Music Reviews Archives - Positive Feedback

Pure DSD256 Albums, My Top of the Pile

Rushton Paul — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:47:20 +0000

I listen to a lot of high resolution DXD and DSD256 file downloads. And, as you can imagine, I have my favorites—my "top of the pile" recordings for sound quality (to borrow a description from my vinyl years). I thought I'd assemble some of these personal favorites into a list for anyone interested. To keep... Read More »

The post Pure DSD256 Albums, My Top of the Pile appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Sound Liaison Releases a Pure DSD256 One-Mic Stunner, With Free Download Sample Track

Rushton Paul — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:03:17 +0000

Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond at Sound Liaison have just released a stunning new Pure DSD256 album. This is their first album in Pure DSD256 and the results are simply incredible, with all the transparency, timbral accuracy, and resolution for which we love Pure DSD256. Frans says of DSD, "Its incredible clarity and precision... Read More »

The post Sound Liaison Releases a Pure DSD256 One-Mic Stunner, With Free Download Sample Track appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8, a Stunning Performance and a Recording of Great Historical Importance

Rushton Paul — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:31:13 +0000

Every so often, a music release occurs that is of such historical and musical significance that time must be made to mark its arrival. So it is with this amazing restoration of the BBC's 2-microphone live recording of Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand," recorded live in 1959 in Royal Albert... Read More »

The post Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8, a Stunning Performance and a Recording of Great Historical Importance appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Dan Fogelberg's Breakthrough Album Souvenirs, in a 50th Anniversary Edition on 180 gram LP from Impex Records

Tom Gibbs — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:32:36 +0000

Impex Records, in a joint effort with Iconic Artist Group and Epic Records, has just released Souvenirs, 50th Anniversary Edition, a limited LP reissue of Dan Fogelberg's classic second studio album. Fogelberg's debut album failed to chart, and in the aftermath his manager, Irving Azoff, suggested a change of scenery might be in order. He'd... Read More »

The post Dan Fogelberg's Breakthrough Album Souvenirs, in a 50th Anniversary Edition on 180 gram LP from Impex Records appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Robin Trower's Classic For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition, on 2-LPs and 4-CDs from Chrysalis Records

Tom Gibbs — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:28:35 +0000

Chrysalis Records continues their celebration of the legacy of legendary guitarist Robin Trower with the latest installment in the series, For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition. Originally released in 1975, For Earth Below was his third studio album, and followed on the heels of his commercial and critical breakthrough Bridge of Sighs by only ten... Read More »

The post Robin Trower's Classic For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition, on 2-LPs and 4-CDs from Chrysalis Records appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 42 Rachel Podger's New Album plus Pure DSD256 from Yarlung

Rushton Paul — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:51:17 +0000

A new album from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque, recorded by Jared Sacks, is always reason to celebrate! Add to that some delightful discoveries from Alpha Classics, Yarlung Records (in Pure DSD256), two albums from IBS, and an intriguing peak at what may come from the "new" Channel Classics under Outhere Music's direction, and we... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 42 Rachel Podger's New Album plus Pure DSD256 from Yarlung appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 41 Pure DSD256 from Hunnia Records

Rushton Paul — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:38:22 +0000

You will likely have noticed a large number of recordings in my articles from Hunnia Records. The owner of the label, Robert Zoltán Hunka, loves all kinds of music and is fanatically committed to making recordings with the highest sound quality he is able to achieve. Their albums keep showing up for three good reasons:... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 41 Pure DSD256 from Hunnia Records appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Cherish the Ladies, Part 2

John Marks — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:12:45 +0000

John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate (thetannhausergate.com) and Positive Feedback This is a continuation of a very long essay. But I think the subject matter deserves thorough coverage. In Part 1 (HERE), I examined the hard-wired neurological, and the (apparently, universal) cultural reasons why everyone responds strongly to women's singing voices (and responds equally strongly to toddler... Read More »

The post Cherish the Ladies, Part 2 appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 40 Some Reissues of Significance from HDTT

