What should you hear?

Good thread and terrific posts. Great read. Thanks!

Rodman,

As I said, if all you were concerned with at a concert is stereo imaging, you could sit up front, but, that might not be ideal for other aspects of the sound; that is why it is not simply a matter of choosing front four rows in the concert hall.  A good recording can give you the up close stereo perspective, as well as a decent instrumental blend, hall reverb, etc.  But, of course, recordings cannot come close to delivering the power and majestry of an orchestra in full song.  On balance, orchestral music, choral works and opera are the least satisfying recorded experience compared to the real thing for me.  I have rarely heard recordings that come close to the real deal.  

Now you'll be able to tell what silly mastering is performed on some recordings. Several of my favorites are Pianos that stretch the entire sound stage with the low keys on one side and the upper keys on the other. Drummers with 10 foot arms, etc. A great example of an incredible mastering job is Weather Report's Mysterious Travelers. This is one you turn the lights off and lay back.
Next you should start paying attention not just to the side lay out but the depth. Most popular studio recordings are mixed right up front. Sometimes too up front. Live recordings usually have a better depth perspective I assume because some of the venue's acoustics are present. Listen to Bill Evans's Waltz for Debbie or Sunday at the Village Vanguard. Scott LaFaro RIP. Another favorite live recording is the perennial Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat. Jeez, right now I'm listening to Brittany Howard's Jaime. What a voice!! Amazing control. 

Mijostyn, 

You name-dropped a bunch of terrific sounding recordings and the music is good as well.  What is striking to me is how good many older recordings sound; it does not seen that recording technology has advanced very far.  When I want to demonstrate how terrific old stereo recording can be, I take out my original issue of Duke Ellington's "Blues in Orbit,"  a recording made in the late 1950's.  

My go to for recordings of great music and imaging are remastered Blue Note. Here is an example of the very best in remastering of old recordings.
Credit must also be given to the original engineers for their miking and mixing techniques.

Tonal accuracy, proper placement of the musicians and room ambience make these recordings a close representation of a live event.