Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list


I've been listening to some of my favorite recordings this weekend and was wondering what others on Audiogon felt were there favorites. We have all seen the Stereophile "Records to Die For", The Absolute Sounds recommended list, Music Directs' list, The Golden Ear, etc. now I'm hoping to assemble the Audiogon "Recordings To Die For". Please list your five favorite recordings, the ones you listen to over and over or play for friends. I would assume the sonic quality is excellent in that this is an audiophile site. The performance and enjoy ability should also be excellent. Please leave your top five, even if they are already chosen so we can discover the very top for the Audiogon listeners. ALSO PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CRITICIZING OTHERS OPINIONS AND JUST LEAVE YOUR FAVORITES!

August 2002: I have compiled a summary and a full printer-friendly list of all of the recommendations below.
click here to view summary
128x128jadem6
Sound Liaison;Carmen Gomes Inc. & Paul Berner
So far i have mostly been using old jazz recordings(vinyl)
George Shearing with Nancy Wilson;''All Night Long'' is an all time favorite.....great placement and balance.
Miles Davis kind of Blue,....space and depth.
Lately since using my PC as a high end audiophile jukebox I started searching for good downloads.
SoundLiaison has made three I.M.O absolutely astonishing albums presented as 96/24 waw downloads.
Carmen Gomes Inc;''Thousand Shades of Blue'' is a fantastic live in the studio album.4 instruments;voice,guitar,upright bass,and drums(cajon replacing the drums on the lovely title track).Everything is there great separation,stereo imaging,depth and balance.
The version of Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire is a musical and audiophile masterpiece,check out how the snare drum and the haunting guitar voicing complement but never cover up each other.
On the 2nd album,Poul Berner Band's lovely Elvis Presley tribute: Road to Memphis,
you've got tr.6 ''the Colonel''Michael Moore's sax enters oo.45 with just the sound of air,as if he is right there up close in front of you,so intimate.
Again only 4 instruments; guitar at 8 o'clock,sax at 11,bass at 1 o'clock and 2nd guitar at 4 o'clock.the sound stage is almost 3 dimensional.
On the 3rd album Torn,best described as a blues ballad album,you got everything an audiophile album should have (i.m.o.)placement, depth,separation,naturalness,the feeling of being there with the band visible in front you.And musically I find it a great album as well,a beautiful mix of covers and very well composed originals.http://www.soundliaison.com
I dont know if i think its the best or to die for #1 spot but i keep coming back to Oh Mercy. The production and overall soundscape ala D Lanois is superb conbined with Dylans lyrics and a voice that just seems so perfect here. Love the vibe of the whole record. 4men with beards reissue sounds really good. The othe four choices havent bubbled up just yet.
Afranta,
I strongly agree with you. Sea Change and Mutations not only sound great, they are great music. Surely in the "must have" category.
Jeff Buckley, GRACE
John Grant, QUEEN OF DENMARK
Jimmy Spheeris, ISLE OF VIEW
Joy Division, CLOSER
Genesis, THE LAMB LIES DOWN