What are you favorite artists and songs to listen to on your system?


So, I just read a post about listening to Rap on a hi end system and it got me thinking about what other people listen to on their hi quality setups.  I listen to a very broad range of music so I am curious to learn of some of your favorite artists/songs no matter what the genre.  The purpose for me is to learn of new music, no matter what the genre.  Please include a few brief details if it adds to the comment.  I will start with some of the music I am listening to this week.  Lastly, I am 46 and grew up in Denver, CO for any additional context to my tastes.

  • Alicia Keys, If I ain't got you
  • Drake, Hold On, We're going home
  • Lang Lang, The Season, Op. 37a/X. October
  • Disclosure, Magnets
  • Cecile McLorin Savant, John Henry
  • Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bones
  • Itzhak Perlman, Tchaikovsky: violen concerto in D Major - numerous tracks
  • Tears for Fears, Woman in Chains
  • Nils Lofgren Band, Bass & Drum Intro
  • Daft Punk, Instant Crush
  • Christy Moore, Shine on You Crazy Diamond
  • NIN, Hurt - Trent Reznor has always placed high standards on his productions.  You may not like some of his lyrics or sounds but he is very creative.  He has won a Grammy and an Oscar more recently for movie scores. One of the original "industrial music" creators.
  • NIN, Into the Void - any "noise" you hear is intentional 
  • John Cash, Hurt - remake of NIN song
  • NIN, The "Perfect Drug" Single - will push your system's bass capability




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Its mostly Classical; Bruckner Symphony Nos. 4, 5, 8.
Schubert Symphony Nos. 8, 9, quartets, String Quintet in C.
Boccherini String Trios.
Haydn, symphonies and string quartets.
A must for Classical fans is Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2WEA7CzYJM

Rock is Jeff Beck, Jimi, Kate Bush, Led Zepplin, King Crimson, Siouxsie and the Banshees.
I used to listen to mostly classical and occasional classic rock. Still listen to a lot of Bach, but recently have been listening to more and more jazz. (I can recommend almost anything by the Tord Gustavsen Quartet or the Helge Lien Trio or the Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio.) Two relatively obscure labels produce music that is always worthwhile: AliaVox and Alpha. 
lowrider57, I'm a fan of that Sinfonia Concertante.  I'd give high marks to Stern/Trampler, Perlman/Zukermann, and I. Oistrakh/D. Oistrakh versions.

I listen to classical (especially string quartets, especially played by Guarneri), jazz (a lot of Miles Davis 50's and 60's), rock (50s' through Nirvana, some newer) and assorted folk styles (blues, Irish, bluegrass, American...) Some recommendations (avoiding the obvious Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, etc.):

Judy Collins:  Who Knows Where the TIme Goes (great songs, great sidemen
The Band:  Music From Big Pink, The Band (2nd LP)
Mahavishnu Orch.:  The Inner Mounting Flame, Birds of Fire
Lyle Lovett:  Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
Los Lobos:  lots of things, but start with Just Another Band from     East L.A. (20 year 2-CD anthology)
Guarneri Quartet:  Ravel (LP only)
                              Beethoven (3 sets:  early, middle, late)
Juilliard Quartet:  Bartok set (mid-60's stereo, RCA)
Alfred Brendel:  complete Beethoven sonatas for piano (Phillips)
Glenn Gould:  Bach Goldberg variations (2nd recording)
Paul Simon:  Graceland (maybe obvious but seldom mentioned)
Taj Mahal:  Phantom Blues (4th track, Here in the Dark, has a blistering, searing solo by Eric Clapton, his best pure blues work since Mayall)
Talking Heads:  Stop Making Sense (great concert tracks)

tosta, as a Guarneri fan myself  just a suggestion , try a Lindsay Qt. Beethoven  string Qt. recording .

Thanks, Schubert--I've heard them on the radio but not on CD or LP.  I'll check them  out.  My other faves are Budapest and Miro.