What selections do you play when showing off your system to others?
I find that when I'm having someone listen to my system that I usually play the same 4 or 5 selections. I tend to lean towards vocals and acoustic presentations. Mine are as follows:
Hold That Line- Tedeschi Trucks Band
Roadhouse and Automobiles- Chris Jones
The Hunter- Jennifer Warnes
River Blues- Eric Bibb
Flight of the Hippo- Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
It's All in the Game- Merle Haggard
Your Bright Baby Blues- Jackson Browne
What are yours?
I’ve found the best way to show my system off to others is to let them control the queue. While the listener may appreciate analyzing the music you play, they will likely not resonate emotionally with it because they don’t know it very well. That said, I do have a number of test tracks I use for myself to evaluate performance for customers when they visit, which I also use for myself when I am swapping or repositioning anything in my system. The list below is just a few of what I would recommend to others. S.M.F. - Joe Satriani Invitation (MFSL Remaster) - Patricia Barber You Shook Me (2014 Remaster) - Led Zeppelin Ain’t No Use (2007 Remaster) - Sarah Vaughan Slow Meadow - Artificial Algorithm For the Love of a Princess - 2Cellos Black Magic Woman (MFSL) - Santana San Andreas Fault (MFSL) - Natalie Merchant Rooting for You - London Grammar My Home is in the Delta (AP Remaster) - Muddy Waters You Are Too Beautiful - John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman Snegoruchka - Minnesota Orchestra No Sanctuary - Chris Jones Blue Rondo a la Turk (AP Remaster) - Dave Brubeck You Only Live Twice - Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan The Summer: 3. Presto - Avi Avital |
I am digital only, and right now my first choice would probably be Cowboy Junkies?Trinity Sessions on my (I think, Analogue Productions) SACD. I would also use my MFSL SACDs of Dire Straits self titled or DireStraits/Love Over Gold (particularly the first track). I have four different digital pressings of Patricia Barber/Cafe Blue, and I'd probably use one of the two SACDs of that. The problem with that, however, is that I have found if the listener's taste in music varies from what I've picked out, it is not all that effective of a demonstration. Steve Earle/Train A Coming used to be what I considered to be some of my best digital, but I remember playing my favorite track for a friend of mine, and he was pretty much disinterested. Anymore, I'd probably just suggest that someone brought their own stuff over . . . and see how it compared. The last time I did that, my friend was blown away. He said something to the effect of: that he was depressed because we both had the same speakers (B&W 805s) and mine sounded so much better.
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@blisshifi absolutely. +1. |
@blisshifi absolutely. +1.
Me too. In fact it would be hypocritical of me to do otherwise after years of complaining about show demos where they stick to their well recorded 'background music'. You just can't help but feel that someone is trying to hide something. This happened recently where we heard the impressive Bayz Audio Courante speakers. These omnidirectional speakers presented a stunning out of the box sound but because the music was unfamiliar we had no idea just how good they were.
Music has to resonate with the listener or else what's the point?
Anymore, I'd probably just suggest that someone brought their own stuff over . . . and see how it compared. The last time I did that, my friend was blown away. He said something to the effect of: that he was depressed because we both had the same speakers (B&W 805s) and mine sounded so much better.
