Two Against Nature-What is your reference recording?


I have a number of different recordings that really seem to highlight the strengths and SQ of my system. This week I purchased a used CD ($3, free shipping) of Steely Dan's Two Against Nature and I'm just blown away. To me, it seems better produced (maybe overproduced) than Aja. (A copy of Gaucho is still on the way so we'll see how I feel about it.) It rises above the three or four other 'reference' recordings that I use as a benchmark for my system and so Two Against Nature is probably now my single 'reference' recording.

But here's the thing, I do not like any song on Two Against Nature as much as any given song on Aja. So what seems to carry Two Against Nature (for me) is its production value. It is just a sonic joy to listen to even if the songs are not as catchy as those from Aja and Gaucho.

So that got me to wondering: First, what is your reference recording (any format/medium) for your system? Second, is it also your favorite recording to listen to? In other words, is it the best recording/production AND your favorite music?

George
n80
There are also two of Donald Fagen's solo albums, Kamakiriad (actually a Steely Dan album in disguise) and Sunken Condos, that have excellent sonics and music (at least I think so).

One of my reference recordings is Count Basie - Chairman Of The Board as reissued on Classic Records. Others are my original EMI imports of Abbey Road, Meddle and Atom Heart Mother.

For CD, Hybrid - Wide Angle has always been one I can count on to deliver the goods.
Funny, I just got a new subwoofer a couple of days ago and Two Against Nature was one of the albums I played to evaluate. I was entranced. I didn't love this album when it was first released but over time I came to enjoy it immensely. I also listened to Gaucho, Mark Knopfler's Tracker, Charlie Haden & Kenny Barron Night and the City, and Sonny Rollins Way Out West, among others.