In hopes that the request is for "good" music with great recorded sound (rather than good sound only, as found on Sheffield LP’s): For Baroque era Classical, rushton's 2010 recommendation of the Harmonia Mundi U.S.A. label is a great one. Also, Trevor Pinnock’s harpsichord recordings on the British CRD label. Startling immediacy ("in the room" sound) and transparency. Great playing, too. Then there are the recordings of local Minnesota church choirs made by speaker designer Robert Fulton, released on his ARK label. Very natural sounding, with great inner detail; you can hear each individual voice in the choir. For Pop, Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks Where’s The Money, Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, Gordon Lightfoot’s If You Could Read My Mind (particularly "Me & Bobby McGee"), and Paul Simon’s s/t debut album. |
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Great idea for a thread, so thanks to the OP, abronfer, if they’re still around. A dubious "thanks" to qualityrecordshop for resurrecting it.
I won’t claim these are "audiophile" recordings in the contemporary sense; e.g., the LPs are just original or at least very early pressing vinyl. All selections have exceptional sound compared to many other recordings I own. No doubt, a few more could be added to each list, but in keeping with the OPs original idea....
LPs
1. Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (especially, Private Investigations)
2. Laurie Anderson - Mister Heartbreak
3. Stevie Ray Vaughn - Couldn’t Stand the Weather (primarily, Tin Pan Alley)
CD/SACD
1. Andy Summers - Last Dance of Mr. X (HDCD)
2. Peter Gabriel - UP (SACD)
3. Steely Dan - Gaucho (SACD)
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Don't Smoke in Bed - Holly Cole CD
Roadhouse & Auomobiles Chris Jones LP 45rpm
Nightfly Donald Fagen LP
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The trouble with Audiophile recordings is, so often the music isn't up to the recording quality. My two favourites for some years, great music and recording: Sara K-Waterfalls, on the Stockfisch label, Mark Murphy-Love is What Stays, on Verve Both of them, you just know you are in for a treat, after the first few bars (Not the first track on Waterfalls, which is of a busking Sax player)
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Excellent suggestions as above. Mine;
Jamie Cullum- Twentysomething CD/SACD (2004) Verve
Pink Floyd- DSOTM- SACD (2003)
The Rolling Stones- SACD (2002)
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Hotel California / The Eagles / LP MFSL
Breakfast in America / Supertramp / LP MFSL
Band of Gypsies / Jimi Hendrix / LP Toshiba 1/2 speed master. |
Here's a few on my list,
Jennifer Warnes always sounds very, very good to my ear, especially on "Famous Blue Raincoat" and "The Hunter".
Allen Toussaint's recent "Bright Mississippi" is a great record that sounds great, too.
The Duke Ellington Small Band LPs from Pablo are generally excellent sounding and Duke's "Far East Suite" on Bluebird(?) is wondefully recorded - music for the ages, to boot.
Cannonball Adderly/Nancy Wilson also scores on both counts; check out Canonball's solo on "Can't Get Started".
Yet another vote for "Bookends".
Okay, that's more than three. |
Patricia Barber Cafe Blue Original Master Recording SACD
Steely Dan Gaucho SACD
Peter gabriel Shaking The Tree SACD |
Richard_stacy, thanks for the callout on your favorites...led me to purchase "Gene Ammons "Boss Tenor (1960)" XRCD" Awesome recommendation! |
I'm a bit out of my depth here, since I'm new to this. I'm not quite ready to strut around calling myself an audiophile. That said, there are some recordings from my paltry collection that just sing!
1) Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" ep as covered by Swans in 1988. I read that Gira regretted doing this cover, but I love it. The beautiful acoustic strings completely upstage the arid post-punk dirge of the original.
2) I don't know how many here are open to electronic music, but Lassigue Bendthaus (Atom Hart's pet project before doing Senor Coconut) released a cover album that blows my mind: Pop Artificielle (1998). I think it would do better in high-sensitivity monitors, but my 86/dbs do a decent job. Like any well-done electronic project, there are endless details here. It may sound too pretentiously intellectual for some, but many others will just say it's stupid. ;)
3) No More Shall We Part by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Maybe I'm just a noob hipster, but I have to give credit here. Even though I'm rarely in the mood for this album (no offense, Nick, you know I love you), I can't deny the production values of anything he does. This guy has been around a long time and knows how to put it together. |
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AP,
Stellar Attraction.com is a very good free progressive rock internet station. |
Mapman
i agree THRAK is awesome.my favorite KC ALBUMS ARE FROM COURT TO RED.
I NOTICED WE HAVE THE SAME MUSICAL LIKES
I WISH SIRIUS HAD A PROGRESSIVE ROCK STATION
Al |
i don't know if its the absolute best but i've been enthralled with the album "THRAK" by king crimson of late.
the song "one time" in particular is a tune i can't stop listening to. i find this tune most captivatind. the vocals and playing is simply gorgeus beyond words. the live version on the kc album "electrik" is equally fine. |
i have a new one to add... neil young "le noise". i wish all rock cds sounded like this |
Tough to pick just three, but here are my favorite to show off a system.