Rushton Paul — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:22:30 +0000

HDTT has been on a tear generating great reissues this past year, and that tear continues unabated. Here are several releases that have gotten my attention over recent weeks largely because of their historical significance. The belong in any well stocked music library. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1, Byron Janis, Kiril Kondrashin, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 40 Some Reissues of Significance from HDTT appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 39 Mining Pure DSD256 Gold

Rushton Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:50:49 +0000

For me, a Pure DSD256 recording done well is the height of audio reproduction excellence. Yes, 15ips and 30ips analog tape sound marvelous, but so does Pure DSD256. Play either in its pure state, as in direct from the tape or direct from an excellent D/A converter, without intervening mucking about, and you can hear... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 39 Mining Pure DSD256 Gold appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Stunning Release from Pelle D'oca and Jared Sacks in Pure DSD256

Rushton Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:40:25 +0000

It is celebration time, folks. Jared Sacks has launched a new label, Pelle D'oca ("Goosebumps" in Italian), with a stunning new recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto. And the cherry on the top is that this release is in PURE DSD256! Recorded and mixed entirely in the DSD* domain, with no PCM, with no trip out... Read More »

The post Stunning Release from Pelle D'oca and Jared Sacks in Pure DSD256 appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Patti Page's In the Land of Hi-Fi

Robert Pincus — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:19:30 +0000

What has intrigued me about this record for decades is its cover photo. I can't remember when I first saw it, but it was long ago. I think I saw it on an inner sleeve, or maybe it was in one of those colorful catalogs that record companies used to stuff inside of their LPs.... Read More »

The post Patti Page's In the Land of Hi-Fi appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Cherish the Ladies, Part 1

John Marks — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:38:30 +0000

Your hearing works in the dark. It even works when you are asleep! Humans were designed (or evolved) so that certain hard-wired aspects of our ear-brain systems serve as important defense and survival mechanisms. When an Ice-Age Cave Mommy heard a twig snap in the forest, she did not consciously have to focus on, think... Read More »

The post Cherish the Ladies, Part 1 appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Outstanding Organ Recordings in DSD256 and DXD

Rushton Paul — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:02:17 +0000

Okay, I admit it. I love a good organ recording. In my vinyl days, I had shelves upon shelves of excellent organ recordings on LP. Today, my digital library is somewhat bereft. There are lots of organ albums on CD, but piffle. I want full resolution. If I can't have vinyl, then I want high... Read More »

The post Outstanding Organ Recordings in DSD256 and DXD appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Donovan's The Hurdy Gurdy Man, in its Finest Incarnation Ever, now on 180 gram Vinyl from Impex Records

Tom Gibbs — Thu, 15 May 2025 15:43:04 +0000

Early on, Scottish folk singer Donovan Leitch was often considered at best to be little more than a Bob Dylan imitator. But when their paths crossed during Dylan's 1965 tour of England, the meeting was famously captured by filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker in his documentary Don't Look Back. A much-discussed scene occurs where Dylan and Donovan... Read More »

The post Donovan's The Hurdy Gurdy Man, in its Finest Incarnation Ever, now on 180 gram Vinyl from Impex Records appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Rembrandt Trio The Blue Hour Sessions in Pure DSD256

Rushton Paul — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:52:54 +0000

Sometimes an album arrives on my shores that simply requires immediate comment because it is so deliciously good. This is one of those. The Blue Hour Sessions, Rembrandt Frerichs, Rembrandt Trio. Just Listen Records 2025 (Pure DSD256) HERE Edit Master Sourced I have been a fan of pianist Rembrandt Frerichs for several years now, ever... Read More »

The post Rembrandt Trio The Blue Hour Sessions in Pure DSD256 appeared first on Positive Feedback.

