admin – Page 41 – hradl.com – High Resolution Audio Download

SACD

Chuck Mangione – The Feeling’s Back (1999) [Reissue 2004] [SACD / Chesky Records – SACD282]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 151 Views

Title: Chuck Mangione – The Feeling’s Back (1999) [Reissue 2004]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Charles Frank “Chuck” Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, “Feels So Good”. Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960… Chuck Mangione laid low throughout much of the ’90s, perhaps the end result of a disappointing string of albums for Columbia during the ’80s. He returned to the road in 1997 and evidently it was a positive experience, since he returned to the studio the following year to cut The Feeling’s Back. For all intents and purposes, The Feeling’s Back is a comeback album, finding Mangione returning to the smooth, melodic style of Feels So Good, but laying off the sappy pop tendencies that dogged his ’80s efforts. Although the end result is a little monotonous — many of the tracks are quiet and slowly swinging, blending together into one long track — it’s charmingly laid-back, mellow and melodic, all of the things that brought Mangione fame and fortune in the ’70s. There isn’t a whole lot in the way of “real” jazz here — the solos are extensions of the themes, and they never stand apart from the lite groove — but this has the “feeling” that Mangione fans have been waiting to feel again. And that’s enough to make it a successful comeback.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Chuck Mangione – Everything For Love (2000) [Reissue 2001] [SACD / Chesky Records – SACD228]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 159 Views

Title: Chuck Mangione – Everything For Love (2000) [Reissue 2001]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Chuck Mangione, the famed flugelhornist and trumpeter fills his first recording of the 21st century with some wonderfully subdued love songs whose subtle, intimate qualities may surprise those of his fans who best know his boisterous pop hits. More than simply expressing a romantic boy-girl kind of love, Mangione is playing gentle, atmospheric jazz for a wide variety of special people, real and animated. And there is no doubt that the truest love here is that between the artist and some of his old bandmates; saxman Gerry Niewood played with Mangione from 1968 through the mid-’70s, while guitarist Grant Geissman (showing a rich, traditional jazz depth only hinted at on most of his smooth jazz efforts) and bassist Charles Meeks were there during Mangione’s late ’70s pop heyday. “Slo Ro,” dedicated to Mangione’s wife, is a moody reflection piece led by a drifting muted trumpet and the bluesy duality of Niewood’s smoky tenor and Allen’s keys. A seven-minute meditative version of “Amazing Grace” begins as a quiet, prayer-like duet between Mangione and Geissman, who switches partway through from the Wes sound to an electric rock axe for an edgy solo; then, Allen’s organ solo takes this very spiritual rendition to church before Niewood chimes in with a sweet flute solo. Within each song, there are moments when Pellegrini’s drums kick the softness up a few notches, and the peppery horn playing on “Fox Hunt” and the clapping percussion on the Latin-spiced “I Do Everything for Love” show a more playful side than Mangione displays elsewhere. Fans who know Mangione’s whole career will see this as a fine addition to his jazz catalog; those who want more pop hits will be surprised at the low-key nature of the project.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Chris Whitley – Perfect Day (2000) [Reissue 2001] [SACD / Valley Entertainment – VE 15119]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 154 Views

Title: Chris Whitley – Perfect Day (2000) [Reissue 2001]
Genre: Blues, Blues Rock
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Chris Whitley was a Texas-based singer/songwriter who initially began his career as a bluesy roots rocker, but as his career progressed, he moved deeper into rock & roll and alternative rock. Though Whitley’s albums usually received positive reviews, they rarely sold, and his tendency to rework his sound prevented him from developing a sizable cult following among singer/songwriter fans.

