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
New Jim O'Rourke "Insignificance". Very musically interesting. Great recording with a live sound. This is what pop should be.
Just some thoughts, and please excuse me if these are not considered "audiophile" recordings, but I think the most important thing is the enjoy derived from the music itself, not necessarily the recording(or the equipment).
1. Darkness on The Edge of Town-Bruce Springsteen
2. Jazz-Ry Cooder
3. Pete Townshend Live at the Deep End
4. Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits
5. Rubber Soul-Beatles
I may have made a mistake with one or more of my recommendations...I went out and bought Diana Krall, Lucinda Williams, Pam Tillis, and Cowboy Junkies cds after reading the above recommendations... I now own 4 Lucinda Williams cds and I'm looking for more...I can say the same for Cowboy Junkies who were almost as impressive. I first listened to them on cdnow, which really didn't seem to do them justice in the final analysis. Anyone who hears Lucinda Williams sing "Am I too Blue for you" has got to love it or at least should. Diana Krall and Pam Tillis are certainly worth adding to anyone's collection. I didn't care for the first two songs on Lucinda Williams cd but the rest was pure gold...Cowboy Junkies cd "Trinity Series" first song is not indicative of the rest of a very good cd. A couple of Lucinda William's cds could probably knock a couple of my recommendations off the list and I will admit that at least some of you know what you are talking about.
Kenny Barron, Charlie Haden
The Night and You, Live piano and bass. Awesome and beautiful