New Release and Reissue LPs from Craft Recordings, Including Albums from Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Chalino Sanchez, and The English Patient Original Soundtrack

Tom Gibbs — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:12:19 +0000

Craft Recordings has rolled out another great selection of new release and reissue LPs, including three more Original Jazz Classics (OJC) reboot titles, another ultra-rare reissue from the King of Corrido song, Chalino Sanchez, and the original soundtrack recording for the Academy Award-winning motion picture, The English Patient. The trio of OJCs are long out-of-print,... Read More »

The post New Release and Reissue LPs from Craft Recordings, Including Albums from Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Chalino Sanchez, and The English Patient Original Soundtrack appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Trini Lopez At PJ's

Robert Pincus — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:07:30 +0000

The great Trini Lopez (1937-2020) was a superb guitarist and singer. He was also an actor, both on film and on TV. The talented musician, who also hung with the Rat Pack, was born and raised in the Little Mexico neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. He started playing rock 'n' roll at age fifteen, and the... Read More »

The post Trini Lopez At PJ's appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 38 Wonders with Bert van der Wolf

Rushton Paul — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:58:59 +0000

Those who've read past articles know my admiration for the recordings of independent Dutch recording and mastering engineer Bert van der Wolf (now and hereafter, in honor of his recent marriage, Bert van der Wolf-Oude Avenhuis), Northstar Recording Services. Bert's recordings are a touchstone of excellence. He captures acoustic music in a most engagingly natural... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 38 Wonders with Bert van der Wolf appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 37 HDTT Strikes Gold Again

Rushton Paul — Sun, 11 May 2025 16:27:49 +0000

High Definition Tape Transfers continues to strike gold with its releases. Here are some excellent new classical and jazz transfers, plus one folk music transfer of the fingerpicking guitar persuasion. Much good music and good sound to share in this Recent Notes. Enjoy Ellington Jazz Party In Stereo, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. HDTT 1959... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 37 HDTT Strikes Gold Again appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Freddie de Tommaso Puccini Arias

Stephen Francis Vasta — Wed, 07 May 2025 17:18:17 +0000

Freddie de Tommaso, Puccini Arias with London Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Gardner. Decca 4870768 (digital EP, no booklet. La Bohème: Che gelida manina. Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai; Guardate, pazzo io son. La fanciulla del West: Una parola sola...Or son sei mesi. Le villi: Torna ai felici dì. We don't ordinarily associate the EP format—the extended-play CD—with classical... Read More »

The post Freddie de Tommaso Puccini Arias appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Iceland with Sono Luminus

Rushton Paul — Mon, 05 May 2025 21:46:46 +0000

For some time I've wanted to share with you some of this outstanding music, performance excellence, and superb audio quality coming from Sono Luminus' ventures with Icelandic composers and performers. Why Iceland? I didn't have any clear understanding other than that Sono Luminus CEO Collin Rae has some connections there and they got started with... Read More »

The post Iceland with Sono Luminus appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Patricia Barber's Classic Modern Cool, Pressed on Neotech's VR900-D2 Super Vinyl from Impex Records

Tom Gibbs — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:10:01 +0000

By the mid-2000's, my growing appreciation of jazz music was also developing into a full-blown fascination with the artistry of jazz singer and pianist extraordinaire Patricia Barber. And when Taylor Perry of Shore Fire Media approached me mid-year 2021 to gauge my interest in covering Barber's soon-to-be-released album Clique!, I was quite nearly thunderstruck. I... Read More »

The post Patricia Barber's Classic Modern Cool, Pressed on Neotech's VR900-D2 Super Vinyl from Impex Records appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Another Amazing Triumph on Vinyl from Impex Records, "Patricia Barber, Modern Cool"

Robert S. Youman — Sun, 04 May 2025 20:01:27 +0000

It's been a very passionate and rewarding journey for me when it comes to Patricia Barber and her music. As a long term resident of Chicago, I was able to see her and her band perform at the Green Mill many times over the last 30 years. Though she is now performing at several additional... Read More »

The post Another Amazing Triumph on Vinyl from Impex Records, "Patricia Barber, Modern Cool" appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Recent Finds No. 36 The NativeDSD Catalog Continues to Deliver Wonderful Recordings

Rushton Paul — Fri, 02 May 2025 16:11:08 +0000

NativeDSD continues to earn highest recommendations from me as a preferred source for high resolution downloads. There are some labels they don't have access to, unfortunately, but their catalog continues to grow with new labels showing up every few weeks. This means their new releases outpace my ability to write about them. But, I'll keep... Read More »

The post Recent Finds No. 36 The NativeDSD Catalog Continues to Deliver Wonderful Recordings appeared first on Positive Feedback.