Must-have records

cstpeter

Looking for recommendations on "must-have" records (yes, actual vinyl). You know, those gems that make your system sound better than you've ever heard it. So far I have found two that have blown my mind:

--Janis Ian, Breaking Silence

--Steely Dan, Gaucho

Anybody have any others?

Demiurge

There's a lot, but it depends on your taste in music.

AndyGwis

EDIT: sorry, didn't see VINYL in original post earlier. . .

cstpeter

Demiurge, could you throw out a couple of recommendations? I like all kinds of music, but am looking more for sonic excellence than anything else.

[Deleted User]

Hello Chris,
Probably the first thing to consider is Harry Pearson's "Super LP List", this has been the serious record collector's guide for many years. You can find this on: AVguide.com:Film/Music Recommendations:HP's Super Vinyl List
Enjoy, Ken

cstpeter

Thank you Ken. That will certainly get me started.

I am suprised to see that neither of the ones I noted were on the list--both are absolutely amazing recordings.

[Deleted User]

Hello Chris,
I can remember using the Steely Dan recording as demo material when I had a shop. I agree, it is a well recorded record. The Janis Ian I don't have but will place on my "search" list.
There are other people who have done recommended lists, some contain very hard to find record labels: Timegate, Water Lily, Pierre Verany, M&K, Proprius and Lyrita for example. I also place the very hard to find Bob Fulton and Gale recordings on this list. I have a harpsichord recording on Pierre Verany that is fantastic, but it took me many years to find it. I used to sell the Bob Fulton records and kick myself for not saving some, the same with M&K and Gale. They can bring close to $100.00 each. But, at the time you just open the shipping carton and put them on the shelves, who thinks they're ever going to be that valuable?
Oh well, at least I saved a few.
Enjoy, Ken

madmax

Thanks for the link Ken! I just printed out the list.

If I get a chance I'll make a list of the "special sounding LP's" I've found. It seems to be about 1% or less of my collection of maybe 2000. Of course even then it probably has a lot to do with the particular pressing and how it sounds on my system. Some LP's are just special and you know as soon as you play them the first time. Quality of the recording is what I'm talking about, not necessarily the artist.

madmax

[Deleted User]

Hello Max,
I would definately like to have your list, I love searching for great sounding records/tapes. Here is the link to the other listing:
http://www.high-endaudio.com/SR-DIVINITY.html
This person seems to prefer recordings that are fairly close mic'ed with excellent transient response. Great for impressing friends! Also there is the RCA Shaded Dog "Bible" and the London/Decca record collector book, both highly respected guides.
Ken

George Grand

Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers on Alligator Records.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 on Arista or A&M Records.

cstpeter

This is great stuff! Thanks Ken and George.

Max, please do post your list. I agree, the really special recordings seem to be somewhat few and far between (or, better put, as a novice I haven't yet found many). In fact, when I first bought my TT I went out and got about 25 used records (at $2.00 each or whatever). I was somewhat disappointed in analog until I put on Steely Dan...then WOW, I had never heard my system sound so good. I have since bought another 25 or so and only found one other gem. But now I can focus on those recommended by true collectors.

[Deleted User]

No problem, Chris. Good hunting!
I just lost, on ebay, on a Water Lily Acoustic recording of Gospel Music. Last second I was out bid.
Oh well.

George Grand

There are some gems out there, but I am one of those people that truly believe that the better sounding vinyl is of marginally performing artists. If the music is less than inspiring, not much point in listening to it no matter how good it sounds.

The first Little Feat album, titled "Little Feat", always sounded pretty good to me. Warner Bros. records I think.

Weather Report's "Black Market" and "Heavy Weather" on Columbia were/are also pretty good.

"Total Eclipse" by Billy Cobham on Atlantic Records was done well also.

DAGLJAM6

Tracy Chapman- "S/T"
Van Morrison- "Poetic Champions Compose"
Steve Morse- "High Tension Wires"
Rickie Lee Jones- "S/T"
Willie Nelson- "Stardust"
Don Henly- "The End of the Innocence"

All sound great on vinyl

madmax

George Grand wrote:

If the music is less than inspiring, not much point in listening to it no matter how good it sounds.

I won't totally disagree but I have found that most well captured performances beat great ones which were not captured well. I can find beauty in most any performance though.
madmax

cstpeter

I agree Max. This is not to say I will only buy records based upon sonics. I just think that, having put the time and money into my system, I want to hear it at its best. I will still buy the music I like regardless of how well it was recorded--I still love my Radiohead, even on MP3; but I will also listen to a Sesame Street record if it sounds good enough.

madmax

I was just looking through that HP list. I noticed in the "Best of the Bunch" they have "Music for Bang, Ba-room and Harp" listed. I picked that up months ago at the GoodWill because it had a cool looking cover but have not played it yet. I'll have to find it tonight, give it a spin and see what quality really sounds like.

George Grand

Then go out and buy Zamfir's, Master of the Pan Flute, Greatest Hits. I heard it was recorded real good. "You are there" type stuff.

"Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen is a **** of a song, but seemingly recorded in a tin can. I'll take that over most "great" recordings all day long.

szhleppy

George Grand wrote:

Then go out and buy Zamfir's, Master of the Pan Flute, Greatest Hits. I heard it was recorded real good. "You are there" type stuff.

Flute music rocks, and is considered the gold standard. If anyone doubts or questions this statement, consider how Jethro Tull won the grammy for Best Heavy Metal in '89.

Seriously though, great thread for reference if the sound is more important than the music (which to me at times, it is...how shallow). I know I will probably own every record on the jazz and rock list within a year.

cstpeter

Madmax, let us know if your find lives up to billing.

I got CCR's Chronicle last night and was pretty impressed. No flutes though.

George Grand

As much as I like Jethro Tull, the Zamfir thing was firmly tongue-in-cheek Szhleppy.

CCR on Fantasy Records is good. Stanley Turrentine's "Pieces of Dreams" is also well recorded on Fantasy.

madmax

George Grand wrote:

"Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen is a **** of a song, but seemingly recorded in a tin can. I'll take that over most "great" recordings all day long.

Now there is a great song. It is torture to listen to though. Pan Flute greatest hits, now that sounds like a keeper!
madmax