what are your most favored recordings ?

I agree -- very tough to pick only 5 or to be confident that this 5 is the right 5. That said, I would include, at least:

Joseph Flummerfelt and the Westminster Choir "Like as a Hart," for its choral sound and sensibility and because it includes Edward Bainton's And I Saw a New Heaven;

Emil Gilels playing the Brahms No. 2, because of the incredible broad tempo at the beginning and because it's Brahms (Let Nothing Ever Grieve You is also on the Flummerfelt);

The Sibelius Symphony No. 5 because I love the themes and the construction of it and (probably) because it appeals to the brass player in me;

Lyle Lovett's "Joshua Loves Ruth" because it draws me in and because of his ironic writing and his musicianship (Road to Empanada almost makes it entirely on the strength of "I'm a Long Tall Texan"); and

Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, Ashkenazy, because it is such a towering achievement.

This leaves out so much -- Cassandra Wilson, Andy Bey, Prokofiev, string quartets, piano trios, Nojima playing Liszt, Shirley Horn, etc. Thanks, Newbee, for including the Faure and some Mahler. And thanks, Mrtennis, for the interesting task.

David

I agree with Dave---too many but here's a shot at 5 for now:
EGBDF--Moody Blues
Dream Seqence--Tangerine Dream
Boy's and Girls--Brian Ferry
Beggars Banquet--Rolling Stones
Annie Haslam--Annie Haslam

Bonus: Elvis is Back--Elvis Presley

Mike

Mrtennis

Here you go: http://www.stretta.com/~matthew/index.html

If you have a subwoofer or two they will get a very good workout...lots of 20hz stuff in these two.

Note: "Waterworks" is a two cd set. You can listen to the complete cd (MP3) at the link by clicking on the cd cover at the top of the page.

Dave

N.P.O.

“Cinemagic” Dave Grusin , He’s a great writer.
“Live At The Fillmore East” The Allman Brothers Band, nuf said.
“Abby Road” The Beatles. saving the best for last..
Tchaikovsky 5th, Ormandy The Philadelphia Orch.
Beethoven 6th, Gunter Wand, N. German Radio Sym. Orch.

All of the above recording are played every few months.

In no particular order:

Johnny Mathis - Open Fire, Two Guitars - incredible voice, clean guitar, no gimmiks

Allman Brothers - Live at Fillmore East - IMO One of the best live recordings ever and I grew up on it

Beatles - Rubber Soul - Love the imagery that it invokes

Mahavishnu Orchestra - Inner Mounting Flame - This is how I got into Jazz

Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball - The voice, the production, nuff said