curmudgeon

In a recent piece from the Voice of America ... <p><a href="/monthly_2013_03/gibson_women.jpg.350a8ca610d5f3a7761373815d8c0f87.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28155" src="/monthly_2013_03/gibson_women.jpg.350a8ca610d5f3a7761373815d8c0f87.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p><p><a href="/monthly_2013_03/gibson_women.jpg.ca1afa29fc20953090bce7935d2fc643.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28405" src="/monthly_2013_03/gibson_women.jpg.ca1afa29fc20953090bce7935d2fc643.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

I'm no philatelist, but this -- featuring two of my favorite artists -- caught my attention at a trip to the post office last week. Probably won't be using these for bill payments. Guess I might have to explore the Postal Service's Music Icon series to see what else they have. <p><a href="/monthly_2013_02/miles-davis_edith-piaf_stamps.jpg.43cb6b1517f507972684ab8c72556a98.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28142" src="/monthly_2013_02/miles-davis_edith-piaf_stamps.jpg.43cb6b1517f507972684ab8c72556a98.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p><p><a href="/monthly_2013_02/miles-davis_edith-piaf_stamps.jpg.50d70369e4d217390605c5183acd1fc1.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28392" src="/monthly_2013_02/miles-davis_edith-piaf_stamps.jpg.50d70369e4d217390605c5183acd1fc1.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

[video=youtube_share;nMCDwWZXd2w]http://youtu.be/nMCDwWZXd2w

<p><a href="/monthly_2012_12/DSCN1084_600x450.jpg.76cfe0e72ec9b285cf7026d638622b28.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28136" src="/monthly_2012_12/DSCN1084_600x450.jpg.76cfe0e72ec9b285cf7026d638622b28.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> In keeping with family (who else would care?) tradition, I am working up a list of my favorite artists/albums of 2012. Of course, I haven't heard it all and could never claim any of this to be the "best". Here is the list so far, in order of when they came to mind (for whatever that implies): Me'Shell N'Degeocello: Pour Une Ame Souveraine - A Dedication to Nina Simone Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas Chrysta Bell: This Train (see note*) Cecelia Bartoli: Mission Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel From The Mouth of The Sun: Woven Tide Muddy Waters and The Rolling Stones: Live at the Checkerboard Lounge (1981) Emilia Amper: Trollfageln (The Magic Bird) Anne Akiko Meyers: Air - The Bach Album Kimiko Ishizaka: Bach - Goldberg Variations (Open Goldberg Project) Cold Specks: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion Esperanza Spalding: Radio Music Society Calexico: Algiers Neneh Cherry: The Cherry Thing Brooklyn Rider: Seven Steps More close contenders ... Mumford and Sons: Babel Neil Young: Psychedelic Pill Regina Spektor: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats Rachael Yamagata: Heavyweight (EP) Cat Power: Sun Beirut: Rip Tide Bob Dylan: Tempest Loudon Wainwright III: Older Than My Old Man Now Laura Gibson: La Grande Jack White: Blunderbuss Melody Gardot: The Absence The Shins: Port of Morrow David Byrne & St. Vincent: Love This Giant Daniel Barenboim/West-Eastern Divan Orchestra: Beethoven for All - Symphonies 1-9 * I am told that this album actually released in 2011, but I couldn't get it until 2012, so it gets counted in. SQ varied among my picks, particularly with respect to the plague of compressed dynamic range, but the music/performance of any victims/miscreants above kept me listening in spite of that disappointment. Oh, yes. There were a number of other albums that came highly recommended by friends and acquaintances and are worth a listen, but they just didn't stick for some reason or another, such as: Frank Ocean: channel ORANGE Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Alelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! Gary Clark, Jr: Blak and Blu Grizzly Bear: Shields Beach House: Bloom Swans: The Seer and more ... My biggest list is the one of stuff still to be heard. Not to mention what will happen as I continue to listen to my 2012 list into 2013 and beyond.<p><a href="/monthly_2012_12/DSCN1084_600x450.jpg.e6c60ed6561821a74344491ac9ce8395.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28386" src="/monthly_2012_12/DSCN1084_600x450.jpg.e6c60ed6561821a74344491ac9ce8395.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

Like many of us, my introduction to Indian music in the 1960s was via Ravi Shankar, and I have loved this stuff ever since. He died yesterday, but left us two wonderful daughters whose work are also staples in my collection: Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HsuFlxxrX8k Just one sample story here.

