Most achingly-beautiful music

I've been listening a lot to a couple of albums. Both these are music suitable for being in pain.

Etta James: "Love's been rough on me". A beautiful, pained, strong, bluesy sound. Rolling guitars and horns. Sample lyric "I was your rock, now I'm rolling away." As it happens, I'm listening right now. Very nice recording in terms of sound on a good system also. This was an Audiogon recommendation, so thanks to whomever...

John Hiatt's latest (I think). "Crossing Muddy Waters". Check out the cut "What do we do now?", which says it all. Just a consumate songwriter, playing with good musicians. The sound is very good, if a bit bright.

You asked for achingly beautiful music, which these are. Maybe even better description would be music to listen to when you are aching.

Best,

Eric

p.s. To seandtaylor99, what is your favorite recording of Beethoven's 5th? I love this also, but picked up Thielmann conducting it, and have been disappointed. Looking for something that is a powerful (symphonic!) interpretation, and which also sounds great on a modern sound system.

Any ECM afficianados out there? Don't know how he does it, but Manfred Eicher gets the best out of his musicians. My vote would be..

Pat Metheny and Friends ("80/81"): the last 5 minutes of "two folk songs"
Pat Metheny: New Chautauqua
Egberto Gismonti: Solo (this guy is amazing. Like a Brazilian Keith Jarrett)
Mick Goodrick: In Passing
Kenny Wheeler: any early album (Gnu High, Deer Wan, Around Six)
Dave Holland: Life cycle, Extensions
W. A. Mozart: String quartet #15
Chopin: The Nocturnes

In no particular order:
Simon and Garfunkels "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Always makes me feel like everything's gonna be ok no matter what.

Billy Joels "Innocent Man"
Always makes me feel like everything is gonna be ok when I'm havin' woman problems.

Joaquin Rodrigo/ The Adagio from the "Concerto de Aranjuez"
Sad, bitter sweet,cerebral,intensely sexual, but hopeful as well. This works on so many emotions and I never tire of it. Julian Breem does this piece exceptionaly well. However, Christopher Parkening's performance is absolutely astonishing.

Bach's cello suite no 2. "Famous blue Raincoat" by Leanoard Cohen. "Fly" by Nick Drake.

Great thread! I have just a couple of suggestions. Gorecky's Symphony For Sad Songs, UTE Lemper's BARABARA, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek and orchestra on ARBOUR ZENA.