Short take: Sonically, whoa!
This has been unopened on my shelf since April of 2011. This is the simple result of more surround music in my collection that I can get to because I came late to the game.
I am seeing Graham in concert next week, so it is clearly time to check these out. Songs For Beginners will be next.
OK, this went into the player on the heels of Muscle of Love - the recent SACD release. I was immediately struck by the contrast of the clarity of the sound and the open feeling of the mix. Sonically and separation-wise this is a demo disc.
Musically I was not as impressed on the first listen, which I can only guess is due to the fact that normally when I hear Graham Nash sing he is carrying a tune with which I am comfortably familiar. The songs are not bad. Many are left leaning to be sure. So if you are sensitive to that sort of thing, you may wish to proceed with caution. By the same token, if you come from that political persuasion you are likely to be doubly enamored with the disc. On second listen the songs are pleasant enough, and obviously well presented by the sonics and mix. Perhaps these will grow on me. But thus far I am not feeling the same attraction I continue to feel for his work with CSNY et.al.
I cannot fault anything technical here, and the 24/48 presentation is perfect for the reasons stated earlier in the thread.
Funny thing: as of this writing the DVD-A is cheaper than the redbook CD for this disc. Go figure. If this has slipped under your radar and you like Nash, I would say this is a no-brainer: Recommended. 8 from me. I wish the same technical team would get ahold of the CSNY multitracks!