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck has died at age 91. More details abound, like here. I started accumulating a jazz collection when I was in high school, and one of the first albums I rushed out to buy when it was first released in 1959 was Brubeck's Time Out, featuring the immortal Take Five. Already this fine tribute vid has appeared today on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZAGTjO0MJg

<p><a href="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_faces.jpg.b4e756401582d8389d66f97745f093fd.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28122" src="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_faces.jpg.b4e756401582d8389d66f97745f093fd.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> When singer-songwriter Teisha Helgerson died of leukemia last year, her friends discovered unfinished work in her journals and cell phone recordings. Thus began a collaborative effort to finish and record the songs. Some are performed in part by Teisha, others by her artist friends. Teisha was the frontwoman for the Portland-based indie folk-pop-whatever ("latin-tinged country jazz") group, Amelia, and other bands that became increasingly popular in the Pacific Northwest and regional music scenes. <p><a href="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_carry-on.jpg.322d8be94580a5d53cab4c5c63deafc2.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28123" src="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_carry-on.jpg.322d8be94580a5d53cab4c5c63deafc2.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> A CD is to be released on August 23, but you can stream the tracks now at Teisha and Friends and even download in your choice of MP3, FLAC, ALAC and other formats on a pay-what-you-like basis ($10 suggested for the whole album, $2 for a track), with the proceeds benefitting patients undergoing bone marrow transplant treatment. Learn more about Teisha here: Friends help Teisha Helgerson's voice 'Carry On' | OregonLive.com Here is a track listing with DR values: foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 log date: 2012-08-19 13:06:26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: James Low / Carry On (1) Michael Jodell and Matt Brown / Carry On (2) Mike Coykendall / Carry On (3) Miss Tulie and Aaron Walker / Carry On (4) Ritchie Young / Carry On (5) Scott Weddle / Carry On (6) Stephanie Schneiderman / Carry On (7) Susannah Weaver / Carry On (8) Teisha Helgerson (with Say Uncle) / Carry On (9) Teisha Helgerson and Jim Brunberg / Carry On (10) Teisha Helgerson / Carry On (11-13) Wendy Pate / Carry On (14) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR11 -0.39 dB -17.99 dB 2:25 05-Carry On DR9 -3.19 dB -13.80 dB 2:49 03-100 Happy Goodbyes DR12 0.00 dB -15.78 dB 2:46 08-Snowflakes DR15 0.00 dB -16.13 dB 2:47 06-The Greatest Valentine DR14 -0.18 dB -19.09 dB 2:43 13-Morgan May DR14 -1.14 dB -18.70 dB 3:45 09-Nothing Fancy This Time DR10 -1.20 dB -14.55 dB 3:21 14-Come Around My Love DR12 0.00 dB -14.34 dB 3:06 02-The State That You're In DR11 -3.44 dB -18.31 dB 2:47 15-Ma Seule DR11 -1.28 dB -15.50 dB 1:23 11-It is What It is DR10 -1.19 dB -14.25 dB 0:55 01-It's All Gonna Be Great DR16 -0.14 dB -26.63 dB 0:51 07-Snowflakes DR17 -3.87 dB -23.68 dB 1:05 10-It Is What It Is DR10 -0.96 dB -14.70 dB 3:04 04-Toast to the Twilight -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 14 Official DR value: DR12 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 762 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statistics for: 12-Arithmetic Number of samples: 14219898 Duration: 4:56 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Left Right Peak Value: -1.48 dB --- -0.22 dB Avg RMS: -16.14 dB --- -15.84 dB DR channel: 11.23 dB --- 12.15 dB -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Official DR Value: DR12 Samplerate: 48000 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 24 Bitrate: 1416 kbps Codec: FLAC ================================================================================ Also check out this Amelia piece from a few years back: Oregon Art Beat — Amelia · Oregon Public Broadcasting<p><a href="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_faces.jpg.c83a6a4cff5aef19cb78550f34010f77.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28372" src="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_faces.jpg.c83a6a4cff5aef19cb78550f34010f77.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p><p><a href="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_carry-on.jpg.83b84d631b8a989dace9cf390ee16d78.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28373" src="/monthly_2012_08/teisha_carry-on.jpg.83b84d631b8a989dace9cf390ee16d78.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

