Your Go to CD to Impress

Second the following earlier picks:
Nils Lofgren - Keith Don't Go
Patricia Barber - Alfie

A lesser known (probably because sung in French) fave of mine:

Michel Jonasz - Le Temps Passé
(From the album 'La Fabuleuse Histoire de Mister Swing')
Not only the best live recording I have ever heard, but with astounding soundstage and bass that will raise the odd eyebrow.

Ginger Baker's "Why?"  Specifically the first cut. 

Why?

Because 100% of my friends and acquaintances have some idea of who he is, and second, they have not heard anything by him since Cream.  Kinda wakes 'em up, ya know?

Very nice- oblgny.

DiMeola, Ponty, and Clark - Rites of String - absolutely gorgeous production and execution


Dire Straits - "Why Worry" (from BIA)

Christian McBride--Night Train
John McLaughlin Trio--Que Allegria
Josefine Cronholm--In Your Wild Garden
Anne Bisson--September in Montreal
Brian Bromberg--Come Together
Marcus Miller--Bruce Lee
Michael Franks--Mice
Anointed--Send Out a Prayer
Take 6--A Few More Miles
Michael Franks--Tokyo