mikeymad

(Party Favor Noise)

PORTALS TesseracT 2021 https://album.link/i/1569244326 Example: This Prog Metal album really got into me. All recorded live, and they are not shy to go over 10 minutes for a song. Power cords, transitions that work, great vocals, and almost 2 hours of some killer tracks (to me). Goes into the rotation.

Added to Queue. I like Katie Mack, I didn't know that she wrote a book. Seems like ideas that I have explored with Brian Greene and of course Neil deGrasse Tyson. But I will be interested to hear her take and see how she writes.

and These are not happy books, but they are not meant to be.

Michael Stephenson Meets Alexander Claffy with His Trio Michael Stephenson, Alexander Claffy 2021 https://album.link/i/1554131411 Example: A really fun album. Good backing for good vocals.

Cheers Peter - Happy Birthday - have a sour beer for me

Cheers Carl - Happy Birthdays!

On n’enferme pas les oiseaux Barbara Pravi 2021 https://album.link/i/1592352554 Example: Sunday morning French music. Do I understand French? Nope. Do I like the music? Yup. Did I add the album to my queue several months ago based on the album cover? ....maybe....

Nope - but they sure are not short on making claims about their $17,000 amp. "Egoista STX is capable of realizing the full potential of electrostatic headphones that no existing amplifiers can match. It is the first electrostatic headphone amplifier that can produce deep realistic bass. Effortless, clear sound, lack of distortion, natural tonal balance and ultra-wide dynamic range make Viva Egoista STX the best product in its class available on the market. Its performance will enchant the most demanding music aficionado and convince the most critical audio connoisseurs." Don't get me wrong - I like the 300B tube sound, it is why I use a 300B as a headphone and preamp. I would like to hear it.

Thanks again YT algorithm, keep them coming.

One more for today: Fragments Trifecta 2021 https://album.link/i/1563955603 Example: Prog? Fusion? Jazz? All of the above. this album is all over the place. I guess it is aptly named 'Fragments'. There is interesting bits all over the place. I like the ideas, and there are great players, but it does not really come together as a whole.

Overpass Marc Johnson 2021 https://album.link/i/1576344696 Example: Bass Bass and More Bass. Wonderful sounding album. If your system has capacity for low end. Pick you fav high res platform and let it roll over you.

Bastion Original Soundtrack Darren Korb 2011 https://song.link/i/459457476 Example: A game that I can honestly say that I completed 3 times just because I wanted to listen to the soundtrack again, in context. It has a very Firefly soundtrack feel to it. The story and game built up to such a level that I find it hard to fight back tears when the above Zia's theme comes in.

Careless Love (Deluxe Edition) Madeleine Peyroux 2004 https://album.link/i/1565053848 Example: Just some lovely close mic recordings. I really like this style. The deluxe does not add much to me, the studio tracks are so well recorded and lush that the addition of live tracks does not enhance anything for me. Maybe the only problem with a really good recording, that is what I want to listen to.

Absence Terence Blanchard 2021 https://album.link/i/1575807410 Example: Some very good Serious Sunday Jazz (SSJ). Throw in the The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet, and you have a lot of meat on the bone to come back to.

No Sun Nite Jewel 2021 https://album.link/i/1560738062 (link tree needs to be updated) Example: Hard to categorize - the opening track sound like the beginning to a musical. The album is eclectic, pretty, surprising, and probably deeper than appears at first listen. Reminds me of the first time I heard Goldfrapp.

Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2; Scherzi Seong-Jin ChoLondon Symphony OrchestraGianandrea Noseda 2021 https://album.link/i/1571456295 Example: I have not heard someone attack Chopin like this in a long time. Impressive and very listenable.

Sounds from the Ancestors Kenny Garrett 2021 https://album.link/i/1568844166 Example:

Entertainment!

Progy prog day The Human Equation Ayreon 2004 https://album.link/i/1600474851 Example: This really is the album that got me into modern prog - that being beyond the Yes, Genesis, Floyd, ELP, Crimson, etc... that I was listening to. It showed me a modern concept album (this about a person in a coma from a car crash), with a fusion of modern styles and classic elements. Thank you Arjen Anthony Lucassen and all your projects.

♥️♥️♥️

^^ from the image - that must be the low resolution edition? 😁 (sorry) Me: Silver Age (Extended Edition) Daniil Trifonov 2020 https://album.link/i/1551363684 Example: 2.5 hours is a little bit much for a one time sitting of this extended release. But I really enjoyed these works. The Scriabin I thought was particularly well done.

Good Album Example:

Yaass

Be The Love You Want Southern Avenue 2021 https://album.link/i/1569508447 Example: Solid blues/soul/gospel blend that is done very well.