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Stevie Wonder - Talking Book (1972) [Audio Fidelity Gold HDCD (2010)]

LezDawson — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:26:54 GMT

Stevie Wonder - Talking Book (1972) [Audio Fidelity Gold HDCD (2010)]
FLAC | CUE | EAC | Log | Scans | 280 MB | 44:29 | RS+HF
R & B / Funk / Rock / Soul

Released in 1972, Talking Book is Stevie's fifteenth album and the second of five consecutive albums referred to as his "classic period." It is considered by many to be his greatest and most influentual album. A perfect blend of funk, rock, soft-rock, soul, gospel and smooth jazz. The popular appeal of the record destroyed the myth that R&B artists were incapable of creating music that could be appreciated by rock audiences. Remastered in 2010 by Audio Fidelity's Kevin Gray for HDCD, this truly is the definitive version, sounding tighter, crisper, smoother and more dynamic than any previous issue.

Nick Drake - A Treasury (2004) [SACD 24/96 Rip]

LezDawson — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:06:36 GMT

While there was no shortage of Nick Drake collections on the market by 2004, the options for Drake fans with high-end stereo systems and/or SACD players was pretty limited (that is to say non-existent) before the release of A TREASURY. A hybrid disc remastered in Super Audio stereo and surround sound, it offers 15 cuts from the Drake catalogue; considering that he only released three official albums between 1969 and his death in 1974, that's a healthy chunk of the British singer/songwriter's oeuvre.

Gilbert O'Sullivan - Caricature (2003) [Limited Edition 3CD set]

LezDawson — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:07:50 GMT

Caricature is the ultimate set for Gilbert O'Sullivan fans. It is too bad that it was only in print for a short time, and only 2500 numbered copies were ever manufactured. It has all of the hits - notably Alone Again (Naturally), Matrimony, Clair, and many others - plus many great album gems. Included also are a few very early tracks recorded prior to the recording of his first album, which are well worth listening to. The set is now rather expensive if you can find it from a seller, but darn worth it.
Amazon reviewer

João Gilberto - João Gilberto (1973) [CD: PolyGram do Brasil, 1988]

LezDawson — Mon, 31 May 2010 23:32:27 GMT

João Gilberto, aka The White Album (1973), is Gliberto's second eponymously titled record, featuring a hypnotic minimalist execution, and is widely considered to be his best album. With its sparse arrangements of acoustic guitar, minimalist percussion and a delicate, at times whispering vocal, one can imagine this is how Nick Drake might have sounded, had he originated from Brazil. A beautiful and essential addition for the serious jazz collector.

Stan Getz - With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida (1963) [CD: 2008, Verve]

LezDawson — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:25:34 GMT

Stan Getz - With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida (1963)
FLAC | EAC | LOG | CUE | Scans | 215 MB | 37:14 | RS
Jazz / Samba / Cool / Bossa Nova

Three weeks after completing his meeting with Luiz Bonfa and only two days after the epochal Getz/Gilberto sessions, Stan Getz was back in the studio recording more bossa nova. Producer Creed Taylor was obviously striking while the iron was hot, getting in as many Brazilian sessions as he could, yet the quality of the music-making remained consistently marvelous. Continuing his practice of running through one star guitarist after another, this time Getz has Laurindo Almeida as the designated rhythm man, featured composer, and solo foil. The rhythm section is an authentically swinging mixture of American sidemen (including Steve Kuhn on piano and George Duvivier on bass) and Brazilian percussionists. Almeida didn’t like to improvise, so his solos stay close to the tunes, inflected with a perfectly matched feeling for the groove along with classical poise. Jobim’s “Outra Vez” is a particularly lovely example of Getz’s freedom and effortless lyricism contrasted against Almeida’s anchored embroidering. Sessions like these might have been seen as cashing in on the boom at the time, yet in the long view, one should be thankful that these musicians were recording so much cherishable material.

