Auditioning Audio Gear - The Music Used

I use basically the same methods listed above. Have a standard set. It evolves, as do I. I also use this rotation when inserting a new component in my system, and again after break-in. Basically, I want to evaluate familiar recordings for male/female voice, saxophone/trumpet/piano/drums/cymbals(I love the cymbal test). I want to hear the tonal characteristics of a component, laid back or forward presentation, dynamics, bass response, weight, sound at low and high volume, and tendency to harshness or brightness. My list? Steely Dan-Aja(Black Cow and Aja), Francis Dunnery-Tall, Blond Helicopter(The Johnny Podell Song and I Believe I Can Change My World), Dar Williams-Mortal City(The Christians And The Pagans and Southern California Wants To Be Western New York), Lucinda Williams-Car Wheels On A Gravel Road(Car Wheels On A Gravel Road and Drunken Angel), The Cure-Mixed Up(Pictures Of You), John Coltrane-Blue Train(several tracks), and Sade-Best Of(several tracks).