Great sounding/recorded albums

Sometimes choosing a certain label will ensure a good recording. ECM and Chesky come to mind but there are others. On Tidal, look for albums by Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, and produced by Manfred Eicher.  These are in the jazz genre but are well produced.  The ECM label usually means a good production. You may not like the genre but you'll appreciate the quality of the recording.  

I

The Bright Mississippi by Allen Toussaint is the best recording in my 2000 cd collection

Show off? The Mobile Fidelity 45 RPM of Dire Straits Brothers in Arms
...if you can get a good copy.

Really well recorded drums? Dave Brubeck Time Out

A Meeting By The River is indeed impressive. If you can get into it. Which is a very important point. You really want to create a favorable impression, you play well recorded music that the listener likes.

Excuse me: loves.

Only audiophiles are impressed by technically accurate reproduction. What impresses everyone else is hearing the music they love sound better than they ever dreamed.

Only audiophiles are impressed by technically accurate reproduction.

Not so sure if that's true, but

What impresses everyone else is hearing the music they love sound better than they ever dreamed.

That's very true!

As good as any Steely Dan album is The Nightfly by Donald Fagen. Which I just happen to be listening to right now.