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SACD

Floyd Cramer – With The Music City Pops & … In Concert (1970/1974) [Reissue 2018] [SACD / Vocalion – CDLK 4613]

adminDecember 19, 2025 141 Views

Title: Floyd Cramer – With The Music City Pops & … In Concert (1970/1974) [Reissue 2018]
Genre: Country Rock, Easy Listening
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Floyd Cramer’s known as a studio genius who’s especially great in an intimate setting – but here are two albums that feature the legendary pianist in very different modes! First up is Floyd Cramer With The Music City Pops – a set that has Floyd’s piano in front of the Nashville orchestra – who soar and glide along in these ways that are maybe even more upbeat than some of Cramer’s usual material – even though the lineup features lots of strings and woodwinds! The set was still recorded in the studio, and Floyd’s piano lines are nice and clean, and very much in the lead – on tracks that include “Fancy Free”, “Let It Be”, “Is This Tomorrow”, “I Saw The Light”, “Makin Up”, and “The End Of The World”. Floyd Cramer In Concert is a compelling live album – with Floyd playing in front of an audience, but still recorded in all the best up-close modes of his other records! The event is an odd one – the Ninth Grade Banquet at Neely’s Bend Junior High – but Cramer’s a consummate pro throughout, and plays as if he’s trying to serenade a much larger audience in an amphitheater. Titles include “Let Me Be There”, “On The Rebound”, “Forever”, “Flip Flop & Bop”, “The Way We Were”, and a “Hank Williams Medley”.

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2 min read

SACD

Floyd Cramer – Class Of ’73 & Class Of ’74-’75 (1973/1975) [Reissue 2016] [SACD / Vocalion – CDLK 4572]

adminDecember 19, 2025 126 Views

Title: Floyd Cramer – Class Of ’73 & Class Of ’74-’75 (1973/1975) [Reissue 2016]
Genre: Easy Listening
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Pianist and country music supremo Floyd Cramer returns with two albums on one SACD: Class of ’73 and Class of ’74-’75. Produced by Chet Atkins and recorded at the famous “Nashville Sound” Studios, it’s certainly an ear-opening experience hearing Cramer’s inimitable piano in wide, expansive four-channel audio. And you’ll marvel at just how alive and vibrant his country interpretations of popular hits are when given the quadraphonic treatment.
With Vocalion’s Christmas 2015 release, a new world of audio is opened up. Remember the Quadraphonic boom of the 1970s? It was when many of the major record companies decided that stereo was no longer enough and launched four-channel (quadraphonic) sound. For that section of the record-buying public fortunate enough to own a hi-fi system capable of reproducing four-channel recordings, they were able to hear music literally in a new dimension, because now not only did the sound come at them from front-left and front-right (as it would in conventional stereo), but also from back-left and back-right too. This “surround” effect placed the listener in the centre of the music instead of just in front of it, and as a result new meaning, depth and clarity was brought to the music that emanated from the LP spinning on the turntable or the 8-track cartridge whirring in the tape player. Thankfully, many of the artists who appear so regularly on Vocalion were originally recorded in glorious quadraphonic sound. Michael J. Dutton remastered both the stereo and four-channel elements from the original analogue tapes: for the stereo element the original ¼” stereo masters were used, and for the four-channel element the original four-channel “discrete” masters were used. These were used respectively to cut the original stereo and quadraphonic vinyl LPs. The Class of series began in ’65, and ’74-’75 was the last of it. Great sound, enjoyable hits done in really polished Cramer style. Kodachrome (Class of ’73) is a highlight, done with such enthusiasm and drive you’ll play it over and over. Very sensitive playing where needed; Floyd was a real American Treasure and a loss to the music industry and to those who love his inimitable style, grace and virtuosity.

