Rediscovering the music collection?

Erik Tracy
Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
edited February 2010 in Music & Movies
Had the day off and after running errands, decided to dust off some CDs that have not seen playtime in years.

I was pleasantly surprised at rediscovering a long forgotten CD from Joe Jackson - "Body and Soul".

I first started listening to Angry Joe as an angry young sod myself in the 70's.

But Joe mellowed - so did I.

I really liked listening to this CD.

Well produced, clean clean sonics, smart arrangements - love the sound stage this CD paints on my rig.

"You can't get what you want" is a demo track for sure - great dynamics, layered sound.

What selections are in your collection covered in dust that should be given more play time?

H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
Post edited by Erik Tracy on
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Got it and you are correct sir!
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    I've always liked his first album "Look Sharp!".

    I have so many CDs and LPs there are many that have been on the shelf for a long time. Most are stuff I like or I wouldn't still have them. I'm thinking maybe Jethro Tull or Dave Mason or Carly Simon need some playing time.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    shack wrote: »
    I've always liked his first album "Look Sharp!".

    I have so many CDs and LPs there are many that have been on the shelf for a long time. Most are stuff I like or I wouldn't still have them. I'm thinking maybe Jethro Tull or Dave Mason or Carly Simon need some playing time.

    Ya know the bad part of having a huge collection of LPs & CDs that I've been carting around for over 30 years (I've only been in this house four years) is that I am having a hell of a time organizing them and I actually forget some of the great recordings that I have. I still have crates full in storage that I haven't attended to as of yet.

    So I love it when these types of discussions come up as they remind me of what I have.:o
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Ya know the bad part of having a huge collection of LPs & CDs....is that I am having a hell of a time organizing them and I actually forget some of the great recordings that I have. I still have crates full in storage that I haven't attended to as of yet.
    You too, eh?

    I've gotten so bad that I'll purchase something I already have 2 or 3 copies of because I didn't think I had it. Just did that again twice this week :mad:. I need to find a better way to keep track of what I got. Heck, I probably have over 100 CD's and LP's that I haven't opened up to listen yet. Then there's the albums I've purchased from here and there over the past year that I haven't listened to because I have the new pre that doesn't currently have a TT hookup. DOH!

    Eric, more than I can shake a stick at.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Ya know the bad part of having a huge collection of LPs & CDs that I've been carting around for over 30 years (I've only been in this house four years) is that I am having a hell of a time organizing them and I actually forget some of the great recordings that I have. I still have crates full in storage that I haven't attended to as of yet.

    So I love it when these types of discussions come up as they remind me of what I have.:o

    I got around to getting all my LPs organized into "milk crates" alphabetically not to long ago. I discovered I had several duplicate LPs and a couple of triplicates. My CDs have been organized for quite a while so they are not an issue.

    Problem is, I have so many, I just can't get around to listening to them. I tend to do more in the winter with dark coming earlier and lots of bad weather...but then there are the several hundred DVDs and the Blockbuster queue to deal with. So many LPs, CDs, SACDs, DVDs...so little time.

    Of course there is photography and backpacking....with a little golf thrown in during the summer months.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    treitz3 wrote:
    You too, eh?

    I've gotten so bad that I'll purchase something I already have 2 or 3 copies of because I didn't think I had it. Just did that again twice this week :mad:. I need to find a better way to keep track of what I got. Heck, I probably have over 100 CD's and LP's that I haven't opened up to listen yet. Then there's the albums I've purchased from here and there over the past year that I haven't listened to because I have the new pre that doesn't currently have a TT hookup. DOH!

    Eric, more than I can shake a stick at.

    No unopened CDs....but I have a lot of GG LPs that I just haven't given a spin yet.

    DVDs is another story. I bet I have 150+ unopened.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Yep! I'm guessing that my grandchildren will finally get around to listening to lots of them after I'm long gone. I can relate to the duplicates, triplicates, quads may even cinco. LOL! UGH!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    shack wrote: »
    ....but I have a lot of GG LPs that I just haven't given a spin yet.
    Yeah, me too. :(
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    We need to get Larry (analog97) to give us all a class on how to store and keep an Excel spreadsheet on what we have. You should see his list. I have his spreadsheet here on my computer and let me tell you Larry is one organized dude.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote:
    I can relate to the duplicates, triplicates, quads may even cinco. LOL! UGH!

    I thinkin' of having a CP Karma one of these days to pass along some of these duplicates.

    I of course would keep "the best" copy. :D
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    shack wrote: »
    ....but I have a lot of GG LPs that I just haven't given a spin yet.
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Yeah, me too. :(

    Shoot, man I have boxes from GG that I haven't even opened yet . . . well I did take a peek!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    We need to get Larry (analog97) to give us all a class on how to store and keep an Excel spreadsheet on what we have. You should see his list. I have his spreadsheet here on my computer and let me tell you Larry is one organized dude.
    Yuppers.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    See the post above this one ^^^^
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    Karma? I can dig it.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote:
    We need to get Larry (analog97) to give us all a class on how to store and keep an Excel spreadsheet on what we have. You should see his list. I have his spreadsheet here on my computer and let me tell you Larry is one organized dude.

