Monthly Archive: February 2009
Paradigm 5.1 Monitor v.6 Series Surround Speaker Package
They will be missed when I have to return them – not because they sound better nor have the finesse of my $10K reference speaker system, but they never disappointed with my casual listening over the two months I’ve had them.
W., Blu-ray (2008)
Most of the so-called reenactments are really Stone’s imagined versions of exactly what went on, but they certainly seem plausible.
Mike Holober & The Gotham Jazz Orchestra – Quake – Sunnyside Records
Among the smartest large ensembles on the scene today
Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5. Sound-Isolating Headphones
For mobile use and in noisy environments, the benefits of good quality earbuds/earphones are clear.
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, Op. 26 “Funeral March”; Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1; Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28 “Pastoral” – Murray Perahia, piano – Sony Classical
Perahia brings his especial sonority to bear on these keyboard experiments, each of which contributes to the dynamically searching temperament we call Beethoven.
Electric Heart – Documentary on trumpeter Don Ellis (2009)
Hopefully this documentary will correct some of the misconceptions about Don Ellis and his music and generate more interest in his many unique recordings. His motto was “Experimentation before Entertainment” and he made music from not a commercial viewpoint but a creative one.
Greg Diamond – Dançando Com Ale – Chasm Records
A very strong debut from rising New York guitarist Greg Diamond
Dominique Cravic et les Primitifs du Futur – Tribal Musette – Sunnyside
Weird, beguiling, seductive, casting a strangely satisfying spell on the listener
Audio News for February 10, 2009
DTS Sees HDMI and Blu-ray as Solutions for Hi-Res Surround Sound; Polk Packs Surround Into More Speakers; Cambridge Audio Receiver Decodes SACD, DVD-A, DTS Master-HD and DD lossless True HD; Pioneer Drops Laserdisc
Pretty Woman, Blu-ray (1990/2009)
The story line resembles the Pygmalion myth. Actually the original script was a much more hard nosed story about the evils of prostitution titled 3000 for the amount that the Richard Gere character pays the hooker to stay with him for a week.
Alan Parsons Project – Six Expanded Edition CDs – Arista/Legacy
The Alan Parsons Project – for intrepid fans only
E.S.T. – Leucocyte – Decca
A fitting farewell to one of the pioneers of rock-tinged power-trio jazz
Al Green – Lay It Down- Blue Note
A Return to Form For A Soul Legend
Stokowski = VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on Greensleeves; SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61; ENESCU: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A Major, Op. 11; WALTON: Spitfire: Prelude and Fugue – New York Philharmonic/Leopold Stokowski – Pristine Audio
Two 1949 appearances of the magical Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Dr. Lonnie Smith – Rise Up! – Palmetto Records
Another funky visit from the Doctor….
MAHLER: Symphony No. 4 in G Major – Judith Raskin, soprano/Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell – HDTT
An audiophile collector’s Mahler Fourth in every sense, this restoration comes highly recommended.
BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor; Symphony No. 8 in C Minor – Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (No. 9)/Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Knapertsbusch (No. 8) – Music & Arts
Two visceral performances of late Bruckner as directed by Hans Knappertsbusch, a major exponent of the “alte schule” of Bruckner interpretation.
Talich conducts Tchaikovsky = TCHAIKOVSKY: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 23; Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 – Winfried Wolf, piano/Wolfgang Schneiderhahn, violin/Czech Philharmonic/Vaclav Talich – Pristine Audio
Notice the five stars–go get this one!
Neil Diamond – Live 1976 – The Thank You Australia Concert
The sound is quite a bit better than I would expect from Dolby Digital.
PROKOFIEV: Cinderella ballet (2003/2008)
Whatever the limitations of the ballet this performance is never less than entertaining and professional.
Audio News for February 6, 2009
Boston Symphony Joins Symphony-Originated Record Labels; Latest Dope on HDMI; The State of the Pop Recording Industry; Where Is HD?
Alex Cline – Continuation – Cryptogramophone Nels Cline – Coward – Cryptogramophone
The Cline twins release twin CDs simultaneously
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
