Parkertown

Greg is now posting over at the Steve Hoffman forum. He is listed as GregM. He seems to be behaving himself there, as there are a ton of guys there who would rip him a new one if he went off on one of his tirades.

Thanks, gents!

Jeff, I haven't listened to that mix yet. I'll try it and will post my findings, unless someone beats me to it. I'd be willing to bet that it's gonna be great as well, as the original cd had great sound from the start... Oh, and BTW, I do like the "A Love Supreme" SACD Rudy did. I don't have a real grudge against his work; some of his remasters are good, some are less than perfect. I can try to ignore these things; I was able to enjoy the Blue Train SACD whilst not giving it total concentrated listening. Ya know, while puttering around the house, etc... Oh, and I have relistened to the MCH mix of "Come Away With Me" and there's some things happening toward the rear channels. Like Norah's piano seems to hang somewhere in between front and rear, probably a little more to the rear. And there are guitars in the rear channels as well. The mix sounds great, it's just a really mellow recording. It does have quite an ambience...lot's of air...but it's soooo melloooow. It's good music for headin' to bed. Sleepy-time time...

Whilst on this subject, can some please explain the need for a headphone amp (and while at it, how about a phono stage as well). What's wrong with using the headphone jack that is available on most players; or on your receiver? I'll admit I'm not an audiophile as far as equipment is concerned; never been able to justify thousands and thousands of dollars on equipment (maybe someday-I should start to play the Lotto). I can discern the difference between older masterings and 20/24 bit cds and SACDs on my system (I ususally use the analog bypass), and I have no turntable. Is this only necessary on super high-end systems? Any help in understanding this would be greatly appreciated.

What's freeway rock?

I've got it and surprise!...it sound like RVG up to no good again! Still way, way too much treble. And I've come to the conclusion...THIS IS JUST A CRAPPY RECORDING!!! Not only the trebly sound, but there is just something WRONG with the reverb added to ALL of the horns, especially the trumpet and trombone. It is most evident, to me, on the title track (both takes). I was really hoping that DSD, as it is not PCM but PSM rather, would be able to do something about this as I was hoping it was not in the original recording but some type of digital artifact in the PCM chain. Now, I'M CONVINCED that this just is a bad RVG, that he was having reverb problems that day. The text available on the disc reads "The Ultimate Blue Train". But I don't believe it contains any multimedia, and has no reference to a web-link offering such. So, to me, it's just "Blue Train" with two alternate takes. I really wish my display on my SACD player read just "Blue Train", instead of just "The Ultimate" after it has finished scrolling... So, the people who don't like RVGs and JRVGs, you've been warned: You will find much to not like here. (Hans, this means you! ). Conversely, I also picked up Black Dahlia & Come Away With Me, both of which are top drawer. Especially Black Dahlia. Someone's comment on another thread about someone at Blue Note saying that the SACD of Norah's is no big improvement over the regular CD may not be too off mark. Don't get me wrong; it's sounds marvelous. But it's very spare instrumentation was represented well on the regular CD. The multichannel mix isn't that big of a deal. But Black Dahlia is a tour-de-force!!! I like this set, as it seems like a movie score without the movie! The sound is sumptuous (sp?)!!! This multichannel mix really makes use of the entire surround setup. That's all for now...hope I helped. B)

Oh My God!!! Just got mine yesterday, and WOWEE!!! I've really only listened to the unreleased stuff so far and it's incredible. TWO BASS HIT!!! Hank tears it up on this one; have I ever heard him get down like this? Really enjoyed this version of Someday My Prince too. Schwingin'!!! Ah, but alas, it is just as I thought...no horns on Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise. -_- (It's probably just as well; no one could ever touch that Coltrane version!) I believe this release will really open me up to this set, as it's never really caught on with me. But this unreleased stuff sure is! And this is such an awesome period for Miles. On this set and the one from Carnegie Hall recorded a couple weeks later, he burns so hard with those super-high screams. I believe he was being the wild-fire catalyst in this band, a role he used to leave to Coltrane. Now, it was up to him to light it up, so to speak. This has been suggested to me in things I've read, but when you listen to the audio "evidence", it's certainly true. Thumbs way up on this one so far. Oh, and the packaging is perfect. The box just looks so classy... B)

I've got that cd. I recall diggin' it and also that it seemed a lot of the songs were structures that ended up being tunes on the "Union" reunion album, fleshed out with lyrics, etc.

