Short list - based on being really well recorded as well as great music (lets face it, the velvet underground was seminal but its not exactly well recorded).
Gaucho - Steely Dan - great songs, great recording - check out "third world man" -
It's Like This/Traffic From Paradise/Flying Cowboys - Rickie Lee Jones - phenomenal music, audiophile quality recordings - check out trouble man, low spark, and show biz kids from its like this, beat angel from traffic in paradise, and the horses from flying cowboys - RLJ is a gifted artist who is only improving with time
I'll take care of you - Mark Lanegan - former screaming trees lead singer/songwriter comes up with a haunting batch of covers - check out "follow down" - a gun club cover - its addictive - recorded so you feel like he's in the room with you.
The Freedom Sessions/Fumbling Towards Ecstacy - classically trained vocalist Sarah has an outstanding voice and some awesome songs - occasionally the production is problematic - e.g. they seem to want to add distortion to her and lots of echo - but check out her cover of tom waits ol55 on fumbling - recorded live in the studio late at night - a great live take
Tumbleweed Connection/Madman Across the Water - Elton John - oldies but goodies. Before the costumes and the drama took over - Elton wrote some great tunes and made some pretty straight ahead rock. Caleb Quay was the guitarist on Tumbleweed and it rocks a lot harder than the later crap elton has put out. Gus Dudgeon's production is a tribute to what good quality analogue could be even in the early 70's. Highlights are "come down in time, where to now st peter, and holiday inn (from Madman)- the last features some nifty mandolin work from guitarist Davey Johnston
Mystery Lady - Etta James - Etta covers classics originally done by Billie Holiday - need I say more?
Kamakiriad - Donald Fagen - a great album which should have been a steely dan lp. Check out tomorrow's girls - increadible dynamic range on this recording.
Bete Noir - Bryan Ferry - with lots of guitar help from the smiths Johnny Marr - as always with Bryan well recorded, great tunes, and a stellar line up of players supporting him. First track "Limbo" rocks with a caribbean beat thats hard not to sway to.
Live at Fillmore East - Allman Brothers - the blues recorded live and straight ahead - the 2 cd anniversary editions improved sonics put this one on the list.
Nocturns - Chopin - Rubinstein RCA Red Seal - sonic bliss and a performance to match.
I hope some folks enjoy these or come to enjoy these as much as I do.
