That said, four albums stand out for me as a recommendation. They are diverse,
Janis Joplin - Cheap Thrills
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Fillmore
There are literally hundreds of versions of some of these records. Some may be superb, some not so much. For instance there are 331 vinyl versions of "Time Out" listed on Discogs. (I assume that is what was meant instead of "Take Five") Since it is in the public domain it is being released by numerous labels such as Wax Time and DOL using dubious sources. It has been released several times at 45 rpm including a Classic Records version that is on 4 single sided discs. So some are obviously much better than others. If you google "Aqualung" there is much discussion of the various versions with the general consensus being that while some are better than others, and some are not good at all, none of them are "truly stunning."
My point is, naming popular titles where some releases are "truly stunning" but many are not without pointing to the particular releases that are the best of the lot, doesn’t really add to the conversation.
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I see QSound embedded recordings are needing a bump.
From recollection, the embedded data, was able to create an expansive Soundstage and be very accurate in a placement of sound within the Soundstage. Both of which I can vouch for perceiving be present very strongly.
Today, I suggest the easiest and probably cheapest option to experience QSound is the Roger Waters Live CD.
Also if Sensura is Tracked in time, it become QSound, and today I am led to believe the Technology is owned by Dolby and is Dolby Atmos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QSound
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-do-you-think-of-q-sound-recordings
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@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....
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Not my favorite, but Crystal Clear Records Charlie Byrd Direct Disc recording has a drum solo that will blow you into the next century!
Also, almost any Sheffield Direct to Disc recordings are outstanding; I particularly like Thelma Houston I’ve Got The Music in Me and Dave Grusin’s Discovered Again!
There are some “standard” recordings I find superb such as Pat Metheny’s Offramp and As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls.
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Depending on your favorite genre, I can also aver that the Analog Sounds label, Analogue Productions albums, are always very well produced and engineered.
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Those who don't know Greg Brown should look for him.....
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Greg Brown has written some remarkable lyrics. His “Poet Game” album, particularly the title track, is a great example of his skill. The track about the Kennedy assassination (“Brand New Dodge”) is pretty good too. I have this record on a terrific pressing by Red House Record, a label that consistently sounds good.
Another Brown, Ray Brown, had his “Soular Wind” album reissued by Audiophile Master Records (a very limited edition) that is one of the very best sounnding record that I have.
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My recommendations are:
Otis Spann is the Blues from the Candid recordings. Considering these were pressed in the 1960's they still sound fantastic.
Otis Spann and His Piano: Otis Spann & Robert Lockwood. Just as soulful as above. Its like the piano and the guitar are one instrument - tight
Fllamenco: Pepe Romero. Mercury Imports. Fantastic recording.
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I forgot one:
Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough, Butterfield Blues Band: Crystal Clear Records. Paul does an insane harmonica solo on the title track.
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I don't have that Butterfield Blues Band record, but, if it is on Crystal Clear, I am not surprised that it sounds great.
This reminds me of another terrifically well recorded album. Doug Macleod's "Come to Find" album which was originally release on Audioquest (yup, the cable company), and then reissued on Analogue Productions. I own the Audioquest version and have heard, and liked, the Analogue Productions reissue (they are almost always terrific with reissues). I can't say which is better. Charlie Musselwhite appears on a couple of tracks and his harmonica playing is fantastic.
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@larryi
I had been collecting MoFi for years.
At one point, I thought that I was noticing that the sound quality had become thinner, less airy and detailed.
Finally, the controversy over the digital step erupted. And I said “ah hah!”.
I now not simply prefer SS original press or NM original press or Analog Productions, I buy only them. Except for AP, I avoid all reissues.
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Ambrosia-Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled
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As I said above, I find Mo-Fi to be hit and miss, and I agree that Analogue Productions is quite consistently very good But, there have been many other labels doing reissues that have been very good too, such as Classic Records and King Records, and some that have many great reissues in their catalogue even if all are not great, such as JVC and Toshiba (to name two labels I have not mentioned above). For a lot of really great records, such as the old Blue Note catalogue, one must collect reissues unless one is willing to spend thousands of dollars on originals (I don't own a single original Blue Note). There are currently active companies that make fantastic reissues of some very important albums that are extremely expensive when originally issued, never mind what they end up costing as collector items later (e.g., the reissues made by the Electric Recording Company).
