best sound for a classical and jazz cd

Blue Note.

I tend to agree with your thoughts on Blue Note recordings, esp those from the 50-60s, but I have always liked this quality. Simple and direct with a minimum of manipulation. It has also allowed the sound to be 'improved' using modern technology. But, as you implied, the music is so great that to criticize it borders on nit-picking. On the other hand, some music is so badly recorded, that no technology can fix it. Motown is the most infamous example of this.

BTW, just rediscovered this one.

The First Esquire Concert
LaserLight 15 723

Recorded at the MET in 1944 (war bond drive)

Has to be the greatest Jazz line up for one gig in history. Billie Holiday in her prime is worth the purchase. Check it out. Sound is ok given the times.

Good point concerning 'audiophile' recordings. I have a few that were highly hyped, but I never listen to them because I don't like the music. I even purchased a few DBX and DMM LPs back in the day, but I noticed they always seemed to be by lesser composers and lesser performers. I don't pay any attention to the 'audiophile' tag anymore. I just work thru all the hype and BS and try to find good recordings by reading every review I can find. I have found that the All Music Guides tend to track my taste.
I like Motown because it was the music of my teenage years. I can say that motown on LP sounded much better than Motown on CD. At least my fading memory says so. I can't believe I just said that. :) Soon I'll be singing the praises of tubes.

I have the "out to lunch" CD by Eric Dolphy.

The most aptly named CD in history!