Sometimes it's even worse when someone has a reputedly worse system (acc to reviewers etc) that sounds better than yours! It happened to me once when my brother's friend from work lent him a tape that was recorded on a music centre that blew away mine that was recorded on a middling NAD tape deck. On my tape deck! Such things shouldn't happen. |
@cd318 that would have bummed me out. This guys ears are way better than mine, but speakers aside, I have wayyyy more $ in my electronics. He is the one that got me started down this destructive trail, but where his main thing is HT, I diverged and became obsessed (with obsessed being a relative term) with two channel audio. |
I agree that we should invite them to bring their own stuff and/or select their own play queque. It's the only way the music will get up close and personal to them. But. I have to shamelessly admit that I take their keys away so they can't leave the premises until I get to play: The King's Singers - Hard Days Night Carole Horne - Noboby Knows SRV - Tin Pan Alley |
I agree with the sentiments written by @millercarbon and others: let the listener choose. If a music selection is not increasing brain [dopamine], your guest will not enjoy the listening session. Worse yet, if they actually dislike the music playing, they will find an excuse to leave the room and quietly, or openly, question the wisdom behind your expensive hobby! If it was just about the sound quality, I wish I could play, “The Power And The Majesty” recording of the steam train! I heard it once, over 40 years ago, at an audio store in Richmond, VA. Have a great day! |
I usually ask what they like and try to start off with a taste of that. Maybe a couple tracks and then throw in a few pieces that really perform! Maybe Supertramp, “School” from Crime of the Century (either HiRez digital or the record). Maybe Yes, “Roundabout” Fragile, from HiRez dsf./SACD file. Maybe some Neil Young “Comes a Tome “ or “Look Out for My Love” off Comes A Time from analog remaster vinyl. Sting “Island of Souls” from Soul Cages, 44.1 digital. Black Crows “She Talks to Angels” off Shake Your Money Maker, 44.1 digital file. Genesis “Firth of Fifth” off Selling England by the Pound”, dsf./SACD digital file. Jesse Cook “Beyond Boarders” off Beyond Boarders 44.1 digital file. And whatever else they like. Of course I don’t play all these for everyone but just choose some tracks that the person may like. Doesn’t work if they hate the band or type of music. But sometimes the music they like is a terrible recording. Most of my friends aren’t really into classical much but maybe a little jazz or progressive rock, classic rock and varied other styles. I’m not stocked up on county or Nashville stuff. Sorry. Everyone has a different taste! So try to play to they’re taste if the recordings are good. |
I used to play Sinaed O’ Connor doing a pretty much acoustic cover of Nirvana’s All Apologies for people. I personally found it to be realistically intimate and close up and revealing and for that reason it mesmerized me. It didn’t seem to have that effect on those I played it for, however. The Highway Men covering Steve Earle’s The Devil’s Right Hand was another one I liked to play, because I thought the sound-stage (the placement of the four vocalists) came through quite well (plus I thought it was just a lot of fun listening to those guys doing those lyrics). Probably another one I flopped out on. |
He is the one that got me started down this destructive trail, but where his main thing is HT, I diverged and became obsessed (with obsessed being a relative term) with two channel audio.
I’ve always been more of a 2 channel stereo fan myself but I can definitely see myself moving over to Home Theatre sometime in the future. A large TV without high quality sound is far less immersive.
Worse yet, if they actually dislike the music playing, they will find an excuse to leave the room and quietly, or openly, question the wisdom behind your expensive hobby!
I’ve never had anyone openly question the wisdom of my hobby (apart from my wife but she doesn’t count - she knew what she was marrying into), but yes I’ve felt those vibes on more than one occasion. Shall we say it’s a slightly uncomfortable feeling? That’s why it’s always best to be a little diplomatic if a friend asks you how their system sounds. You don’t have to lie, just choose your words carefully. |
@cd318 it was back in the good old days of VHS and Dolby Pro Logic that I got started. And I did think that was a lot of fun. But so much happened so quickly that I didn't even try to keep up--haha, I never even bought a DVD player. I imagine that HT has evolved beyond my wildest imagination at this date. But that's okay, I have rationalized it (because I could never afford it now) by using TV as a just a diversion to pass the time and not allowing myself to think about how good the special effects might be when I watch a movie . . . and that kind of means that I never watch a movie because it has good special effects (like I did in the old days) but because it is a good movie with a good plot a good script and good acting. But I can only imagine, however, how much more I would like some of my favorite movies on a HT. |
I could care less about the tut-tuts I sometimes get. I could care less about the various contests people might goad me into to determine who is the more virtuous hobbyist. In any event, I got to say that, in my current living circumstances the only other person I know of with a genuine, audiophile-oriented sound system is my wife -- whose modest but extremely mellifluous system sits in the living room. Her bedside clock radio has superior sound compared to mine, as well. |
@ebm - you really crack yourself up, don't you? |
I never watch a movie because it has good special effects (like I did in the old days) but because it is a good movie with a good plot a good script and good acting. But I can only imagine, however, how much more I would like some of my favorite movies on a HT.