Once you get up into crazy price collecting, it might make sense going to reel to reel tape. I would never go that route myself, but, I've heard direct copies of master tapes that cost north of $1,000 that are so much more open, vivid and alive than LPs. I am too poor and too lazy to ever want to deal with tape.
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Philly Philly! Sorry, couldn't resist....
The recently released High Fidelity series by Rhino are all excellent remasters and pressings. Among the best on my turntable, and a bargain as well.
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I have to say, it’s refreshing to hear a newbie that is not so focused on gear but instead discovering a time machine to other eras of great music. Let’s just take this opportunity to say, “right on.” I believe you are on the right path to audio enlightenment and wish you good luck on your journey.
Equipment is a means to an end. The music’s the thing.
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BTW
Speaking of Rhino Records, their Chicago Transit Authority reissue was a huge disappointment. 60 seconds in I had to jump up to find my fifty year old copy in order to make sure I hadn’t imagined those in your face horns and deep bass guitar. So glad to still have my old copy. Another vote recorded FOR physical media 😎 .
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The editors of Absolute Sound magazine use to often tout the Ella Fitzgerald "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie" album on Verve Records. I have an original copy and it is indeed a fine sounding album, both musically and sonically. I would also include in a fairly short list of great sounding albums her "Whisper Not" album with the Marty Paich Orchestra. The big band accompaniment is tougher to record than that of "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie" and the performance is pretty good too. Verve is a hit or miss label, but both of these records are clearly in the "hit" category.
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Horace Parlan, 'Speakin' My Piece', 2x45rpm
Stan Getz and others, 'Getz/Gilberto' Impex 2x45prm
Jennifer Warnes, 'Famous Blue Raincoat', 33rpm original.
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The Parlan, Getz/Gilberto and Wanes recommendations are all good sounding albums with good music too. The Parlan record I have as a reissue (I don't own any original Blue Notes).
the Getz/Gilberto I also have as a reissue but I've heard a Verve original and MANY various reissues. All of the versions sound very good although they do suffer a little bit from excessive and boomy bass. Still, the music is great.
I have the original issue of Warnes' album (all covers of Leonard Cohen songs). It is an extremely well recorded album and I like most of the interpretations of his music on the album. It is a good place to explore other people's versions of his songs. One of my favorites on the album is "First We Take Manhattan" (my preferred cover of this was done by R.E.M).
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Ricky Lee Jones ,"Under the boardwalk" Larry ,thanks ,I never heard her version.
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The Rickie Lee Jones version is quite good musically, and the EP it is on is VERY good soundwise. Another track, Tom Waits' "Rainbow Sleeves" can be a bit demanding for some cartridges where she comes close to overloading the microphone. I've actually heard mis-tracking with a few cartridges playing this track.
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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.
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OP jumping back in just to say THANK YOU ALL for the amazing recommendations! I have not been disappointed yet. I've tracked down a few of the first recommendations, including the Chet Baker album (stunning, a new favorite -- thanks @yogiboy and @narrowfelllow), Du Pré's Elgar cello concerto with Dame Janet Baker (same!! Thanks @dogberry -- glad to hear the mono is amazing too), and Fantasia (Kostal conducting - thanks @pwerahera). I'm still tracking down many others and streaming as much as I can, including the many excellent recommendations by @terry9 and @larryi and more. This list will keep me busy for years and I love discovering new outstanding music. I'm also adding one recommendation as TRULY STUNNING on vinyl: NAGRA's 70th Anniversary Collection album. All tracks cut from original analog Masters at 45 rpm, and includes a wonderful mix spanning several decades, e.g. Bill Evans, Very Early (1968); Louis Armstrong, C'est si bon (1961), Marlene Verplanck, Deep in a Dream (1955), Buddy Tate, Stardust (1975), and other tracks through 2020. It's not cheap, but it is truly stunning. Thanks again and keep the recommendations coming!