    I have a great database program for my DVDs called DVD Profiler.

    http://www.invelos.com/

    It is a really cool program. Just enter the bar code and it downloads EVERYTHING into the database you could possibly want. Pictures, info, easter eggs, etc... There is a free version which is ok (low rez pictures and limited search options) or an upgraded pay version. I haven't upgraded yet as I really just want the organization to know what I have.

    For a CD database, I use Music Collector Standard Edition from http://www.collectorz.com/music/. I picked it up a few years ago for $25. Either type in the barcode or insert the CD into the CD drive on your computer and it generates a database. You can even buy a barcode scanner to make it really fast.

    Now if I could only find an easy way to put the LPs into a database...:rolleyes:
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    We need to get Larry (analog97) to give us all a class on how to store and keep an Excel spreadsheet on what we have. You should see his list. I have his spreadsheet here on my computer and let me tell you Larry is one organized dude.
    I am looking for a music server to burn everything too.
    The trouble is I hate digital sound.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    Yeah man a giant karma would definitely thin the herd! Steve I hear ya on the best copies, atleast LP wise.:)
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I am looking for a music server to burn everything too.
    The trouble is I hate digital sound.

    :eek::eek::eek:

    Although there are a few fellow Polkies here that swear by a music server so I shant cast aspersions on them as I've never heard one.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    I have heard a 250,000 stereo system that was sourced with a music server. I wasn't impressed, to say the least.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2010
    [...gently tugging the thread back on topic...]

    What dusty gems have you rediscovered to share with the rest of your Polk family? :p

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I have heard a 250,000 stereo system that was sourced with a music server. I wasn't impressed, to say the least.

    Really? Hmm that makes me think!

    Sorry Erik had to get that one in. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited February 2010
    My mother's Beatles Love Song double LP. Beautifully recorded. Listening to the Beatles on CD just isn't the same for me since I'm so used to this vinyl.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Songs_(The_Beatles_album)
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  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited February 2010
    My Martin Denny collection...

    Exotica 1&2 and the oh so sweet Quiet Village, Primitiva, Forbidden Island etc.

    I loved the cover art so much (Sandy Warner anyone?) I framed them all and hung them up.:rolleyes:
    But when my new phono pre comes in later this week they should definitely come down off the wall and back into living stereo.
    Sounds good to me...
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  • Tomasito
    Tomasito Posts: 142
    edited February 2010
    Squeezebox duet has lead me to rediscover my music collection. since my teens, I have collected more than 3,000 CD's.
    It's sound quality is pretty good. It's sound is not within the audiophile standard or listening to a CD directly. But afterawhile your ears adjust and it's as good as listening to a CD directly , assuming it is rip lossless.

    The convenience is worth it. 3,000 CD's at the palm of my hand. Every night, I feel like a kid in a candy store.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I am looking for a music server to burn everything too.
    The trouble is I hate digital sound.


    Get a good DAC, and you will only, occasionally, dislike digital sound. ;)
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2010
    Erik Tracy wrote: »
    Had the day off and after running errands, decided to dust off some CDs that have not seen playtime in years.

    I was pleasantly surprised at rediscovering a long forgotten CD from Joe Jackson - "Body and Soul".

    .....

    I really liked listening to this CD.

    Well produced, clean clean sonics, smart arrangements - love the sound stage this CD paints on my rig.

    I was just thinking along almost the same line. Except I have noticed old rock CDs seem to sound better than do current rock CDs. I bet it is the compression, or whatever, I keep hearing about that is used for current recordings.

    After thinking about it, I feel that is one reason I got tired of rock, and started listening to classical. It doesn’t make sense to have compression in classical since dynamic range is a big part of classical music. Anyway, sorry to sidetrack the thread. Friday’s beer is starting to kick in.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    :eek::eek::eek:

    Although there are a few fellow Polkies here that swear by a music server so I shant cast aspersions on them as I've never heard one.


    Have you heard a CD player? That is a very limited, brain-dead, music server. :D
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited February 2010
    Alright, back to the subject at hand....

    Today I ran across an oldie but a goodie. It was "Tin Pan Alley" by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Good enough to be considered an audiophile recording and some damn fine bluesy-type music. Had to actually listen to it again after it stopped because I liked it so much. If you have it? Give it another spin.

    If you don't have it? Get it. ;)
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Tomasito
    Tomasito Posts: 142
    edited February 2010
    " Tin Pan alley " haven't heard of this song for years .... brings me back to the good old days.... just took me a couple of strokes with the controller to find it.
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  • Danny Tse
    Danny Tse Posts: 5,206
    edited February 2010
    The last 2 weekends I've been reorganizing my CD collection and one of the CDs that I've been enjoying was Wilson Phillips' debut album (has it really been 20 years since this was released?). I have not heard this CD in years, so I was really enjoying it this time around. Perhaps it was my Beach Boys appreciation thread, but I can really hear this time around the trademark Beach Boys harmonies being passed on to the next generation. Yes, the music is MOR pop music from the early 90s, but it's very good stuff. Doesn't hurt to have Joe Walsh and Steve Lukather (Toto) on the album either.

    4313241186_bdf92d068d.jpg
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