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Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list

I've been listening to some of my favorite recordings this weekend and was wondering what others on Audiogon felt were there favorites. We have all seen the Stereophile "Records to Die For", The Absolute Sounds recommended list, Music Directs' list, The Golden Ear, etc. now I'm hoping to assemble the Audiogon "Recordings To Die For". Please list your five favorite recordings, the ones you listen to over and over or play for friends. I would assume the sonic quality is excellent in that this is an audiophile site. The performance and enjoy ability should also be excellent. Please leave your top five, even if they are already chosen so we can discover the very top for the Audiogon listeners. ALSO PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CRITICIZING OTHERS OPINIONS AND JUST LEAVE YOUR FAVORITES!

August 2002: I have compiled a summary and a full printer-friendly list of all of the recommendations below.
click here to view summary
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Showing 2 responses by gunbei

gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I can sit and listen all night to anything by Diana Krall. Also, I like the way the Verve recordings sound and their artists too. I enjoy their Dave Brubeck, the Antonio Carlos Jobim Bosanova recordings. I'm also a big fan of guitarist Robby Longley. He's from New Orleans and has a wonderful sound influenced by the Big Easy's rich local tradition mixed with his passion for flamenco. Best thing is, I can go to the local Border's bookstores here in Los Angeles and see him perform for two hours for free. His performances are loud but never as harsh as my music system at home once WAS. I also like Sunny Sumter's recording for Mappleshade. She sounds so soulful.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Since my last post here I've fallen in love with and rediscovered a few more "To Die Fors". Last year JVC finally released an old favorite of mine - Chet Atkins' In Hollywood on XRCD2. This was made from the original 1957 master and it sounds just great. It's not the 1961 recording which I had hoped for but still, Chet's guitar just sounds so smooth and real. I wish more of my CDs could be this good. A real favorite of mine is also the JVC XRCD release of Autumn Leaves by Jacintha. She sounds so romantic and sad, especially on the last track Here's To Life. I'm really becoming a fan of XRCDs. And last, I'm completely melted by Ana Caram's Blue Bossa. She does such a wonderful job of reinterpreting some of Bossa Nova's classics in her intimate and loving way. I honestly believe since getting a tube preamp the emotional experience of these recordings has been enhanced.
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