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Greatest Recordings - your opinions



I’m interested to know what recordings people here find to be the absolute pinnacle of sound reproduction.

The Classic 45 vinyl pressing of Louis Armstrong singing “St. James Infirmary” put me so deep into the studio I was afraid to clear my throat for fear I’d disturb the band. So far this is the most live-sounding recording I’ve heard. I have a decent system but when I spin this vinyl at home I don’t come anywhere close to the experience I had at the audiophile shop that first played it for me. Trying to get Louis in the house is what keeps me upgrading beyond my means…if he ever visits it’ll all be worth it.

For me tape hiss or other anomalies don't preclude a recording from my 'best of' list. I listen for that live, full, immediate, 'in the room' quality beyond all other considerations.

What recordings stand out for you and what are your criteria for them to do so? (I have a pen and paper handy)
kublakhan

Showing 1 response by slipknot1

slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
First one that comes to mind for me is the now out-of-print 45 rpm Reference Recording "Dafos" w/ Mickey Hart, Airto, and Flora Purim

"A Meeting By The River" Water Lily Acoustics. Ry Cooder and V.M Bhatt

Stravinsky's "Firebird" Sheffield Direct-to-disc w/ Los Angeles Symphony conducted by Eric Leinsdorf.

Many, many of the RCA "Living Stereo" (aka shaded dogs), engineered by Lewis Layton

Mercury "Living Presence" series using the 3 microphone technique of Bob Fine and Wilma Cozart.

Riverside Recordings of Bill Evans, including, but not limited to "Waltz For Debbie" "Sunday at The Village Vangard"

There are many others but I will defer to future posters...
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