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Truly Stunning Vinyl Album

Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge!  So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album: 

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/

Thanks for any recommendations!

phillyspecial
woofman74's avatar
woofman74
43 posts
 

BTW

Speaking of Rhino Records, their Chicago Transit Authority reissue was a huge disappointment.  60 seconds in I had to jump up to find my fifty year old copy in order to make sure I hadn’t imagined those in your face horns and deep bass guitar.  So glad to still have my old copy.  Another vote recorded FOR physical media 😎 .

larryi
3,888 posts
 

The editors of Absolute Sound magazine use to often tout the Ella Fitzgerald "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie" album on Verve Records.  I have an original copy and it is indeed a fine sounding album, both musically and sonically.  I would also include in a fairly short list of great sounding albums her "Whisper Not" album with the Marty Paich Orchestra.  The big band accompaniment is tougher to record than that of "Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie" and the performance is pretty good too.  Verve is a hit or miss label, but both of these records are clearly in the "hit" category.

thom_oz
18 posts
 

Horace Parlan, 'Speakin' My Piece', 2x45rpm

Stan Getz and others, 'Getz/Gilberto' Impex 2x45prm

Jennifer Warnes, 'Famous Blue Raincoat', 33rpm original.

 

larryi
3,888 posts
 

The Parlan, Getz/Gilberto and Wanes recommendations are all good sounding albums with good music too.  The Parlan record I have as a reissue (I don't own any original Blue Notes).

the Getz/Gilberto I also have as a reissue but I've heard a Verve original and MANY various reissues.  All of the versions sound very good although they do suffer a little bit from excessive and boomy bass.  Still, the music is great.

I have the original issue of Warnes' album (all covers of Leonard Cohen songs).  It is an extremely well recorded album and I like most of the interpretations of his music on the album.  It is a good place to explore other people's versions of his songs.  One of my favorites on the album is "First We Take Manhattan" (my preferred cover of this was done by R.E.M).

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,299 posts
 

Ricky Lee Jones ,"Under the boardwalk"  Larry ,thanks ,I never heard her version. 

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