I often listen to jazz while working; I can't have lyrics playing when I am working on very technical stuff. I remember working while I had a live album on, recorded in a small club (I wish I remember which one). But at one point, I got annoyed at the couple at the table next to me, and wished they would shut up. Of course, that table was on the recording... I get pleasantly surprised now and again at random small things like that.
What to listen for?
This is aside to the obvious ones such as does a piano sound like a piano, the singer's voice sound close to them live, etc.
So, what I am trying to put together a list of songs where there is something specific to listen for. For instance, in the song Guinevere (CS&N) I have read that Crosby should sound as if he's standing in your room, front and center. On the acoustic Hot Tuna Album, they are playing in a bar and a beer bottle breaks landing on the floor - it should be sharp and sound like it's in the room with you. On Babylon Sisters there are some cymbal crashes on the left that should be crisp and not smeared. On a Beatles song (I forget which), a chair squeaks and a door opens and closes in the studio.
A good system will revel these little things. Any other that you have heard of?