MarkBK Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Over the years I have singled out albums / CD's that become my standards to use for system testing. Curious to know what everyone else uses. Current favs: Dee Dee Bridgewater: Peace and Love Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms Steely Dan: Goucho Micky Hart: Dafos Stanley Turrentine: Sugar Julian Bream: Spanish Guitar Recital (Okay it six - I got carried away![] there's more........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heresy2guy Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Brothers In Arms is a really sweet-sounding CD...crystal clear, with lots of dynamic range...the CD truly sounds awesome on high efficiency Klipsch, particularly the La Scalas and Khorns. -H2G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Try these out some time: Willie and Lobo "Fandago Nights" or "Caliente" (lots of hand-clapping in cuts 3 and 4 very good for realism) Commodores "Night Shift" overall complicated sound, positioning soundstage etc. Alan Parsons Project "Re-Jigue" (pay close attention to the violens, if you can't hear them in the background when the mucis crescendos, take a hammer to your system) The Temptations, "For Lovers Only" cuts 1,2 and 5 (why? you'll see) Enrico Mariconne, "Good Bad and the Ugly" last cut for the trumpet solo Eva Cassidy, from "Songbird, "Oh, Had I a Golden Thread" if her voice distorts on the high notes at the end place a stick of dynamite in your system and light it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBK Posted January 19, 2006 Author Share Posted January 19, 2006 Good list Thebes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Garrison Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Picking up at the point where you've established that the system is at least good (it plays bass, images well, good dynamics, clean high end, yada yada yada yawn yawn yawn) how do you differenciate a great system from a meerly good one? First, this is gonna sound really, really corny... or just embarassingly anti-cool... but here goes... Ronnie Milsap, Lost In Fifties Tonight When the do-wap singers chime in, are they standing next to each other in a straight line, or gathered around in the mic in a circle, or can't you tell? Systems with sole will create the image of one or the other, soleless systems will leave them undefined. I don't know which is correct, but I want a system that at least takes a stand one way or the other. Peter Gabriel, We Do What We're Told When the chorus of Peters come forward chanting "We do what we're told, told to do", how many of them are there? Are they all Peter, or are there other voices on that track as well? Steve Miller Band, Slinky (Living in the 20th Century album) Are the snaps of the acoustic guitar string happening out in space, someplace between you and the speakers, or are they back inside the speakers? How much snap is there? Leonard Cohen, Everybody Knows A system with the least bit of overhang, or excess energy in the midbass will make him sound very singing-in-the-barrelish. A great system creates a remarkable image of the guy standing in front of you in a small club singing (?) this. Judy Garland, Live at Carnagie Hall, The Man that Got Away Goosebumps, great. No goosebumps, not great. Radiohead, Creep This one I can't explain, I just know it when I hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 For both deep bass and for clarity and transparency, try this CD of organist Jean Guillou playing Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition on the Dorian Recordings label (DOR-90117). For the remaining four, try any Stereophile Test Disc or classical/jazz recordings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRiv Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Found two recently that cover the whole sound spectrum, kind of weired but soundtracks to Tim Burtons movies "Nightmare Before Christmas" and " Corpses bride" , highs,lows, classical/jazz, entire voice ranges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seti Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 For high quality recordings.. Peter Gabriel - Passions -soundtrack to the last temtation of christ kama sutra sound track no joke ask woodog tom petty - wild flowers beatles - strawberry fields and across the universe t-rex - rabbit fighter remastered early kate bush dead can dance - aion - spleen and ideal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodog Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 For high quality recordings.. kama sutra sound track no joke ask woodog bingo! This one immediately came to mind. It is never far from my CD player. In fact, it is usually in it! I'm really glad you turned me on to this. A couple of others are: Paul Winter: Prayer for the Wild Things Norah Jones: Come Away with Me Woo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBK Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 For high quality recordings.. Peter Gabriel - Passions -soundtrack to the last temtation of christ kama sutra sound track no joke ask woodog tom petty - wild flowers beatles - strawberry fields and across the universe t-rex - rabbit fighter remastered early kate bush dead can dance - aion - spleen and ideal Great choices! I absolutley love the Passions soundtrack - my wife and I listen to it often....(at one time daily for several months!) Of course the rest are also great - early Kate is awesome as is the rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I usually only drag two of the following around: Massive Attack Mezzanine Breakbeat Era Ultra Obscene Meat Beat Manifesto RUOK Front 242 ReBoot 98 live more or less in that order of preference... ROb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 As was mentioned Steely Dan,Aja is also another good one.Joe Satriani(self title)and Extremist,very dynamic,I could never evaluate all aspects of my type of music without this one,its all music too good for words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 What? No Eagles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerin Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 mine are ronnie earl -blues and ballad's score to the movie -the thin red line score to the movie -road to perdition(my favorite) holly cole-it happened one night-live -great recording sound's as if in the studio EAGLE'S- hell freez'es over ( there ya go mike) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBK Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 Hey guys, All great choices - keep 'em comin'. This is beginning to create a new must have list! Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I use two: The Police - Synchronicity - All of side two Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill - Side Two: Fire In The Hole & Brooklyn The second side of Synchronicity has a lot of artifact sounds that are sensitive to playback changes (may be recording errors or tape patch switches). For example, in Wrapped Around Your Finger, in the verse that begins, "Mephistopheles..." there is a faint high whistle, opening door sqeak, or breath sound that is easily covered up by the other sounds. There is some hard low drum playing, some very low bass guitar, Sting's distinctive voice sibilance, a few unusual instruments,etc. This is the record I use to set things up. The two Steely Dan are great songs offering natural voice and instruments. This is the record I use to hear if I got it right. Pauln Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Most music sounds like dung and is poorly recorded. I do most of my listening to below. - Stereophile Test CD 1-3 (No cannons, but there is some awesome bass guitar and bells and whatnot) - Telarc 1812 (cannons are awesome) - Telarc Sampler CD (Fanfare for Common Man is awesome - Firebird kicks it) - Pomp and Pipes ( The pipes are ok but the POMP brings house down!) - Conan the Destroyer Soundtrack (man, this is awesome, too! No modern explosions, though) - TOTAL RECALL soundtrack (this DOES have modern blasts! Subs to the rescue!) - Arnold Soundtracks (you can just skip looking and get this one if you want. HasteLaVistaBaby!!) - Pearl Harbor (Want to hear a Zero at 11? That first bomb drop is ecstasy!) - Jazz at the Pawnshop (not really a pawn shop so a bit disappointing. No bass but GREAT crowd clapping!) - Sheffield Drum Record (man, if you like drums you gotta get this one. No explosions though) - HFNR Test Record (one side has no tracks but cool to watch tonearm skate on record!) - Sara K. (Any thing by her rocks. Sounds like Jesus in heaven) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wardsweb Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Artist - Dave Brubeck Title - Time Out Year of Release - 1959 Record Label - Legacy Recordings The classic quintessential jazz. This is one of the all time greats. I'm sure you have heard it. If you haven't your missing something very special. For you vinyl guys, the album takes this recording to the next level. Take Five is truely breath taking. Artist - Matt Bianco (featuring Basia) Title - Matt's Mood Year of Release - 2005 Record Label - Decca First off, Matt Bianco is the name of a group, not a person, and the trio's 1984 debut album, "Whose Side Are You On?," went platinum. That didn't prevent the threesome from splitting up before they could even tour together. Basia Trzetrzelewska, the group's female singer, had her eyes on a solo career, and she took Matt Bianco keyboardist Danny White with her to create four albums under the single name Basia. Male singer Mark Reilly recruited a new keyboardist, Mark Fisher, and recorded eight more albums under the Matt Bianco moniker. Last year Trzetrzelewska, White and Reilly reunited to co-write and co-produce a new Matt Bianco album, "Matt's Mood," and this spring they're touring as a trio for the first time. Matt's Mood is flavored with jazz, bossa nova and "Quiet Storm" R&B. This one is great all the way through and does not get old after repeated plays. Check out some of the sound bites on Amazon. From the opening number "Ordinary Day" with Basia's smooth vocals to the rhythm of "Slip & Sliding", this album will make your speakers come to life. Artist - Patricia Barber Title - Modern Cool Year of Release - 2002 Record Label - Mobile Fidelity Koch This is an incredible ablum, right from the start. The very first cut "Touch of Trash" is sensuous music, showcasing Barber's voice and piano skills. Her voice is sultry and appealing. Close your eyes and just get lost in this smokey jazz. Artist - Brian Bromberg Title - Wood Year of Release - April 2, 2002 Record Label - A440 Music Group This is an incredible album of jazz bassist Brian Bromberg on a 300 year old upright bass. The tonal quality of the notes is pure and sweet and what Brian does with it are magical. You will love his version of The Beatles "Come Together" like you've never heard before and smile when you hear "Star Spangled Banner". Artists - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto Title - Getz/Gilberto Year of Release - 1963 Record Label - Verve Here is another classic. You have all heard "The Girl from Ipanema", but did you know it was written about the seventeen year old Helô Pinheiro. She inspired Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes in 1962 to write this song. Sitting in a cafe they saw her every day going to the beach of Ipanema, a district of Rio de Janeiro. Also, on the album the girl singing is Astrud Gilberto, Joao's wife. She and Getz's wife, Monica, were in the studio to listen. There is some debate over who suggested Astrud try singing a verse; Stan, Joao or Monica, but whoever did, it created one of the most memorable songs in history. This is only one of the jewels on this album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Well... mine are all on vinyl. Jeff Beck - Blow by Blow (German pressing) Heart - Dreamboat Annie (German pressing) Pink Floyd - Wish you were here (German pressing) Al Dimeola - Splendido Hotel Santa Esmeralda - Don't let me be misunderstood (fabulous album) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Most music sounds like dung and is poorly recorded. I do most of my listening to below. - Stereophile Test CD 1-3 (No cannons, but there is some awesome bass guitar and bells and whatnot) - Telarc 1812 (cannons are awesome) - Telarc Sampler CD (Fanfare for Common Man is awesome - Firebird kicks it) - Pomp and Pipes ( The pipes are ok but the POMP brings house down!) - Conan the Destroyer Soundtrack (man, this is awesome, too! No modern explosions, though) - TOTAL RECALL soundtrack (this DOES have modern blasts! Subs to the rescue!) - Arnold Soundtracks (you can just skip looking and get this one if you want. HasteLaVistaBaby!!) - Pearl Harbor (Want to hear a Zero at 11? That first bomb drop is ecstasy!) - Jazz at the Pawnshop (not really a pawn shop so a bit disappointing. No bass but GREAT crowd clapping!) - Sheffield Drum Record (man, if you like drums you gotta get this one. No explosions though) - HFNR Test Record (one side has no tracks but cool to watch tonearm skate on record!) - Sara K. (Any thing by her rocks. Sounds like Jesus in heaven) LMAO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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