Hi-Res Surround Music, I Miss Ya! (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of my cherry pics of those hi-res surround music titles still available, for what it's worth. Get 'em while you can.

Here's Part 1, along with the lowdown about why I'm doing this.

And now, here's F-J:

• Donald Fagen: Morph The Cat (DVD-Audio+CD, Warner). Here's my review.
• Bryan Ferry: Boys and Girls (Hybrid Stereo/Multichannel SACD, Virgin/EMI). Another stellar 5.1 re-mix by Bob Clearmountain, and the release is almost as good as Roxy Music's Avalon. My only beef with Boys and Girls is that it's mastered about 3-4db louder than Avalon, and the loss of that dynamic range is unfortunate for such an atmospheric, subtle, and layered work. Nevertheless, the 5.1 hi-res surround mix in this release is IMHO the definitive version of the album - the tracks simply sound claustraphobic in their original stereo incarnation.
• The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (DVD-Audio+CD, Warner). Here's my interview with Steve Drozd. The Lips are a hard band to describe to those unfamiliar with their oeuvre. I can say that they sometimes sound like Neil Young in outer space, or at times they're a bit like Pink Floyd performing in the Theater of the Absurd. And I would be wrong. Yoshimi is a bizarre, whimsical album with a diverse palette of sounds and styles. This is on my recommended list because of its audacity in content and groundbreaking DVD-Audio implementation. My big beef with the audio quality is that it's been aggressively dynamically limited, and there's quite a bit of sibilance in the high-end. Their previous release, "The Soft Bulletin," is also fantastic, musically, but is even more dynamically compressed. "At War With The Mystics" is their follow-up to Yoshimi, and it's also a head-spinning disc; highly recommended. These folks push the surround envelope!
• Marvin Gaye: Let's Get It On (DVD-Audio, Motown, also available as SACD). Man, when the first wah-wah guitar notes of the title track materialize between the the front-left and rear-left channels, I just knew I was gonna dig this title. The 5.1 mix by Jeff Glixman maintains the mood of the stereo mix, and opens up the back vox and string arrangements for a nice 360 degree musical experience. One for the library! Also includes the original stereo mix in whopping 192kHz/24-bit resolution (surround is at a very healthy 96/24).
• The Film Music Of Jerry Goldsmith (Hybrid Stereo/Multichannel SACD, Telarc). Amazing film film music written by and conducted by the Maestro and recorded/mixed in hi-res surround. Here's my review.
• Elton John: Elton John (SACD, Island). See below for the others. Trust me - just buy all of 'em if you can find 'em. They're that good. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that listening to these surround versions was my first exposure to these classic albums. Better late than never, huh? But what a way to hear them! The surround mixes by Greg Penny are astonishing in their clarity and use of the surround sound space. The music and lyrics are exquisite. The performances sublime. I can't recommend these discs more highly.
• Elton John: Tumbleweed Connection (SACD, Island). This is one of his most obscure albums, but it's altogether satisfying and one of my faves. The bonus track of the original, early recording of "Madman Across The Water" is worth the price of admission alone.
• Elton John: Madman Across The Water (SACD, Island). "Tiny Dancer" is heavenly. Sounds like it was recorded yesterday.
• Elton John: Honky Chateau (SACD, Island). "Rocket Man" is something to behold in surround.
• Elton John: Captain Fantastic (SACD, Island). Bonus tracks include "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," "One Day At A Time," and "Philadelphia Freedom."
• Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (DVD-Audio, Island). Arguably EJ's greatest masterpiece. Also available as an SACD; however, here I would recommend the DVD-Audio set, which includes a one hour documentary on the making of the album. I think it's also cheaper. Go figure.
• Jaco Pastorius Big Band: The Word Is Out (Hybrid Stereo/Multichannel SACD, Heads Up). Here's the scoop behind the Telarc JPBB titles. All I can say is: wow! This sophomore release from the JPBB is arguably more satisfying than their award-winning, hot-selling debut. Maybe it's because some of the compositions are a bit more obscure...maybe it's the variety of guest instrumentalists like Israel “Cachao” López, Jr., Mark Egan, Will Lee, Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Hiram Bullock, Mike Stern, Ed Calle, Bob Mintzer, Toots Thielmans, and others...or maybe it's because the mix is much more polished and immersive (the debut release was recorded "live," and mixed "on the fly," according to Heads Up founder, Dave Love). Regardless, it's definitely one for your shelf. And did I forget to mention that Jaco plays on "Beaver Patrol" via the wonders of technology (a la Natalie/Nat King Cole)?
• Laurence Juber: Guitar Noir (DVD-Audio, AIX). If I had to pick the best-sounding recording in the entire "All-Spin Zone," this is it. Here's my review.
  

Part 3 coming soon. Stay tuned...