After issuing the spare, entirely solo Live at Martyrs’ in early 2000, Chris Whitley returned to the studio with drummer Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin & Wood fame) to cut the similarly low-key, all covers album Perfect Day. It’s a mix of blues standards and rock songs with a poetic bent (writers like Dylan, Reed, and Morrison) all given hauntingly minimalistic treatments. Whitley’s guitar work is subdued and spacious, as are Martin and Wood’s constantly shifting backing rhythms. The cover photo of a haggard-looking Whitley sets the tone for his performances: he sounds committed but weary, which gives these renditions a darkly compelling power. “Spoonful,” in particular, often seems on the verge of falling apart, as Whitley’s guitar slashes almost randomly over the rhythm section’s syncopations. But – perhaps like the singer himself – it somehow holds together in the face of desperation, which is a handy way to sum up the album’s impact as a whole.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Christy Baron – Steppin’ (2000/2001) [SACD / Chesky Records – SACD227]

adminSeptember 16, 2025 163 Views

Title: Christy Baron – Steppin’ (2000/2001)
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO

Once again, Chesky does it right….this album is absolutely wonderful. Great voice…sexy, sultry, presented with Chesky’s usual technical perfection. The music here is Jazz standard, with some numbers, of course, better known than others. Christy has a perfect voice for this material, and uses it marvelously. Naturally, the instrumental back-up and recording technique are up to Chesky’s usual high standard.

hraudio | allmusic | discogs

(more…)

1 min read

SACD

Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, Roman Kofman – Franz Liszt: Christus Oratorio (2006) [SACD / MDG Gold – MDG 937 1366-6]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 271 Views

Title: Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, Roman Kofman – Franz Liszt: Christus Oratorio (2006)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This brand new recording of Franz Liszt’s massive oratorio, ‘Christus’ is doubly welcome as it is a new version for some years now and it enshrines some great singing and orchestral players all under the knowing guidance of Roman Kofman. The oratorio is split into three distinct parts or acts lasting about an hour each with the first one designated as a Christmas Oratorio. The orchestra plays a hugely important part here with an extensive introduction lasting almost a quarter of an hour after the soloists and choir get a look in. I had been familiar with Erato’s excellent recording under James Conlon but that is currently unavailable and dates back to 1982, almost a quarter of a century and I must say that I hugely enjoyed Kofman’s brisk and unalloyed style. In the second part described as ‘Epiphany’, we have some lovely interpretations, especially the magnificent ‘Entry into Jerusalem’ which is fairly apocalyptic in its intensity. What is most characteristic about this oratorio is the way it is built into huge blocks that are quite symphonic in their treatment. The third part is called ‘Passion and Transfiguration’ and almost resembles Mahler in its glorious intensity especially in the final ‘Et Resurexit’ I already indicated the excellent qualities of the soloists especially Franziska Hirzel and Birgit Remmert who sing with that important ethereal intensity. Kofman conducts with the ideal tonic and lets the music move along quite magically. The SACD sound comes out trumps on my Sony SACD-11 player and I really have nothing but an unqualified recommendation for this beautiful set.

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.5 (2009) [SACD / MDG – 940 1562-6]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 199 Views

Title: Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.5 (2009)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

Midem Classique Award winner Christian Zacharias continues his survey of Mozart Piano Concertos as both performer & conductor. Featuring arguably 1 of the most famous, the A Major. MDG’s complete recording of Mozart’s piano compositions with Christian Zacharias in the double role as pianist & conductor of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra continues with KV 488, certainly the most-performed piano concerto by the great Salzburg composer, complemented here by KV 246 & KV 175, Mozart’s very 1st piano concerto. Mozart himself regarded his 1st piano concerto of December 1773 as a gem. Five years later he continued to enjoy great success with it in Mannheim “because here it pleases quite well,” as he proudly reported to his father. Even at his Vienna academies of 1782-83 the concerto still figured significantly for him. When he sent its new finale, the Rondo (KV 382), to his father, he wrote, “I made it especially for me, & nobody but my dear sister can play it after me.”

