Music for CES2017

[garylkoh]

I was telling one of my friends in the Pacific Northwest Audio Society that this time of the year, I spend most of my time listening to music and picking albums to bring for CES. He thought how lucky I was to be able to spend all day listening to music, but didn't realize that this is actually WORK!

Evaluating music for demo purposes is totally different from listening for pleasure. While listening, I've gotta assess the sound quality, whether it is tonally and harmonically accurate, if it is arresting and interesting enough to attract a busy and impatient audience to come into the room, engaging enough to keep their attention, whether it will highlight the qualities of the demo system, and most important of all - not drive me up the wall and out the room if I have to play it 10 times a day 4 days in a row.

So, here are some albums that satisfy the above criteria that I'm bringing to CES.

[garylkoh]

I'm a big fan of rock and some of my favourite bands include Pink Floyd, Yes, Gentle Giant, ELP, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, The Doors, etc. I'm not a great fan of tribute albums as some of them can be cheesy.

But an album with Billy Sherwood, Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe (Yes), AND Keith Emerson AND Adrian Belew AND Ian Anderson AND Robby Krieger AND Gary Green AND Dweezil Zappa came up - I couldn't resist. Come on, these guys aren't the kind of musicians who are waiting on tables until they get their next paid gig. They are the stars of rock. Even if the album didn't sound good, I had to have it.

And if it's good enough to bring it with me to CES, it's not just good. It's fantastic!!!

[Joe Pittman]

Just got the LP. Wow it's great! Thanks Gary, for yet another awesome recommendation. Those that love the Floyd should give it a listen.

[garylkoh]

One frequent request from visitors at CES is for piano music. This is an instrument that many listeners are familiar with, and they use it to assess the tonal accuracy and the dynamic ability of the system.

One of the best-recorded piano albums I know is this one. It is one of the rare albums that was recorded direct-to-disc, and features the always inventive Monty Alexander.

[garylkoh]

You should. Great music too. But avoid the re-issue which was made off a copy of the LP.

[Joe Pittman]

Gary, do you have a copy of the reissue at your place? I'd be interested in hearing a quick comparison.

[garylkoh]

Yes - I have re-issue and the original D2D.

[garylkoh]

So, the story on this album is that The Rolling Stones were in a studio in West London. They hadn't done a studio album in well over a decade and weren't sure that they would be making an album. Their good friend Eric Clapton just happened to be in another room in the studio a couple of doors down the corridor.

Musicians being musicians, suggested a jam..... and the result - a wonderful double album of Blues, recorded "live" spontaneously, with no overdubs. With guest Eric Clapton on slide guitar. Mick Jagger on blues harp. Can't find anything to fault on this album.

[Metamatic]

This is an excellent album. Great to hear Mick on harp as well. EC only plays on 2 tracks.

[Socrates]

While listening, I've gotta assess the sound quality, whether it is tonally and harmonically accurate, if it is arresting and interesting enough to attract a busy and impatient audience to come into the room, engaging enough to keep their attention, whether it will highlight the qualities of the demo system, and most important of all - not drive me up the wall and out the room if I have to play it 10 times a day 4 days in a row.

Ha, Indeed the fickle audience can evacuate quicker than a Fire Drill!-- I know you weren't asking for suggestions but here is what I take to demos' shows /etc --hasn't

emptied a room yet!--its dynamic short to the point( 12 " 45RPM Single) alive and sharp Sax playing /punchy enough to awake them from their slumber!

Anyway one of my personal favs

Keep up the great products and successful CES

Soc

[garylkoh]

Thanks, Soc. Suggestions always welcome! That's how I manage to find new (old) music for a couple of events a year!

Eurythmics! Love it. I'm on the hunt for a copy

[garylkoh]

After a Rolling Stones blues album, you need some Rhythm & Blues. In 1971, King Curtis did a gig at the Fillmore West togerther with Aretha Franklin. That gig resulted in 2 albums - the much better known Aretha Live at Fillmore West, and this one.

The sound and recording is patchy - good in parts and not so good in others, but it shows off the musicality of the system and how the music and performance transcends the sound. The first track - Memphis Soul Stew is particularly telling as some of the instruments could have benefitted from better mic-ing. Nevertheless, the music is engaging and I keep forgetting to take the LP off after one track........

