Am I the only one who doesnt listen to classical and Jazz often?

logo896

Every time I go to Hi-Fi shops around the country they always have symphony's and old women singing on all their demos. HDtracks is starting to get some better stuff, but sometimes I feel like I should drive a prius and sniff my own **** before I go to one of these stores.

I listen to things like BUSH, STP, and Pearl Jam for my bands of choice not these snobby big bands, am I alone?

snow

logo896 wrote: »

am I alone?

Yes



REGARDS SNOW

logo896

Guess I don't drink the coolaid.

ESavinon

It's an acquired taste.

logo896

It doesn't mean I don't appreciate the skill, but id rather drink a beer and rock out.

BeefJerky

logo896 wrote: »

Every time I go to Hi-Fi shops around the country they always have symphony's and old women singing on all their demos. HDtracks is starting to get some better stuff, but sometimes I feel like I should drive a prius and sniff my own **** before I go to one of these stores.

I listen to things like BUSH, STP, and Pearl Jam for my bands of choice not these snobby big bands, am I alone?

You're definitely not alone. I will listen to classical and jazz sometimes, but they're not my primary genres of choice.

chumlie

I'd rather drink 6 or 10 and really rock out. Never could have just one. Took my daughter and girlfriend to see Bush when they first came out. Excellant show, my daughter and girlfriend wanted to join the moshpit. I told them not so smart in there sandal's. They went anyhow. Lesson learned.

Toolfan66

White Zombie = Rocking Out... The only thing Pearl Jam did good was 10, STP is a great band to see Live, and the only good Bush is of the female kind Never been a big fan of them.

decal

In a word, no.

tonyb

logo896 wrote: »

Every time I go to Hi-Fi shops around the country they always have symphony's and old women singing on all their demos. HDtracks is starting to get some better stuff, but sometimes I feel like I should drive a prius and sniff my own **** before I go to one of these stores.

I listen to things like BUSH, STP, and Pearl Jam for my bands of choice not these snobby big bands, am I alone?

Of those 3 bands, Pearl Jam is the only one I listen too, the others give me a headache.

falconcry72

logo896 wrote: »

Every time I go to Hi-Fi shops around the country they always have symphony's and old women singing on all their demos. HDtracks is starting to get some better stuff, but sometimes I feel like I should drive a prius and sniff my own **** before I go to one of these stores.

I listen to things like BUSH, STP, and Pearl Jam for my bands of choice not these snobby big bands, am I alone?

Why the contempt for art that doesn't do it for you? Sounds ignorant to me. Inferiority complex?

mhardy6647

so - here's the deal with "serious" music. Some of it is really good, and much of it will test a hifi system to an extent that very few pop (rock = pop, in this sense) recordings will.

Even the snooty hifi mavens will probably be all right with some of the warhorse music that is fun, sounds great, and shows off their hardware. Classic (pun intended) examples include the "fanfare" from Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (16 Hz pipe organ - that will reveal any resonances or room modes in the listening space!); Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man (boom-boom-BOOM), Holst's The Planets, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (with choir, bells, and cannon!), Mussorgsky-Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibtion (heck, maybe they'll play the ELP version for you), "The Ninth of Ludwig van" (as little Alex the Droog referred to it), etc.

Don't feel like you have to endure the most esoteric, ambient, or delicate stuff; you might be surprised by what you find and like. There's a lot to be said for keeping an open mind (and I say this as a person who has never developed a taste for 95% of all forms of jazz - no matter how good some of it sounds...).

unc2701

And that's why I nominated mhardy for polkie of the year. Exactly what I was going to say, but far better put.

I will add that it's worth finding some rock tracks that you like and do push the limits (Brother's in Arms is my go-to for dynamic range) and if the hi-fi shops turn their noses up at them, you know to shop someplace else.

(Bush, STP and Pearl Jam really don't push limits, FWIW)

inspiredsports

I can't say that I don't listen to classical music, but out of approximately 2,000 Tapes, LP's and CD's in my collection, I can count the classical on my fingers and toes. As above, I use classical (and piano) for testing.

SolidSqual

I just recently became a fanatic about classical music. Ironically, I found myself digging the soundtracks of certain video games. Classical music seems to have the unlimited potential of sucking you into most any storyline. I've just been hooked. Right now, I like finding creepy classical music that makes your spine tingle.

cnh

mhardy6647 wrote: »

so - here's the deal with "serious" music. Some of it is really good, and much of it will test a hifi system to an extent that very few pop (rock = pop, in this sense) recordings will.