Some "doom soul" and "goth gospel" from London-based Canadian poet/singer/songwriter Al Spx (aka Cold Specks). Video: VIDEOS | Cold Specks Tracks: foobar2000 1.1.9 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.0 log date: 2012-07-26 12:48:21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: Cold Specks / I Predict a Graceful Expulsion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR12 0.00 dB -17.62 dB 2:16 01-The Mark DR10 0.00 dB -13.43 dB 2:29 02-Heavy Hands DR8 0.00 dB -10.17 dB 4:05 03-Winter Solstice DR9 0.00 dB -10.87 dB 3:20 04-When the City Lights Dim DR9 0.00 dB -11.49 dB 2:35 05-Hector DR9 0.00 dB -13.43 dB 3:50 06-Holland DR10 0.00 dB -12.38 dB 4:14 07-Elephant Head DR10 0.00 dB -14.02 dB 3:48 08-Send Your Youth DR8 0.00 dB -11.39 dB 3:12 09-Blank Maps DR6 0.00 dB -10.44 dB 4:01 10-Steady DR11 0.00 dB -15.37 dB 3:11 11-Lay Me Down -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 11 Official DR value: DR9 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 1412 kbps Codec: FLAC

Harpsichord music of Gesualdo da Venosa, Stella, Fillimarino, Montella, Lambardo, Rinaldo, Ippolito, Valente & Mayone Musicians - Paola Erdas Discography - Paola Erdas - Janas ensemble

<p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/head.png.6e8572f9abd25261f3aaab8a5eebbc2d.png" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28120" src="/monthly_2012_07/head.png.6e8572f9abd25261f3aaab8a5eebbc2d.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> From time to time, I binge on harpsichord music (particularly Couperin, Scarlatti, Bach). Today, through the Good Graces of Google, I chanced upon a remarkable online resource. At La Sala del Cembalo del caro Sassone I found a massive repository, featuring free listening (appears to use Flash streaming) as a Creative Commons non-profit effort. (For some reason I suspect that this amazing resource is well known to almost all baroque music lovers except me.) <p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/DeLuca-Fernando-02.jpg.19b21252640736b832fcf159960565bd.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28121" src="/monthly_2012_07/DeLuca-Fernando-02.jpg.19b21252640736b832fcf159960565bd.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> The site was started in 2006 by harpsichordist/composer/teacher Fernando De Luca and his engineer friend, who have recorded over 126 hours of baroque harpsichord (played mostly by De Luca, I believe). So far. Don't know the technical details, but you can choose to listen in "high quality" or "low quality". In some instances, sheet music images and other imagery are available. From Albinoni to Zipoli. I have barely scratched the surface, and expect to be streaming this stuff into my office for some time ... Also find De Luca's personal site here: Fernando De Luca - clavicembalista, clavicembalo, harpsichord, cembalo, clavecin<p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/head.png.e6d102ed00363a53d82cbd548a292b50.png" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28370" src="/monthly_2012_07/head.png.e6d102ed00363a53d82cbd548a292b50.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p><p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/DeLuca-Fernando-02.jpg.fbf34b75ce32d0e5cbe0cc8c4eb5e298.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28371" src="/monthly_2012_07/DeLuca-Fernando-02.jpg.fbf34b75ce32d0e5cbe0cc8c4eb5e298.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

foobar2000 1.1.10 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1 log date: 2012-07-24 06:57:44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Analyzed: Ghazal / As Night Falls on the Silk Road -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR Peak RMS Duration Track -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DR14 -0.09 dB -17.06 dB 15:12 01-My Eyes, My Heart DR14 0.00 dB -16.97 dB 21:23 02-Between Dawn and Dawn a New Truth DR13 -0.09 dB -14.87 dB 8:57 03-Snowy Mountains DR14 -0.16 dB -17.62 dB 23:57 04-Traces of the Beloved -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of tracks: 4 Official DR value: DR14 Samplerate: 44100 Hz Channels: 2 Bits per sample: 16 Bitrate: 1412 kbps Codec: FLAC

I'm definitely no expert on this, but I have tried something along these lines using Audacity, sometimes more successfully than at others. Maybe this will give you a starting point: Ripping Vinyl to 24bit 96kHz Apple Lossless — Apple News, Tips and Reviews

Bob Dylan fans -- I can't be the only one around here -- will be interested to learn that a new album is due for release in September. For more details, go to Tempest Press Release | The Official Bob Dylan Site and Bob Dylan Tempest Tracklist, Release Date. <p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/tempest_album_cover_459x351.jpg.38590c21a3e02240845e6b63ad909894.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28116" src="/monthly_2012_07/tempest_album_cover_459x351.jpg.38590c21a3e02240845e6b63ad909894.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p><p><a href="/monthly_2012_07/tempest_album_cover_459x351.jpg.bc8c9596935b834cb9a25e027b2fb030.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="28366" src="/monthly_2012_07/tempest_album_cover_459x351.jpg.bc8c9596935b834cb9a25e027b2fb030.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>