The DVD-A of Fragile is awesome!!! Great sound, and you can access multi-ch and stereo mixes of the tunes on any dvd player which isn't possible with earlier releases (i.e. F Mac-Rumours, N Merchant-Tigerlily,...). Since this is a prog-rock thread, our prior discussions of Genesis had led me to thinking something: As their Seconds Out album was really my first introduction to the Gabriel-era songs, I've always kind of preferred the way Phil sings them to Peter. And it led me to thinking it's because Phil actually sings them, whereas, to me, Peter Gabriel doesn't really sing. He more talk-sings. It's his great voice...he can project and of course he came up with those great melodies. But I think Phil wrung a lot more from them. This talk-singing Peter does, I think this could be said of his entire career. He has a wonderful voice; he is not a wonderful singer. I don't think he actually sings, like most singers do. Just something that occurred to me recently...

Rolling on the floor, laughing my ass off!!! This was worthy of not being abbreviated!

I think Buhaina was just funnin'.

Pink is wayyyy too tom-boyish for my tastes. I like my ladies feminine! As for her being dumb, I actually think she's just wasted a lot of the time. I think she tries to outdo the guys. But she can belt 'em out! (sing, I mean)

Pink's second album IS really good. IMO, the songs are straight from the heart. It's a really personal album, about her upbringing, etc. She laid it on the line...

Looks like she finally decided to use her killer bod to sell herself! Never thought it would happen... ...but damn, I sure don't mind it!

Oh yeah, some people even started moshing and crowd surfing!!! I really thought that was over... No one ever stayed up very long tho...

Hey guys, Thanks for the input Impossible. I did like Pete Yorn's set. Solid rock and roll is pretty accurate. I'll bet if I knew the songs, I would have enjoyed their set even more. His band was pretty good and they had great sound! You could feel the drummers bass drum in yer knees! I think their set enjoyed better sound than the Foos. We also saw The Special Goodness, who were okay, but to me they kinda had that "sound" you hear a lot from young bands these days: Blink 182-ish, mmm... but not really punky...just kinda navel-gazing lyrics...pretty random... There was no C-Minus. The Foos were great, and loud! They played great; the audience was just eating it up. This was the first time I've been in this new Fillmore. I had been to it in it's former life as the Mammoth Event Center. Still has the gymnasium feel to it, but they've really cleaned the place up, added more bars 'n bathrooms; still gets hot as hell in there though. They've put all these cool pics on the walls of performers of previous shows from throughout the venue's history. The sound seemed really good; an improvement. Am I getting old? There was maybe one or two times I was wondering what I was doing, crammed into a two-by-two foot space with people pushing and shoving, some politely, some not; breathing some cigarette smoke, on my feet for almost four hours...everyone hot and sweaty...ears ringing...waiting in long-ass lines to piss out the $5.25 Coors Light beers...over-exuberant fans going nutso. I guess it was....great! Don't think I'd want it any other way. You just don't get this kind of intimacy or connect with the band and audience as well at large venues like amphitheaters or stadiums (Red Rocks is an exception, however). Also, I thought once or twice about the Great White tragedy and looked around and couldn't really see too many exits. It took quite a while for everyone to file out through the front doors. I could definitely envision the panic that could ensue if something went wrong!!! I guess it's really best not to ponder on that kind of thing for too long... We had a great time. But I sure it would never be like this at most jazz shows. I've really only been to one, Pat Metheny @ the Paramount Theater on his Speaking Of Now tour. Everyone had seats. And it was great too, just a completely different type of experience. Oh well, a rock show wouldn't be a rock show without those things I listed above... B)

Tonight, WE ROCK!!! We always go see the Foos when they come to town. So tonights gonna be an ear bleeder!! B) But can anyone give me some info on these opening acts: (Geez, there's 3 of 'em)? Pete Yorn The Special Goodness C-Minus Some would call this good value. But if you don't know who they are, do you care? Or, perhaps I'll get turned on to someone really cool... Any recommendations?

