Simply listen to things you're familiar with that have at least a modicum of dynamics, and remember to work the word "modicum" into statements as people will think, "Hey, that guy's real smart."
One song I always use is "it's oh so quiet" by Bjork, i think its on her Post record.  
I always come back to -
Rickie Lee Jones "S/T" and her other stuff. "Pop" is fine. No speaker or system has still managed the screaming baby perfectly.

Listening now to Richard Bona track Djombwe & I Wish & Trains. Very live. Not bad at all....

Some of these recommendations are new to me. Will try them.


I think one of these days I will start a thread on DVD video on concerts. The best recordings and soundtracks. I think Eagles do a good job farewell tour. Mixed really well, good impact. Just wondering what everybody uses to show off their eqiupment on surround type systems.