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
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Many of my favs are listed her, but the two recording that I've been enjoying (and forcing others to enjoy) most recently have been Keith Jarret's Kohln (sp!) concert and Giya Kancheli's Lamment, both available on ECM (which is rapidly becomming my favorite label).
Bruno Walter w/ Columbia Orchestra, "Beethovens Ninth",
The Who, "Who's Next" (British pressing),
Chet Baker "Last Great Concert" I & II,
Edgar Meyer,"Uncommon Ritual",
Chris Isaac, "Baja Sessions".
Honorable Mention:
Chieftans "Long Black Veil",
Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" (correct pitch remaster).
At this moment I can only think of three. I'm taking this seriously and some of my favorite recordings are what I have recorded and not commercially available. So, here it goes:
1) Dave Brubeck- "Gone with the Wind", 6 eyed Columbia in Stereo. 360 also sounds great. I believe this album came out prior to "Take 5". However, it is a terrific album and gets played more often than "5". Just, listen to those drum skins!......................................................
2) Grateful Dead- "American Beauty", Warner Bros. "Green Label" I have had this album on the other Warner Bros. labels and believe me until you hear a mint "Green" you don't know what you are missing. Also, I think that due to the accoustic nature of the compositions in lends towards a sweet, solid and clean sound. I swear I'm listening to the master tape. It is that good!............................
3) Bill Berry-"For Duke", Direct to Disc, MK Records. Put this on your table and turn out the lights. In front of you unfolds and real band in real space. I play this for "newbies" that wonder what it is always about. Afterwards, I give them the mop to clean up the mess. And, from that day on they "get it"!............................
*** All of the above are recommended on vinyl only. I don't have any 96/24 or SACD. And, I haven't heard a standard CD that compares to what turntable can do. That's not to say that I don't enjoy my cd's. I do! But, that is not what the post is about. I'll submit my next 2 after further serious consideration. BTW, Great post!
1) Miles Davis- The Complete Concert: 1964
2) Debussy: Images, Etudes, etc.- Jean-Yves Thibaudet
3) Faure: Requiem and other choral music- The Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter
4) A Meeting by the River- Ry Cooder and V.M. Bhatt
5) Maceo Parker- Life on Planet Groove
Listing dark horse material only (Kind of Blue is hard to leave off)
1. Introducing Ruben Gonzales, an 83 yr old cuban piano player whose soul and chops are astonishing.
2. Senor Blues, Taj Mahal. The best taste in R&B.
3. Yellow Moon, Neville Brothers, powerful & moving.
4. Ballad of the Fallen, Charlie Haden. Makes you want to take up arms for the cause.
5. Crosswinds, Capercaille. Kare Mathessen's voice is pure sunlight. Special mention: John Hiatt's Feel's Like Rain as a single.