Thanks clandy44! Didn't know that it had lots of drum solos. I guess I've only heard Puttin' It Together and the 2 vol. JRVG of the Lighthouse sessions (no bonus tracks). This is a set I'm considering...

What Out2Lunch said! B) Take into consideration what is on the Running Low/Last Chance lists. I just got the Chico Hamilton! I should start a new thread on that. clandy44: What's wrong with the Jones? (I understand on the Froshmen set, tho! )

Oasis is way past derivative for me. More like straight out plagiarism. Not sure how anyone gets song writing credits in Oasis. Gallagher wouldn't no an original tune if it bit him. “Let’s see which Beatles’ song can I copy for the next album.” See, and then some feel this way about them! Still, I love 'em! Call it a guilty pleasure. B) That I can't get enough of! Oh and Mnytime, I'd love to hear some specific examples of what you mean; song to song. But I feel like they borrow from a lot more bands than just The Beatles. Love this picture:

Be sure to listen to "Power To The People", which I think you already did if you heard disc #2 (tracks 6-12). "Power To The People" is my all-time favorite non-BN album by Joe Henderson!!!!! :rsmile: :rsmile: :rsmile: And by the way, I might add that Joe is my all-time favorite tenor player. Rooster, I actually did give the PTTP set a spin, this morning, and this one WAS NOT grabbing me! I was really looking forward to it too. Great lineup...(HERBIE!!!) But I'm sure it's just me; sometimes my ears hear things differently from day to day. I'll give it another listen later, for sure. Addendum: I think I wasn't liking the sound of the electric piano on this one...if that makes sense...

It's been a while, but I recall diggin' this set. Sounded like they were having fun, and they followed the studio arrangements pretty close, I think. Downloaded this back in the Napster heyday, (I've since reformed due to learning from you guys how it's not really cool...) but never really listened that much because, as I'm sure most of you know, a cd from mp3 files without artwork and info is a sorely lacking substitute for the real thing. They just seem so anonymous and impersonal to me, "listening experience"-wise.

AfricaBrass, Don't think I've ever heard the "Amorica" album. I might have a couple singles from that album but not the actual album. (Scary cover!!) What songs are highlights for you from it? Actually, I thought the cover was worse; like...hairier...

Okay, I knew I'd think of more...can't believe I forgot... Oasis-Oh man! I LOVE THIS BAND...SO MUCH!!! I believe that Noel Gallagher writes great songs. He was so prolific in the early days of the band. One really needs to hear all of the B-sides of their singles to get the full story on this band. The sheer quantity and quality of the songs is staggering. Some people like to call their music "derivative" (sp?) but I believe it to be more of an 'homage' to other bands, i.e. Beatles, Stones, etc. I dig all their stuff. These guys ARE rock and roll. Guitars cranked up to 11! Snarling lead singer! Yes, some songs are goofy, such as the lyrics for "Some Might Say", but they're so fun to sing, it doesn't matter! The multi-channel mix on the SACD of "(What's The Story?) Morning Glory" is a mindblower! Very different than the stereo mix. The Black Crowes-When I first heard this band, I was in the middle of a Rolling Stones revival. Had been digesting the newly released "Singles Collection" box, but when I heard "Jealous Again" on the radio, I thought "Oh, man! What a kick-ass new Stones song!" When I discovered it was a new band, I raced to the record store to grab "Shake Your Money Maker". Totally awesome!!! Shit, they do the Stones better than the Stones do the Stones! Like their second record too, but they seemed to kinda lose it after that...haven't followed them as closely since. That's all for now...I know I could say much more about Oasis. I highly recommend them...my kinda music!

Was revisiting the Milestone box yesterday; what a coincidence! Don't forget these recordings. I only listened to discs 1 & 2 yesterday, and was pleasantly BLOWN AWAY! I've really ignored this set for a while, but yesterday it was hitting me, big time! And the sound quality is really quite excellent. The two sets I listened to: "The Kicker" and "Tetragon" were most enjoyable. Great Ron Carter playing on those; he was ON! I had completely forgotten that "The Kicker" album featured Grachun Moncur. Nice version of Miles' "Nardis" on that set. I'll be spending more time with this set. B)