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I think it is terrific that you have snagged some of the recommendations. I have both the Chet Baker and the Du Pre/Baker albums and they are great both musically and sonically. I wish I had your Nagra album; I heard it and it is a great compilation to own. I have the Thorens 125th Anniversary box set and it is quite good too.
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@larryi when I wrote about the disk "Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough" I messed up on the artist! The artist is actually Charlie Musselwhite! So what I should have written is:
Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough, Charlie Musselwhite: Crystal Clear Records.
Perhaps that is why you didn't recognize the piece.
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I still don’t know the record, but, Musselwhite on Crystal Clear Records must be something special.
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A bit more mainstream.
Music and interpretation to blow you away: Maurice Andre, Bach for Trumpet. Angel SZ-37728
Interpretation is incredible. Unobtainium, but you haven’t really heard Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto (#5 for piano) until you hear the first complete stereo recording still in existence, recorded in Berlin during WW2. You can hear the anti-aircraft cannon at one point. Walter Gieseking, Varese Sarabande, VC 81080.
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How about that! There's a VC 81080 on Discogs right now, it's the one with a German eagle on the cover.
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@terry9 thanks for the heads up, just bought it and will look for the Andre Bach album. You had me at anti-aircraft cannon! 🤯
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Impex Oliver Nelson Blues and the Abstract Truth.
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It takes a recording from a war zone to understand the Emperor. 'Cause when the Emperor gets lost, lots of people die, Beethoven as he meant it to be.
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@terry9 can't wait to hear it, hopefully it's in decent shape. Thanks again.
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Joni Mitchell's Mingus is an album that is outstanding after getting past the "Happy Birthday" first song on side one. The rest of the album should blow you away.
The best of the Doors is also worth mentioning.
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I haven't heard the Monk Mo-Fi one step, but, if it is like other such albums it would be terrific sounding. Mo-Fi has taken a lot of heat because they have made most of these albums from digital masters.
Analogue purist hate the very idea that digital is part of the chain because they believe digital is inherently bad. I am beginning to think that what is loved about analogue sound is what the medium does to the sound, not that it is a superior way to preserve the original signal. I have a number of early digitally recorded music issued on vinyl (because CDs had not yet been invented) that sound very good. They sound very much like analogue-recorded vinyl.
A similar observation has been made with analogue tape. I read an interview with three recording engineers and they all agreed that high resolution digital recording sounds closer to the native microphone feed than does an analogue tape recording of the same feed. But, they all agreed that they preferred the sound of the analogue tape version even if it was not as "accurate." Perhaps vinyl works the same way for vinyl fans.
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Has anyone mentioned Tea For The Tillerman by Cat Stevens? The Analogue Productions pressing.
Not an "audiophile" sounding recording, but "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder (on his Talking Book album) is a track that is very "punchy" sounding. One of the best drum sounds I've ever heard.
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i’m not a huge Black Sabbath fan, but the Rhino Numbered remaster of their self titled debut that came out a few months ago might be the best sounding vinyl record I’ve ever heard.
The Doors - Analogue Productions 45 RPM from a few years back (still available and better than the more recent UHQR)
2009 Pressing of Hotel California
Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin’ 45 RPM Analogue Productions
Steely Dan - all of the Analogue Productions UHQR
The Beatles - 2014 mono reissues
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The "Tea for the Tillerman" that I have is on an original Island release, not the Analogue Productions version and it is a very good sounding record (much better sounding than the original US release (A&M?)). I was surprised how much more dynamic and explosive the Island record was compared to the US version. I have not heard the Analogue Productions version, but I would bet it is good because that label is very consistently good.
I mentioned a few Ella Fitzgerald albums but forgot to mention her soundtrack for the movie "Let No Man Write My Epitaph." The 45 rpm reissue on Analogue Pro-ductions sounds very good for a 1960 mono recording.
