What music are you listening to lately? - Page 2

I've really been digging the mix that Diplo did for Pitchfork. Otherwise, I've been in a Belle and Sebastian/Decemberists mood. Presently, I'm listening to Placebo's Without You I'm Nothing.

Been on a classical kick lately. Listened to the Moonlight Sonata last night a few times. Spectacular piece when played well.

I've also been keeping Captain Dan and the Scurvy Crew's album on repeat for the past week!

Iron and Wine's new one, The Shepherd's Dog.

Into the Wild soundtrack, by Eddie Vedder.

Both top notch.

You have to listen to the San Francisco Symphony's DVD of the Rite of Spring available from their online store. The rhythmic work is just on the other side of unbelievable: the little micro syncopations that Michael Tilson Thomas adds, especially at the end, give the performance an inexorable forward momentum without making the work completely brutal or rushed. The brass are pretty fantastic as well, but the orchestral playing in general is inspired.

MTT's also helped Stravinsky debut several of his pieces when they lived in Los Angeles, and is in touch with his own Russian folk heritage, so he gives a fairly unique, personal view of the Rite. There are lots of Russian folk tunes that he brings out in the piece.

It's in Dolby Digital, so the analog frans will turn up their noses, but it is in pretty good multichannel sound.

--Andre

We have the Tilson Thomas Polygram recording in which he conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra. That's a winner also.

Every music library needs at least three different Rites! So, I just ordered the San Francisco Symphony boxed set of three CDs with Tilson Thomas conducting and then I tried to order the DVD from the orchestra's site and the site is freezing. So, I will try again in a few hours. It will be great fun comparing the different versions.

Thanks for the tip. By the way, the Orions are simply the best!

__________

The Stravinsky CD set is also excellent, and the Rite in that one is similar to the DVD, though I think the DVD is more exciting (perhaps because we can see everyone).

Glad to hear you're still enjoying the Orions. It's a big task to improve on a full-blown Meridian system.

--Andre

I've got those, too, and they range from good to excellent performances. The sound quality is also very good. You could do much worse if you're building a Mahler library.

My favorites of that series are 1, 4, and 7.

--Andre

Son Volt
Arvo Part
Warren Zevon
Word
Benny More
Texas Tornados
Sister Double Happiness
Michael Nyman

One of the things I enjoy about these threads is being reminded of great stuff I haven't thought to listen to in quite a while.

I've been getting some great compilation CD's from Felix at the music bar on the top floor of Bergdorf. He has recommended a lot of lively and fun stuff. My wife loves the Karl Lagerfeld mix CD.

+1 for Placebo--that's their best album, IMO. I've been into '70's Glam (T. Rex, The Sweet, Slade, Sparks) as of late, along with Kraftwerk and Grace Jones (New Wave Grace, not Disco Grace)--trying to brighten my mood