Thread: Album of the Evening

Forgive me, but I need to qualify my last post re Legends. In another thread specifically HDtracks & Legends, I voiced similar praises of the HDtracks DL of Legends. Julf asked a question which prompted to realize that I was so wrapped up in downloaded 7 albums and converting them from Flac to AIFF that I never compared my redbook CD version of Legends and the XLD conversion of the redbook CD to AIFF versus the HDtracks DL of Legends. Oy!

I just completed that comparison. I will verify that the DL is an excellent and enjoyable DL. However, Julf's question is the Dl worth the extra expense, storage space etc. (See the thread as I am not going to quote him verbatim.) After listening to my redbook CD played through my Oppo BDP-95 over HDMI to Atlona HD 577 to W4SDac2 via BNC coax and to my XLD conversion of the Legend's redbook CD to AIFF, I can say unequivocally that I prefer the redbook CD in either version. Played the computer audio tracks at the same volume using several different software players, Amarra (beta build), PM (186), Audirvana Plus (1.33) and BitPerfect (1.02) and the dynamics, SQ, PRaT, soundstage, timbre etc.and the redbook CD/and AIFF of the redbook CD is more favorable to my ears and feelings.

That is not to say that I regret the purchase. I don't. On my system, comparing them consistently over several rounds at the same volume these are my findings. I will even venture that I could identify which version is which in a double blind test. Not bravado, it's distinguishable as the DL is just a little softer, rounded off, whereas the redbook CD or conversion to AIFF has that visceral live-like presence.

Needed to be accountable, even if my credibility suffers. Of course, all of this is subjective. Again, do not regret the purchase and I am reminded how well my redbook CDs convert and provide highly-desirable listening at least on my system. Sorry about my confusion.

Enjoy the music,
Richard

A "lost" recording of Louis Armstrong playing at the National Press Club about five months before he died in 1971 has just been released. See This Link to the Smithsonian Folkways to listen and purchase the CD or download the album.

I've included the liner notes here for your enjoyment. I am downloading this as soon as I get home today.

-Paul

Edit: I cannot attach the PDF liner notes since they are 3.8mb and the forum limit is 2.0mb. Here is the direct link to them though. -PR

Thank you, Paul, downloading Flac file as I write this post. So good of you to call this to our attention. I even ordered the CD.
Best,
Richard

Portishead
Dummy

I discovered a new band, The Cashbox Kings. Playing Chicago Blues the way they're meant to be played!

ARTIST: Ry Cooder
ALBUM: Bop Till You Drop

One of my enduring favorites for over 30 years; ripped from my still-pristine 1979 vinyl copy.

Some Johnny.

Projections
Between Here and Now

Grégoire Maret: Grégoire Maret XLD conversion redbook CD to AIFF. While offered on HDtracks.com at 44.1/16, it made more sense to me to purchase the disc (slightly more expensive for disc) than the DL and convert. SQ is excellent. Maret is very musical and excellent technique. As a fan of Toots Thielemans, less is not more. As I did not double up and order the DL as well, I am unable to make a comparison. Maret's CD is excellent.


Jen Chapin: reVisions Songs of Stevie Wonder XLD conversion redbook CD/Hybrid SACD M.ch. to AIFF. Also offered at HDtracks.com at two resolutions with the 192/24 price at $30 (29.98) which I thought was too pricey to double up for comparisons and $18 at Amazon for Hybrid SACD/M.ch. Excellent SQ, although a review at SACD.net claims otherwise. Sadly, as good as it sounds with Chapin, an talented vocalist and the two musicians, wonderful musicianship, the arrangements become somewhat tedious (or not). No regrets.


Tom Waits: Frank's Wild Years XLD conversion redbook CD to AIFF. Excellent recording/SQ typical of Waits CDs. I am a fan. Some times, several listenings are required, but I always end up embracing his art, poetry and style. He's incomparable. Thank you for recommendation from this thread.

Enjoying the music,
Richard

ARTIST: Don Shirley/Don Shirley Trio
ALBUM: Golden Classics

The first night out to hear live music shortly after moving to Los Angeles as a very young man was to hear a performance by the incomparable folk-singer Odetta of the spiritual/work song "Water Boy", among others.

Not much later, I heard Don Shirley's rendition, much different, but just as compelling.

This is another one of those albums I play for people who claim they don't like jazz, but can relate to some of the "standards" on this recording (with work dating from 1962). Shirley is a virtuoso pianist, performing and composing everything from symphonic orchestral pieces to jazz and spirituals. Here's what to expect from this wonderful collection:

