westminster Sonotape 7 1/2 ips 2 track

These three are, as my friend Steve says, Spooky!

On vinyl:

Metallica, Metallica, 45 RPM issue (OMG this is bass and good guitars!)
Cannonball Adderley, Somethin' Else, 45 rpm Classic Records Mono

On CD:

Hmm, I don't have a CD player

 

[spear321]

Hi all



For me Yazoo- Upstairs at Erics - try "how winter kills" its so stark, and a great vocal test.
Crowded House - like most of there stuff - always trying to work out what they say in the background of a few of there tracks - never worked out what they say at the begining of "private universe".

And if trying out a piece of new equipment what you listened to in the 5 mins before you made the change is good.

Paul

 

[dbishopbliss]

I'm a fan of the artist/producer Joe Henry.  I first heard about him when he produced Solomon Burke's, Don't Give Up On Me.  That album is great to listen to and really resurrected Solomon's career giving him the wider audience he so deserved.  

Soon after that I heard a track from Bette LaVette's, I've Got My Own Hell To Raise.  Not really a "critical listening" album, but a great recording that introduced her to a new generation (me).  Soon after that I saw her perform Reign Down O'er Me for Pete Townsend and Roger Daultry at the Kennedy Center Honors.  I like at the end when you can see Barbara Streisand asking Pete, "who was that".  But I digress.

I decided to try some of Joe Henry's solo work.  I really like the title track to Civilians for critical listening. I play this at most of our local meets.  Its a very engaging track with a definite mood about it.  The arrangement continues to add instruments and complexity, but it never gets congested.  

Then I came across a CD of new orleans jazz songs by Allen Toussaint.  It wasn't until after I bought it that I realized it was produced by Joe Henry.  

Then I came across the Carolina Chocolate Drops (on NPR).  Again, it was produced by Joe Henry.  Tracks 6 and 7 on Genuine Negro Jig are great for critical listening.

 

[dw]

Thanks for pointing out Joe Henry. I picked up both Alen Toussaint and Carolina Chocolate Drops.
They're both fine. Check out the youtube sample at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKTXJUYiAT4.
In our house ages 7 to 63 are diggin the CCD CD. Thru 100% BH gear of course.

 

[BillWay]

I never thought I'd say anything like this, but the new Oppo BDP-95 blu-ray player feeding the Crack/Speedball and a pair of HD800s is just stunning. Try the Vanska/Minnesota Beethoven symphonies on BIS, or the Roy Orbison Black and White concert.

WW

 

[hasafraker]

I'll have to check those two out, in another thread someone mentioned a Getz-Gilberto recording and I've picked that one up on CD and I must admit, it sounds fantastic, I've shared it with some folks at work and they were also quite impressed.

 

[dstrimbu]

Hasa,  if you like Avalon, you need Brian Ferry's "Boys & Girls"...

On CD, I especially like Al DiMeola's work.  "Kiss My Axe" is a spectacular recording.
Also, "Friday Night in San Francisco" - DiMeola, John McLaughlin & Paco DeLucia - wow.  I have the CD, the SACD and 180g vinyl versions.  All are spectacular.

Vocals?  Hmmmm... I love Tori Amos, but most people don't swing that way. 

The remastered Talking Heads stuff is also pretty spectacular... the DualDisc releases of "Little Creatures" and "77" are great.

I have a Michael Yee Nova Phonomena phono preamp on the way; migrating from an old Ortofon to a Clearaudio Concept MC.  I'll let you know what I've been missing later this week...  <g>

~don

 

[dw]

I agree, Getz-Gilberto is a great recording. I've played it so much that my family
groans when I put it on.

Dave

 

[hasafraker]

I actually have Boys and Girls, good stuff! Bete Noire is also fantastic, sounds to me like you and I enjoy a lot of the same stuff, I just recently picked up Little Creatures, I have the CD and an original release on vinyl that I really love. I will definitely have to check out DiMeola. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Grainger49]

Late to the thread.  Some compilation CDs that I use for evaluation are:

Chris Isac, "Cruel Game" - Liquid guitar work

Jeffereson Airplane, "Triad" (written by David Crosby) - Closely miked young Grace Slick

Kodo Heartbeat Drummers (Sheffield CD), "O'Daiko" - The Taiko drums are dramatic with lots of overtones from the drum heads

Strength In Numbers, "One Winter's Night" - Picks on stringed instruments are well recorded here

The Modern Jazz Quartet, "Festival Sketch" (from Live At Music Inn Vo.. 2) - The drums are rendered in 3D

Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66, "One Note Samba" - Sergio's piano is to the right of the right speaker

Alison Krauss & Union Station, "You Cannot Go Now" - Again, picks on stringed instruments, also deep soundstage, closely miked Allison (you hear her lips part before she sings).  This one doesn't showcase Jerry Douglas (BIG FAN HERE!) like "Let Me Touch You For A While," "New Favorite," "Crazy Faith" or "It Doesn't Matter" which are also highly recommended.

All Rounder albums seem to have exceptional soundstage recorded into them.  I would like to know how it is done, just curiosity.

 

[intojazz]

Here's what I've been listening too lately:
Chick Corea - Like Minds
Gil Scott Heron - Winter in America
Coleman Hawkins -Night Hawk
Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay
Bill Mays Trio - Live at The Jazz Standard
Herbie Hancock - Third Plane
Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else
These are some favorites that I come back to when I'm trying to discern a change I've done to my system. It's nice to see what others in the group are listening too.
Best regards, John
ps now back to the soft start upgrade!