Great Recordings, Sonically Speaking - and Why.

I like the "natural" sound of Taj Mahal's "Giant Step" double LP, but have never heard it on CD.

I have some CD's that get high marks for recording quality, but I do not care for the music.

Some by Chesky Records, a few by Ry Cooder (Bop being one) and something by Mapleshade that I received as a gift.

DeKay

Bryan Ferry/ Roxy Music

Pat Metheny Group

@laps- indeed the Roxy Music stuff and Ferry’s solo stuff as well. Avalon and Bête Noire particularly.

Someone mentioned SO, fantastic.

On the Rush front, I think Roll the Bones and Presto are two. Moving Pictures goes without saying. A Farewell to Kings is really good too. Xanadu is amazing…

i've long been impressed by the 1980 LP pressing of The Korgis "Dumbwaiters" which had less than average surface noise, much less distortion esp. on inner grooves than typical vinyl product of the time. the 1960 RCA red seal recording of the CSO/Reiner performing Rimski-Korsakov/Debussy [on CD] has digital-levels of low-level clarity, in terms of being able to hear all the little musical sounds such as musicians' breathing, mouth noises, chairs and music stands creaking, rustling sheet music etc. the FF and FFF parts are clean and golden, no distortion or treble compression which was more common with most recordings of the era. the Stereo Fidelity LP of Robert Hunter [under the pseudonym of "Georges Montalba"] "stereo fantasy in pipe organ and percussion" was also an exceptional sonic specimen for its day, commonly used as a hifi demo record in hifi salons back then. 

Jason Isbell does a great job with all of his recordings - it’s clear he cares about the sound. I’ve especially been listening to his 2 most recent releases with the 400 Unit - Reunions, and The Nashville Sound and am always blown away by how good the recording quality is.