What are you listening to Part the Third

*recstar24* · February 29

*robm321* · February 29

Beethoven's 3rd Symphony is probably my favorite of his. The 9th is epic and amazing but clunky and is kind of disjointed, especially in the beginning of the first movement. And doesn't it get too much credit for it hooky melody? . The 3rd is perfect as a whole IMO.

So, this dude let me know about the supposedly, generally agreed on, reference recording for this piece. He points out that "it may not be your favorite but it is the reference."

So, I meandered over to Qobuz, had a listen. I've heard several of them, and this one wipes the floor with all of them. In fact, it made me realize just how complex a composition it is. It's easy for conductors to go overboard on the big moments or heavy parts making it sound almost like you're just waiting for the cool parts once they get through the meanderings in between.

The opposite happens here. It's hard to put into words, but the big moments are actually reserved and there is so much sophistication going on throughout that becomes much more transparent with this performance. Regardless, it is my favorite Eroica now and there's no close 2nd.

*mikeymad* · March 4

^^ Thanks... Although it got me thinking of a music survey. 🤓

My standards for this piece have been:

Berliner Philharmoniker / Herbert von Karajan
Boston Symphony / Munch
The London Symphony Orchestra / Josef Krips
Chicago Symphony / Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra Of St. Luke's / Michael Tilson Thomas

Pretty much the same list for the 7th Symphony as well (probably my fav just ahead of the 3rd). But that could change.

I have not listened to the Szell.. yet. I think that the internet catalog is too big for me to do a complete survey of the Eroica, But maybe a review of top recordings in context to the Szell. I will ponder.

meanwhile:

The Cool Voice of Rita Reys
by Rita Reys (1957)

https://album.link/i/988177115

Example:

and

Relax With Rita & Pim
by Rita Reys (1969)

https://album.link/i/1442252027

Example:

Some lovely recordings.

*mikeymad* · March 7

Adrenaline Rush
by Twista (1997)

https://album.link/i/79029480

Example:

Sometimes you just need some fast 90s rap.. Twista delivers.

*mikeymad* · March 8

All The Young Dudes
by Mott The Hoople (1972)

https://album.link/i/155712973

Example:

Mott and the Young Dudes.. I really enjoyed this album.. I liked the 70s groove rock that they were putting out there. Yet this was another band like Thin Lizzy that I knew by name, not by songs. I have many songs attached to them now, and I am happy about that.

*swt61* · March 9

I've always loved both versions, but I didn't know that they ever performed it together.

Great stuff!

*swt61* · March 9

When I was a young kid I thought that Bobbie Gentry was an exotic, classy woman. She made the rounds on the numerous 70's variety shows. The songs that she wrote were absolutely controversial for that time. "Fancy" was a song about a dying Mother turning her teenage Daughter out to a wealthy man. And she wrote it in the late 60s. And she was a Country music artist! I have no idea how she got away with it, but her beauty probably had something to do with it. I don't think the good ol' boys of Music Row really grasped true nature of her music.

This was, and still is a favorite of mine...

*blessingx* · March 9

Kim Gordon's The Collective

Ex.

*skullguise* · March 9

I'm liking her solo stuff! I cannot count how many times I see the words "cookie butter" and her tune comes into my head.... 🙂

*mikeymad* · March 9

Choir of the Mind
by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton (2017)

https://album.link/i/1254594996

Example:

Just so good to listen to. I have not done a deep dive into what is said, but initial impressions are rewarding.

*swt61* · March 9

I seem to be discovering great pairings I didn't know existed.

*mikeymad* · March 12

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered & Expanded Edition)
by Vince Guaraldi (1965)

https://album.link/i/1440948781

So I have pretty much figured out that I don't equate Christmas music to Christmas - but to winter weather. And listening to Vince makes me happy...

*mikeymad* · March 15

Featherweight
by Rosie Frater-Taylor (2024)

https://album.link/i/1704196390

Example:

Some fresh music from last month from a new Artist for me. I really like the heavily influenced Jazz playing and the overall writing. And I forgive the 'no scrubs' cover.

*skullguise* · March 15

Love to pull this out every now and then, always a long-term favorite. DSD format is better than regular-rez....

*recstar24* · March 16

*dsavitsk* · March 17

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21799-some-other-time-the-lost-session-from-the-black-forest/

*swt61* · March 18

I like the original, but this version eclipses it IMO. The video brings even more emotion to the song. Even Trent said that the song was no longer his song, after seeing this video.

Oddly enough when Rick Rubin, along with other songs, first sent it to Johnny he got no response. So, he sent another tape of songs, with Hurt as the first song on the tape. Still no response. Finally he just outright told Johnny that he thought it would be a great song for him to record. By this time he trusted Rick, so he agreed to record it.

I think it's one of his best works.

Edited March 18 by swt61

*swt61* · March 18

One of my favorite female vocalist.

*swt61* · March 18

A classic.

*robm321* · March 18

2 hours ago, swt61 said:

I like the original, but this version eclipses it IMO. The video brings even more emotion to the song. Even Trent said that the song was no longer his song, after seeing this video.

Oddly enough when Rick Rubin, along with other songs, first sent it to Johnny he got no response. So, he sent another tape of songs, with Hurt as the first song on the tape. Still no response. Finally he just outright told Johnny that he thought it would be a great song for him to record. By this time he trusted Rick, so he agreed to record it.

I think it's one of his best works.

I've always thought this was one of the best music videos, period. The lyrics by NIN are so perfect, and Cash who also dealt with heroin addiction, somehow does a double entendre and parallels it to the end of his life and what's important, and what's gone and just angry with regret.

Heavy shit.

Credit to Rick Ruben.

Edited March 18 by robm321

*mikeymad* · March 19

Aliens Ate My Buick
by Thomas Dolby (1988)

https://album.link/i/1437333011

Example:

Say what you want about 80's music, but it gave us this album and this 8.5 min chunk of jazz. Actually - "The Key to Her Ferrari" is a better jazz song, but I just like Budapest better.

*Hopstretch* · March 19

56 minutes ago, mikeymad said:

Aliens Ate My Buick
by Thomas Dolby (1988)

https://album.link/i/1437333011

Example:

Say what you want about 80's music, but it gave us this album and this 8.5 min chunk of jazz. Actually - "The Key to Her Ferrari" is a better jazz song, but I just like Budapest better.

Not ashamed to say I still deeply love Thomas Dolby. There's a lot to appreciate across his portfolio but think "Astronauts and Heretics" is probably his strongest album. Contains, for my money, two of the better pure pop songs ever written.