Yes they've got to have more than just special effects, even the very best - 2001, Mad Max 2 etc. Otherwise like so many of the blockbuster Marvel/DC films, they are so easily forgettable afterwards. Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight were good, but I can't see myself in a hurry to watch them again. I have the DVDs but they've remained undisturbed in the cupboard for years. Recently I've been watching some Robert Mitchum films and I was surprised to find I haven't seen a bad one yet! Even the later ones such as Farewell My Lovely and The Big Sleep were excellent. I also remember one demo where they were using an helicopter scene out of one of the James Bond movies, I think Pierce Brosnan, to show off the system, subwoofers and all. If I remember correctly they even had some special chairs that would shake during the action sequences. It was all very dramatic but my main thought was to get out of the room asap. Sometimes you don't want that much fake realism, you don't need that much fake realism. Too much crash bang wallop. |
I always let guests have the the first picks, the start working my faves into the mix. Usually I'll suggest Eva Cassidy, Aaron Neville, if it's Jazz, Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny "Beyond The Missouri Sky", Diana Krall. Eric Clapton and BB King "Riding with the King", Carlos Santana "Europa", Stevie Ray Vaughan "Texas Flood". |
Chocolate Chip Trip-Tool Anything by Marcus Miller. Insanely great recordings. Hotel California- Eagles live Fallin- Alicia Keys Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway- Al Dimeola Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough- Michael Jackson Eva Cassidy many tracks Anything from the Made in Japan album by Deep Purple Watermelon Man- Herbie Hancock Bucks Boogie- Blue Oyster Cult Phantom of the Opera- Iron Maiden Fly Like an Eagle- Steve Miller Kashmir- Marcin Warriors- Too Many Zooz
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Interesting question. Like many, I admit I like to pick music that sounds great on the system but I stay away from non-mainstream strange stuff, looking for 'known' music. Sometimes I like stuff with deeper bass (Lyle Lovett's Road From Ensenada) because most folks have no idea what a full-range system can sound like. I totally get the 'emotional' aspect but for many listeners (non-critical ones especially) it seems they get that even from a decent boom-box... If they suggest music with decent recordings to listen to on my stuff, it's more of a win-win. Grin.
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Too many to list. I've got custom made demo discs for multiple genres, live recordings. etc. So, hopefully I've got something to please and/or impress everyone. But, I agree the best impressions are more often made when the guest picks the tune(s).
But, two of my current favorites are: "Angry Eyes" by Loggins & Messina and "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow" by Joni Mitchell. |
- "Driving Wheel", T Bone Burnett. - "Me And Bobbie McGee", Gordon Lightfoot. - "Mercury Blues", David Lindley. - "Shoot Out The Lights", Richard & Linda Thompson. - "Superstition", Stevie Wonder. - Sheffield Labs The Missing Linc Volume II. - Holst: The Planets, Sir Adrian Boult conducting The New Philharmonic Orchestra With Chorus (EMI ASD 2301). - Vivaldi: Trial Of Harmony and Invention No's 1-4, The English Concert conducted from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock (CRD 1025). |
Oh, and "I'm An Old Cowhand" by Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks, featuring the vocal stylings of the delicious Maryann Price (her singing on this song is absolutely lascivious!). Found on the group's Striking It Rich album, produced by the well-known Tommy LiPuma (33 Grammy nominations with 5 wins!), recorded in January and February 1972 at Sunset Sound in L.A.---a studio known for it's great sound, engineering by Bruce Botnick (the doors, Love, The Beach Boys, many others). The whole album is fantastic, the relatively rare concurrence of good music AND good sound. By the way, Botnick produced the two Columbia Records albums by L.A. Power Pop band The Beat, their debut album a classic of the genre. |
So many to choose from. I would agree wholeheartedly to let the listener control the music, as the best way to really appreciate a system is to listen to familiar music. That being said, I do have a few favorites that I pretty much default to:
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