mikeymad

After two pounds of coffee, I am starting to get the hang of the Oracle. The new portafilter helps with being about to see the flow and distribution. I am on my third new coffee now. And I am able to get it dialed in with about three shots. I seem to work best starting with too much flow {a bit sour} and then work towards making it stronger and more extracted. My palate can detect that easier than starting on the bitter side. I wanted a bit more coffee in my latte, So I have increased my dose up to 22 in and 45 out, right at 35 second. I will probably decrease my milk volume a bit to give me a little more coffee ratio. Still a few things I may change, the burr set is a little worn {rough cutting edge}, and they are relatively cheap to replace. It was a used machine. But overall I am becoming more happy with it as I use it more. Surprise, good coffee makes me happy. cheers

Catching up on this loss: Soundtrack From Twin Peaks Twin Peaks 1990 https://album.link/i/374382340 Example: Opening track is so disorienting and perfect. and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - Soundtrack Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me 1992 https://album.link/i/46734067 Example: A sad track for a sad story. RIP Angelo. Edit - and it reminds me very vividly. RIP Julee.

merry

Amidst the Chaos: Live from the Hollywood Bowl Sara Bareilles 2021 https://album.link/i/1563327630 Example: A live album that I missed. Big fan of Sara's. Overall a really good live album. The example track just kills me with the delicacy and power. A song from her Broadway musical - Waitress.

Nope - using the Oracle grinder built in setup with it's spiral press. It does a really good job most of the time. I have found that if I have an issue it is the grind setting (well it is the only setting that I have). I was just curious with most people using an open portafilter, if there were issues that people were trying to resolve. Q - with the duel boiler - do you have a preference for your pre-infusion pressure? I have been using 65 (I assume %). I think that the duel is the same setup.

50yo Something / Anything? Todd Rundgren 1972 https://album.link/i/1084074389 Example: I thought I knew this album. I really didn't. It really is something/anything. I will stick with the something (example). There are a couple of great tracks on this double album, and there are tracks of anything that in some ways pissed me off. Thinking back of someone just buying this double album, and thinking, what did I just pay for? But don't get me wrong, big fan of Todd's and this album is full of great tracks. It just also has skippable sections.

How often are y'all struggling with channeling? I have not invested in a new portafilter yet, so I can only judge by flow rate change, taste and puck inspection.

50yo Never A Dull Moment Rod Stewart 1972 https://album.link/i/1443098448 Example: An Album I was not familiar with (save, You wear it well). He is a little shouty at times, but there are some gems as well. Maybe hanging out with Ron Wood a bit too much in the early 70s.

^^ nice run, 50yo For the Roses (2022 Remaster) Joni Mitchell 1972 https://album.link/i/217509433 Example: I was really drawn in from the first track (example). Very much rewarded for detailed listening of this album. Phrasing and layering with subtlety and delicacy.

I am getting used to this trend of listening to an album I really like, and then a little while later getting a Tiny Desk from that artist. I was not disappointed: Of course I would have liked to have Chick and Chucho there as well. Lovely set.

Little different take. I quickly deleted the headphone mixes, I didn't like that sound in my setup at all. The over all set is 'okay' at best for me. I will listen to them again at some point, to see if there is a reference track in there. But twas free, thx.

thanks Ric, I did see that in my searches, I didn't follow it at the time being in the style of, when I was searching meta at the time. Some good Monkey's tunes in there. Me: The Lockdown Sessions Roger Waters 2022 https://album.link/i/1657010280 Example: I didn't know that this was coming out. But glad it did. I enjoyed Roger releasing a few recordings over the pandemic, stripped down versions very well recorded. Happy to have these on high resolution streaming rather than YouTube.

Nice - I couldn't seem to find the next meta, just tributes. And this bit of fun.

^^ Agreed. - and Agreed. (added to queue) ** Edit -- I have to add, I know that he was just first chair and this is not a solo work - but Michel Schwalbé should be on the album title as 'featured' at least. One of the best performances of this work, and a lot of on his shoulders. -- thx again for the reminder of this album. Ed:Edit - Happy to report he is on the back of the album *** So, I had Randy in my 50yo list - so this bummed it up the list - thanks. 50yo Sail Away (Expanded & Remastered Edition) Randy Newman 1972 https://album.link/t/212938 Example: So many devastating songs (title track, god's song, etc.) on this album. So I picked a simple pretty one, that also has messages. Tune in in a couple years for Good Old Boys (ooph).

Cheers Todd - Happy Belated Birthday - and future celebrations.

Nope! 50yo 2fer Let's Stay Together Al Green 1972 https://album.link/i/976362815 Example: Really bad Album cover. But a pretty good album. It has the iconic title track, but I liked the example better. The recording quality is pretty mixed, and does not hold up to critical listening. But good for turning up and singing along. Then I discovered he had another release in 72 With an even worse album cover! I'm Still in Love with You Al Green 1972 https://album.link/i/1133378411 Example: Much more consistent in the recording quality, with many iconic songs from Mr. Al. I passed on all those for this cool groove example.

50yo Obscured by Clouds Pink Floyd 1972 https://album.link/i/1065975350 Example: First off I have to apologize to PF (I know that they have been waiting for it). I had lumped this album into the same as the very early releases like piper and saucer. I think that it the album cover that confused me. This is a great 70s rock album. Released just before Dark Side. I am happy about this 50yo find, I will not let it go back into obscurity. Oh yeah then I wanted to listen to Pompeii - Hey it was from 72 as well. Happy 50. Come for the gong, stay for the howling dog. Still a great 'concert'.

50yo album Close to the Edge (Deluxe Edition) Yes 1972 https://album.link/i/1082018155 Example: Early in my Yes exploration I found this album. 90125 -> Classic Yes -> CttE. And it still remains one of my favorites. Two monster compositions with a little rock song stuck on the end - that being 8 minutes on its own. Another example of the deluxe not giving much. But the mix on the original three tracks sounds good.

^^ I have used that in the past - the 8.5 hour version. I have not risked it while driving. 😴

^^ that has me thinking of other albums that turned 50 - I will have to explore. Now: Fate of a Dreamer (Expanded Edition) Ambeon 2011 https://album.link/i/1317040112 Example: One of the many projects of Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, his solo work (above)). This seems to be built around singer Astrid van der Veen. A nice collection of vocal tracks with prog feel. This larger release has interesting acoustic versions as well.

Just goes to show there has been controversy in F1 almost as long as I have been alive. And dig that soundtrack for Wheelbase!

In memoriam Christine McVie Christine McVie 1984 https://album.link/i/358040564 Example: Everything about this song makes me cry. Her lovely voice, the fat keyboard solo, the lyrics. Just a great song. Thx Christine.

😭 The sad face just was just not sad enough... RIP Christine.... Your solo album was one of my favorites out of all of the Fleetwood side projects.

Question - How are people cleaning their grinders? Tablets? Rice? Just vacuum? Not at all? A tiny brush? I have been cleaning mine out between coffees, but just a brush and pulling the primary burr. I could see the value of using a vacuum every now and then, but a bit of a pain to get it out for a couple seconds of cleaning. I can also see the value in using tablets, to clean residue and oils, possibly extending the life of the burrs (questionable, but with any tool, it is good to have a clean blade). 🤔

Continuing my exploration all things Cunk!