Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list

A great cd recording - Martin Deny's "The Best of Martin Deny". Originals date back to the 50's, amazingly recorded and truly dynamic, an absolute great demo cd (especially tracks 5 to 20).

Carmen McCrae (Sings the Great American songbook)

When evaluating new equipment, this is the one I always pull out. If you can find it in Vinyl, all the better.

Unbelievable recording of great live jazz.

Only 5 is tough, but here goes(off the top o' me head w/o a lot of thought):

1. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
2. Kate Bush - The Hounds of Love
3. Radiohead - OK Computer
4. Roxy Music - Avalon
5. P.J. Harvey - Songs From the City, Songs From the Sea

Damn, I couldn't get in any Ramones, Clash, Talking Heads, Yes, Weezer, Bjork, Liz Phair, Who, Bowie, etc. etc. This list-thing is a cruel idea! ;^)

As a big WHO fan, I love the Mobile Fidelity version of WHO's Next. Very impressive in soundstage and dynamics.

1. Jane Monheit, "Come Dream With Me". If you like young, sultry, female vocalists who can emotionally communicate, go no further than this CD. The recording is spectacular in an unecumbered way, but it is Monheit's voice and conviction in what she is singing that will have you playing this CD over and over, even if Tom Harrell's performance as a sideman on this CD is somewhat shaky.

2. Carmen McRae, "Carmen Sings Monk". What a great, great, singer this lady was. Beautifully recorded intimate night club setting.

3. Sergio Mendes, "Brasileiro". Still one of the greatest recordings of any music, regardless of genre, I've ever heard. If this doesn't get you moving...you're dead.

4. "Gypsy Passion: New Flamenco", a Narada Collection. The liner notes say" sensuous rhythms, scorching guitar, profound spirit...". The liner notes are right on target.

5. Leonard Slatkin conducts Russian Showpieces, RCA Red Seal. Everything to test the soundstaging capabilities of your system, and its micro and macro dynamics. Beautiful music, beautifully done. (Pictures At An Exhibition, Prokofiev's Classical Symphony in D, etc.,).