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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Since my last post here I've fallen in love with and rediscovered a few more "To Die Fors". Last year JVC finally released an old favorite of mine - Chet Atkins' In Hollywood on XRCD2. This was made from the original 1957 master and it sounds just great. It's not the 1961 recording which I had hoped for but still, Chet's guitar just sounds so smooth and real. I wish more of my CDs could be this good. A real favorite of mine is also the JVC XRCD release of Autumn Leaves by Jacintha. She sounds so romantic and sad, especially on the last track Here's To Life. I'm really becoming a fan of XRCDs. And last, I'm completely melted by Ana Caram's Blue Bossa. She does such a wonderful job of reinterpreting some of Bossa Nova's classics in her intimate and loving way. I honestly believe since getting a tube preamp the emotional experience of these recordings has been enhanced.
I'd recommend Jazz at the Pawnshop (XRCD2) and Benny Green's "Testifyin" (CD) on the list of great recordings. Both are live recordings, very analog sounding.
Gentle Giant - In a Glass House (vinyl)
Steely Dan - AJA ( vinyl or CD)
Flim + The BB's - Tricycle (DMP gold CD)
Andreas Vollenweider - Down to the Moon (CD)
Spirit - 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardoicus (MOFI Gold CD)
1.) All Steely Dan - Donald has never cut a mediocre album.
2.) Peter Frampton - Comes Alive.
3.) Peter Frampton - Live In Detroit. If you like "Comes Alive", you'll love this one. Peter just can't seem to make a great studio album. Where's Alan Parsons when you need him.
4.) Pink Floyd - The Wall
5.) Brian Wilson - Imagination

Tuff to list just five . . .