2. best-of
  3. 1041114285

Best of the Best: High Fidelity, True Classics

While getting organised for the new year, I have vowed to throw countless CDs and DVDs cluttering my cabinets that I rarely if ever watch or listen to, and I am starting to transfer little used music to computer.

I would like to allocate my remaining shelf space only to music and movies that are true classics, standards that could be critically acclaimed for both content and technical performance.

I admit -- I am guilty of it too, but I hope to never again show off my system with the following caveats:

"You may not have heard of Mannheim Steamroller, but listen to the imaging on this synthesizer track" or "I know you hate science fiction, but you have to check out the surround sound and picture on the blue alien lady singing scene".

I think I would nominate Miles Davis Kind of Blue on SACD, perhaps, but I would love to hear your opinions on both music and movies.

So give us the BEST: what are the great performances by the greatest artists that have reference sound and video thrown in with the bargain?

Happy New Year.
cwlondon

Showing 2 responses by waltersalas

waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
959 posts
 

I'll nominate Joni Mitchell's early LPs, 'Ladies of the Canyon,' 'Blue,' 'For the Roses', and 'Court and Spark.' All great, and all quality recordings.

Come to think of it, the first four Steely Dan LPs probably qualify as well.

For something more recent, how about Lucinda Williams' "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road"?

waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
959 posts
 

Hey again, CW--
In jazz, there is much to choose from. My personal favorite, in terms of performance plus recording quality, would probably be the Thelonious Monk Riverside Tenor sessions box-set on vinyl. Pricey, but worth it.

If you want something with vocals, try the Louis Armstrong-Ella Fitzgerald Decca recordings. For that matter, all of the Fitzgerald songbook recordings are also splendid (another pricey box worth seeking out).

More to discover