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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Music

1. Carl Orff - Carmina Burana,
2. George Enescu - Oedipus Rex,
3. Steve Reich - Different trains,
4. Monteverdi - Vespro dela Beata Virginae,
5. Jordi Savall - Cristofor Columbus

Labels

Alia Vox
ACT
ECM
Chandos
Dorian

RR, Classic R, Cheski, MoFi, Harmonia Mundi, Tzadik, . . .

Medium

Master tapes (Tape project)
Acustech half speed vinyl,
SACD or DVD-A
XRCD
x-CD (Dorian)

Check out : Barb Jungr, John Zorn, Renaud Garcia Fons, Thomas Stanko, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen.

The rest is yet another 1001 nights, and more.

In this bussines adventure and risk bring the reward of a larger horizon, the ever expanding Univers.

Enjoy the Music!
For vinyl selections it usually something like this:
Nirvana - Unplugged in NY
Die Rohre (THE TUBE) - TACET music sampler
Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman
Leo Kottke - My Father's face
Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams

For CD's:
Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue
Tutti! - Reference Recordings
Diana Krall - Live in Paris
Jazz at the pawnshop
Norah Jones - Come away with me
Yes, Nimbus does have a few Indian classical recordings that are "warm" (i.e., capture ambience and hall acoustical charateristics - most of you know but in the rare instance that you don't). Water Lily Acoustics label also has some cool Indian classical & fusion recordings.

Believe it or not, there are some older unreal (or is it too real?), warm Amjad Ali Khan sarod recordings as well. This is not necessarily true for the other old Indian recordings - hence the specific example. Since Indian classical recordings NEED to be directional to "feel" the tabla on the left (right of the performer) and main performer in the center or right - the separated mics and old-world-classic Stereo affect without mixing works really well.
Manu Katche Neighborhood CD

Steve Davis Trio Quality of Silence SACD

Steely Dan Two Against Nature DVD A

Yello The Eye CD

Johnny Hodges Blues a Plenty CD

Eiji Oue Minnesota Orchestra Bolero "Fireworks " CD
Gordon Goodman's latest-recoding The Phat Pack-comes as a
cd and dvd.The dvd played through my system using the
direct mode-straight from my modwright denon 2900 to the amps-is like nothing you have ever heard-the most incredible big band sound ever.The songs are excellent and
surround mix is the best I have ever experienced.