What is spinning?

[jrhymeammo]

It's taking forever to reach 2000 mark.... Where is that dude who started this thread?

[Auricauricle]

In a tribute to the "Father of Bluegrass Music", Sugar HIll Records, Inc. feted Bill Monroe in "True Life Blues", recording a huge cast of singers and pickers in an engaging and easy-on-the-ears disc that is truly one for the archives. Sam Bush, Vassar Clements, Mike Compton, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Pat Enright and many more contribute in this recording that was released to in 1996 to high acclaim from critics and fellow artists.

The sound is earthy and soulful, quite unlike much of country music's recent foray into a genre that some have called parodic. There are no flashing displays of virtuosity among the voices or instruments. Instead, they are played simply and deftly, with throats and fingers that know their skill and exercise it without all the fuss. Bluegrass Music, like Appalachian Folk and the like is a deceptively simple form of music that belies a subtle sophistication that is often ignored by many of the musically adept whose flair for ornament and ostentation belies the form.

The recording of the album is as straight-forward as the performances. Many studios and engineers contributed to the project which is nearly eerie in its synergy and fidelity. The notes and commentary within the pages of the sleeve are copious and well written.

Best of all is, of course, the music and voices which if for one moment transported me to the mountains of Appalchia, of which I am a proud citizen. Even if it was my imagination, I swear for a moment, I smelled the cool rocks and streams as I grasped the slender body of a nearby poplar....This is music, pure and simple. It just doesn't get better than this!

[Styx]

ELO No Answer Album

[Styx]

KIX self-titled debut album

[Styx]

Little Feat

[Styx]

GQ Disco Nights

[02audionoob]

[Styx]

Spyro Gyra Deep End

[Mr Peabody]

I have a couple Spyro Gyro LP's and the sound quality has like a muffled or dull feel, anyone else get this? I wouldn't think a problem with the vinyl since I have two different titles, don't ask me which they are now.

I went through a couple LP's today to see if they are keepers:
Carole King, I couldn't find the title on the jacket, I know it's not Tapestry, the song Hard Rock Cafe is on it. I didn't recognize any songs but I liked the album enough to keep it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival, 1968-69, interesting to hear some CCR songs I haven't heard before. This is a double LP with a few hits, like the full length version of Suzie Q which I don't remember hearing before.
Lighthouse, Best Of, this album's sound quality was so bad I put it in the reject pile. There were a couple classics on there worth making it adding to the collection but the quality being what it was I knew I wouldn't listen to it.
My vinyl finale was breaking the seal on Roger Dautry's, Under A Raging Moon. I was so looking forward to cranking up the title track and digging the drums on this song, it does rock but the production is like an 80's pop album, so bit of a let down.

I've been getting into Van Morrison lately. I don't know if it's a phase for me or if he is really that good but I am enjoying it. Oddly enough this is my first albums I've owned by him. I recently picked up on CD, Still On Top. A Greatest Hits thing. The album would have been perfect if it included Into The Mystic and Tupelo Honey. So then I bought Moondance for Into the Mystic. Next I'll have to pick up Tupelo Honey for the title track. Moondance is actually a good album so no regrets there. Can you believe this guy has three "best of" type albums out and none are complete. I don't know if it's a label thing or maybe he's one of those artists whose best known tracks didn't actually chart.

I also picked up my first Little Feat for the collection. I've known about them for years, not sure why the gaping hole. I want to get Waiting On Columbus some day but I ended up getting a Greatest Hits that was an import because it was really complete having their best known songs. Odd an import is better done than the American Best Of.

I've also added Rascal Flatts Greatest Hits. Not normally my thing but they have a couple songs I really like and this was a good way to get them.

I also bought the new Santana where he put kind of a Jazz spin on some of his older songs and a second disc of vocal stuff that I haven't listened to closely but from the scan seems to suck.

[bobsticks]

Hey Mr. P.,

Van Morrison is, with occasional exception, that good. His recent work, "Keep It Simple" is serviceable enough though I much prefer the currently spinning:

[Auricauricle]

No sheep. Tir Na Nog was a wedding song....

Hey, is that "Keep it Simple" the Keb Mo number?

[Jimmy B]

Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
Real live roadrunning

As of late Marillion Happiness is the road vol 1and 2
Jimmy B

[Styx]

Tommy Shaw What If

[Styx]

Herb Alpert S.R.O

[bobsticks]

[Auricauricle]

Good choice, no doubt, 'Sticks. I have a few of her albums and find her strength and maturity as a performer almost preternatural. Her phrasing is articulate and clean, and she seems to have a very keen grasp on theme. This last quality is something that I have only recently learned to appreciate by way of The Lindsays, whose performance of Death and the Maiden keep me rooted to my post for the length of the piece. Let me know if you are looking for more of this....

[emesbee]

Hey Mr. P.,

Van Morrison is, with occasional exception, that good. His recent work, "Keep It Simple" is serviceable enough though I much prefer the currently spinning:

I went through a bit of a Van Morrison phase a few years back. A lot of his stuff is pretty good, but boy, he really churns them out.

A couple that I really like are "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" from the 80s, and "Too Long in Exile" from the 90s. I love the last track on "Too Long in Exile". If you haven't heard it, its a long rambling bluesy piece, and includes some fine saxophone playing by Van. I'm a great fan of Van's saxophone playing, it has an Irish lilt to it that I really like. Its just a pity that he doesn't play it more often. This album benefits greatly from the contribution of Georgie Fame, in my opinion.

[Styx]

Steve Potter Grotto Says

[nobody]

Waking up slow on a Saturday afternoon, brew up a pot of coffee, pop some aspirin and put on a record. Right now:


Bill Withers: Just As I Am

Debut album featuring the big hit, Ain't No Sunshine. But, don't think that's all there is. Sure, that's an absolute highlight, but the whole thing's nothing but top notch, earthy acoustic soul music that showcases a fine voice.

Gonna cue up some Bunny Wailer next, Blackheart Man on deck. Coffee and vinyl, my favorite way to ring in a new day with time to kill.

[jrhymeammo]

[bobsticks]

Where is that dude who started this thread?

Bernd is doing well and taking care of some business on his side of the pond. I'm confident we will again be reading his missives by year's end.

On through the night:

[02audionoob]

[Jimmy B]

Tonights spin was 2 of Solomon Burke's CD's
Make do with what you got
Like a fire
My brother passed along this artist to me last year, I am glad he did!
Jimmy B

[Doc Sage]

I can across this recording many years ago and bought it because I like the cover. I know, this is no way to buy anything but it works for me...sometime better then other times. LOL I can not tell you how many times I found a great little wine because the label caught my eye.

Well, I have yet to get tired of Cassandra, I must have 5 or 6 of her recordings. Her Miles Davis tribute called "travelling miles" is another great find.

Van Morrisson is another of my fave. As mentioned above his collaborations with Georgie Fame are wonderful. I got one called, "How long has this been going on" recorded live at Ronnie Scott's Club, London without a crowd that get played regularly.

Doc Sage.

[noddin0ff]

I do like both those Cassandra Wilson albums, what do you think my third should be?

Been listening to a lot of this as I try to wrap up a Funk comp for the AR board.