Even the snooty hifi mavens will probably be all right with some of the warhorse music that is fun, sounds great, and shows off their hardware. Classic (pun intended) examples include the "fanfare" from Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (16 Hz pipe organ - that will reveal any resonances or room modes in the listening space!); Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man (boom-boom-BOOM), Holst's The Planets, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture (with choir, bells, and cannon!), Mussorgsky-Ravel's Pictures at an Exhibtion (heck, maybe they'll play the ELP version for you), "The Ninth of Ludwig van" (as little Alex the Droog referred to it), etc.

Don't feel like you have to endure the most esoteric, ambient, or delicate stuff; you might be surprised by what you find and like. There's a lot to be said for keeping an open mind (and I say this as a person who has never developed a taste for 95% of all forms of jazz - no matter how good some of it sounds...).

All excellent suggestions. And Ed is right, it is an "acquired" taste, unless you grew up with your father playing Segovia 78's on the Victrola 24/7 as a baby? Get some copies of Glenn Gould playing Bach's: The Well-Tempered Clavier. Put it on in the background and don't even concentrate on it. Have it as background music for a few days, weeks...it'll get INTO your system sooner or later. Or not? It's a CHOICE, after all! But you might just be surprised.

We know that there is a high correlation between Mathematics and Music. When I listen to some classical, Bach in particular, it is almost as if I am listening to my "own" brain "functioning", like the brain waves are syncing with the contrapuntal sound waves of Bach's fugues!

And there is no listener WHO is "listening", no sound outside the listener to "listen to". Pure Being/Non-Being. A tad too much Zen (Chan)--sorry!



cnh

SolidSqual

What's the best version of the 1812 Overture?

AsSiMiLaTeD

falconcry72 wrote: »

Why the contempt for art that doesn't do it for you? Sounds ignorant to me. Inferiority complex?

This

What an immature and ignorant sounding post...

logo896

Have you guys experience this too though, you go to these shops and I wonder why people spend so much money on music that really doesnt work your system all that much most of the time unless its a bass drum or something.

logo896

Yes I listen to Stuff like Jack Johnson quite a bit, For an album that really works the system I prefer Linkin Park re animation. My favorite thing about any type of music is it can change a person or group of peoples mood almost instantly. If youve ever seen a club change songs and watched from higher up where you can see the crowd it changes everyone. Music really is the most special thing humans can do.

rebuy

logo896 wrote: »

Have you guys experience this too though, you go to these shops and I wonder why people spend so much money on music that really doesnt work your system all that much most of the time unless its a bass drum or something.

Why does it have to "work your system"? To me, that's not what it all about, regardless of what you listen to, you want it to sound as real as possible. Even though I listened to rock growing up, that is not all I listen to. I don't have to have music on the stereo that makes the speakers rumble all the time.

I'm enjoying a lot more "very select country music" now as I find the level of musicians and tunes better than the current offering of "rock musicians" and the kind of songs they're singing.

I also enjoy some classical, I really like the Bach "Brandenburg Concertos". Other classic music can be enjoyed to, they just have to appeal to me.

That's why we have different kinds of music, not everyone will be liking Kiss, "can't stand them" or even James Taylor.

Different strokes for.......

BlueFox

logo896 wrote: »

Have you guys experience this too though, you go to these shops and I wonder why people spend so much money on music that really doesnt work your system all that much most of the time unless its a bass drum or something.

Sounds like another basshole who thinks boom boom boom is how music should sound. Personally, I now love classical, especially string quartets, but on Friday and Saturday night I will play rock, rap, and Lady Gaga at police calling levels.

falconcry72

logo896 wrote: »

Music really is the most special thing humans can do.

Are you f**cking kidding me? How can you say this, but then say that Jazz and Classical are for ****-sniffing Prius-driving snobs??? Jazz is The United States of America's greatest contribution to music. Period. Classical is the heart of all Western music. No modern rock, country, R&B or other pop music would exist without Classical. All of your favorite rock songs are based on Classical music theory.

Bush?! Really?! You've got to be f**king kidding me. Linkin Park?! Jesus effing Christ.



OK. rant over. Sorry to be harsh, I really don't dislike you or your music at all. I mainly listen to classic rock myself, but I spend a lot of time with Jazz of all kinds, and a handful of Classical as well. You need to open up, bro. There's a whole world of REAL music out there that you're missing. I could play every Bush song within a year of picking up a guitar. F**king children. It takes decades to master Classical and Jazz, and most who try are never truly able to do it.

