When it comes to purchasing music, the music itself would be my first priority.  Since I like all types of music, the quality of the recording is my second criteria.  I absolutely hate when I acquire new music just to find out the audio recording is poor and sounds flat on my home system. 

Ever since I picked up the love of higher quality audio equipment, I quickly started to be able to determine the difference between the quality of audio recordings.  A few of the audio publications put out an annual list of recommended releases which came out in a given year.  I’ve use those lists from time to time.  I also use audiophile message boards.

Since there are several audiophiles on this site, I’d like to start a thread which we can share the favorite audio recordings we tend to play over again and again because the quality gives our system a workout and our ears a sweet taste of ear candy. 

I look forward to reading your favorites because I’m ready to purchase some new tunes! 

For me, the following are some of my favorite recordings in my library: 

*  Marc Cohn (self titled album).  Memorable tracks include:  Walking in Memphis (the original - not the country western remake), Ghost Train, Silver Thunderbird, and 29 ways.   The vocals and piano are amazing.


*  Tracy Chapman:  New Beginning.  This is another great record to hear a wonderful vocal track.  “Give Me One Reason” is my favorite song.


*  Fleetwood Mac:  The Dance.   This is the best sounding live recording I’ve purchased to date.  The band comes across very well with every instrument recognizable and Buckingham’s voice “Big Love” sounds like he’s in your living room. 

*  Massive Attack:  Mezzanine and The XX (self titled 2009).   These two recordings will test the full spectrum of your system, especially your woofer.


*  Radiohead:  OK Computer and Rage Against the Machine:  (self title).   These are my two favorite “turn it up to 11” rock CDs.  The sound quality is amazing and there is zero distortion on the right system… even at 11!


*  John Williams Greatest Hits 1969–1999.   Williams is clearly the greatest composure of our lifetime.  The 1999 greatest hits recording is full of recordings that will flood you with great memories of some of your favorite films.  My favorite track is #2 on CD 2, Jurassic Park.  The orchestra sounds so warm and the build up in the beginning is subtle and very noticeable at the same time.  Another favorite of mine is Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra (#11 on CD 1).  The sound of the timpani drums should punch you right in the kidneys. 

*  Lyle Lovett and His Large Band.  The thinking man’s country star.  This album is full of great vocals and guitar. 


*  Sting:  Brand New Day.   This is one of Sting’s best recordings (in terms of playback quality) and the first two tracks are my favorites.  Both will test the full spectrum of your systems playback ability. 

Are saying your Ural has forced you to realize the wonderment of analog?

I have Dark Side of the Moon on SQ Quadraphonic vinyl.
With no remaining audiophile gear, I can only try to remember how nice it sounded.

Come to think of it, I have Dark Side of the Moon and it does sound very good.  Not great, but very very good.  Another I failed to mention is Dire Straights Brothers in Arms. 

You already have some great stuff on your list. Off the top of my head, I would add...

The Princess Bride soundtrack by Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler
Nothing to Fear by Oingo Boingo
Careless Love by Madelin Peyroux

As above, Dark Side of the Moon (though not Money - it just doesn't "flow" for me like much of Floyd)

Fun to listen to, two or three times on a system with nice bass, the THX ?demo? blip.

Get newer recordings from some former Floyd members. Many of the things from Gilmore are very good.

Telarc's 1812 Overture was recorded direct-to-disc when originally masters. Pressings from it since then have been top notch versions. Look in Telarc's library for more good stuff from people who obsess about it.

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/labels/Telarc/

I am by no means an audiophile. What I may be thinking is a quality recording I could be confusing with production and arrangement.

Good point, Gary.

While the arrangement is important, I'm talking about the production quality.  You can have the best motor in the world, but place it on a wood chassis and give it wagon wheels and what good is it?

So, by quality, I mean this... does it sound as good in the recorded format as it does in real life?  Are the highs high and the lows low?  Does the vocal sound natural and standing in front of me or does it sound like it's coming from a tunnel?  How as bout the plucks on the guitar?  Can I fell them? 

Get newer recordings from some former Floyd members. Many of the things from Gilmore are very good.

Telarc's 1812 Overture was recorded direct-to-disc when originally masters. Pressings from it since then have been top notch versions. Look in Telarc's library for more good stuff from people who obsess about it.

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/labels/Telarc/

Excellent suggestion!  Another studio known for its production quality is GRP Records. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRP_Records

THX effect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWkJ86JqlPA

No justice from run-o-the-mill computer speakers.

