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Reference Vocal/Piano/Sax/Guitar CD s

I am looking for a few reference CD's to demo or to use as references when I try out new system, speaker, or cable. I need good recording with clean sound, wide and deep soundstage and full range (bass, mid, high) if possible. Please provide CD's recommendation for each type: Vocal, Piano, Sax, and Guitar. So far, I only know and like Diana Krall, Patrica Barber, Sarah Brighman, Dead can Dance, Three Blind Mise, Lorena McKenitt. I don't really have any great piano or sax cd's to provide as examples. For guitar, I have Sarah & Strunt (America) (not sure on spelling???) and Gavi. Any new recommendation are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
trantqc677

Showing 2 responses by rayhall

rayhall
393 posts
 
If you like jazz, try the following:
Marian Mc Partland, "Reprise", an outstanding piano recording
Dick Hyman, "In Recital" on Reference Recordings
Dick Hyman, "Plays Duke Ellington" on Reference Recordings
Dick Hyman, "Swing" on Ref Recordings (also some good guitar and excellent excellent sax solos by Frank Wess)
Dick Hyman, "Swing is Here" " " " (also some excellent
vocals)
Dick Hyman, "Plays Fats Waller" " " "

Dick Hyman is one of the most technically skillful pianists of any genre on the planet and his skills are demonstrated all in service of the music on these discs. The sound quality is beyond reproach.

Marian McPartland has a melodical style which noone seems to duplicate. You can also try any of her "Piano Jazz" CD's, which are repeats from her radio show from NPR if you don't mind a lot of talk. I particularly like the CD's with Milt Hinton and Dave Brubeck.
rayhall
393 posts
 
More selections:

Clifford Jordan, "Live at Ethel's" on Mapleshade (Tenor Sax)
Ibrahim Ferrer, "Buena Vista Social Club" (Male Vocals)
Natalie Cole, "Take A Look" (Female Vocals)
Virginia Rodrigues, "Sol Negro" (Portuguese Female Vocals)
Les Double Six, "Les Double Six", (French Jazz Vocal Group)
Gloria Estefan, "Gloria"
Sarah McLauglin, "Surfacing" (Great female vocal recording and also great deep room rattling bass on track 2, if your system can reproduce it)

For high fidelity demonstration purposes, the recordings in the first set are some of the highest quality discs that I have ever heard. The CD's in this post are more commercial and while the sound is very good, they probably don't generally reach the sound quality level of those in the earlier post.
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