not songs so much as musical pieces-
*Fritz Reiner/CSO- Scheherazade - this 1960 recording, on the right systems in the right rooms, is like being there, you can hear every little bit of musicians' breathing, music stands creaking, sheet music and clothing rustling, all the little details that spell out "live performance of real musicians." if any of this is missing in the playback, something's the matter with your system. likewise if it sounds harsh in any way. tape hiss should be audible and sound separate from the musicians.
*Organ Stop Pizza - "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" - subharmonics below 10 cycles per second in this one, on the world's largest Wurlitzer theatrical organ. need abundant line current and woofer travel/linearity of response or else it just doesn't work and may result in woofer damage. the deep bass should rock the room. room rumble and wind chest noise should be apparent.
*Red Norvo, "The Forward Look" - a KOJ recording of the highest quality, of a small jazz combo in a live setting. on the right system the imaging is holographic and wall-to-wall. the string bass should be nice and woody and round, the cymbals shimmering, the drum set viscerally bombastic on the solos, the kick drum should feel like a real KICK, sharp and deep. the electric guitar should not hoot [bad speaker enclosure or panel resonance] and the alto sax shadowing it should stand out. above all, Red Norvo's vibes should have a sharp attack. you should hear some tape hiss [recorded before Dolby A was available] and rumbles in the room. if this recording sounds flat on your system, something must change.
