Wow -- that is awesome. I have been a fan of his work for so many years now. I am going to check tour dates :)
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All of Jesse Cooks recroding are HQ...Cook had mentioned during the concert that he writes, records and engineers all his own music in studio...and always looking for new ways to improve his playing guitar. The music for this CD was composed/ or based on the criteria one would listen too if they were feeling blue or just blah because your GF left you and is walking out the door...his words...lol. Yeah I love this CD and it should sound wonderful on your new RAAL Sierras...:D
Btw...I stumbled upon this link for finding well recorded material...what surpised me, was some of my CDs that I like are not so well recorded...:(
http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/
Billy,
That link is very interesting. One thing I noticed, almost 100% of the time, the newer the album, the worse the recording.
I also noted when sorting by Album DR rating, there are some strange results near the top of the heap. Krokus?!?!
Just got my copy too :)
2 CD's I have been enjoying recently are Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi and Dark Night of the Soul by Philip Wesley. Both are remarkable solo pianists and if you like relaxing and emotional music -- this is it. Love the way piano sounds on the towers :)
I can't tell if the ratings are for overall quality or just a rating of dynamic range. I'm thinking the latter. I love listening to the black keys and they pretty much get bad marks on that site. I think their albums sound fine. If you haven't seen them in concert you should because they sound great and put on an excellent show.
I think the loudness war is a problem though. Mixing music to remove dynamics and just make it loud makes no sense. Although some bands just have little dynamic range because of their style. I'm fine with it as long as it's their individual style and sound. Groups that have dynamics and reduce them for the sake of simply being loud drive me crazy.
Here is good list of songs with good dynamic range, and well recorded.
http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html
We saw the BK's this past August...what a fun show. It was an outdoor venue and we got drenched because it started to rain while "The Shins" were on stage and it kept on raining throughout the evening. Best part of the show was when Dan and Patrick just jammed for a few songs without the rest of the cast...:D
I'm of the mindset that I would rather listen to any CD or band that I like vs. a well recorded track or disc I have no desire for...although lately I've being looking fore the latter....just takes longer to get used to it...:) I do agree that the music of today has changed which is better suited for people on the go...to bad.:(
Re: Bill...:)
Definitely agree that the best part of the show is when Dan and Patrick jam solo! I am in the same boat as you. Generally I just listen to stuff that I really like but I have been listening to more and more new (new to me) well recorded music. Trying to broaden my horizon in what I listen to. My Sierras just sound so nice that I am in constant search for new quality media. Although before I had my Sierras I thought my 170's also sounded great.
http://www.digido.com/media/honor-roll.html
If good sound is a criteria, these are recommended.
B
Just listened to Fields of Blue from Jesse Cook - Blue Guitar Sessions album on my new Sierra Towers with RAALs and all I can say is WOW.... simply awesome!!! Thanks Dave.
My favorite tracks from that CD are broken moon & witching hour but I'm really enjoying the entire CD....you might like some of his older stuff...it all sounds excellent with or without the RAAL....:)
Cheers... Bill...oh btw I read over at AVS your thinking of attending that GTG with your Sierras....sounds like it will be a blast...:)
Yeah, I am looking into getting Frontiers album. I have a ripped version of Santoo Govi's older albums from the same genre, neat stuff you might want to give a shot. Though some of Govi's work gets too latin..ish.
Seriously thinking about the GTG, would be 2+ hour drive but pretty sure it would be well worth the trip.
This is not an accessible set of works, and I'd consider it unsuitable for a person's first introduction to string quartets. Nonetheless, the recording which I prefer is: http://www.amazon.com/Bela-Bartok-Qu.../dp/B000001G9O.
For big stuff, to show off your speakers really well and enjoy some fantastic music, you could use Sony's re-mastered set of Mahler Symphonies (Leonard Bernstein). http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonies/dp/B005SJIP1E/. Crank up the final mvt of #7 to become familiar with Mahler; and then go back to listen to the Greatest Symphony ever Written (#5); and ultimately graduate to #9. (#4, #6, #7 and the unfinished #10 are really good too.)
