Good Jazz/Vocal Reference CD Recommendations?


I'm a big fan of Jazz/Vocal/Classical music and am in a never-ending quest of good reference CDs to bring out the best of my humble system. Any suggestions?

How about those Stereophile reference CD's? Anyone has any experience with them? Are they worth it? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated.

Current system:
VAC Avatar Integrated Tube Amp
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Speakers
Rega Planet 2000 CD Player
Nordost Blue Heaven IC & Bi-wired Speaker Cables
stevenkc

Showing 1 response by beemerrider

Listen to Slipknot1...he's dead on with his recommendations.
Of those I would suggest that you start with Eva's "Live At Blues Alley" and Patricia Barber's "Modern Cool." The latter is amongst the very best recorded of all my CDs, and I have the redbook version as opposed to the SACD. Waltersalas is right about Cassandra Wilson, too. I would recommend "New Moon Daughter" as a first choice. The Josh Groban CD is gorgeous, but for his singing as opposed to the recorded quality, which I would give a B or B- at best. But do get it. Another lovely voice recording is Jennifer Warnes' "Famous Blue Raincoat"...strong in both performance and sound. For classical try Orff's "Carmina Burana" on Telarc. It's an aural feast.