foobar2000 1.1.7 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.0
log date: 2012-04-29 09:00:27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Don Shirley Trio / Golden Classics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR14 -0.18 dB -17.58 dB 4:48 01-Waterboy
DR12 -0.18 dB -16.79 dB 2:41 02-Freedom
DR15 -0.18 dB -18.34 dB 2:18 03-Drown In My Own Tears
DR13 -0.18 dB -16.76 dB 4:11 04-Margie
DR13 -0.18 dB -16.91 dB 2:16 05-Stand By Me
DR14 -0.18 dB -17.17 dB 5:13 06-Willow Weep For Me
DR11 -0.18 dB -12.56 dB 2:17 07-I've Got Rhythm
DR13 -0.18 dB -18.63 dB 7:38 08-Georgia On My Mind
DR14 -0.18 dB -15.55 dB 2:25 09-Lonesome Road
DR12 -0.18 dB -16.96 dB 4:06 10-At Last
DR13 -0.18 dB -17.59 dB 4:05 11-Amen
DR14 -0.18 dB -18.66 dB 3:56 12-Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
DR12 -0.40 dB -14.86 dB 5:18 13-One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
DR12 -0.18 dB -15.56 dB 5:00 14-Just For A Thrill
DR12 -0.18 dB -16.48 dB 4:52 15-Dancing On The Ceiling
DR13 -0.28 dB -15.46 dB 3:37 16-The Hammer Song
DR13 -0.18 dB -17.65 dB 4:23 17-Old Man River
DR11 -0.18 dB -16.47 dB 3:20 18-My Funny Valentine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 18
Official DR value: DR13

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 535 kbps
Codec: FLAC

While we are at it, check out Odetta's Water Boy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xJLQKIRUI

We have definitely been into our back catalog over the past few weeks. I thought it might be fun to just post some the covers of the ones we have listened through entire albums from. Interestingly enough, it seems we listen to far more music than we watch television.

The system only lets you attach 25 images per post, so here are twenty five of what we have been listening to. I was hoping there was some way to put these in a cove flow like display, but could not figure that one out.

-Paul

... Interesting. Thank you for sharing. I never heard of "Let It Be ... Naked". Will investigate. Just got "Past Masters" and was surprised to learn the version of the song "Let It Be" was different from the album version.

ARTIST: Marta Gomez
ALBUM: Entre Cada Palabra

If only all my music seemed this fresh, clean and effortless ... I think I downloaded this delight from either HDTracks or Society of Sound a year or two ago. A track listing:

foobar2000 1.1.7 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.0
log date: 2012-04-29 14:32:40

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analyzed: Marta Gomez / Entre Cada Palabra
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR Peak RMS Duration Track
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR12 -0.05 dB -15.65 dB 3:29 01-Maria Mulata
DR12 -0.38 dB -15.52 dB 2:56 02-Dona Luisa
DR13 -0.11 dB -18.05 dB 3:32 03-De Amarillo se viste la tarde
DR12 -0.06 dB -15.85 dB 4:55 04-Mar Adentro, despacito
DR12 -4.76 dB -21.32 dB 3:34 05-Casi
DR12 -1.70 dB -19.77 dB 3:42 06-Un Pedacito de tu amor
DR12 -0.10 dB -16.56 dB 3:55 07-Quien se acordara?
DR12 -0.40 dB -19.58 dB 3:35 08-Esta Linda la Mar
DR13 -1.59 dB -20.83 dB 4:32 09-Lucia
DR13 -1.99 dB -19.46 dB 3:45 10-Negrito
DR10 -5.08 dB -22.21 dB 3:57 11-Cielito Lindo
DR12 -2.04 dB -19.49 dB 3:08 12-Como un Secreto
DR13 -0.10 dB -17.65 dB 4:44 13-Entre Cada Palabra
DR13 -0.08 dB -16.37 dB 4:27 14-Pececito de agua
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of tracks: 14
Official DR value: DR12

Samplerate: 96000 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 24
Bitrate: 2624 kbps
Codec: FLAC
================================================== ==============================

Originally Posted by Brian A

... Interesting. Thank you for sharing. I never heard of "Let It Be ... Naked". Will investigate. Just got "Past Masters" and was surprised to learn the version of the song "Let It Be" was different from the album version.

Hi Brian -
I think that Let It Be - Naked is probably at the top of my favorites list. Very very different from the album, and despite four decades or more of listening to the original version, I do like this one better. It's from the original tapes.

-Paul

Artist: The Doors
Album: The Doors

Artist: Dave Brubeck
Album: Time Further Out

Shpongle
Tales of the the inexpressible

Kinda trippy electronic with East Asian and Middle Eastern influences

Marta Gomez: Cantos De Agua Dulce HDtracks DL 96/24. Excellent SQ.

Esperanza Spalding: Junjo, XLD conversion redbook CD to AIFF. Excellent SQ.

Anat Cohen: Clarinetwork Live At The Village Vanguard XLD conversion redbook CD to AIFF. Excellent SQ.
Enjoy the music,
Richard

Redbook rip via XLD of "The Completion Backward Principle"

Listening on my iPad using "Capriccio", audio out via line-out on Apple iPad dock, into FiiO E11 head amp --> Sennheiser PX-100 IIs.

Sweet sound.

Bob Marley & The Wailers:Babylon By Bus [Original Recording Reissued, Original Recording Remastered] XLD conversion redbook CD to AIFF. SQ is fair. No mediocre. 2001 remaster that is not what I would prefer. What's the difference that makes the difference. I get the spirit of the compositions but not the quality of the SQ. Getting tired of having to exhort those who produce and engineer products that do not compare with the pursuit of excellence. The better my system the more I can appreciate what is excellent and the more I regret what does not meet that criterion.

Still I enjoy the music in my discernment,
Richard

Shpongle
Ineffable Mysteries from Shpongleland

Who else can blend reggae dub with flamenco guitar?

So happy to hear I can turn someone on to new music. I'm thinking you guys wonder who is this "chick" invading our CA with weird music we've never heard of. Sorry, I just don't like much of what your typical audiophile would listen to. I'm here to shake things up a bit!