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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 8:28:34 GMT
I've been wanting to start this thread for a while now. When listening to music, I have become aware of certain recordings that really push the dynamic range (the difference between the quietest moments and the loudest) in a startling but natural way. I'm not talking about audiophile firework specials, but recordings from the standard catalogue that really impress upon me the sheer sense of swell, impact of vocals, drums etc.
I'll start with Common One by Van Morrison. Not only is this the best recording I know of all his albums, the dynamic range is outstanding. Try Satisfied and you'll see what I mean. There is some wonderful brass work, Van The Man's voice is in fine grating fettle, the drums have real impact and the bass growls with menace. Set the volume for the start of the song and you'll find yourself overwhelmed by the ending. The whole album is a good listen.
Here is the Spotify listing, but please don't judge this by streaming a compressed format. You need the CD or vinyl, both of which are superb.
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 13, 2017 9:32:26 GMT
"Tin Pan Alley", from Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble's "Couldn't Stand The Weather" is a very good example.
The original vinyl release has a really wide dynamic range, wider than subsequent digital versions (all of them), so I'd expect more recent vinyl releases (utilising digital masters) to be slightly diminished in comparison.
The dynamic range for the album as a whole is wide, and the performances and recording are both very good indeed. It's no wonder the album got jumped upon as a demonstration recording, and has been heard at many a HiFi show.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 9:47:17 GMT
Yes, I like that album very much. The SACD sounds very fine indeed and is a good exemplar of the medium. I'll dig out my vinyl copy and compare them tonight.
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 13, 2017 10:15:50 GMT
Another superb and widely dynamic album is "Hope" by Hugh Masekela.
A master musician, and an excellent band, live on stage, and using every last bit of their skill and stage craft.
The SACD is very good, but the LP record has an immediacy that is simply stunning.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 13:09:17 GMT
I have the standard CD of Hope and that is very good, too.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 13:14:25 GMT
I have found Damian Rice - O to be incredibly dynamic in that the challenge is to set an appropriate level at the start of Delicate. Use any normal means (like being able to hear the very low level guitar intro or judging by the noise floor) and the song builds and builds until his vocals take your head right off as he starts belting it out towards the end. A fantastic and very revealing performance with a huge sense of space around him. Listen to the brushed cymbal work, too.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 14:29:31 GMT
Beyond Skin by Nitin Sawhney has to be on here, a superb album which has lots of quiet and subtle elements to it, but also seriously powerful bass lines and lyrics. A superb workout for any system.
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Post by steveeb on Mar 13, 2017 19:21:27 GMT
Martin, when you say Common One on CD, is that the remastered version? Just gone on my Amazon wishlist, thanks. I have quite a few Van the Man albums but the CD pressings are not always the best unfortunately - especially some of the digitally remastered re-releases.
Nice to see Peter van Hook on drums, one of my faves. Enjoyed him live with Ezio for a while, a missed departure but he deserves more successful occupation.
+1 for Hope, Chris.
I'll suggest a couple that haven't become common through the HiFi shows:
Georgie Fame - Three Line Whip
Guy Barker - Soundtrack
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 20:08:47 GMT
Martin, when you say Common One on CD, is that the remastered version? No, it isn't (it's on Exile/Polydor). I'm very suspicious of remasters as the thing they most often seem to do is apply compression to make them seem louder, thus buggering up the dynamic range  |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 20:23:09 GMT
Another superb recording is the 10" EP of Rickie Lee Jones' Girl at Her Volcano. The two crescendi in Under the Boardwalk are stunning, and it's only mastered at 33rpm!
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Post by John on Mar 13, 2017 20:37:21 GMT
Really well recorded
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 13, 2017 21:16:22 GMT
Michael Hedges and Aerial Boundaries - musically it's intense, and the wake you up, cannonball dynamics are a physical and aural assault.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2017 22:37:54 GMT
Ah yes, I have the CD and it's excellent. I also saw him live before his untimely death.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2017 19:49:56 GMT
Ben Harper - Welcome to the Cruel World
Turning to vinyl, this is a nicely dynamic and lively recording with realistically portrayed drums. Try Like a King.
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Post by ant on Mar 15, 2017 13:13:50 GMT
Level 42 eyes waterfalling, persuit of accidents and are you hearing from the persuit of accidents album.
Actually the whole first and second level 42 albums are pretty dynamic
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2017 15:14:32 GMT
Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman
My vinyl copy is the 33rpm 180g but I'm not sure of its provenance. The dynamic range is large, though, especially when Cat Stevens ups the ante to another level altogether, as in the middle of the first track Where Do the Children Play? where it all starts quietly enough with softly strummed acoustic guitar.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2017 15:37:05 GMT
100% agree about Cat Stevens, and particularly 'Tea for the Tillerman'.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2017 15:40:27 GMT
I'd also like to add 'Eric Clapton - Unplugged' - this album is superb on both CD and Vinyl. It has lot of ups and downs from a dynamic range, quite excellent.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2017 16:06:39 GMT
That recording is demonstration class for a live album.
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Post by Stratmangler on Jun 29, 2017 10:30:57 GMT
Ben Harper - Welcome to the Cruel WorldTurning to vinyl, this is a nicely dynamic and lively recording with realistically portrayed drums. Try Like a King. The CD is pretty damn good too. |
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