1) The Firebird - Antal Dorati - London Symphony Orchestra - Mercury Living Presence
2) Scheherazade - Rimsky Korsakoff - Fritz Reiner - Chicago Symphony - RCA Living Stereo
3) Dead Can Dance - Into the Labyrinth - 4AD
I'm not a classical music fan, but my first two picks are classicals which goes to show how good I think these are.
I can name quite a few more. |
Recently I discovered that Brazilian albums by female vocalists can give a system a good work out. The musicianship and arrangements are spectacular making for great ear candy and soundstaging. There is, of course, all the percussive "toys", and they love very very low bass passages. Two CDs: Sabrina Malheiros, "Equilibrium" and Marcella Mangeibera, "Simples".
Third? A self made compilation featuring Bebel Gilberto and others |
"Neck n' Neck" , Mark Knopfler @ Chet Atkins, two guitar heroes at their best!!! LP, of coarse, eat your heart out if you don't own it! |
Tasml, "Chester and Lester", a true classic! You may be interested in
"Me and Chet", also "Me and Jerry" two different offerings..amongst others from those two fine gents. Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. Some good ol' boy pickin'! |
Not sure about the Audiophile label, but I will offer 3 great sounding, easy to get, 'out of the mainstream' picks from deep inside my CD collection: 1). Jo Jones, the Everest years - fantastic drumming, 2). JJ Cale, "5", Polygram, and 3). Chet Atkins and Les Paul, Chester and Lester, BMG Victor. |
Great thread! Thanks OP for starting this up.
First, I'll take a shot at defining what "Best" means to me in this exercise. I would include three aspects that all need to be completely dialed-in: 1) palpable presence with a fully dimensional sense of the original venue, nearly tangible recording quality, 2) excellent performance, 3) Music that thrills
Given that, my top three (at least at this writing) would include:
1) Esteban Salas - Cuban Baroque Music of the 18th Century (Milan_Jade 73138/35746-2 CD)
2) Saffire & The Uppity Blues Women - Live and Uppity (recorded at Wolf Trap - Alligator Records CD)
3) Cantate Domino - Oscar's Motet Choir (Proprius PRSACD7762 SACD)
and one more that must be mentioned: Lost Music of Early America - Music of the Moravians - Boston Baroque / Martin Pearlman (Telarc CD-80482 CD)
Cheers all! |
LPs
1. Bill Berry And His Ellington All-Stars: For Duke
2. Kor (Propius)
3. Kotekan pecussion and... (Reference Recordings)
runner up:
Tristan Fry Percussion Ensemble: Music for Percussion (Gale) |
Bongo...Hijera and Teatro are 2 of my all time favorite albums. Great sound is a bonus on those. Classic records. |
Joni Mitchell Hijera; Paul Kelly May 1992, Willie Nelson Teatro |
Anything Kenneth Wilkinson recorded, mostly for Lyrita, London/Decca, and RCA Living Stereo Soria. Beethoven's 9th with Solti and the Chicago Symphony on MOFI comes to mind |
dire straits brothers in arms
supertamp crime of the century
buddy guy sweet tea |
Beck-Sea Change on vinyl is a superb recording! A reference lp for me when needing a beautifully produced album. |
For my taste far better the XRCD version of the Jazz At The Pawnshop.
The new k2 HD (that I aso have) sounds more mellow and less clear. May be they try to go into the tube/vinyl kinf of sound. Unfortuantely it lacks in transparency.
I agree with the Harry Belafonte "Live at the Carnegie Hall"
I may recommend also the great recording of Bach Goldberg Variations with Glenn Gould (from 1981) and some recordings from Tomas Zstanko (he records for ECM). He is quiet good musician. The quality of the recording are reference for audiophiles. |
Yes, the K2 version is better than the SACD to my ears although it's subjective (as is the quality of the music...see above!)... |
Not trying to dampen anyones' enthusiasm, but JATP is a classic version of an 'audiophile' record that SOUNDS great, but the music is C-list at best. When I think of all the fine recordings one can buy for $80 (ANY of the Jazz recordings already mentioned on this thread totally smokes JATP!), makes me shake my head in wonder. |
thanks guys
also is the K2 version better than SACD?
aL |
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Just looked real quick and looks like Amazon has the K2 Fim version for $80. |
Alpass...I have no idea, sorry I cannot be of more help. It has been sometime since I have looked for it. I am pretty sure it's still available and a quick search may show some of the online vendors that carry it. Pricey thing if I remember right but you will be amazed at what your system is capable of when you put it in. |
My turn again!
Leonard Cohen: Ten New Songs, Had the CD which is quite good
but opened the LP which was only $12-$14. I wasn't expecting
much,standard Columbia pressing btw. Great sounding LP IMO.
