Truly Stunning Vinyl Album


Hey friends, I'm relatively new here, first topic post but I read Audiogon topics daily. I'm a total neophyte with a not-inexpensive mid-fi system (Rogue Cronus iii Dark amp, Michel Gyro SE TT, Maggie 3.7i speakers, and a single Perlisten D15s sub, and an Eversolo DMP A8 streamer), and a growing vinyl collection that I'm partial to over streaming (unless I'm working and can't bother to flip the record). I love classic rock, Neil Young, the Stones, and the Grateful Dead, but really I like almost all genres (not into rap or thrasher metal) and since setting up my system I routinely play jazz and classical albums, and artists I never paid much attention to but now listen to quite frequently because their albums sound great on my system (e.g. Jethro Tull, Santana). So with all of that context, what I'm interested in is any TRULY STUNNING vinyl albums you can recommend, in any genre. I'm not asking for a desert island list, or any list of your favorite albums. I have those lists too, but they're dominated by musicians/groups I love and aren't necessarily "stunning" beyond my own subjective tastes. I'm interested in hearing about the one or two albums in your collection that just blow you away for whatever reason (and please explain). I'll kick it off with the Impex reissue of chamber music by Jascha Heifetz in mono, called The Lark. If you had told me that one of the top 3 records in my collection would be a mono chamber music album, I'd have laughed you out of my house. But it just blows me away. I listen to it daily. Why does it blow me away? Mostly it's the opening piece, Heifetz and an organist playing Vitali's Chaconne. It starts off with somber organ tones that I feel in my soul thanks to the Perlisten D15s sub, and then all of a sudden Heifetz comes crashing in with his piercing violin, and it is so darn stunning and beautiful I could listen to it daily until they plant me. And I don't even have a mono cartridge!  So that's the type of album I'm looking for, in any genre. Something younwould play for anyone, and regardless of what genre they prefer, they would likely agree this album is truly stunning. Can you recommend anything like that? And in case you're interested, here's a great review of the Heifetz album: 

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/music-reviews/jascha-heifetz-the-lark/

Thanks for any recommendations!

phillyspecial

Not sure if you like Elton John but the Super Disk version of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is very good and not that pricey. 
 

phillyspecial 

since you brought up Santana you might want to try to find the first 3 and only released by ARS Joerg Kessler - CBS 30595 Germany 2001 .

These sound better than MFSL and  CBS Half Speed Master Sound .

A lot of very good suggestions here that should keep you busy and in audio nirvana. Since no one else has done so, I’d like to advise you not discount the Blues genre as there are some very good recordings therein as well. Two that quickly come to mind are:

Muddy Waters - Folk Singer

Lightnin’ Hopkins - Goin’ Away

 

Analog Productions has great quality versions.

The classic Getz/Gilberto with The Girl From Ipanema. Fun, classy, great sound.

The Wonderful Sounds of Female Vocals. When some of these songs came on radio in the day I'd turn them off in a heartbeat such as Diamonds and Rust. Today it is my go to recording to showcase my system.

Radiohead Kid A Mnesa. A trip in serious listening. Very dynamic.

Cisco version of Steely Dan Aja. Any quality version of Alan Parsons I Robot.