Recommendations for really well-recorded music for high-end audio system demo


I’m using my system to give some local high-end audio demos for fun, and although I have a good selection of tracks I can always use more and am sure you guys have some great ones out there.  First and foremost I’m looking for really well-recorded material that shows off what a good system can do — you know, the “wow your friends” tracks we all have, and if it happens to be good/fun music as well that’s a nice bonus although not necessarily a requirement.  I’d recommend listing the artist, album, and track so it’s easier to find the right version, and if you feel like elaborating on anything notable that makes it particularly good for a demo that’d be helpful/interesting but not necessary.  As an example…

  • Patricia Barber, Companion, “Like JT” — Great live jazz club vibe, fun instrumental with excellent imaging/depth/3D soundstage.

Thanks for anything ya got!

soix

Jennifer Warnes

Rock You Gently

The Hunter 

Actually every track sounds amazing. 

 

Hugh Masekela, the track Stimela. A South African trumpeter who will certainly get your attention and anyone else's in the room.

May I suggest the following:

Artist; Mary Fahl - On the Run
Album: From the dark side of the moon
Specially going fron track2 to track3: On The Run
At the beginning of the track her voice swirls round in circle overhead - you are literally forced to look up to see if you have speakers in the ceiling!

Tracy Chapman - Give me one Reason
Front soundstage is amazing and one can clearly visualise each instrument's placement.


Artist: CAN  - SPOON Album Ege Bamyasi
Great dynamics 
 

Alison Krauss and Union Station. “Gravity.”  First song on their album, “Lonely Goes Both Ways.”

Cannonball Adderely's Somethin Else is fantastic music and a great recording.