I agree with Doug in that I think it's best to play them music that they like and are familiar with on probably mid-fi equipment at best. That said, I personally like Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road"-- tracks #7 and #12 for dynamics, imaging, soundstaging,-- well the whole works. And also it's great popular music. I also use Cowboy Junkies, and Enigma. Also, Enya "Paint the Sky with Stars". Cheers. Craig.
Which track do you demo to your friends?
You know when a friend arrives at your house, sees your stereo and says "how much did all this cost". You tell him/her the $$$ and they say "are you mad?" Of course, the next step is to justify it by playing something that will make their jaw hit the floor. Which track do you play? Me, I play a track called "Spanish Harlem" by Rebecca Pidgeon off an album called "The Raven". Works every time :-) Their jaw hits the floor, and no-one speaks till the song is over. Then they something along the lines of "Oh, I see what you mean". Follow up/alternate demo tracks for me would include "Fire and Roses" by Mimi Goese and "Ordinary Life" by Christen Barry. What track do you play in this most demanding of moments?