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

1 min read

SACD

Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.4 (2009) [SACD / MDG – 940 1529-6]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 198 Views

Title: Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.4 (2009)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

This volume in the series seems to have taken a step up, with playing which previously might have been a little cosy now edgier & with more contrast in light & shade. The overall ensemble is excellent, & these are very good Mozart concerto interpretations indeed. Sound quality is up to MDG’s usual high standard, with a well-scaled ambience in Mch, & the 2+2+2 channel setup with height channels works fine in my 5.1 setup, despite my not reassigning the centre & sub speaker.

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

1 min read

SACD

Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.3 (2008) [SACD / MDG – 94014886]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 203 Views

Title: Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.3 (2008)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

In this 3rd volume, Zacharias’ Mozart becomes essential, if not quintessential, in a universe for piano & concerto that is fascinating. The Concerto for Piano & Orchestra #17 in G major KV 453 dates from 1784, & inspired the musician Alfred Einstein to say: “In a friendly key are hidden many mysterious smiles & painful wounds – words cannot be found to describe the permanent irisation of feelings in the 1st movement, the passionate interiority of the 2nd.” The Concerto for Piano & Orchestra #19 in F major KV 459 was also composed in 1784 right after “the 4th of the 6 Quartets dedicated to Haydn”, states Mihel Parouty. Three days after finishing it on December 14, Mozart became a Freemason. Leading from the piano the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne to heights of subtlety, Christian Zacharias brings out a thousand colors from these eternal scores. With exemplary phrasing he opens the doors to a world that is often approached but rarely captured with such intelligence. It is true that Zacharias’ Mozart is rarely flamboyant, but he brings forth unique beauty that only the deaf cannot hear. He allows his musical discourse to breathe, a reminder of days when music had universal meaning. This is a Super Audio CD that eclipses all others.

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.2 (2005) [SACD / MDG – MDG94012986]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 183 Views

Title: Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.2 (2005)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

Will listeners raised on virtuoso performances of Mozart’s piano concertos be able to make room in the hearts for Christian Zacharias’ recordings with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne? It depends on how willing they are to forego the pleasures of virtuosity for the pleasures music-making. This is not to say that Zacharias isn’t a virtuoso pianist. As his 20 years of recordings make very clear, he has talents & abilities far beyond those of most mortal pianists. But it is to say that, as those recordings make equally clear, Zacharias is far more interested in music-making than he is in virtuosity. As both pianist & conductor here, Zacharias leads performances which are all about sympathetic interplay, about musicians listening to each other, about the meaning behind the notes & the joy inside the notes. The Lausanne musicians respond joyfully to Zacharias’ direction, playing with him & not for him & breathing life into every line & sonority. While listeners raised on virtuoso performances may find something lacking, those listeners who value playing together more than showing off will find much to enjoy.

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

2 min read

SACD

Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.1 (2003 [SACD / MDG Gold – MDG94011826]

adminSeptember 13, 2025 176 Views

Title: Christian Zacharias – W.A. Mozart Piano Concertos Vol.1 (2003
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO

Not just because this disk is the only 1 in the series without a review on this site, but also because it concerns a re-issue in SACD format, I thought it might be useful to share my views with the Super Audio community. To start with the end: My verdict is a wholehearted positive 1 in both artistic & technical sense. Although Mr. Zacharias’ playing hardly needs any further praise (in its CD format Vol. 1 has been widely lauded in various critics’ circles) I would nonetheless like to reassure potential buyers & lovers of an unadulturated Mozart that it is his stylistic & delicate playing that constitutes the best part of this disc. Mozart is not the kind of composer requiring key-bangers (no offence meant!). His piano concertos are best served by non-glamorous, non-virtuoso & non-eccentric, natural players, who understand the ingenious ‘simplicity’ of which Mozart seems to hold the secret. This is what we hear in this re-issued 1st installment of the (then) intended full cycle of the 27 concertos for piano & orchestra (with the obvious omission of the early concertos, wrongly or correctly attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus M. as well as, so far, those for 2&3 pianos).

hraudio | discogs

(more…)

2 min read