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
The number one vinyl recording that never ceases to "stun" me has to be "Just the way you are" by Billy Joel on the 30th anniversary 180 gram re-issue of "The Stranger". Mobile Fidelity is about to do a release of this, but I absolutely CAN NOT IMAGINE that it could be any better than what I already have. It sounds like the acoustic guitars are in the room with you. His vocals are incredibly clear and you can hear each individual string on the guitars. It's really something.

Other Notables are: Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits Vol 2, specifically "Love on the Rocks" and "Forever in Blue Jeans"
This album is relatively easy to find cheap, and as long as you can get a nice copy it has AMAZING sound.

Alan Parsons Projects "Eye in the Sky" sounds really nice as well. The instrumental intro into the title track has a great soundstage and "presence".

Last year's re-issue of "Wish you were here" is fabulous as well. Much better than "The Wall" issue (which is newer material) that came out shortly afterwards.

Steve Perry's solo album "Street Talk" has a really nice track called "Foolish Heart". "Oh Sherrie" is pretty good, but not nearly as polished and realistic as "Foolish Heart".

And certainly NOT "Least" is the Mobile Fidelity re-issue of "Sinatra at the Sands". This 1966 live recording is simply AMAZING. If you close your eyes, particularly during his monologues, it seems as if you are there in the room among people who are drinking and dining. You can hear plates and glasses clicking and it gives you the distinct impression of three dimensional space from only two channels. My favorite recording EVER...
I have yet to hear anything that I would die for, because if I died I would not be able to enjoy listening to the album.

I have a Motorcycle that I almost died with, a Ducati 1198.

This is said sarcastically.
Zaphodbeeblebrox,

Surely you could ask deep thought the ultimate question? I'm sure then you could work a way to surviving listening to the record to die for. But then it wouldn't be to die for!

Your name brings back happy memories Zaphodbeeblebrox. Forgive me I couldn't resist.
Chadeffect,

I welcome any references to Hitchhikers!

Belgium!

The answer to the Ultimate Question is 42.

If you put 42 into machine code it is 0101010, interesting if true.
I don't know if Douglas Adams pick 42 because of its machine code or he just picked the number out of the air.
Zaphodbeeblebrox lol,

I didn't know the machine code reference. I'm trying to think when the last time I even saw machine code was. 1987 maybe?

For those vinyl heads its a shame the answer wasn't 45...