How Should I spend my $25

[aceman400]

Patricia Barber is playing in St Paul next week. Would I be better off seeing her live or should I spend my money on a new MFSL SACD of one of her titles? I haven't heard any reviews of these releases yet. Has anyone A/B these against the standard release? Maybe I'd be better to avoid both and order two DCC's from Music For a Song.

Please Help,
Thanks,
Aaron

[PsychFan]

Having seen one of her shows at the end of last year, I'd definitely recommend going to the concert. As much as I enjoy her recordings, I think she's much better live. And you can count on her to have accomplished and interesting musicians with her, and to play anything but a ho-hum setlist.

Haven't heard the new MoFi discs, but I can't imagine any of them being as enjoyable as the show I saw.

[Mike]

Avoid both. I finally heard Diana Krall last week and was not impressed. I say stock up on some classics - Billie, Ella, Dinah, Mariah, etc. :)

[PsychFan]

Originally posted by Mike
Avoid both. I finally heard Diana Krall last week and was not impressed. I say stock up on some classics - Billie, Ella, Dinah, Mariah, etc. :)

Um ... What does Diana Krall have to do with the original question??

[Matt]

HA! You actually comparing Diana Krall to Patricia Barber? Yes, they're both women who sing and play the piano, but that's where the comparison stops. Krall can sing in a sultry matter, but the musical choices Barber makes in her singing and improvisations are far more creative and exciting. Krall is pop for the masses. Barber's music tries to build on the true jazz tradition.

[Mike]

Ha! :D It's funny what the brain does sometimes. I haven't had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Barber yet. But at least I got some Krall bashing in. :rolleyes: I thought someone would note my inclusion of Mariah.

[Dave]

Gee, I'm still waitin' for someone, other than me, to compare "Cafe' Blue" on the MFSL with the Gold HDCD on Premonition......one day.:)

I'm very skeptical that the MFSL is going to beat the HDCD and yes it's that good.

[Gary]

Poor Aceman400! No advice except for Jeff.....

CD's and the like last forever. But they will be around (to purchase) for longer than she will be in town.

Live concert happens only once but time makes them fade away.

Have you heard PB? Will she come back to your town?

Eh, go for the live concert. If you like what you hear, get the CDs when you can afford them!

[Matt]

I think the Patricia Barber Trio still plays at the Green Mill, a famous jazz bar in Chicago, so if you ever swing by, you can always see her there.

[Michael]

Originally posted by aceman400
Patricia Barber is playing in St Paul next week. Would I be better off seeing her live or should I spend my money on a new MFSL SACD of one of her titles? I haven't heard any reviews of these releases yet. Has anyone A/B these against the standard release? Maybe I'd be better to avoid both and order two DCC's from Music For a Song.

Please Help,
Thanks,
Aaron

If you want a visual memory of seeing her "Live" go to the show. Otherwise get the SACD and enjoy her all the time. Better yet, Add some money and go for both! You only live ONCE!

[DanG]

Live music is the real deal, the best sound. It's what educates you about sound. It's what most recorded music strives to match.

I just saw Cassandra Wilson live in a small theatre. Great sound. It was a great demonstration of texture, sound stage, air. And her percussionist was exceptional, you have got to see this guy to believe it.

I think most artists lay it down for the record, and then get it the way they like on the tour to support the album. Sometimes the version on the record is better. Sometimes the live version makes you realize, Oh, that's what this song was meant to be.

Go the concert, then buy the SACD down the road.

[John B]

Originally posted by aceman400
Patricia Barber is playing in St Paul next week. Would I be better off seeing her live or should I spend my money on a new MFSL SACD of one of her titles? I haven't heard any reviews of these releases yet. Has anyone A/B these against the standard release? Maybe I'd be better to avoid both and order two DCC's from Music For a Song.

Please Help,
Thanks,
Aaron

Hi Aaron,

Here's a review for you:

http://www.highfidelityreview.com/reviews/review.asp?reviewnumber=53985

Apparantly even the CD layer blows away the previous CD and the SACD layer is outstanding. Nevertheless, I don't know Patricia Barber, but if you like her go for the live as you'll always treasure memories of good live shows. You can buy the SACD anytime.

Best wishes, John

[rudy]

Overspend your budget and go to the show and buy a CD directly from her afterwards, although I don't know if she would be selling any of the new SACDs. I've seen her a couple of times and each show was different but they have left an impression with me that surfaces each time I listen to her cds at home.

[lerun]

Originally posted by Dave
Gee, I'm still waitin' for someone, other than me, to compare "Cafe' Blue" on the MFSL with the Gold HDCD on Premonition......one day.:)

I'm very skeptical that the MFSL is going to beat the HDCD and yes it's that good.

I have the FIM Gold HDCD as well as MFSL version. I don't have a SACD player yet. I have done the comparison on the redbook layer.

There is only very subtle difference only, can't say there is improvement or not, just of matter of taste. That FIM is very well done and hard to beat.

If I am wrong, Cafe Blue is a digital recording. I miss those Hoffman sound. Hope one day it would be on DCC as well:)))

However, on the other Barber's album "Modern Cool", the difference between the MFSL and normal issue is audible. I love the MFSL.

[Dave]

Thanks lerun! So I guess it will come down to the SACD vs. HDCD in the end.

Now all we have to do is find someone who has both formats.....and the likelyhood of that, HEY! Is that an iceberg floating down the street.:rolleyes: :D

[lerun]

FIM will be issuing one hybrid SACD, (FIMSACD 048) due in summer 2002 , title "The Five Beautiful Songbirds" (which include Patricia Barber).

http://www.fimpression.com/fim_news.htm


By then you can compare the SACDs between MFSL and FIM.



[Beside DCC, I am great fan of FIM products too]

[Dave]

Originally posted by lerun
Beside DCC, I am great fan of FIM products too.
Me too! Especially after my first encounter with Cafe Blue I realized that they were in the same league as DCC and surpassed most MFSL's. :D

[Larry Naramore]

Originally posted by aceman400
Maybe I'd be better to avoid both and order two DCC's from Music For a Song.



I'd suggest http://dccblowout.com/

Larry

[TimB]

A live concert is almost always the best way to hear music. As always, exceptions apply, but the best way to judge your system is to hear people in concert. Then you CAN say what they sound like, not guess if a cd is bright, your speakers sound stage etc.

[MagicAlex]

I can't comment on the live performance...haven't seen her. But I do have all three of the MoFi's and they are definitely quite awesome. They're the best sounding SACDs that I have purchased thusfar and probably sound better than 99.9% of any other gold discs that I've heard. They are that good, IMO! The redbooks weren't too shabby!

BTW, I'd love to get my hands on Diana Krall's 'All For You' on SACD. :)

[Strabo]

Your all set up.
I can't make it to the show, but let us know how it goes, and how the disc is.

All I ask is that you treat me right the next time you are dumping off your extra mofi's ;)

[aceman400]

Strabo got me passes for the Patricia Barber show. I'll probably buy the CD after the show if I enjoy the music. Thanks all for your replies.
I'll post my thoughts on the show next week.
Thanks,
Aaron

[Sound]

If you like her, make sure to check out Karrin Allyson. She has received praise that will be unequalled for some time. No one is in her class at this point.