Is there a single CD or LP that holds significant value for you? Is it an old ratty copy of your first record ever bought, or a pricey, collectible piece of vinyl?
COMMENTS
My most significant recording is the one that first got me interested in classical music: Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade," with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski, on RCA LM-1732. I love this 1951 recording despite its sonic limitations.
Horowitz in Moscow. I have both the CD and the DG LP (the LP sounds a bit bright in my system, but very good nonetheless). Millions around the world saw part of this concert live on CBS (with Charles Kurault)---me too. It was the summer of 1986 and Gorbachev's glasnost was making itself heard first in the realm of music. And that frail but sublime old man was only too happy to accommodate. The recorded applause is sometimes as expressive and interesting, in its own way, as the music. You sense the Russian public's longing to reconnect with its pre-communist past. Was that something they were beginning to imagine might be possible?
The CD is "White Winds," by Andreas Vollenweider. About 10 years ago I was in the market to upgrade my entire system. One of the first shops I stopped at had B&W 801s backed up by Adcom gear and the salesman played "White Winds" for the demo. I had never heard anything like it before. I went out and bought a copy and mainly used it for all of my subsequent auditions. This piece is a never-ending intertwining and changing musical masterpiece. Recorded in 1984, sound quality is of course not as good as it can be today, but still very good. It unfortunately carries the class title of "New Age music." That is a shame because most New Age Music is incredibly boring and repetitive. "White Winds" is not that at all. Listen to it on a good system, preferably with the lights out, and it carries you away.
Yes, Bernstein's performance of Mahler's 3rd symphony. The composer has a feel for Mahler that is almost innate. The 3rd elates and devastates. The last movement takes one into a sublime space where universes are created and collapse into a void of sheer ecstatic emptiness. And for my fellow Torontonians, the TSO performs this self-same music for three nights starting on June 24. Take a chance to indulge yourself and support our fine orchestra.
Culture Beat: Serenity this CD is one of the 3 reference CD's i judge all othesr by. the bass is tight and deep, the highs are sharp and clear. and the music was made in the digital domain, so tape hiss and other artifacts of analog aren't present.
My RTD4? Perry Como, "The Songs I Love," RCA Victor LSP-2708, stereo, 1963. This LP is by far the best that I have among my collection. I got it at a second-hand shop for a song. Side 2 is where the killer songs are. Wait till you hear the smooth, syrupy voice of Perry, which renders every other singer as just ordinary---except, of course, Nat Cole---then you will know what I mean. Sharing pedestal spot is also Perry Como: "And I Love You So," RCA SF8360, 1973. This I got free from a friend who was about to condemn his whole LP collection to the dump site, but which of course found a new home in mine. And pride of place too! When I die, I take these two LPs with me.
Found an old copy of Brubeck's "Time Out" in a used-record shop. Don't know exactly how old, but the vinyl is thick and the cardboard sturdy. And the sound is absolutely incredible. Absolutely alive and clear (no ticks or scratches!). Valuable? Who knows, but worth tons to me.
The Beatles LP with "Penny Lane" on it. When I was eight, I got a play tape machine. It was like a mini 8-track player, only with 2 tracks (mono). The tape was a continuous loop thing. I only had 2 of the tapes. One was a Beatles with "Penny Lane" and "Norwegian Wood." I would let it play for hours while I swung on a swing set. Clear blue sky, and not a care in the world. Any time I get out my Beatles LP or CD with this cut on it, the magic of those days just comes right back. Music stretches my memory and reminds me where I came from. It is my friend. ["Penny Lane" was released on the LP and CD of "Magical Mystery Tour."---Ed.]
Patti Smith's "Easter." Back in the old days, before alternative music, there was post-punk, and before punk there was Patti. I still keep an original pressing, where she carved some rantings about Jimi Hendrix on the blank space at the end of the album. Funny thing, though, I no longer have a turntable. When her catalog went to CD, so did I.
The Mississippi Fred McDowell "Requiem" album, released after his death, is the jewel of my collection. The cover is a portrait of a common man whose music consistently drops my jaw and lifts my heart. So long, Uncle Fred.
I have an unopened copy of the Beatles' "white album." I bought it in 1974 or 1975 and for some reason or other never got around to playing it. Now, it's kind of a superstitious thing and I don't think I'll ever open it. I know it's not really valuable, but I feel like I should preserve it or something. I should probably seek help.
1) Marianne Faithfull, 45 single with "As Tears Go By." 2) Melanie's LP with "Beautiful People." 3) Simon & Garfunkel LP with "Scarborough Fair/Canticle." 4) Bob Dylan LP with "I Want You." 5) The Rolling Stones LP with "Angie." 6) Dire Srait CD with "The Sultans of Swing." 7) Pink Floyd CD with "I Wish You Were Here." Those were extraordinary times.
Metamorphosis (Iron Butterfly), c.1970, re-released on Rhino Records (CD). Whoa, Man! You're transcending technology. Good For You!!! Music is utterly independent of anything you could possibly own/have to play it back on. Way ta go for asking such a pertinent question!
Not only do I still have it, I still play it. It's on one of the oldest stereo labels, HiFi Records, and has never been transferred to CD as far as I know. The title is "Jazz 'N Razz Ma Tazz" with Georgie's Varsity 5 (that's the organist George Wright), and it's a closely miked and quite 'hot' recording which, at the time, was an excitingly immediate presentation of this bouncy though traditional music. It is sonically and musically exciting. I play it every so often to make me reconsider either how far we've come with our reproducing equipment or, conversely, how great an old but simple recording can sound. Still looking for a fresh copy, though.
LP: I wore out my copy of Rush's "Moving Pictures." However, I still listen to Peter Gabriel's "Security" to make my CD player nervous. CD: Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" performed by Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. It was my first "classical" (silly label) CD purchase. Hearing the original version weaned me from Stokowski's pap (from the soundtrack to Disney's "Fantasia") and opened my mind to "modern" music. This includes composers who are actually living, and recently written and performed compositions. I still listen to the Stravinsky CD every so often, and the CD still sounds exciting.
One most favorite is "Dixie-Direct" by the Rosie O'Grady Goodtime Jazz Band---an excellent direct-to-disc LP bought in 1978 for $25. Will make my own CD of it when I get the software. Usually listen to a tape of it to save record wear.
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