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3 min read

SACD

Florent Pagny – Baryton (2004) [SACD / Mercury France – 982 553 – 0]

adminDecember 19, 2025 130 Views

Title: Florent Pagny – Baryton (2004)
Genre: Classical, Opera
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Despite an unpredictable and often controversial career that included detours into opera, the chanson tradition, and feature films as well as myriad personal obstacles, Florent Pagny remained one of the biggest-selling recording artists in contemporary French pop for more than a quarter century…

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1 min read

SACD

Enzo Pietropaoli, Battista Lena, Fulvio Sigurtà – La Notte (2012) [SACD / Fonè Jazz – 126 SACD]

adminDecember 19, 2025 121 Views

Title: Enzo Pietropaoli, Battista Lena, Fulvio Sigurtà – La Notte (2012)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

La Notte (The Night) features just a trumpet, a guitar and a bass. The absence of the battery immediately brings to mind the late Chet Baker, a chamber size, intimate and sensual. The music was “photographed” in the wonderful acoustics of the theater “Persius Flaccus” of Volterra, waiting for the bells of the five ceased, or that the thunder of a storm at the end of summer subsides. A choice that has put the musicians in direct relation to their essence simple, highlighting the strength and fragility. This recording technique has opened up a window to the future, we returned back decades, as often happens when you looking for something and find it necessary to look to the past. The result manages to combine a highly accurate and natural sound with human presence, lively and vivid musicians. The impression is that you can expand with a magnifying glass the sound image to infinity, discovering each time new details that are always in focus.

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1 min read

SACD

Florent Pagny – Ailleurs Land (2003) [SACD / Mercury France – 980 122-0]

adminDecember 19, 2025 118 Views

Title: Florent Pagny – Ailleurs Land (2003)
Genre: Chanson, French Pop
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

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1 min read

SACD

Five For Fighting – America Town (2000) [Reissue 2003] [SACD / Columbia – CS 63759]

adminDecember 16, 2025 130 Views

Title: Five For Fighting – America Town (2000) [Reissue 2003]
Genre: Rock
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Here’s the matching folio to the second album from LA native John Ondrasik, who named his band after a hockey penalty, and whose voice the All Music Guide likens to Eddie Vedder singing a lullaby. Contains all 12 lyrically-rich tunes, including the mega-hit “Superman (It’s Not Easy)”.

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1 min read

SACD

Filippo Arlia, Cesare Chiacchiaretta – Astor Piazzolla: Duettango (2017) [SACD / Fonè – FoneSACD167]

adminDecember 16, 2025 142 Views

Title: Filippo Arlia, Cesare Chiacchiaretta – Astor Piazzolla: Duettango (2017)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

The duo of Filippo Arlia and Cesare Chiacchiaretta, pays tribute to Argentinian composer, bandoneon player, and arranger Astor Piazzolla with these twelve tracks. For “Duettango” they are joined by Fernando Suarez Paz on the violin, and his daughter Cecilia on vocals. Piazzolla revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed “nuevo tango”, incorporating elements from jazz and classical music.

When Giulio Cesare asked me to write an introductory note for this album, I instantly thought of how Duettango was born. It came about by chance, out of a personal ambition in 2010 at the Nocera Terinese, between two piano lessons in the rooms of the Conservatory. My idea was to combine two instruments which at first sight have very little in common, such as the piano and the bandoneon. Up until Astor Piazzolla’s creation, these have always been elements of a sextet or a quartet, where the piano sadly plays a secondary part while the bandoneon constantly and exclusively converses with the violin. This recording wishes to prove that the piano and the bandoneon can interact splendidly, and if it is necessary they can have a dialogue with the violin or the voice without giving up their virtuosity and an important musical presence. I end this with two thoughts that will always follow me whenever I listen to this album: the first is an homage to Piazzolla, a composer to whom my career as a pianist and musician already owes a lot in many ways; the second is for Fernando Suarez Paz, because being able to play Escualo with the violinist to whom Astor dedicated these extraordinary pages was one of the most meaningful moments of my life. – Filippo Arlia

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2 min read

SACD

Fiona MacKenzie – Elevate (2008) [SACD / Linn Records – AKD 307]

adminDecember 16, 2025 138 Views

Title: Fiona MacKenzie – Elevate (2008)
Genre: Acoustic Rock, Folk
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Born and raised on the Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland, she has been writing and performing songs in English and Gaelic since her early teens. Co-produced by The Blue Nile producer Calum Malcolm, traditional acoustic instruments and electronic elements blend to create a forward-thinking music that remains rooted in heritage. Mackenzie’s emotive self-penned lyrics paint a picture and the sound at times is hauntingly Celtic. File alongside such artists as Solveig Slettajhell and Julie Fowlis. “Elevate” will be launched at Celtic Connections 2008 in Glasgow.

