This thread shows that a lot of us, if not most of us are into rock or what is now considered "classic" rock. Even the stuff I grew up with is old enough to be considered such.
My question is, how many of us still listen to this stuff on our systems regularly? I do every once in awhile (unless I'm doing stuff around the house, then almost exclusively).
"Critically" listening to some of my favorite albums makes me realize how bad some of the recordings/mixes are. Sometimes I'm surprised at how good some of them sound. Mixed bag, really.
@panteragstk
I was noticing the same phenomenon: a goodly portion of the responses contained what is now "classic rock" selections. That made me feel good since that's the cornerstone of my love for music. It also asked a question I've posed many times to others: "do the classic rock albums you remember suck as bad mine for recording quality?"
Actually the answer and the truth of the matter is all over the place. There are indeed selections I loved in the car and the old home rig that really are poorly put together and recorded. My system today makes that pretty clear. I still love the tune but wow the recording quality just wasn't there. Mountain's "Mississippi Queen" is an example. I love the tune. It rocks. But the recording quality just is as bland as vanilla pudding. Others that come immediately to mind are stuff by the Mama's and the Papa's. For all their pipes, most of the recordings are very pedestrian. Many of the live recordings also were so full of audience screams and noise you couldn't turn them up much at all.
But, just as surprising to me are those selections from the same period that were recorded by folks that knew their craft and those sound brand freakin' new. One that comes to mind is Neil Diamond. Take his "Hot August Nights" double live album. You can crank that up to 11 and it sounds as good as any new and modern recording. As well, Deep Purples "Made in Japan" from 1972 will rattle your windows: in a good way. Great fidelity and a pretty nice live ambience without too much. I will rest my case with Peter Frampton. "Frampton Comes Alive". If there's a better more magical recording of a live rock concert I haven't heard it.
@panteragstk also asked if we listen to those oldies as much as in the olden days. Yes and no. Yes, I will go on a tear and drag them out and do several hours worth. But, one of the stunning revelations of my Salks and the system I run at home now is just how lovely many different types of music are. I never listened to jazz. Ever. But after getting the Salks, jazz has taken on a new life and I love it. Blues guitar as well has really taken off in my library. This year, with the help of
@Verdinut I am beginning to build a classical collection. Its slow learning on my part. But, I'm learning to appreciate and get some love for the classics now.
This has been a great thread. Anyplace that has room for
@Pogre and the Tool and metal crowd as well as old time rockers, jazz folks and the classics is a pretty diverse and welcoming place. I have enjoyed this.