[dan31]

I love lp's that have a few great track's that are worth playing the whole side. A good chunk of my collection!!

[garylkoh]

Inevitably, someone will ask for "female vocals" and this will be one of the albums I'll be pulling out this CES when this common request is made. There is a new re-issue, but my favorite version is the 2004 re-master on 180gm vinyl. Sounds a bit richer than the original on thin vinyl.

[Socrates]

Yes Fine Album but maybe bit slow for punters attention? I have this and her Live in Hamburg--sad Lady committed suicide

Soc

[garylkoh]

It is extremely rare that I will pack along an album just for a single track, but this one track is so good that I'm willing to lug this album along to CES. It's not the only good track though, and I will and do play the whole album.

The Civil Wars are a short-lived duo who were paired by their record label at a song-writing workshop and quickly developed an affinity towards each other. They won 4 Grammys before splitting up in enmity.

The duo display an incredible energy in their performances, and it comes across especially in their 'live' recordings. Depending on who you speak to, this energy manifests because of how much they dislike one another, or that they are a couple (and both married to other people). Whatever it is - I enjoy the emotion that this duet bring to the music.

On this album, The Civil Wars sing an incredible rendition of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.

[Alrainbow]

Gary do you pic by quality or type ? As simple seems to sound better .

[garylkoh]

My criteria for picking is in the post #1 above.

[Alrainbow]

Holy crap Gary even on tidal this is really clean sounding. ThNks so much for enriching me yet again. Billy jean is amazing on tidal.

[garylkoh]

I will bring at least a few "regular" jazz albums. As I love the live feel of Jazz at least one will be a live recording. This one features my favourite bassist - Ray Brown and one of my favourite pianists - Gene Harris.

Shows off the fine dynamics and full-frequency response of the system.

[garylkoh]

It's worth getting while it's still cheap, Myles.

[garylkoh]

Holy cr*p. I just went to eBay and saw the current prices. Even for the CD!!

[MylesBAstor]

Yup.

[garylkoh]

When the show gets busy and stressful, it's always useful to have something to slow down and de-stress with.

This is one of my best vocal albums - both the CD and the vinyl.Takes you to a completely different place - like lying down into a long, warm bath.

[garylkoh]

I probably have every one of Holly Cole's albums - in digital form or on vinyl. Sometimes both. I love her smoky voice and quirky interpretations..... and the fact that she loves bass and does it so well.

This is the one I'll be bringing with me this year.

[garylkoh]

Rust - I only have her live album on digital. The albums I've posted so far have all been on LP. I'm posting so that members like jazdoc can empty their wallets for Christmas. Makes for a lighter New Year

Myles - yes, I love her Temptations album but it's been played way too often.

[MylesBAstor]

Yes, isn't it fun spending other people's money! That's why you should only invite people over to your audio cave! Never go anywhere and leave with jpegs on your Droid or iphone. I know because no one leaves Chez Astor without at least one recording to buy later!

[garylkoh]

Yep - I left your place and bought 3 albums before getting off the train!

[garylkoh]

If you go to his website, he says "Mojo Juju sings songs that sound just like that night you can't quite remember, in that bar you swear you weren't at, with that girl you promise you've never met." I don't know anything about that other girl, but I'm pretty sure that the music sounds a bit like that girl from the bar I married ;-)

Smooth, shiny and loaded with sin. Grab the album - you won't regret it. You'll listen to this one a lot.

[jazdoc]

You are killing me! This thread is costing me too much money. Awww, what the hell, keep 'em coming ;-)

[regnaD kciN]

I don't want to be picky here, but Mojo Juju, while certainly somewhat genderfluid, prefers to be addressed by female pronouns.

[garylkoh]

I'm sorry. I apologize. I like the music, and didn't know her preference.

[Rust]

What, no Etta James? No Hendrix? How about the extremely rare original Bob Ludwig mastering of LZ II (with the initials RL in the dead wax)?. Maybe the new limited edition of Abraxas. Alabama Shakes?

IMO, which doesn't really count for much, avoid as much as possible the "me too" trend in demo material. Yes, some commonality is needed for system to system comparison but it can quickly become boring when overdone.

[MylesBAstor]

I don't think you can ever accuse Gary of only playing audiophile albums.

[garylkoh]

Haha, yes - come on by for music that drive audiophiles out of the room. Infected Mushroom anyone?