Patricia Barber
Café Blue...unmastered...sacd
Thoughts: Provoking, Jazzy, a little Bluesy...Very Good!
If you know much about Patricia...Cafe Blue represents a really varied and artistic expression that I hadn't seen on any of her other albums. I've even heard one person say it was a little weird.
I don't agree with that, but she runs the gamut from Cabernet singer, scat, to free flowing improvisation. She had a great band including herself on piano.
From other reviews, the SACD layer is noted to be one of the best representations of this album. I've heard the CD layer, and mp3, but on my system I've only heard the mp3 and the sacd dsd versions. Not much of a comparison other than to note the mp3 has been turned up louder. The whole "unmastered" thing is more or less trying to keep the original recording intact.
This is one you want to sit down and give it your full attention. I've played it 2 other times and was doing things around the house and never gained a full appreciation for it.
This one gets a 5 of 5 from me....I really like Cafe Blue...