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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
slhijb
9 posts
 
1. Grateful Dead, American Beauty. Classic. Will change your perspective. Top of my list for over 25 years.
2. Billy Joe Shaver, Gypsy Boy. (Vinyl) Dark, haunting... takes you to a different place.
3. Kris Kristofferson, Silver Tongued Devil. You either hear it or you don't. If you do, you'll never let it go.
4. Louis Armstrong, Verve. Compilation of his more soulful sessions. Simply Wonderful.
5. Guy Clark, Old Friends. Emotionally draining, accoustically captivating.
crp's avatar
crp
38 posts
 
Jennifer Warnes, "The Well." Jenny is a magnificently talented vocalist. This is great music, which also happens to be an almost flawless recording/production.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Molvaer Nils Petter "Khmer" ECM electronic jazz album!
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duddley
60 posts
 
Being mindful to limit my selctions to audiophile grade recordings, here goes.

Peter Gabriel: UP
Lee Ritenour: Wes Bound
Lyle Lovett: Joshua Judges Ruth
Harry Connick Jr.: She
Acoustic Alchemy: Positive Thinking
Patricia Barbara: Cafe Blue
Jazz at the Pawn Shop: Jazz at the Pawn Shop
Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones: Outbound
samene
4 posts
 
Here are a few specialized recommendations:

Best Blindfold recordings (without vision you'd SWEAR they were playing in the room with you) -
1. Sacred Feast - Gaudeamus (SACD 6.0 but would still be tops at 5 channel)
2. Swing Live - Bucky Pizzarelli (DVD-A)
3. Dreamland - Madeleine Peyroux (HDCD)
4. The Raven - Rebecca Pigeon (SACD)
5. Because of You - Kenny Rankin (CD)

Best Impression recordings (play for your friends and watch them trade in their systems)
1. Sacred Feast - Gaudeamus (SACD 6.0 but would still be tops at 5 channel)
2. Nice 'n' Easy - Cincinnati Pops (SACD)
3. Swing Live - Bucky Pizzarelli (DVD-A)
4. Bug Music - Don Byron (CD)
5. Dreamland - Madeleine Peyroux (HDCD)

Best Performance recording (reasonable audio but blow-your-head-off music)
1. Swingin' for the Fences - Gordon Goodwin (CD)
2. Rock 'n Roll Gumbo - Professor Longhair (CD)
3. Mi Tierra - Gloria Estafen (CD)
4. Dream a Dream - Charlotte Church (SACD)
5. Beethoven Piano Concertos 3 & 4 - Emil Gilels w/Szell (Vinyl; available on CD)

Best You-Probably-Never-Heard recording
1. My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone (CD CHARLY 6)
2. In Need Again - Repercussion Unit (Vinyl; available on CD)
3. Spirit of the Forest - Baka Beyond (CD)
4. Dakar Heart - Jimi Mbaye (CD)
5. Bass,Bass,Bass,Bass,Bass, and Bass - L'Orchestre De Contrebasses (CD)
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