Grateful Dead: American Beauty: This is a green label LP pressing. Much better than my Rhino reissue.
Cat Stevens: Teaser & the Firecat. MFSL heavy vinyl.
This one has been a go to album for me for a long time. |
Richard
where is the best place to order JAZZ AT THE PAWNSHOP
al |
I forgot to mention...the best recording I have and really have ever heard is Arne Domnerus "Jazz at the Pawnshop". I own 2 versions, DCC Gold and XRCD and prefer the XRCD version. Something every audiophile should hear at some point, pretty crazy "you are thereness". The vibes on track 2 really sound amazing. I also have the XRCD version of the Schefield drum album which many marvel at but Jazz at the Pawnshop is a significantly better recording. Seek one out! |
Audiofeil had one of mine... Simon @ Garfunkel "Bookends" Columbia 360
Suzanne Vega "99.9F" Import
Cowboy Junkies "Whites Off Earth Now!" MFSL
Ryan Adams "Heartbreaker" Import
Chris Isaak "San Francisco Days" Import |
I'll toss the pipe organ version of "Pictures at an Exhibition" on Dorian CD in the pot mainly for its depth plumbing low pipe organ vibes.
I have a few old E. Power Biggs recordings on Columbia Masterworks vinyl that are also quit good in a similar vein.
For low organ stuff in a more art rock oriented vein and a fine recording overall, try the CD "Still Life" by Van Der Graaf Generator. |
CD's: Dire Straits "Brothers In Arm" xrcd & Pink Floyd's "The Wall" mofi. LP's: Blind Faith self titled & Frank Sinatra's "Nice N Easy" recent mofi pressing.
I own these titles in multiple format, except "The Wall" and IMMHO they are the best... Well maybe the best I can afford..lol |
Webern complete works (6 eye Columbia) |
I am beginning to believe that there is something to the hot stamper theory RE vinyl - that some indvidual pressings are much better than others, regardless of whether they are "audiophile" or even "heavy" vinyl. Case in point, my best reference recording is the "David Grisman Quintet" self titled album from the mid seventies - standard release vinyl, but it sounds marvelous.
One of my favorite demo redbook CD's is the original 1991 Rickie Lee Jones "Pop Pop" disk as already mentioned above. My favorite "audiophile" CD is the "Stan Getz with Cal Tjader" JVC XRCD2 disk.
Honorable mention:
Almost anything produced by Teo Maceo, but especially Columbia records remastered redbook CDs of Dave Brubeck Quartet "take Five" and Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue".
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Wolfgang Sawallisch "Strauss Tone Poems" EMI redbook CD
Agree with Mapman, original "Blow by Blow" on well set up turntable is very, very good. Did not appeciate how good until I had my table dialed in. |
Belafonte at Carnegie Hall
Miles of Isles J. Mitchell
Weavers at Carnegie Hall
Casino Royal
All the above have been extensively reviewed except Miles of Isles.
the Pearson TAS lists are the most accurate I have seen. |
Beck's "Blow By Blow" on original vinyl is up there.
"Classic Concert" CD by Mel Torme and Co. (live at Carnegie Hall) is up there.
"Preachin the Blues" CD on Mapleshade is a very good quality binaural recording also. |
Having recently seen Jeff Beck on tour here in San Francisco, I have listened to a few of his classics, and being a drummer myself, I have a particular awareness of how drums are recorded, I really think "Blow by Blow" and "There and Back" sound wonderful on my original vinyl issues.
Drums are by far the most challenging acoustic instrument to record due to inherent sonic issues that are presented, and the necessity to properly mic the variety of dynamic conditions that run across drum kit, from the low frequencies of a kick drum to the shimmer of a small crash cymbal.
If an artist is going to use drums on their recording, and they are interested in making a higher consciousness recording aimed at the audiophile market, then there are great challenges to overcome to really capture a top tier drummer playing across a well tuned, and well miked drum kit.
The producers and sound engineers that are able to pull this off, my hats off to them. |
Muddy Waters-Folk Singer SACD
Pink Floyd-DSOTM SACD
Michael Stearns-The Lost World CD |
Shelly Manne and His Men Play Peter Gunn - I have this on OJC CD and original vinyl and it sounds great - I would love to see someone re-do this on 45rpm vinyl.
Blue Trane - the recent 45 RPM version is phenominal, and one of the best quality recordings in the RVG catalog, imho.
Pretty much anything on Sharp Nine Records. |
I have quite a few but of late it's Sonny Rollins "Way Out West (1957)" XRCD24 with "Saxophone Colossus (1956)" a close second. High on the list is Gene Ammons "Boss Tenor (1960)" XRCD. This is really ironic because these albums are damn near 60 years old but they sound so much better than any new music I have. Sound quality aside, this is some sweet ass music...soulful! |
