Best vinyl purchases based on pressing, studio production, sound quality and enjoyment.


As you all know this question has been asked a million times on a million sites BUT each time it’s asked, it can be very helpful to those trying to find great vinyl that is quiet, produced well and touches the heart each time it’s played.

I’ve only been into vinyl for 6 months now and have purchased 250 albums, 99 percent new, recent pressings, reissues. So within the last year, what are 10 of your favorite album purchases based on pressing, studio production, sound quality and pure enjoyment??? Here’s my top 20:

1. The Wonderful Sounds of Female Vocals. (Various artists, 200 gram QRP)
2. Willie Nelson- To all the Girls (Various artists 180 gram Legacy)
3. Dead Can Dance- Into the Labyrinth (180 gram Mobile Fidelity reissue)
4. Rickie Lee Jones- Rickie Lee Jones (180 HQ Pressing Warner Bros reissue)
5. Stevie Ray Vaughn- The Sky is Cryin (200 gram Analogue productions 45rpm reissue)
6. Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon (2016 reissue)
7. Renee Flemming- The Beautiful Voice (Decca 20th anniversary gatefold)
8. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong- Ella and Louis (Analogue productions Mono reissue)
9. Eva Cassidy- Nightbird (Blix Street Records 180 gram)
10. Doors- All the new reissue 45’s from Analogue Productions, 200 gram
11. Cash- The Man Comes Around (American Records, QRP, 180 gram)
12. Shelby Lynne- Just a Little Lovin (QRP, Analogue Productions, 45 rpm, 200 gram)
13. Vanessa Fernandez- When the Levee Breaks (Groove Note, 45 rpm, 180 gram)
14. Nils Lofgren- Acoustic Live (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram)
15. Neil Young- Live at Massey Hall (Reprise, 180 gram reissue)
16. Tony Bennett- I Wanna Be Around (Mobile Fidelity, 180 gram reissue)
17. Linda Ronstadt- What’s New (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram, reissue)
18. Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram reissue)
19. Muddy Waters- Folk Singer (Analogue Productions, QRP, 200 gram reissue)
20. Fleetwood Mac- Tango in the Night (Rhino, 180 gram, 2017 reissue)

Ps: You can go beyond 1 year if needed.


128x128knollbrent

Showing 22 responses by slaw

The above post reminded me of a thread I started years ago. Something like "Who are the most underappreciated artists?" Andrew Gold was my first mention. Couldn't agree more.
Just listened to the latest by Maria Taylor "In The Next Life". Really nice. I'm a fan of her and Orenda Fink. Together they are known as Azure Ray.

Orenda Fink's lp, "Blue Dream", IMO is masterpiece!

Anyway, it's worth checking these two artists out as a band and separately. One thing you can always count on is EX SQ.
@knollbrent ,

I got one for ya, Weinland "Breaks in the Sun". Check it out!
@fjn04 ,

I don’t own too many FM releases but as my system has evolved, so has my appreciation for the one’s I do own. My OP of America "S/T" sounds better than the FM. My Kansas "Leftoverture" on FM sounds incredible. My Yes "The Yes Album" 45 rpm box really sounds great. My OP does sounds very good but for a warmer yet still detailed presentation with excellent bass, I go to the FM version. That’s 3 that come to mind.

BTW, some crazy stuff has happened to me here in the past as well.
@knollbrent,

I have the Pure Pleasure re-master of  "Texas Flood". PP is hit and miss. This one is a great (hit). The SQ is so great! Such a surreal/natural presentation like I've rarely heard. Get it!
@asahitoro,

I can tell you that "Gimme Back My Bullets" on Friday Music is the best version of that lp I ever heard. My bet is that you'll never hear it on original pressings like it's presented on this version.
@fjn04,

My "Between the Lines" always sounded great. I bought it at a used book store for $4.00. It is the Columbia, super thin vinyl. I just looked...it is, Side 1/ Sterling/RL. I guess I got a great deal!
@knollbrent ,

I have that same copy of "Serpent’s Egg" I found at a book sale for $1.00.

Hallelua!

@fln04,

If you can find a UK/Harvest/ David Gilmore "S/T", you’ll be good, my brother.
@knollbrent ,

Well, you really didn’t have to start this thread to get great lps, as there are currently ongoing music threads.....but I’m more than happy to participate.

Regarding Pink Floyd... my domestic copy of "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" sounded absolutely fantastic last time I played it. No high priced re-issues, no high priced Acoustic Sounds.

Them "The Angry Young Them" Mono/Sony/Legacy. This one ROCKS!
@knollbrent ,

Amazon.
……………………………..

Amy Helm "This Too Shall Light"
BTW, "Goodnight Rhonda Lee is an excellent lp! I've listened to it 3 times now.
My latest finds..

Gregory Alan Isakov "Evening Machines"
Valley Maker "Rhododendron"

@knollbrent ,
You’ve got to get a spare amp.
I own the "Division Bell referenced here. I just checked it's jacket and inner sleeves for identifying marks...there were none, not even liner notes, lyric sheets, or the usual small printed basic info on the bottom of the lp jacket. I’d have to listen again and compare but the last time I played my original US pressing of "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" I was extremely impressed!
I've had the very latest Cowboy Junkies in my cart for quite a while.

I'll be waiting to see if there are anymore 20% off in the near future.
@2channel8,

I have "Goodnight Rhonda Lee" on it's way. BTW, it's a helluva deal on vinyl (Amazon). "Bleeding Diamonds" isn't available on vinyl that I know of.

@rjamilla,

That MFSL Derek & The Dominos re-master is the only version of that lp I've ever heard that I can enjoy.
@knollbrent ,

I posted that particular lp/pressing (it is the only pressing I own) because of it's content. It also has very good sonics. I happened to find a sealed copy at slightly under $15.00 shipped which helped. I'm sure @whart  opinion that the original Columbia may be better. My experience tells me probably not by too much.

"Bring The Family" MFSL is an excellent record! You will not be disappointed. I've owned mine for years which precluded it from consideration based upon your post.
Amanda Shires "My Piece of Land" /domestic
Nicole Atkins  "Neptune City"  MOV
Chris Whitley  "Living With the Law"  MOV
Counting Crows  "August & Everything After"  45rpm/APO
The Cranberries  "Everybody Else is Doing it...."  Analog Spark
Emmylou Harris  "Wrecking Ball"  deluxe edition/3lp
Yes "The Yes Album"  Friday Music/45rpm
Uncle Tupelo "March 16-20 1992" Sony/Legacy
Neil Young "Harvest Moon"  latest remaster/dbl/lp
Buddy Holly  "S/T"  Japanese 30th Ann./Coral