Getz/Gilberto #2 – Recorded Live At Carnegie Hall (1964) [CD: 1993, Verve]

LezDawson — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:39:11 GMT

Getz/Gilberto #2 – Recorded Live At Carnegie Hall (1964)
FLAC | EAC | LOG | CUE | Scans | 352 MB | 63:41 | RS
Jazz / Samba / Cool / Bossa Nova

Following the peerless Getz/Gilberto album (which featured Girl From Ipanema) from a year before, Getz/Gilberto #2 holds its own with an appealing selection of fine jazz and bossa nova cuts. Unlike the first album’s seamless collaboration by Getz, João Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, here Getz and João Gilberto turn in separate sets before uniting for a final set in this legendary live concert, recorded at Carnegie Hall in October of 1964.
Backed by a stellar quartet comprised of vibraphonist Gary Burton, bassist Gene Cherico, and drummer Joe Hunt, Getz turns in a sparkling performances on the seldom covered ballad Tonight I Shall Sleep With A Smile On My Face, while stretching out nicely on his original blues swinger Stan’s Blues. With the support of bassist Keeter Betts and drummer Helcio Milito, Gilberto displays his subtle vocal and guitar talents on a set of bossa nova favourites, including his own Bim Bom and Jobim’s Meditation. Required listening for fans of Latin Jazz.

Status Quo - Dog Of Two Head [2010 Bootleg Mix]

LezDawson — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:55:54 GMT

Status Quo - Dog Of Two Head [2010 Bootleg Mix]
FLAC | EAC | LOG | CUE | Scans | 225 MB | 35:41 | RS
Hard Rock / Blues Rock

Quo's fourth album, 1971's Dog Of Two Head has always been a favourite amongst hardcore fans, despite having some of the most poorly recorded drums in the band's entire recorded history. The drums have been restored here, using state-of-the-art drum replacement technology, duplicating John Coghlan's original rhythms hit for hit, and breathing new life into the old dog.

Sweet And Lowdown (1999) [16:9 aspect ratio]

LezDawson — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:15:11 GMT

A comedic biopic focused on the life of fictional jazz guitarist Emmett Ray. Ray was an irresponsible, free-spending, arrogant, obnoxious, alcohol-abusing, miserable human being, who was also arguably the best guitarist in the world. We follow Ray's life: bouts of getting drunk, his bizzare hobbies of shooting rats and watching passing trains, his dreams of fame and fortune, his strange obsession with the better-known guitarist Django Reinhardt, and of course, playing his beautiful music.

Red Garland Quartet - A Garland of Red (1956) [1991 OJC Remaster]

LezDawson — Sat, 15 May 2010 09:15:32 GMT

Red Garland Quartet - A Garland of Red (1956) [1991 OJC Remaster]
FLAC | CUE | EAC | LOG | Scans | 179 MB | 42:00 | RS
Jazz / Bop

Thirty-three at the time of this, his first recording as a leader, pianist Red Garland already had his distinctive style fully formed and had been with the Miles Davis Quintet for a year. With the assistance of bassist Paul Chambers (also in Davis' group) and drummer Art Taylor, Garland is in superior form on six standards, Charlie Parker's "Constellation" (during which he shows that he could sound relaxed at the fastest tempos) and his own "Blue Red." Red Garland recorded frequently during the 1956-62 period and virtually all of his trio recordings are consistently enjoyable, this one being no exception. ~ Scott Yanow

Dick Hymen Group (+ various) - Music From The Motion Picture Sweet And Lowdown (1999)

LezDawson — Sat, 15 May 2010 08:37:22 GMT

Woody Allen performed magnificently as a producer when he assembled musicians to play the music of "the world's second greatest guitarist," the character played by Sean Penn. The Dick Hyman Group, featuring Howard Alden on lead guitar and Bucky Pizzarelli on rhythm guitar, plays brilliantly throughout the film's soundtrack. Their guitar work is appropriately wondrous and amazing. Some examples of Alden in action can be found with "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "Sweet Georgia Brown", both up-tempo pieces that bring drive and energy to the movie. His performance is amazing during "Limehouse Blues/Mystery Pacific." The utter speed and flawless nature in Alden's and Pizzarelli's execution are a wonder to hear.

Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans - Know What I Mean? (1961) [2001 K2 Remaster]

LezDawson — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:03:36 GMT

Possibly the best of Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's many releases, 1961's Know What I Mean? finds the alto saxophonist in a different setting. Usually found fronting hard-bop combos featuring his brother Nat on cornet, Adderley is here accompanied by pianist Bill Evans, bassist Percy Heath, and Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay. In these more placid surroundings, Adderley showcases an entirely different side to his playing.

Red Garland Quartet - Solar (1962) [1992 OJC Remaster]

LezDawson — Fri, 14 May 2010 09:41:28 GMT

Red Garland Quartet - Solar (1962) [1992 OJC Remaster]
FLAC | CUE | EAC | LOG | Accurip LOG | Scans | 217 MB | 38:00 | RS
Jazz / Hard Bop

Solar (1962) has recently been remastered (again) for a planned Japanese limited edition issue on 16 June, 2010, and is currently available to buy on pre-order. This is the 1992 Original Jazz Classics issue, remastered by Gary Hobish, and is certainly one of the better-sounding remasters from the OJC series. Featuring some skilful electric jazz guitar work from Les Span, who also plays occasional flute on the record. With original liner notes by Ira Gitler.
Produced by Orrin Keepnews, recorded on 30 January, 1962.

Bill Evans - How My Heart Sings! (1962) [XRCD2 (1999)] - Re-up

LezDawson — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:27:49 GMT

Bill Evans - How My Heart Sings! (1962) [XRCD2 (1999)]
FLAC | CUE | EAC | No Log | 276 MB | 48:56 | RS
Jazz

How My Heart Sings! is a 1962 album by jazz musician Bill Evans, recorded at the same time as Moonbeams. Just as on Moonbeams, we are introduced here to new Evans originals, additions to a growing and impressive catalogue, like "Walking Up" and the exhilarating "Show-Type Tune" in which the pianist puts on his best Bud Powell hat, knocking off line after line of thrillingly executed runs. Add Earl Zindar's haunting title track, then a nod to Dave Brubeck on the two takes of the latter's "In Your Own Sweet Way" and How My Heart Sings! stands as the most varied Bill Evans set since his breakthrough Everybody Digs Bill Evans.

Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans (1958) [XRCD: JVCXR-0020 (1997)] REPOST

LezDawson — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:30:20 GMT

Bill Evans - Everybody Digs Bill Evans (1958) [JVCXR-0020 (1997)]
FLAC | CUE | XLD LOG | Accurip LOG | 238 MB | 41:49 | RS
Jazz

The superb pianist recorded this album, his second as a leader, in December 1958, more than two years after his debut. In between, of course, he was an integral part of Miles Davis's legendary sextet. Spurred by a rhythm section of bassist Sam Jones and drummer Philly Joe Jones, Bill Evans shows amazing versatility on these sides: his playing on "Minority," "Night and Day," and "Oleo" is surprisingly robust and even bluesy at times--certainly not adjectives usually associated with the cool pianist. He's delightfully playful on the midtempo "Tenderly." Then there are the slow, meditative numbers for which he's known, including three unaccompanied showcases. "Peace Piece," which was actually conceived merely as an introduction to Leonard Bernstein's "Some Other Time," is the most famous, but his reading of another Bernstein song, "Lucky to Be Me," is equally mesmerizing. Although the original record dropped it, the CD reissue does include a version of "Some Other Time," complete with the "Peace Piece" intro.
Marc Greilsamer

Red Garland Quintet with John Coltrane - High Pressure (1957) [1989 OJC Reissue]

LezDawson — Mon, 10 May 2010 09:37:19 GMT

Red Garland Quintet with John Coltrane - High Pressure (1957) [1989 OJC Reissue]
FLAC | CUE | EAC | EAC LOG | Accurip LOG | Scans | 257 MB | 44:01 | RS
Jazz / Hard Bop

1957 was a prolific year for Red Garland. In addition to his duties as pianist in the Miles Davis Quintet, he also recorded a number of sessions as leader of his own group.
In addition to the basic trio of Garland (piano), George Joyner (bass), and Arthur Taylor (drums), the quintet included Donald Byrd (trumpet), and fellow Davis alumni John Coltrane (sax).
In the space of a relatively short period of time, they managed to record 16 tracks of various lengths, which were then split up into four albums. Soul Junction, All Mornin’ Long, High Pressure, and finally Dig It were released in staggered intervals over the course of the next few years.

