Truly Stunning Vinyl Album


Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge!  So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album: 

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/

Thanks for any recommendations!

phillyspecial

Showing 3 responses by dogberry

How about a real classic: Elgar Cello Concerto and Sea Pictures, Barbirolli, duPré, Baker, LSO, HMV ASD 655, 1965.

Perhaps the best recording of the cello concerto ever, and Dame Janet Baker was in fine form too. Shivers down the spine quality of sound. There are lots of issues available, and if buying through Discogs it might take a few tries to get a clean copy. There are recent re-issues too, but I find they don't move me as much. There's even a mono 1965 issue (HMV ALP2106) but I haven't heard it - yet.

@wwmeredith Happy to hear it. I'm waiting for the mono version to arrive in the next few days. So much good stuff out there....

Well, I was very lucky with the mono version of the Elgar cello concert/Sea Pictures: the disc is spotless and looks like new. After a thorough cleaning it is silent except for the music. I can only speak to sound quality, as having only one ear I don't hear stereo even when it is available, and the quality here is wonderful. Played with a Ruby 3 converted to mono (by VAS)/SME IV, SME Model 10, Quad tube amps and ESLs. I assume this was mixed down from the stereo recording rather than a second mono recording made at the same time (it is certainly the same performance), but all the same, I'm very happy to have it.