@bzawa
I would urge anyone to seek out Mannheim Steamroller recordings. It is considered to be new age, I would call it more neo classical with a jazz influence. Chip Davis is the star of the show, a recording engineer of great talent who is also the main musician. He founded American Gramaphone recording studio in Omaha Nebraska in 1975. His Fresh Aire series of records were played in virtually every high end hi fi salon in the country back in the mid to late 70's.
He uses many vintage instruments in his recordings. Many are hundreds of years old. He has a very interesting style and pays tremendous attention to details, including in sound reproduction. One of the instruments that he plays is a harpsichord that his father built. I can identify with that. My grandfather had one that he was building. Sadly, it was never finished. He built several pianos that I used to play.
I enjoy the whole Fresh Aire series, with the last one being maybe my least favorite so I'd say 1 through 7 are all very good, 5 is probably my favorite. They have all been re mastered to HDCD and they are very good. They vinyl is still better, some of the best vinyl recordings that I own.
Classical Gas is very good, a collaboration with Mason Williams. The 25 year celebration is really good, so is 30/40, both are compilations of his favorite pieces over the years. He does an awesome rendition of Auld Lang Syne. He makes me listen to Christmas music which I'm not a huge fan of but he makes it good. He writes most of his own music. Find Chocolate Fudge, Kanbai, Dancin in the Stars,, The Rain Will Bless the Love, just to name a few.
There is very little that Chip Davis has ever done that I don't care for. I have a full CD case of Mannheim Steamroller/Chip Davis as well as probably 30 LP's. Much of it is music that will let you know where you are with your gear. The attention to detail is absolutely stunning.
@mahgister
Try some Chip Davis if you never have. My dad never got to hear it, I think he would have loved it and he was classical and hymns all the way. I grew up on both but I did branch out. Been doing a fair amount of Celtic listening lately, lost of good stuff there. I do always throw in some Chip Davis for testing though. It never gets old for me. You and I may have similar taste but I think you might lean more classical than I. As to compliments or not, I am well beyond concern of such things. Enjoy the journey. For many of us, it is nearing the end. I try to live each day as if it could be my last and music is a very important part of that.
