So, What Are You Listening To NOW?

jazzbo · February 14, 2024

50 minutes ago, jlhoots said:

I have the 6 CD Nucleus & Ian Carr: Torrid Zone (The Vertigo Recordings, 1970-1975). Works for me.

I own that too. I like the BBC sessions better by more than a few hairs.

Right now

My copy of the Barylli Quartet’s Beethoven String Quartet cycle arrived today from Japan, reissued in the UHQCD format.

Beethoven: The Complete String Quartets [Limited Release] [UHQCD] Barylli Quartet CD Album

A budget production in that it comes in a clamshell sort of box with plastic sleeves and a booklet, but the UHQCD format is handsome and the sound is quite good as far as mastering goes. The sonic character is typical of well-recorded early fifties mono, and though I wish there were a bit more “oomph” to the cello, there’s little else to complain about.

So far I’d say that the interpretation is not too adventurous but plenty expressive. Will be interesting to hear the entire cycle.

I notice that Japan has also reissued a five cd set of the Mozart quartets by these gents on this label, as well as a single cd of the quintets. . . in UHQCD. I ordered those.

T.D. · February 14, 2024

2 hours ago, mjazzg said:

Oh Yes!!!

Now streaming

I don't know why (although I did have them down as an electric Miles tribute act) but I have completely ignored Nucleus until recently when I bought 'Labyrinth' mostly because Norma Winstone's on it. Now investigating them chronologically, this is very good isn't it? Sounds not unlike the Graham Collier albums of this time that I love so much.

I took a complete flyer on the 6-CD Nucleus Torrid Zone box set on Esoteric (with the same cover) two or three years ago and loved it, one of my best purchases of that year (guessing 2021). Still listen often. IIRC I was considering the BBC set and went for the Esoteric instead because it was a lot smaller investment and looked like a fine selection.

People (e.g. Lon, felser) have praised the BBC set, and I'm sure it's very good, but at 14 CDs and a considerably higher outlay, I doubt I'll ever spring for it. Sort of a "one or the other but not both" thing. I do enjoy the big Barbara Thompson BBC box, though the spoken intros have begun to grate after a few listens.

Edited February 14, 2024 by T.D.

mjazzg · February 14, 2024

6 minutes ago, T.D. said:

I took a complete flyer on the 6-CD Nucleus Torrid Zone box set on Esoteric (with the same cover) two or three years ago and loved it, one of my best purchases of that year (guessing 2021). Still listen often. IIRC I was considering the BBC set and went for the Esoteric instead because it was a lot smaller investment and looked like a fine selection.

People (e.g. Lon, felser) have praised the BBC set, and I'm sure it's very good, but at 14 CDs and a considerably higher outlay, I doubt I'll ever spring for it. Sort of a "one or the other but not both" thing. I do enjoy the big Barbara Thompson BBC box, though the spoken intros have begun to grate after a few listens.

Thanks, 6 CDs does sound more in my ballpark too. I also agree about including radio announcements, annoying to me in most cases