Ben Webster - At The Renaissance (1960) [2001 Analogue Productions 24k Gold CD]

LezDawson — Sat, 08 May 2010 09:55:10 GMT

Ben Webster - At The Renaissance (1960) [2001 Analogue Productions 24k Gold CD]
FLAC | CUE | No EAC LOG | Accurip LOG | 374 MB | 67:08 | RS
Jazz/Bop

This live set features tenor great Ben Webster playing with pianist Jimmy Rowles, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Frank Butler in a club, and the music is consistently wonderful. Whether showing warmth and sentimentality on "Georgia on My Mind" and "Stardust" or growling and roaring on "Caravan" and "Ole Miss Blues," Webster (who was then somewhat taken for granted) is in superior and creative form. Recommended. [The Japanese JVC release and Analogue Productions limited-edition "Gold" release of At the Renaissance restore the original track recording sequence.]
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

The Miles Davis Quintet - Workin' (1956) [1993 DCC Remaster]

LezDawson — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:37:09 GMT

The Miles Davis Quintet - Workin' (1956) [1993 DCC Remaster]
FLAC | EAC | No LOG | CUE | Scans | 229 MB | 41:59 | RS
Jazz/Hard Bop
Remastered By Steve Hoffman

Preceded by Cookin' and Relaxin', Workin' is a mix of standards and originals, up-tempos and ballads, and a trio number, "Ahmad's Blues." The music this quintet made in the mid-Fifties period will live forever: the excitement of the emerging John Coltrane; the informed, melodic swing of Red Garland; the tremendous snap and pop of the rhythm trio of Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones; and Miles's poignancy and intense swing. Originally recorded in 1956, but not released until 1959.

The Miles Davis Quintet - Cookin' (1956) [1993 DCC Remaster]

LezDawson — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:34:48 GMT

The Miles Davis Quintet - Cookin' (1956) [1993 DCC Remaster]
FLAC | EAC | LOG | 34:09 | 196 MB | RS
Jazz/Hard Bop
Remastered By Steve Hoffman

Recorded three years before his landmark album Kind Of Blue (Columbia, 1959), Cookin' was part of Davis' remaining five-album commitment to Prestige, recorded a year to the day after Georges Avakian lured him to Columbia in October, 1955. The DCC remaster is bound to draw comparisons with the equally brilliant XRCD remaster which came later, and the even later disappointing Rudy Van Gelder remaster.

The Miles Davis Quintet - Steamin' (1956) [1994 DCC Remaster]

LezDawson — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:11:34 GMT

The Miles Davis Quintet - Steamin' (1956) [1994 DCC Remaster]
FLAC | EAC | LOG | Scans | 40:21 | 213 MB | RS
Jazz / Hard Bop
Remastered by Steve Hoffman

All selections on Steamin', save for Monk's Well, You Needn't were recorded at the first session. They are all performed with a nonchalant effortlessness that betrays the experience the band has with this familiar material. "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is an example of the unlikely material Davis was to include in his Book. The sound quality is now so refined following remastering that one can hear John Coltrane moving on-mike for his solo. The warmth of the Van Gelder Studio is well retained on Hoffman's remaster. Salt Peanuts, left over from Davis' Be Bop days is wholly complimented by Jones' aggressive drumming. Davis is muted on Something I Dreamed Last Night as he was on the opener, defining what would become the most identifiable trumpet sound of the 1950s.

Climategate by Brian Sussman (WND Books, 2010)

LezDawson — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:07:08 GMT

A wise man once said that darkness hates the light. The truth has an amazing application to perhaps the biggest fraud of our era: global warming.
Author and meteorologist Brian Sussman's thorough investigation into the motives, practices, and ultimate agenda of these radical agents of change is critical to individuals who wish to untangle the web of deceit being sold as concern for the environment.