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Something for Everyone in Super High Fidelity

Like a missionary in the jungle, I continue to practice my usual high end evangelism with non audiophile friends, rarely finding the eager disciple.

Despite warnings of this peculiar audiophile habit in many other threads, I must admit I am often tempted to play something that sounds good, only to be reminded that music which people don't like (not to mention straight percussion or steam trains) probably wont inspire them to upgrade their stereo system.

On the other hand, we all know that deferring to a friends musical taste for a demo will immediately locate the screechiest, worst sounding recording in your collection.

Bearing this in mind (and maybe some of you have already done this) 1) what COLLECTION of well recorded tracks, 2) across genres of music, would you 3) put on a compliation CD or "rip" into WAV files to accomodate the widest musical tastes of future audiophiles?

Some classical? Jazz? Rock? Soundtracks?

Each of these genres have been discussed in other threads, but what tracks would you include to capture the widest possible audience as an audio missionary?

Thanks for ideas.
cwlondon
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Gammajo and others

It would be very helpful to know at least the particular tracks and in some cases the exact recording.

I like Led Zeppelin and so do many of my friends. But I wouldnt know where to start on tracks or recordings for a good demo - much of it sounds harsh and compressed to me.

Sogood 51 Re Chris Isaak - very good suggestion. Baby Did a Bad Thing is a great demo track - good bass, atmospheric and even a little spooky imaging too - while easily recognizable to non audiophiles.
mcphile
23 posts
 
female -sade,stevie nicks,
rock- boston, hendrix
jazz- billy cobham, freddie hubbard, ronnie laws
soundtrack -rocky gonna fly now, boogie nights
classical mid -summers night dream
country-charlie daniels band, waylon jennings
hodu
316 posts
 
"A Walk Across the Rooftops" by The Blue Nile. Once your friends hear this, they should want to buy a really good stereo -- and they'll also fall for Paul Buchanan and the boys. Then you can get 'em a little Scotch and put on "Hats."
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
All Mark Knopler's stuff sounds great including Dire Straits.

Santana Abraxas first track is pretty cool with the cymbal shimmers.

The SACD reissues of Rolling Stones are pretty good.

Abbey Road is always fun and dynamic.

Talking Heads sound pretty cool.

I have the latest reissue of the Allman Brother's Filmore Concertt that everyone seems to like.

Any decent Doc Watson recording will usually put a smile on peoples faces.

The Jerry Garcia Band, "After Midnight: Kean College" sounds great and for both serious listening and on the back porch BBQing.

Bella Fleck can put out some interesting sounds
hens
173 posts
 
Two current faves are Dave's True Story - self titled album and Keb Mo - 'Peace ...Back by Popular Demand.

For rock, I go with the Eagles Live (the opening sequence of Hotel California makes a stunning impact!) or Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I also second Hodu's nomination of 'A Walk Across the Rooftops' by the Blue Nile.

For classical, I stick to the well known The Four Seasons, Camina Burana or the 1812 Overture.

But to be honest, regardless of how bad the recording might be, you've got a better chance of showing how good the music can sound when they're listening to their own music choice. A decent mid-fi system will still murder a 3 in 1 or 'surround sound in a box' system that so many of my mates seem to find sufficient.

Good luck on your quest!
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