"Bolero" was kind of a joke. For more serious Ravel, maybe the Mother Goose Suite, or his Orchestration of Musorgski's Pictures at an Exhibition. (Maybe this one, with other pieces: http://www.amazon.com/Mussorgsky-Pic...dp/B0000012VG).
I've played most of this music in non-professional groups, badly.
I'm a new Sierra-1 owner (as of a month ago), and it's been nothing but pleasure and revelation. Today was a new revelation. You know what sounds absolutely amazing on these speakers? Old Tom Waits LPs. I do 80%+ of my listening on vinyl (Technics 1200-MKII with an Audio-Technica AT-440MLA cartridge--and I will defend this turntable to the end! (But I also DJ, so I have it around.)), and my Lord, Closing Time through these speakers... Intimately recorded, lots of piano, intricate and subtle acoustic guitar, and of course Waits's inimitable and crazy voice. I mean, pretty much everything sounds really good through the Sierras, but this just really struck me; it really seemed to highlight things that are especially amazing about them.
After watching the Grammys, I decided to purchase the Bruno Mars "Unorthodox Jukebox", and Jack White "Blunderbuss" discs.
http://www.amazon.com/Unorthodox-Juk.../dp/B009IRVSVQ
http://www.amazon.com/Blunderbuss-Ja.../dp/B007CKNX28
I'm enjoying them...but what I really want to say is when getting new music, it renews my appreciation for my Ascend/Rythmik setup!
Thanks to this thread, I am thoroughly enjoying music from Jesse Cook and Ludivico Euinadi. I always used to think that Piano is a boring instrument as opposed to other string and percussion instruments but I am thoroughly enjoying the solo piano stuff. still classical piano is something I am not liking much...:-)
Anyone listen to the instrument sitar in the song "Traveller" from Anoushka shankar? It sounds fabulous on my sierra towers with RAAL.
Few things beat sharing and discovering new music. Here are some of my current favorites, I really encourage you to try them out, and please let me know if you like :)
1. College & Electric Youth - A Real Hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8
From the Drive soundtrack, great movie and great song. 80's synthy sounding, which I'm a big fan of. I've probably listened to this song hundreds of times by now. Sounds sort of mesmerizing, great for pondering or introspection.
2. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse - Revenge (feat. the Flaming Lips)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRGflWOpwts
From Dark Night of the Soul, a collaboration between director David Lynch, Danger Mouse, and Sparklehorse. Song sounds very chill, perfect for relaxing or thinking about life. I've gotten many goosebumps listening to this song.
3. Chromatics - These Streets Will Never Look the Same
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygCOLpZhWyg
More 80's synthy-sounding. Sounds great on my Sierra-1, as do all of these songs. You should also give Chromatics - Lady, a listen too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbx8qRg6tPE
4. Depeche Mode - Wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfcnpJRf0Q
Pretty haunting song, and the music video is absolutely perfect for it. Definitely watch it if you haven't! Song has some pretty nice low-end that gets in the low 20's.
5. Bat for Lashes. She gets a few songs mentioned. Absolutely beautiful voice and music.
Bat for Lashes - Laura.
Live version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGWoB4JjV9Y
Official music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UznHTBZIa8E
Goosebumps, goosebumps, and goosebumps for me. Very touching.
Bat for Lashes - the Wizard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5BNBrnDXwE
Hypnotic sounding, very easy to get lost in.
Bat for Lashes - Pearl's Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3coSedm7o
Bat for Lashes - All Your Gold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3coSedm7o
6. Pnau - Embrace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo2aOEhlqfQ
Musical bliss. Super underrated. I just recently read that Elton John declared this the best album in the last 10 years and signed Pnau to his record label, and has actually collaborated with them since. Pretty amusing.
7. Brazilian Girls - Last Call
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkQkfNjQLj4
Sounds kind of dancy, but I honestly think this is one of the chillest songs I've ever heard. My ears love this song. Currently in my top10 favorites. Especially great for summertime, don't know why.
