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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 20, 2014 14:27:08 GMT
Thanks
Samples well
Need to investigate Jimmy Herring further
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Post by Stratmangler on Jul 25, 2014 23:04:56 GMT
I'm still working on taking in Birds Of Fire.
It still sounds a touch self conscious to me, and never really lets go, and that's what I'm having problems with.
Maybe that self consciousness is the genius part of it - I really don't know!
I think I'm going to have to go "full immersion" on this one .....
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 26, 2014 10:12:56 GMT
Keep going, it will be worth it
Took me a *lot* of plays to get it, (back in the early 70s when it was almost unique)
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Post by Stratmangler on Jul 26, 2014 23:54:11 GMT
Total immersion is in progress.
Headphones are on, and the Squeezebox is set on playlist repeat, which in my case means album repeat.
Jan Hammer is capable of some quite delicate and funky playing, coming across more like George Duke at times.
Johnnie Mac and Jerry Goodman are oftentimes inseparable with their lead riffing, and who plays what gets lost. The call and response of the lick trading these two get up to is very gratifying.
The inimitable Billy Cobham provides plenty of colour and shade with his percussive interventions, and when required drives things along relentlessly like a runaway train.
All of which is underpinned by Rick Lairds foundational bass work.
It's starting to make lots sense ......
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 27, 2014 7:33:34 GMT
Glad you said JM and JG are sometimes inseparable. I've tried and failed to work out who is doing what on some sections. Part of the treat !
The sum of the parts is so huge.
Billy Cobham's finest hour IMO
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 28, 2014 7:38:09 GMT
It's a great album that I know well. Since the start of this thread, I know it a bit better, so thanks for that!
The high point of it for me is one of the least overtly impressive tracks on the album - 'Sanctuary'. I love the way it's built up with ebb and flow and it's full of emotion.
'One Word' is remarkable with some astonishing soloing and 'Celestial Terrestial Commuters' is so densely packed with notes that it's hard to pick it apart and work out exactly who's doing what and it takes a while to get your head round it.
'Hope' is a bit ropy in my opinion, but it's still not bad for a low point!
A great album. I'd prefer a bit less input from Jan Hammer and that's all that stops it from making a 10 - 8/10 from me.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 28, 2014 8:40:53 GMT
Funnily enough I was listening to
Oh Yeah!
yesterday at some volume
Jan Hammer's input is even more on that !
Essential album
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Post by jammy on Jul 28, 2014 12:08:32 GMT
Mike i remember this simply bowled me over on first listen, many moon's ago...........Quite superb.
I will pop up me loft and dig it out once i get home - thanks for reminding me about it.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 28, 2014 12:16:51 GMT
Glad to oblige !
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Post by Stratmangler on Jul 29, 2014 16:18:08 GMT
I'm playing this again - this time because I want to, and not as part of the total immersion program  I gave it 8/10, but I might have been a bit harsh, and given another shot I'd possibly give it 9/10. The importance of the album is beyond question - I can hear where it has influenced bands and players I hold very dear. For me it was one of those records that somehow passed me by, and I'm delighted to have become acquainted with it now, albeit some 41 years after its release. Thanks for putting it forward Mike  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 29, 2014 20:33:17 GMT
Very happy to have introduced it to you
It is one of the albums of all time
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2014 8:21:01 GMT
I gave it 8/10, but I might have been a bit harsh, and given another shot I'd possibly give it 9/10. You should be able to change your vote if you wish. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2014 11:56:20 GMT
Can I change mine to 11 ?
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2014 12:24:24 GMT
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Post by Stratmangler on Jul 31, 2014 13:33:03 GMT
Can I change mine to 11 ? I changed mine to a 9, so I could use my spare 1 to make up for you having used all of yours up if you like  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 31, 2014 14:29:37 GMT
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Post by Stratmangler on Nov 4, 2015 0:13:45 GMT
If ever I've heard justification for Hi-Res audio then this is it audiofidelity.net/product/mahavishnu-orchestra-birds-fireI have been fortunate enough to hear this release, and the mastering alone justifies its existence. Comments about windows being pushed open wider apply, big style. I can't recommend this highly enough, and if you don't do Hi-Res in any shape or fashion you should reconsider your stance. The clarity of this recording on this release is startling  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 4, 2015 9:53:18 GMT
Ooh thanks
There is an album that needed breathing on.
I have the LP and CD version ready to compare very soon
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Post by Stratmangler on Nov 4, 2015 11:40:40 GMT
The mastering of the SACD was by Kevin Gray, and he is among this group of elite audio engineers www.analogplanet.com/content/wax-mastering-panel-videos#5ZZwfzAoBlpCj42Z.97As keeps getting mentioned during the course of these videos, they think of themselves as audiophiles, and the reason why their respective setups work so well is because they continually strive to get better and better results. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 4, 2015 13:19:23 GMT
SACD
Damn I didn't spot that
Those old guys look younger than me .......
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