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@larryi: Yeah, UK Island LP’s are known for their good sound, particularly the ones with a pink center label. I have only one, the second Traffic album. I had a UK Island copy of TFTT, but it was a later "sunray" label Island.
There is a YouTube video in which Bernie Grundman, Chad Kassem, and Michael Fremer discuss the whole TFTT story, which started when Bernie Grundman got the master tapes to do a reissue for Classic Records. Well worth your time searching for.
By the way, the Analogue productions TFTT is available in both 1-LP/33-1/3 RPM and 2-LP/45 RPM versions.
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@terry9 Beethoven's Emperor recording live from Berlin in fall 1944 just arrived, and I heard the anti-aircraft guns momentarily in the background towards the end of side 1. Amazing bit of history, and I feel fortunate that this album is actually in remarkably good shape. Thanks again for your recommendation. Bach for trumpets also arrived today, so I've been singing your praises (no audiophile pun intended) all day.
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Glad to help a kindred spirit. Enjoy!
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Arthur Salvatore's website, High End Audio, has an extensive list of LPs, all graded for sound. He listens almost exclusively to classical (he claims that there aren't any good sounding rock LPs).
His websire is enormous. Most of it is his impressions of performance, mastering, and pressing quality. He does have his preferences listed along with comments so you don't have to wade through all the other stuff (which can very informative).
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The Barbra Streisand Album. (The first one, 1963.)
I was listening to my recently-acquired-at-the-time Dynavector XX2 Mk II (10 years ago), and this was one of the albums I just randomly put on to listen for the Dynavector's capabilities. And I was somewhat shocked, because the sonics were great (wasn't expecting that!), and this was using an NAD 356BEE integrated.
Streisand's voice sounds fantastic (as do most women’s voices using the Dynavector). Roberta Flack’s "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" had vocals that so much resembled the human voice that the friend listening with me asked if this was a new pressing; I showed him the dog-chewed corner on the cover. "1974," I said. He was astounded because, of course, the Dynavector makes one sit up and take notice particularly on voices, both male and female, and especially anything centered between the midbass and the middle of the midrange frequencies. It can be quite forceful - and alternately, delicate - if the sounds being played (such as a flute), are. An exceptional cartridge, and it sure showed on Streisand's album!
None of the other Streisand albums sound sonically, like the first one. This album has very little to no dynamic compression, and the noise floor is low enough that you can hear, on "A Taste of Honey," the studio she’s in, and that there are other people in the room with her them moving quietly behind her. All the subtlest dynamic shifts of the voice (and, in this cut, the accompanying instruments) can be heard - even if you were reading an email and only half-listening. It’s petty transparent for a studio album, but then, it was recorded in the ’60s, when sound quality still mattered on some of the major labels. Columbia was decent back then, and that’s what Streisand was signed to at the time.
And the music itself is nothing to sneeze at, either! Poignant, forceful, zany, defiant are just some of the emotions Streisand conveys quite successfully on this record.
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Vanilla Fudge, 1 st.album 45 rpm Lp.
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@larryi
Regarding the MoFi one step.
I had been buying MoFi releases for a decade or so. I personally found that they were not always better than if you had a well cared for original pressing.
At one point, I found that the sound quality had deteriorated on new releases. I didn’t understand why. But they sounded like digitally mastered vinyl pressings, which tend to be lacking in atmospherics, texture and sometimes even dynamics. And so I stopped buying them.
Years later, I heard about the one step controversy. And I said “Heh heh …”
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Sorry, @phillyspecial, a typo.
Laudate on the Proprius label (brown cover) is wonderful but relatively obscure sacred music with wonderful accompaniment for organ.
The Christmas music is Cantate Domino, also on Proprius. The soprano, Mellnas, has a voice of sweetness and power like no other, not even Kiri Te Kenawa, and as distinctive as Joan Baez.
Both are perennial favourites of mine, so you also might enjoy.
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This community never ceases to amaze me (and often entertain me 👀🍿). Sincere thanks again for all of these wonderful recommendations, and please keep them coming. I have not yet been disappointed by any of these suggestions. 🙏
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