8. M83 - Midnight City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX3k_QDnzHE
Sounds amazing, especially on a great system. Really good production in this song. Fun sounding, makes me feel like a kid again. Makes you feel like you could do anything.
9. Major Lazer - Get Free (feat. Dirty Projectors)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI3shBXlqsw
I don't know what it is about this song I love so much. It's electronic and it's chill-sounding, and it sounds great on my Sierra-1. Makes me want to make the world a better place.
10. Beach House - Myth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuvWc3ToDHg
Very soothing sounding. Slow, laid-back, perfect for relaxing. Seen her perform live many times, she's very magical.
11. Apparat - Goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKB1ba03qiA
I first heard this song on Breaking Bad, awesome show BTW! Song gives me goosebumps, sounds great on a nice system, has a very nice soundstage, legendary-sounding.
12. Daft Punk - Veridis Quo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhZaHf8RP6g
Chill head-bopper song. Something mysterious to song. One of my favorites by DP. Thought they did an awesome soundtrack on Tron too.
I want to continue, but I've probably listed too many as it is. Please give them all a fair chance when you have time. They are all unique and special in their own ways. Til next time.
Bowie's last album, The Last Day, quite good music!
If you like Sigur Ros or Godspeed YBE (somewhat atmospheric music), This Will Destroy You album Tunnel Blanket should be decent treat!
Youtube; [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY4Ra2KOyas]Micheal Manring[/quote] was quite something with his Zod I think it is bass guitar! His album think it's called Thonk is not bad either.. :)
Diana Krall - "The Girl in The other Room"
You guys are educating me on some of the more "fringe" areas of music. My tastes have always been pretty wide but some of the music suggested here ranges from very nice to not quite my cup of tea. I do respect everyone's right to like what they want and I do enjoy being educated on some of these artists.
Over the past 6 years my electronic "toys" has dwindled away due to lack of space in our new to us house. Now that we are right sizing I will have a room for music and HT so I am in the process of buying all new stuff including speakers. I have an order in for Tower/Horizon w/RAAL and 200SE surrounds. We are living in a small RV as they build our new house so my music collection is in storage.
However, I have started quite a Wishlist in Amazon. Can't wait to hear all these wonderful recordings.
Keep those suggestions coming...
My $0.02 is:
Aaron Copland, "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Appalachian Spring".
Diana Krall...just about any of them
Jesse Cook...all of them
Armik..flamenco guitar
Annie Lennox..her newer ones Bare..Medusa
Soundtrack to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Some amazing stuff in there.
etc.
red sparowes-The Fear is Excruciating, But Therein Lies the Answer
Attachment 769
Sara Bareilles
Stay
Lie To Me
Once Upon Another Time
For a really fun sonic track:
Infected Mushroom; Never Mind
No vocals, but really gives the system(and your ears) a workout.
Between the Buried and Me-The Great Misdirect
Attachment 773
Stellar prog metal...
Cool song, sounds good on my Sierra-1, ya might like these too,
Ratatat-Drugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhrteSZXFzM
Rustie- Death Mountain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs_DXzAYmzg / Ultra Thizz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4AqCrR_nAU
Minotaur Shock-AmDram http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIP5g9xdrro
This is a great demo BD for your system. Will give a great workout to your Sierras and Rythmik. The DVD had been out for a long time and I don't know why I didn't buy it. Maybe I was thinking they are a sellout.
However, the DTS-MA mix on the Blu-ray is one of the best I have heard on concert Blu-ray/DVDs. Great dynamics. I still like the version of hotel california from 'Hell Freezes Over' DVD though. I wish they release a BD for that concert as well, just for the sound.
Talking Heads-Remain in Light
Attachment 793
For anyone who is into new age rock, Three Days Grace Transit of Venus is a high quality recording and it sounds stellar on the Sierra Towers.
Another one that sounds really good to me is the best of Santana CD. Love it.
Trace Bundy - "Adapt". As is the case with me, most the reviews for this CD on amazon say that they are introduced to this album/artist through pandora.