Best CD


What would you consider one of the best CDS to show off your system? I enjoy classic,jazz and easy living genre. Also what label do you feel produces the best quality cd's, the on you go to when you want "the very best " recording? jack north1178
jacknorth1178
I typically reach for these to give me goosebumps:
1. Joss Stone - The Soul Sessions
2. Kate Walsh - Tim's House
3. Buddy Guy - Blues Singer
4. Brian Bromburg - Downright Upright
5. Joe Pass - Virtuoso
6. George Winston - December
7. Dave Brubeck - Time Out
8. Fourplay - Elixir
9. Johnny Hartman - John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
10. Keb' Mo' - Keb' Mo'
11. Lyle Lovett - The Road To Ensenanda
12. Steely Dan - Everything Must Go
Anything Steely Dan is well recorded and will make your system sound great. Second Eva Cassidy Live at Blues Ally. Also I like Dave's True Story: Play "Miss Lucy" for your guests and see what happens :)

In all honesty, I'm in the camp that people who don't care about music before they showed up at your house won't care about the sound of your system. I've tried for many years with (non-audiophile) friends and family with no success.

The one time I really got through was when I played the MCH SACD of Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." Only time I put on the disc, walked out of the room and the person listening didn't come out until the album was over. Roxxy Music's "Avalon" or Beck's "Sea Change" would probably work well, too. Oh, the stereo SACD Rolling Stones albums are revelatory - and I'm not even a Stone's fan!

Other than that, I get knowing smiles, nice compliments, nodding heads, and kind hugs from family members.

Fact is, this is a pretty small club. As a non-linear example, how about this: my wife's scrap booking blog has 5 times the hits of my system page on AudiogoN. OK, OK, it proves nothing, but still, it's a small club (and please visit my system page. If not for me, for the sake of the hobby :)

Dan

PS Don't usually do this but I bought the Ray Charles "Misery Loves Company" album on SACD and hated it. True enough, it sounds great (as in well recorded), but I thought most of the performances were just mailed it. There were a couple of exceptions, but no way would I use this disc to show off my system - unless it was as a sleeping aid. YMMV and no disrespect meant to Dgd123. In fact, if you want my SACD copy Dgd - email/pm me and I'll mail it to you free of charge - it should be enjoyed and I just don't.