Great Recordings, Sonically Speaking - and Why.

As Wolfie says, look for early Audio Fidelity pressings.  One features Louis Armstrong and one of his last bands as well as Thelma Middleton, and the sound is spectacular.  Audio Fidelity also packaged this disk with one by the amateurish Dukes of Dixieland and, amazingly, actual got Louis to record yet another record with them (what a mismatch).  This was only sold as a three record set as a private label offering by EJKorvette, the early discount chain. I own that set, and while I don't know for sure I suspect it is worth a fair amount of change.  The individual Dukes-only recording and the Armstrong recordings were also sold as singles.

BTW, that discount chain had sound rooms in each of its stores in the late fifties/early sixties.  Filled with Japanese receivers.

The Halloween Shuffle from the Henry & Reinhardt EP The Halloween Ball. Great bass and pipe organ, cool sound effects. A very fun way to show off your system.

I agree with Coltrane 2. Jazz at the Pawnshop is the best live recording I have ever heard. I close my eyes and I'm sitting center at a table 12 feet from the stage, 30 feet from the bar in the back round ( hearing mild talk and clanging glasses). The music is melodic, traditional jazz with a very mellow flair. The acoustics are superb. I have over 3,000 LPs and this one is in the top 2 or 3 for sound quality and presence. You do not have to be a jazz purist to love this album...buy it if you can find it. And thanks to Coltrane 1 for bringing it to everyone's attention.

For those of you that still like to rock, listen to BTO remastered 24/192hz Qoboz. So far it it is only the Debut and Four Wheel Drive. But they sound really good and dynamic the best version I have heard.

ozzy