Audiogon "RECORDINGS TO DIE FOR" list

Afranta,
You are so right about those recordings. The only thing better is the music itself. Why can't more artists do this? Kudos as well to Tracy Chapman and Chris Isaak for consistently high quality sound.

The number one vinyl recording that never ceases to "stun" me has to be "Just the way you are" by Billy Joel on the 30th anniversary 180 gram re-issue of "The Stranger". Mobile Fidelity is about to do a release of this, but I absolutely CAN NOT IMAGINE that it could be any better than what I already have. It sounds like the acoustic guitars are in the room with you. His vocals are incredibly clear and you can hear each individual string on the guitars. It's really something.

Other Notables are: Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits Vol 2, specifically "Love on the Rocks" and "Forever in Blue Jeans"
This album is relatively easy to find cheap, and as long as you can get a nice copy it has AMAZING sound.

Alan Parsons Projects "Eye in the Sky" sounds really nice as well. The instrumental intro into the title track has a great soundstage and "presence".

Last year's re-issue of "Wish you were here" is fabulous as well. Much better than "The Wall" issue (which is newer material) that came out shortly afterwards.

Steve Perry's solo album "Street Talk" has a really nice track called "Foolish Heart". "Oh Sherrie" is pretty good, but not nearly as polished and realistic as "Foolish Heart".

And certainly NOT "Least" is the Mobile Fidelity re-issue of "Sinatra at the Sands". This 1966 live recording is simply AMAZING. If you close your eyes, particularly during his monologues, it seems as if you are there in the room among people who are drinking and dining. You can hear plates and glasses clicking and it gives you the distinct impression of three dimensional space from only two channels. My favorite recording EVER...

I have yet to hear anything that I would die for, because if I died I would not be able to enjoy listening to the album.

I have a Motorcycle that I almost died with, a Ducati 1198.

This is said sarcastically.

Zaphodbeeblebrox,

Surely you could ask deep thought the ultimate question? I'm sure then you could work a way to surviving listening to the record to die for. But then it wouldn't be to die for!

Your name brings back happy memories Zaphodbeeblebrox. Forgive me I couldn't resist.

Chadeffect,

I welcome any references to Hitchhikers!

Belgium!

The answer to the Ultimate Question is 42.

If you put 42 into machine code it is 0101010, interesting if true.
I don't know if Douglas Adams pick 42 because of its machine code or he just picked the number out of the air.