Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list

Jadem6; nice thread, but I seldom buy "audiophile" CDs, yet what I like sounds good on my system. No particular order:
(1) Cowboy Junkies "Waltz Across America"
(2) CCR "Bayou Country"; new remaster w/JVC 20bit K2 system
(3) Enigma "Cross of Changes"
(4) Melissa Etheridge, "Brave and Crazy"
(5) "Strike A Deep Chord" sub-title, "Blues for the Homeless, Various Artists. Only five is tough! Cheers. Craig

I also do not buy CDs just because they sound good. The only CD to die for I can think of was 8 years ago. A CD reissue of an older 1973 recording Decca only released in Europe, and not on their US London label. It was Mozart piano concerto #20 and #27; Clifford Curzon pianist; English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Britten (yes, the composer). This was before eMail, so I wrote to a British friend in London, who hunted around for a copy and mailed it to me in the States. It may now be available in the US, but I am not sure. It may be under the Great Pianists of the 20th Century label or the Decca/London Masters Label. This recording should be in the collection of all who love Mozart's piano works.

Appears it is not available. But if you do not have a friend in Europe, then the other Clifford Curzon recordings with other conductors is still worth your hard earned music dollar. Curzon's Schubert Trout Quintet with the Amadeus Quartet is still my favorite even thought it was recorded in the late 1950s.

1. J.S. Bach Unaccompanied Violin Sonantas and Partitas performed by Arthur Grumiaux (though I think overproduced, Itzhak Perlman's may have better texture, sound-wise, and be more liberal emotionally and in interpretation; regardless, a superb recording and performance)
2. J.S. Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites performed by Mischa Maisky (darker and slower than Rostropovich's)
3. Marhler 9th conducted by Bruno Walter (1961 version) (Or, Otto Klemperer's reading -- a tough choice)
4. Bruckner 9th conducted by Bruno Walter.
5. Shostakovich 10th conducted by Yevgeny Mravinsky, live (Phillips) (Karajan's readings on 10th -- recorded it twice -- are as superb).

1. Beethoven Bagatelles and Dances Vol. 1 (Naxos)
2. Copland 100 (RR)
3. Jacintha Autumn Leaves (Groove Note)
4. Peter Gabriel (Geffen) and
5. Tom Petty Full Moon Fever (MFSL).
I don't have a huge collection of CDs, yet. So, I'm sure this list will change. I hadn't really listened to Copland until late last year. The FWSO is performing alot of his works in celebration of his 100th "anniversary". Check out Copland 100 - the sonics are fantastic and the music is even better. Jacintha's voice is to die for in my opinion. Autumn Leaves is a great recording (maybe the original artists where better - but with her voice who cares). I discovered the Naxos label in a Stereophile article. They have some great recordings and at $5 or $6 each you can experiment without losing too much money. Peter Gabriel has always been my favorite Pop star (well, he and Phil Collins). I think Us is his best album (even if it contains alot of "re-releases"). Tom Petty has an interesting voice and for some reason MFSLs Full Moon Fever struck a chord with me. Thanks Jadem6 for a great thread. I'm going to check some of the other posters favorites.