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1 min read

SACD

Fiona Joy Hawkins – Signature-Solo (2014) [SACD / Blue Coast Records – BCRSA 5012a]

adminDecember 16, 2025 137 Views

Title: Fiona Joy Hawkins – Signature-Solo (2014)
Genre: Easy Listening, Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Fiona Joy Hawkins is an Australian composer, vocalist, and pianist, who uses the stage-name Fiona Joy. She has several award-winning albums produced by Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill. Ackerman says, “One of the brightest lights in the Contemporary Instrumental genre, Fiona Joy is poised to move into stardom”. “Signature-Solo” is Fiona’s debut album of solo contemporary piano music. This album also marks Tiny Island Music’s debut as record/imprint label under the well known audiophile label, Blue Coast Music Group, recorded live to analog tape and the label’s first native DSD release. Included on the album is new performance of Fiona Joy’s song Grace, which was part of a Grammy winning album in 2015.

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1 min read

SACD

Fiona Joy Hawkins – Into The Mist (2017) [SACD / Blue Coast Records – BCRSA 6012a]

adminDecember 16, 2025 142 Views

Title: Fiona Joy Hawkins – Into The Mist (2017)
Genre: New Age
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

A collection of neo-classical compositions, Fiona expresses a vast array of emotions in her journey through the mist. Picturesque and thought provoking these songs flow quietly for an hour of dreams. Fiona’s three part Opus, the heart of this collective work, is a journey that begins shrouded in mystery. “Moon Over the Lotus Pond” is her tribute to the people of China who have welcomed her so warmly.

Into the Mist is Fiona Joy’s second album on the Blue Coast Records label. Produced by Cookie Marenco, the album was recorded in the highest digital fidelity possible using a new format called Direct Stream Digital (DSD). The physical CD is an “Audiophile Edition” and is quite expensive, so unless you have really good equipment, downloading or streaming is a much more economical option. I have good speakers in my office and the sound quality using those speakers is remarkable, but I honestly couldn’t hear much difference in my car or in my wake-up alarm. Into the Mist is a solo piano recording, and Fiona performs on a 7’ Steinway grand that dates back to 1885. As the title suggests, the music is impressionistic and flows freely without restrictions. Fairly consistent in mood throughout, the music is played at a relaxed and leisurely tempo that often suggests the slow, graceful movement of a dancer, water or foggy mists. Most of the ten pieces are new, but at least three have appeared on previous albums as ensemble pieces. Solo piano really suits Fiona’s elegant and sensuous playing style and I hope she’ll consider doing more of it. Into the Mist opens with “A Walk in the Park,” an easy-going piece that evokes images of warm sunshine, children playing on a green expanse of lawn, and the simple joy of going for a long walk. “Moon Over the Lotus Pond” is very “misty” and fluid, suggesting the slow, graceful movement of dark water in the moonlight. There are hints of an Asian musical influence, but this piece is very impressionistic – suggesting rather than explaining the feeling of being in such a place. Next is a three-part opus, which is the centerpiece of the album. Part 1, “Into the Mist,” is a beautiful piece that is both haunting and poignant as well as somewhat more intense than most of the other tracks. Part 2, “Mist Rising,” is classic Fiona Joy with a softly flowing left hand and a more percussive right hand that crosses into the bass of the piano as well as playing in the upper half of the keyboard. The second half of the piece picks up the tempo with a repeated rolling chord pattern in the left hand and a dancing right hand that showcases Fiona’s mastery of her instrument. Part 3 is “Mist Before Dawn,” something I am quite familiar with here on the Oregon Coast! Again, very impressionistic and without hard edges, Fiona makes great use of the dampers and the low bass of the piano. “Through Cloud” suggests the effortless peace of floating slowly on a cloud, totally relaxed and worry-free. “Feeling Sunshine” is one of the older pieces, but sounds quite different as a piano solo. Energetic and joyful, it’s a nice contrast to some of the less-structured pieces. “The Void” is also classic Fiona Joy and has appeared on a couple of earlier albums. As a solo, the emotional impact of the piece is very tangible and direct – a lovely close to an excellent album. If you like graceful, peaceful and emotionally-rich solo piano, be sure to check out Into the Mist! Highly recommended.

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4 min read