In the past 6 months, I have developed a huge taste for Led Zepplin. The only band from my youth that I feel that way about.
Last week I bought two more albums.
Here is one you have to use Google cast to get it on your Home theater/ audio syslem, but it's really good.

http://youtu.be/bzEYNsFC2gE

I remember hearing a live recording of Page and Plant on a friend's home systems that sounded amazing.  I'll try to look up which one it was. 


I found this last night and thought I'd share:


http://www.tnt-audio.com/topics/testrecords.html

My wife is deaf (quite literally)  from Page and Plant at Red Rocks.


I would like to add;

Yes-  Fragile

Zappa, yes Zappa,- Shut Up and Play Your Guitar and Frank Zappa Plays the Music of Frank Zappa a memorial tribute.

Workingman's Dead

Cream Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Jerry Garcia Band - Cats Under the Stars









Sent from the Moto X. A wicked awesome phone.

Zappa, yes Zappa,- Shut Up and Play Your Guitar

That one of my favorites. Joe's Garage is also fantastic.

Anything from the Blind Mellow Jelly Collection.

*  Fleetwood Mac:  The Dance.   This is the best sounding live recording I’ve purchased to date.  The band comes across very well with every instrument recognizable and Buckingham’s voice “Big Love” sounds like he’s in your living room.

Totally agree. One of my favorites.

The Peter Gabriel Growing Up Live
Phil Collins: Finally - The First Farewell Tour (2005)

I went all genesis on ya, but I think these two sound good.

They're not called "hifi" anymore. They're "audiophile" stores.

Jethro Tull - Aqualung 

Also the Who's Quadraphenia for Moon's manic drumming

Peaches En Regalia

some early English stuff. helpfully, I can't remember the name.


yes, I can.



Tallis.

Nine Inch Nails' "With Teeth" on vinyl is one of my personal favorites. The record is the thickest I've ever seen.


Sent through subspace from the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Let's not forget that the production isn't the only step that's important in being able to purchase a quality recording for reply.

I could handle specializing in something like this.

http://youtu.be/gqu5W77DZxw

Jethro Tull - Aqualung 

i've found nearly every version in serious need of remastering. you have silence between tracks and, as soon as the audio kicks off, there's a bad hiss from the original tapes.

As for audiophile sources, there are often "meets" in bigger cities. Here's one:
http://www.meetup.com/Dallas-Audiophile-Meetup/

Redirect.

Shit in always equals shit out. However, gold in doesn't always equal gold out. Maybe you should examine your equipment. 

Pink Floyd- Echos ... the entire album
Yes- Tales From A topographical Ocean(,again lots of tracks)
Frank Zappa, Shut up and play your guitar.

Quote from: R Doug on May 24, 2014, 05:50:14 AM

Quote from: kneescrubber on May 23, 2014, 09:55:09 PM

Redirect.

Shit in always equals shit out. However, gold in doesn't always equal gold out. Maybe you should examine your equipment. 

Seriously, I have Moving Pictures and Roll the Bones and neither of them sound extraordinary through my system.  This is a technical band that I'd really like to appreciate.

Appreciate them for what they are Doug. You are missing out big time if the sound quality is stopping you from listening to them. I have all the albums from "Rush" up to "Presto" and love every minute i listen to them. Get "Hemispheres" and give "La Villa Stangiatto" a listen.  If you have moving pictures, the camera eye is one of my faves.

I would add Fly By Night and Caress of Steel to that list.

This is such an awesome thread. Look what I just pulled out!

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Sent from the top of Orthanc

Using mothes.

Head Hunters is such a great album. I'm listening to Return of the Headhunters now.

No kidding!  I loved it.  Watermelon Man is my favorite (and my dog's too, she likes the opening sequence).  Out of the four CDs I acquired, it has the lowest quality production but it's still very good.  I noticed the copies of Crime of the Century and Stop Making Sense I acquired were both digitally remastered.  I wonder if there's a digitally remastered Head Hunters? 

An Awesome Wave is a 2012 studio recording.  It's pretty well done.  Dissolve Me (track 7) is my favorite on this one.

Stop Making Sense is a very good live recording.  Byrne's voice is amazing live.  The playback makes it sound as it I'm in the mid to back of the Pantages Theater.

Crime of the Century is an incredibly good recording for a 1974 studio recording.  It's very accurate, not muddy.  You can tell the technology to capture the highest highs and lowest lows isn't quite up to more modern equipment.  But, wow!  Bloody Well Right rocks!

The Rush Live from Rio DVD sucked.  Thank goodness it's a used copy and I didn't pay much for it.  The concert looks like it was epic.  Those people in Brazil know how to freak'n party.  Unfortunately, the audio quality is horrible.  It was recording using Dolby Digital.  My system detects it.  But, 80% of the audio comes out of the center channel.  Who was responsible for that!?