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Richard
and Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights
4 Men With Beards 4M139 Reviewed by DD
Originally released in 1982 just ahead of the couple’s divorce this
superb album has long been considered Richard Thomson’s finest hour
(well, 39 minutes or so) on record. No slouch in its original release
on Hannibal, this cherished set now receives the 4 Men with Beards treatment.
Very nicely pressed on a slab of 180g virgin vinyl, it’s in every
respect an improvement over my original copy. A brief listen to the title
track on both versions is enough to convince. In its new pressing the
bass gains in depth and impact, percussion has more attack with a more
solidly three-dimensional Mr Thompson placed dead centre of a more spacious
stage. And so it goes through the many iconic tracks here, ‘Wall
of Death’ comes over sounding less studio bound. The lovely ballad
‘Just the Motion’ gains from that bit more clarity around
the delivery of Linda’s delicate vocals.
‘Walking on a Wire’ allows Linda’s vocal to soar underpinned
by Dave Mattacks’ powerful percussion and offset by Richard’s
harmony and outstanding guitar like never before.
After being somewhat disappointed with the recent SACD re-issue this great
album now has the quality treatment it deserves, sounding much closer
to the way you really need to experience Richard Thompson which is of
course live. Don’t hesitate to snap up a copy.
Supplier: Vivante - www.vivante.co.uk (44)(0)1293-822186
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Antonio
Vivaldi: La Stavaganza (12 Violin Concertos)
Rachel Podger, vln, Arte Dei Suonatori Baroque Orch.
Channel Classics CCS SA 19503 Reviewed by RSF
Contrary to popular belief, Vivaldi did write more than one violin concerto.
Many people feel almost everything he wrote sounds the same, but I can
assure you that these 12 concertos will allow you to see how diverse his
talents were and how timeless his music is. Rachel Podger’s first
solo recordings were released in 1999. Not only is she an extremely accomplished
recitalist, she is Professor of Baroque Violin at The Guildhall School
of Music and Drama in London as well as a teacher at the Internationale
Sommer Akademie in Innsbruck, Austria.
These are very spirited performances, offering delightful interpretations
of these well-known works. Comparing this set to my previous references,
The Academy of St. Martin with Neville Marriner on Argo and the individual
Philips Hi-Fi Stereo issues by I Musici, I was captivated by these new
performances. There is great musicianship here, with verve, panache and
plenty of fire and insight.
The sound quality of the multi-channel hybrid discs was thoroughly enjoyable
through my two-channel set-up and again, the fine sound offered on the
down converted CD layer was equally enjoyable.
I cannot recommend this set enough. It’s wonderful music and the
playing is brilliant. I’m thoroughly delighted by this set and I
think you will be as well.
Supplier: www.channelclassics.com
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Wagner:
Wagner for Band
Fennell cond. Eastman Wind Ensemble
Speakers Corner/Mercury Records SR90276. Reviewed by RSF
Recorded in October 1959 at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY, this
was one of the first Mercury Records I never purchased when I first started
buying originals well over twenty years ago. I originally purchased Mercury
and RCAs from David Nemzer of New York. David is a personal friend now,
but at that time we were complete strangers.
After we concluded our business he handed me this original and said to
me, “As your system gets better, this record will sound better.”
Boy, was he ever right. No one I know was able to capture the sound of
brass instruments better than Robert Fine and his Mercury team. There
is a warm glow and a roundness that just sounds so right, and whilst Wagner
might not be your first choice material, Fennell’s transcriptions
are masterful, making this an all out musical and audiophile treat.
Original U.S. issues of this recording have always been hard to find and
this is a welcome edition. Starting off with the Prelude to Act III, and
Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin we are quickly moved to the spectacular Entry
of the Gods into Valhalla from Das Rheingold. Speakers Corner has once
again delivered the sonic goods and I can now rest my original and not
feel I’m compromising the sound quality one bit.
Contact: Pure Pleasure Records www.purepleasurerecords.com
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Locatelli:
Concertos Nos. 11, 5 and 12 (L’Arte del Violino, opera omnia III)
Jans cond. Latvian PCO. Cantoreggi, violin.
