What are your go to LP's for evaluating new gear or new tubes?

The new Steely Dan LP reissues are excellent.  They just came out with Katy Lied.    Aja was so well produced back in the day too.  Great test of vocals and instruments on your system.  

@billpete Perhaps not so lucky with this one:

@dogberry

I don't know this label. I have two copies, both on Island but both of mine are the sunray pink rim label. Not sure of the significance. Maybe our experts will let us know. 

@bassbuyer 

Steely Dan recordings always seemed to be top notch. I have read that they did not like to tour or perform live as they were not able to replicate what they did in the studio. I never saw them live either so can't say for myself how good they were or were not. 

I didn’t see Steely Dan in concert until they made a comeback with their last couple of albums.  They sounded excellent because they had top players that could reproduce the album cuts.  That’s supposedly what stopped them from touring in the 70s after they stop being a band and were 2 guys with session musicians.  I love their music.  Great songs with top musicians well recorded.  That’s what it’s all about.