mikeymad

Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath (1980) https://album.link/i/298099519 Example: Good Album with a couple great songs (example) for me. Metal was in a strange state in 1980.

But Here We Are by Foo Fighters (2023) https://album.link/i/1682993466 Example: Good but sad album. Post Taylor's passing. Not as diverse as other recent offerings. I will probably listen to some songs more than the album.

Selections From Irving Berlin's White Christmas by Bing Crosby (1954) https://album.link/i/1440877877 Example: Instead of watching - I thought I would listen.. Other than a few mic overloads, well done.

Steak day two.. Yesterday's was a little heavy on the smoke for me. So I set the Chimp again to 225 until internal probe temp of 115f, but at a lower smoke setting. Then used cast iron pan on induction stove top to sear for 2 min {30 sec per side}. Steak flavors much more in balance with just a touch of smoke. Very close to what I wanted. Science!

Ribeye - reverse seer on pellet grill.. Set Chimp to 225 until internal temperature got to 115. Then took grill up to 500 and seared for 2 minutes each side. The temp is pretty spot on. And lovely smoke.

Great White North by Bob & Doug McKenzie (1981) https://album.link/i/1444092587 Example: I was feeling left out.... Also... Featuring the great Geddy Lee. I still have this album on vinyl and know it very very well...

The Astrud Gilberto Album by Astrud Gilberto (1965) https://album.link/i/1469584204 Example: We all need a little more Gilberto in our lives...

So based on this post I took some time and loaded my queue up with a pretty good pile of versions of the 3rd. A couple weeks ago I started listening to just under 50 of them. Well, I am here to say that after listening to the following I have stopped the project. There are still many in my queue. There are just too many versions and only a few that I am really excited about. So. I don't really have write-ups on these. But the last three, I didn't like. Those are the ones that I got to and the rest of these I touched on.. Mostly the first and third movements as a reference. So - what did I like. I did like the Szell/Cleveland that started this. A very balanced performance and recording. Makes lean into it rather than it coming at you. It got me more interested in the second movement more than just about every other recording. The rest of these were at the top of my list (not in order) when I pulled the plug on this project. They are all worth a listen for various reasons from pace, to recording, to getting some of the complex/awkward parts right. For me that is. I really do like the piece, but I did find it hard to listen to this over and over. An interesting project for sure. That said, if there is a recording and performance that I 'have' to listen to, please recommend. I have no issues listening to it, I am just no longer interested in a survey. I had a friend recommend the Manze/Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra - and it was very good. Cheers.

The Old Country by Keith Jarrett (2024) https://album.link/i/1766716830 Example: Lots of pretty notes on this one. From a 1992 performance. Not too much of what I call the Keith kazoo (him singing along).

The Waiting Sky by Anna Lapwood (2024) https://album.link/i/1769985170 Example: I have been following Anna for a little while now as the principal organist for the Royal Albert Hall. But she also works with Pembroke choir. A very nice EP.

Use Your Illusion II by Guns N' Roses (1991) https://album.link/i/1389971138 Example: Put in my queue for the Example tune. Prepping for the future. Anyway I had not listened to the album in a long time, maybe 1992. It is a good, but not great album for me. Some highlights with a handful of forgettable tunes. If it were tightened up to just one Album length I think it would be a lot better. And I skipped the 2.5 hour DELUX version. Regardless I do enjoy when they get into a groove and Slash is on top of his game.

https://youtu.be/mZmJ3Q7SfHE?si=-xToSvRb8wnXJK25 It wont embed - but I wanted to share anyway. The show after the show ended.

La Tresse by Ludovico Einaudi (2024) https://album.link/i/1718940638 Example: I have not seen the movie - but I know that it will at least sound good.

Cheers Sr Todd - Happy Birthday --

Black Cream by The Harold Wheeler Consort (1974) https://album.link/i/1294912180 Example: Smooth 70 soul - right on the edge of being disco. One and only Album.

Documentary Inspired. (thx ric) Roxy Music by Roxy Music (1972) https://album.link/i/724922081 Example: I had an idea of Roxy - but it was not this. I remember the polished 80s Avalon (more in my era, and way past the Eno version). But I really like this eclectic and more raw version of their musical ideas at the time.

From Zero by Linkin Park (2024) https://album.link/i/1766137049 Example: I thought I should listen to this while it was still in the zeitgeist. I was looking for some new music here and it is there (like the example). I am more interested in a 2024 sound for them than rehashing a 2003 sound. A tight 31 minute album with some bangers. Well done.

Pork belly mash

65% off?! - they must have low overhead....

Wishing you a happy Birthday Byran - Cheers.

A little more on the PG side of life. The Curtis Family C-notes weekly rehearsal. And for any Bay Area peeps that dig it, they play locally around the area. Checking out: https://album.link/i/1757976285

Ah 18 years ago when the internet was a simpler place.

waiting all day for this post. I want some fried rice balls!!