My journeys on audiophile boards have recommended Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall" as an exceptionally clear, natural recording. I just acquired it yesterday, didn't have a chance to listen to it last night. Being lazy, and camped on the couch away from my systems, harassing all of you on the internet, I decided a few moments ago to give it a listen from here. Through the cheap DAC, microscopic lofi amp and tiny little speakers in my MacBook Pro.
Is it "full range?" No. Will it sound better on my speaker or headphone system? Sure. But the clarity and quality of the recording comes through. I already know this is, as reported, a great recording.
My journeys on audiophile boards have recommended Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall" as an exceptionally clear, natural recording. I just acquired it yesterday, didn't have a chance to listen to it last night. Being lazy, and camped on the couch away from my systems, harassing all of you on the internet, I decided a few moments ago to give it a listen from here. Through the cheap DAC, microscopic lofi amp and tiny little speakers in my MacBook Pro.
Is it "full range?" No. Will it sound better on my speaker or headphone system? Sure. But the clarity and quality of the recording comes through. I already know this is, as reported, a great recording.
Yep, listening now on the speakers and getting that ambience and the breadth and depth of the guitar. Very nice recording. A bit odd that they mixed the applause hard left and right, but I'm glad they left the single voice/instrument mono. I like this quite a bit better than the classic studio recordings of many of these songs.
I bought this on vinyl when it was first released, and have played it already many, many times. It is (IMO) the single best live recording I have. Not only is the recording a masterpiece, so is Neil's performance. He is funny, he is serious, and he was obviously having a great time. Massey Hall is a wonderful venue with terrific acoustics, which played a significant part in making this what it is.
I bought this on vinyl when it was first released, and have played it already many, many times. It is (IMO) the single best live recording I have. Not only is the recording a masterpiece, so is Neil's performance. He is funny, he is serious, and he was obviously having a great time. Massey Hall is a wonderful venue with terrific acoustics, which played a significant part in making this what it is.
+1. i'm a Neil Young fan, maybe almost a 'fanatic'. This is Neil at the height of his powers, at a point where he is at his creative best, likely his best compositions, his voice is as smooth and clear as i've heard it, and it's a very intimate and wonderfully natural recording. i have the CD and it's very good. the Vinyl is very very good.
+1. i'm a Neil Young fan, maybe almost a 'fanatic'. This is Neil at the height of his powers, at a point where he is at his creative best, likely his best compositions, his voice is as smooth and clear as i've heard it, and it's a very intimate and wonderfully natural recording. i have the CD and it's very good. the Vinyl is very very good.
I'm really enjoying this. I haven't listened to these songs in a long time and now here they are refreshed and renewed. You're right, Mike, it isn't just a wonderful recording in a wonderful venue, it is a great performance. Like I said before, the best I've heard of many of these songs. Why this sat in a vault for decades I'll never know.
From Wikipedia, but I had read it elsewhere (just can't remember).
According to Young, "This is the album that should have come out between After the Gold Rush and Harvest...David Briggs, my producer, was
adamant that this should be the record, but I was very excited about the takes
we got on Harvest, and wanted Harvest out. David disagreed. As I
listen to this today, I can see why
My journeys on audiophile boards have recommended Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall" as an exceptionally clear, natural recording. I just acquired it yesterday, didn't have a chance to listen to it last night. Being lazy, and camped on the couch away from my systems, harassing all of you on the internet, I decided a few moments ago to give it a listen from here. Through the cheap DAC, microscopic lofi amp and tiny little speakers in my MacBook Pro.
Is it "full range?" No. Will it sound better on my speaker or headphone system? Sure. But the clarity and quality of the recording comes through. I already know this is, as reported, a great recording.
Pheloinious, I understand what you are saying. But the problem is that you have to listen to Neal Young and his nasal howling. I don't know how many audiophiles force themselves to listen to Norah Jones, remastered Linda Rondstadt, or an SACD production of a great musical piece by a marginal artist - just because it "sounds good". It also lets the gear shine. But, of course, that audiophile crap does not satisfy the soul. And that's why I prefer equipment that is more forgiving to the recordings I listen to, which are not always the best, but lets me enjoy the music.
Pheloinious, I understand what you are saying. But the problem is that you have to listen to Neal Young and his nasal howling. I don't know how many audiophiles force themselves to listen to Norah Jones, remastered Linda Rondstadt, or an SACD production of a great musical piece by a marginal artist - just because it "sounds good". It also lets the gear shine. But, of course, that audiophile crap does not satisfy the soul. And that's why I prefer equipment that is more forgiving to the recordings I listen to, which are not always the best, but lets me enjoy the music.
I like Neil Young's nasal howling. I like Norah Jones, too. Marginal SACDs that "sound good?" I have no use for those. But really, the only thing that my unforgiving monitors render unlistenable is the worst of the modern brick-walled masters. And its not the volume, it's the exaggerated treble. I can make it pretty tolerable with a bit of EQ, which, unlike euphonic components, can then be reversed for good recordings.
John, all I am saying is that why listen to a Diana Krall CD or a Norah Jones cd or some overplayed Elton John disk just because it sounds good? But I would take a Police or a Hendrix cd from the 80's, with all of its hardness, flatness, and the rest of its digital imperfections, but would rather enjoy the music than play "audiophile". I guess I prefer good music to good sound.
John, all I am saying is that why listen to a Diana Krall CD or a Norah Jones cd or some overplayed Elton John disk just because it sounds good? But I would take a Police or a Hendrix cd from the 80's, with all of its hardness, flatness, and the rest of its digital imperfections, but would rather enjoy the music than play "audiophile". I guess I prefer good music to good sound.
Ok...I've got it now, and I agree. I can't say that I've not been a partaker of some of these audiophile pressings, but they are far and few in between. And I can tell you it's been at least a decade since the last breakdown.
I buy music that I like, and I hope that most of the time they sound good (which they do), but if the odd one here or there isn't up to snuff....that's ok too. I will still play it as music is what drives me.
But I would take a Police or a Hendrix cd from the 80's, with all of its hardness, flatness, and the rest of its digital imperfections, but would rather enjoy the music than play "audiophile". I guess I prefer good music to good sound.
I completely agree with you. If the music doesn't connect I couldn't care less. If it does how good the recording is will be tolerated in proportion to how much a personal connection I have to the music.
John, all I am saying is that why listen to a Diana Krall CD or a Norah Jones cd or some overplayed Elton John disk just because it sounds good? But I would take a Police or a Hendrix cd from the 80's, with all of its hardness, flatness, and the rest of its digital imperfections, but would rather enjoy the music than play "audiophile". I guess I prefer good music to good sound.
I also have some "audiophile recordings", like the Dark Side of the Moon SACD. I use it to show my system off to my friends, who are likely to be familiar with the music, and not take me as a complete nut who needs to be committed. I used to love the Dark Side of the Moon when I was younger, but if I never heard it again, I wouldn't miss it. But I do appreciate the good sound and wish the music I love was available on SACD.
Wow that's a shame if you love the piece. If I enjoy it I never loose it. I never understood people who moved on beyond their roots and forgot them. I still listen to music I liked when I was a kid say 40 years ago. I would miss music that from that time if for some reason I couldn't go back for a visit.
I had the lyrics to the album memorized, but I think I listened to it so much, it no longer does anything for me. The same is true - unfortunately - for all classic rock hits. That's why I like the Deep Tracks channel on XM, as it's mostly fresh.