Again, I'm seriously not mad, and I don't think any less of you because of your musical tastes. Read my post with the tone of one of your good, sarcastic friends.:biggrin:

logo896

BlueFox wrote: »

Sounds like another basshole who thinks boom boom boom is how music should sound. Personally, I now love classical, especially string quartets, but on Friday and Saturday night I will play rock, rap, and Lady Gaga at police calling levels.

I am not obssed with bass thank you, my subwoofer is seldom on with my LSI 9's and when it is I have a sealed SVS that's only 400 rms. I prefer a natural sound and larger roll off. I just like music that goes down to a solid 20 hetz a points and has highs that really sound unique like the the electric power snaps on the Re animation album. Yes I realize were in a form but I JUST LOVE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT OF THERE WAY TO BE OFFENDED.

tommyboy

logo896 wrote: »

For an album that really works the system I prefer Linkin Park re animation.

I don't deserve to post in here since I'm not even close to you guys when it comes to my gear and my ignorance for good audio (at least for now because no $$$), but I did want to confirm to mr. logos statement, linkin park re-animation is one of the best remix cds ever created. Thank you and good night

unc2701

Jack Johnson is actually rather good for dynamics. Plus there's a good bit of quiet background stuff going on that won't resolve on bad systems.

Anyhow, I've been rather rudely booted from the room w/ the Wilsons, and the guy pretended he'd never even heard of Polk, so yeah, there's plenty of snobbery to go around. Just don't forget that they have to put up with 100's of people like us kicking the gear around to sell one piece.

cnh

falconcry72 wrote: »

Are you f**cking kidding me? How can you say this, but then say that Jazz and Classical are for ****-sniffing Prius-driving snobs??? Are you retarded or something? Jazz is The United States of America's greatest contribution to music. Period. Classical is the heart of all Western music. No modern rock, country, R&B or other pop music would exist without Classical. All of your favorite rock songs are based on Classical music theory.

Bush?! Really?! You've got to be f**king kidding me. Linkin Park?! Jesus effing Christ.



OK. rant over. Sorry to be harsh, I really don't dislike you or your music at all. I mainly listen to classic rock myself, but I spend a lot of time with Jazz of all kinds, and a handful of Classical as well. You need to open up, bro. There's a whole world of REAL music out there that you're missing. I could play every Bush song within a year of picking up a guitar. F**king children. It takes decades to master Classical and Jazz, and most who try are never truly able to do it.

Again, I'm seriously not mad or anything. I like you. Read my post with the tone of one of your good, sarcastic friends.:biggrin:

The great Chet Atkins once said when asked, "What do you find most challenging? "Jazz, jazz blows my mind." Or something to that effect!

cnh

Syndil

SolidSqual wrote: »

What's the best version of the 1812 Overture?

This is such a popular piece that has been recorded many times by many great orchestras, so that's really a tough question to answer. But, I will say that one of my favorites is the Mercury Living Presence 1958 recording of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. The album also includes Capriccio Italien and Beethoven's Wellington's Victory, as well as commentary by Deems Taylor. What makes this particular album so special is that it was recorded using real artillery pieces and muskets of the correct period and correct locale, and extreme care was taken to get the artillery to record properly, which is a notoriously difficult task. The cannon used in 1812 Overture is a 1775 bronze cannon forged in Douay, France, and the Wellington's Victory included 6- and 12-pound howitzers, French Charleville-pattern muskets and British Brown Bess's. There are arguably better orchestral performances out there, but this one IMO is the most fun to listen to.

logo896

unc2701 wrote: »

Jack Johnson is actually rather good for dynamics. Plus there's a good bit of quiet background stuff going on that won't resolve on bad systems.

Anyhow, I've been rather rudely booted from the room w/ the Wilsons, and the guy pretended he'd never even heard of Polk, so yeah, there's plenty of snobbery to go around. Just don't forget that they have to put up with 100's of people like us kicking the gear around to sell one piece.

I actually heard the wilsons recently with a PS AUdio DAC and Player and i Thin PS amps as well. Was I impressed of course. Speakers are like Cars we all have our brand of choice.


However Bose are like DUI"S you should never let your friend do it.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm not a Linkin Park fan, but that aside, the dynamic range on the Reanimation album is pretty bad actually. I've got a friend who is in love with that album so he brought it over. I set my distaste for the music aside long enough to give a fair listen, and it's recorded hot and is pretty chopped on the high end, dynamics are very poor on that album. The mix is OK but the poor dynamics ruin it for me.

I'm not the only one who thinks this...
http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/index.php?search_artist=linkin+park&search_album=reanimation

logo896

Too each us own. However my favorite album if i really had to choose one would be the God Smack Acoustic album. It is very instrumental but still has the rawness I love. I know that all music has its roots as well.