Well recorded records ... what are your picks?


I just finished listening to some records. No surprises, just some usuals. But, I was thinking the whole time about how well some of these records were engineered and recorded. I thought I would write about them and ask for your favorites.

I finished with Thomas Dolby -- Aliens Ate My Buick. It is so well recorded! I am drawn in and must listen to the whole album. I lose myself in this one! Rickie Lee Jones -- Pop Pop. Spin her version of "Up From the Skies" and you will know what I am talking about. Pure recorded bliss. It is magical. I had to listen to the rest of the album and was not disappointed! Dire Straits -- Love Over Gold. Title track -- unbelievable. This album is so well recorded; no wonder I have known more than a few audiophiles who have recommended it. I listened to the whole damned wonderful album! Rickie Lee Jones -- Rickie Lee Jones. How can you miss with this one. If you need to test your set-up, go with this one. It is perfect. Oh, also, I listened to "Sunday in the Park with George" tonight. It is so well recorded with depth and width. I also enjoy the music. I also spun Dire Straits -- Communique. It is not as well recorded as Love Over Gold, but that is only by a "smidgen." It is truly a gem. I love the music, and it is very well recorded.

These are my picks for tonight. More to come, of course. I am wondering what are your favorites and why? This could be a nice exchange of information on well engineered and recorded records for all of us. And, we could all discover albums and their characteristics through each other's information.

Cheers!
bicycle_man
Luka Bloom- the title is "Riverside". Incredibly well-recorded singer-songwriter! And the music is really good as well as the recording quality. It's on the Reprise label.--Mrmitch
Thomas Dolby -- The Flat Earth. Listen to "I Scare Myself" -- delicious!

One thing I wanted to glean from this question posted was information on "sleeper" records. Records that are not normally thought of as high fidelity, yet turn out to be very well recorded and engineered -- records right under our noses that are actually of great quality. Also, records that are normally known for their music, but not for their sound quality, yet turn out to be sublime in that respect.

Great stuff posted so far!

Cheers.
2 that unexpectedly blew me away with quality and music....

XTC - Apple Venus Volume 1
Elvis Costello - All this Useless Beauty

Great thread.
Hey Clarets2,
Thank you for your input and kind comment!

Why just two nights ago I was listening to Black Sea and Skylarking... (I hadn't seen your post yet.) If I didn't already post those XTC albums to this thread, I do so now. I am now in the market for an lp of Apple Venus Volume 1. I know almost all of the songs on it. I can only imagine how great this masterpiece must sound on vinyl!

I will also check out the Elvis album! This recommendation of yours has also made me want to re-visit the albums that I do have from him. I enjoy all of Elvis Costello's music (I am still not sure about "The Juliet Letters", though). I will re-visit the albums I do have to check the recording qualities. I may post them as recommendations.

Cheers!
Have you listened to Band on the Run (Paul McCartney and Wings) lately? Really nicely recorded! Some really interesting arrangements and instrumentation. Very enjoyable experience!