Just good recordings, none of this compressed nonsense
Discussion
I'm sure there have been numerous threads on the topic before but frankly, I can't be bothered to check.
I was going to post this is in the hi-fi thread but assumed the mods would move it here anyway, so here goes.
Now, we all know that Naim and Linn recordings are all excellent, but how many mainstream recordings are there that actually stand up to discerning listening on a good system?
A fellow PHer recommended Tracey Chapman's Fast Car which is pretty much as good as I have found, for a non-audiophile recording and stands up remarkably well to Naim/Linn recordings.
Other notable mentions should go to:-
(Audiophile quality)
Diana Krall - Anything really
Alison Krauss - As above
(Not as good, but still very listenable)
Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon
Beth Rowley - Little Dreamer
The above highlights exactly my problem. All of my good recordings are either instrumental or female vocals. I don't have a solitary recording of male vocals that stands up to scrutiny and feel I am missing out. I have various Beatles recordings but things have moved on in my opinion. Sgt. Pepper is widely lauded and whilst acceptable through speakers, it sounds terrible through headphones due in part, to the rather primitive stereo recording which just fires different noises (in a seemingly random fashion) in each ear. Plus, the vocals aren't my cup of tea. Chris Rea's Shamrock Diaries isn't bad but I don't particularly like his voice either.
I was hoping this thread could be used to recommend "proper recordings" that go largely under-appreciated/recognised.
I was going to post this is in the hi-fi thread but assumed the mods would move it here anyway, so here goes.
Now, we all know that Naim and Linn recordings are all excellent, but how many mainstream recordings are there that actually stand up to discerning listening on a good system?
A fellow PHer recommended Tracey Chapman's Fast Car which is pretty much as good as I have found, for a non-audiophile recording and stands up remarkably well to Naim/Linn recordings.
Other notable mentions should go to:-
(Audiophile quality)
Diana Krall - Anything really
Alison Krauss - As above
(Not as good, but still very listenable)
Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon
Beth Rowley - Little Dreamer
The above highlights exactly my problem. All of my good recordings are either instrumental or female vocals. I don't have a solitary recording of male vocals that stands up to scrutiny and feel I am missing out. I have various Beatles recordings but things have moved on in my opinion. Sgt. Pepper is widely lauded and whilst acceptable through speakers, it sounds terrible through headphones due in part, to the rather primitive stereo recording which just fires different noises (in a seemingly random fashion) in each ear. Plus, the vocals aren't my cup of tea. Chris Rea's Shamrock Diaries isn't bad but I don't particularly like his voice either.
I was hoping this thread could be used to recommend "proper recordings" that go largely under-appreciated/recognised.
Information about many recordings' dynamic range / lack of compression can be found here http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list?artist=trac...
The link takes you to the original Chapman album.
Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries is good.
David Chesky's recordings have a great reputation.
Hope you find what you're looking for........
The link takes you to the original Chapman album.
Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries is good.
David Chesky's recordings have a great reputation.
Hope you find what you're looking for........
Many years ago one of mates was into all the hi-if stuff and had quite an expensive set up, well into five figures if I recall, whereas I had just the usual stuff you get from the likes of richer sounds.
He suggest I bring round something I have an both CD and vinyl. I picked Bowies Space Oddity as it has a lot of acoustic guitar. He put both on and switched between the two now and then.
I recall being quite impressed at the difference. I'm a guitarist, and noticed how much richer and fuller the guitar sound was, let alone anything else, voice etc.
He suggest I bring round something I have an both CD and vinyl. I picked Bowies Space Oddity as it has a lot of acoustic guitar. He put both on and switched between the two now and then.
I recall being quite impressed at the difference. I'm a guitarist, and noticed how much richer and fuller the guitar sound was, let alone anything else, voice etc.
Some quick picks. Most of these are female vocalists but sound great. First four are male vocalists:
Joe Jackson - Big World and Body & Soul. Both are recorded in 'live' rooms and sound very dynamic.
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
David Sylvian - Secrets of the Beehive
Daniel Lanois - Acadie
The Secret Sisters - You don't own me anymore
Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing
Emily Barker - pretty much any of her stuff. Her recent albums have all been recorded 'old school', the side project 'Applewood Road' in particular. Studio recording videos are on youtube
Joe Jackson - Big World and Body & Soul. Both are recorded in 'live' rooms and sound very dynamic.
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
David Sylvian - Secrets of the Beehive
Daniel Lanois - Acadie
The Secret Sisters - You don't own me anymore
Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing
Emily Barker - pretty much any of her stuff. Her recent albums have all been recorded 'old school', the side project 'Applewood Road' in particular. Studio recording videos are on youtube
Edited by geezerbutler on Sunday 11th June 19:27
Edited by geezerbutler on Sunday 11th June 19:29
Elbow - Seldom seen kid isn't bad, they deliberately mastered the album at lower volume.
Catherine wheel - Adam and Eve, Has that TalkTalk feeling of space. Can't find this anywhere on vinyl.
I don't have a particularly high end setup, but these are the first 2 that come from the top of my head.
Catherine wheel - Adam and Eve, Has that TalkTalk feeling of space. Can't find this anywhere on vinyl.
I don't have a particularly high end setup, but these are the first 2 that come from the top of my head.
conkerman said:
Elbow - Seldom seen kid isn't bad, they deliberately mastered the album at lower volume.
+1. Record ships with a "Play Loud" sticker, so you know it's going to sound great.Jeff Buckley - Grace - wonderfully natural sounding.
Sufjan Stevens - Come on feel the Illinois - Lots of parts, all sound individual and considered.
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense -Lots of energy - really does sound live.
Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation wound - really crisp - Sounds like Lordes new album is going to be just as crisp.
Postal Service - Give Up
Raygun said:
singlecoil said:
I think I would sooner listen to the Beatles on a 3W mono Dansette than most of the other music mentioned on here.
That's the trouble with the Beatles, as good as they are they do go hand in hand with listening to them on a Dansette opposed to Steely Dan on a Linn.Well, having looked through the dynamic range database I found that Steve Earle's Copperhead Road (which I remember very well from my childhood) has the highest DR of any CD that I knew I liked. My brother gave me a cassette when I was about six (Storytellers), which I remember had Steve Earle's Copperhead Road and Lou Reed's Walk on the wild side, which I used to play over and over when I was little.
Absolutely fantastic and the rest of tracks are pretty solid too. Devil's right hand being another highlight.
Highly, highly recommended and thanks to the poster who linked the website.
Absolutely fantastic and the rest of tracks are pretty solid too. Devil's right hand being another highlight.
Highly, highly recommended and thanks to the poster who linked the website.
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