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

OP jumping back in just to say THANK YOU ALL for the amazing recommendations!  I have not been disappointed yet. I've tracked down a few of the first recommendations, including the Chet Baker album (stunning, a new favorite -- thanks @yogiboy and @narrowfelllow), Du Pré's Elgar cello concerto with Dame Janet Baker (same!! Thanks @dogberry -- glad to hear the mono is amazing too), and Fantasia (Kostal conducting - thanks @pwerahera). I'm still tracking down many others and streaming as much as I can, including the many excellent recommendations by @terry9 and @larryi and more. This list will keep me busy for years and I love discovering new outstanding music. I'm also adding one recommendation as TRULY STUNNING on vinyl: NAGRA's 70th Anniversary Collection album.  All tracks cut from original analog Masters at 45 rpm, and includes a wonderful mix spanning several decades, e.g. Bill Evans, Very Early (1968); Louis Armstrong, C'est si bon (1961), Marlene Verplanck, Deep in a Dream (1955), Buddy Tate, Stardust (1975), and other tracks through 2020. It's not cheap, but it is truly stunning. Thanks again and keep the recommendations coming!

I think it is terrific that you have snagged some of the recommendations.  I have both the Chet Baker and the Du Pre/Baker albums and they are great both musically and sonically.  I wish I had your Nagra album; I heard it and it is a great compilation to own.  I have the Thorens 125th Anniversary box set and it is quite good too.  

@larryi when I wrote about the disk "Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough" I messed up on the artist!  The artist is actually Charlie Musselwhite!  So what I should have written is:

Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough, Charlie Musselwhite: Crystal Clear Records.

Perhaps that is why you didn't recognize the piece.

I still don’t know the record, but, Musselwhite on Crystal Clear Records must be something special.

A bit more mainstream.

Music and interpretation to blow you away: Maurice Andre, Bach for Trumpet. Angel SZ-37728

Interpretation is incredible. Unobtainium, but you haven’t really heard Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto (#5 for piano) until you hear the first complete stereo recording still in existence, recorded in Berlin during WW2. You can hear the anti-aircraft cannon at one point. Walter Gieseking, Varese Sarabande, VC 81080.