Turtle Records TRSA0018 Reviewed by RSF
Turtle Records is World famous for offering outstanding sound quality
and some very interesting recordings. On a recent trip to Holland, I met
Bert van der Wolf, Turtle’s recording engineer. In this case Bert
is working with Fir Suidema and they’ve provided this sound spectacular
in two channel and multi-channel DSD as well as a down converted CD layer.
I have very little Locatelli in my collection and this is an extremely
welcome addition. The composer paints with a broad brush using a large,
rich palette of vibrant colour and I am really impressed with the playing
of Cantoreggi and Jans’ Latvian Philharmonic. The music is light
but extremely complex. There are shades of Tartini, Vivaldi, Corelli and
Vitali amongst others in these works. Not having anything to compare the
performance to except one concerto on an old Philips I Musici disc, I
certainly feel the artists have rendered an involving and exceptional
vivacious performance. I’ve listened to this recording at least
a dozen times since my return and I must tell you that I discover something
new every time I hear it. The CD layer is extremely enjoyable if you are
not able to enjoy the fruits of SACD playback.
Supplier: www.turtlerecords.com |
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Moussorgsky:
Pictures At An Exhibition (original version)
Byron Janis, piano, Pictures At An Exhibition (orchestrated by Maurice
Ravel), Dorati Minneapolis SO.
Speakers Corner/Mercury SR90217 Reviewed by RSF
While the Dorati version of this recording was never one of my all time
favorite Mercuries, there are things about this new re-issue that I like
a lot.
Willem Makkee has done a fabulous job with the remastering of this warhorse
and while it may not suit everyone’s tastes, I think Dorati brings
a fine sense of drama and pace to the work. While I’ve always been
partial to Reiner on RCA, the Dorati performance is the finest sounding
re-issue available on vinyl today.
However, the jewel, and I mean jewel of this two record set, is the 45RPM
issue of Byron Janis’ wonderful performance first recorded in Fine
Studios in September, 1961. Lost or forgotten for over 35 years, it first
saw the light of day as part of a Mercury CD. I liked that performance
from the time I first heard it and am absolutely delighted to have this
on vinyl in glorious 100% analogue sound.
This is a majestic performance and Janis really understands the music.
Strength of character and exceptional fingering are Janis’ great
strengths and they’re clearly audible in this production. Hats off
to Kai Seemann for having the vision to release this dual set.
Contact: Pure Pleasure Records www.purepleasurerecords.com |
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Richard
Thompson - Some Enchanted Evening
Mobile Fidelity MF45006 Reviewed by DD
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen the incomparable
Mr Thompson live, but it’s always great to have a reminder of the
experience. In this 45rpm EP format however fidelity may be improved but
at the cost of a more complete concert experience. Churlish maybe but
whilst the five numbers here do include three of Thompson’s more
iconic numbers in ‘From Galway to Graceland’, ‘1952
Vincent Black Lightning’ and ‘Shoot Out The Lights’,
the addition of ‘Oops I Did It Again’ and ‘It Won’t
Be Long’ whilst great fun in concert and here, could so easily have
been substituted by ‘Beeswing’ or ‘Ghosts In The Wind’
to think of but two, if sticking to the EP format. Better still a live
double album of a single complete concert would deliver the scope to include
a much better representation of the Thompson live experience, novelty
numbers and all. For me the most enjoyable number here is the oldest,
a 1985 version of ‘Shoot Out The Lights’ with Thompson delivering
a characteristically splenetic solo accompanied by Christine Collister,
Clive Gregson, Rory McFarlane and Gerry Conway.
The recording quality is good throughout if not the stellar experience
I was hoping it might be, lacking that last degree of solidity and convincing
presence. For all my curmudgeonly points above this is a very enjoyable
selection which you shouldn’t hesitate to add to your collection.
Supplier: Vivante - www.vivante.co.uk (44)(0)1293-822186 |
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