Topic: Music Recommendations

[blackdiamond]

I recently upgraded my stereo system to the true audiophile level.  I have a subwoofer on the way to supplement the home theater, but my two channel sound is absolutely amazing.  I've been enjoying listening to my music collection, but am finding that I don't have a lot of good quality recordings.  I'm finding that the majority of pop/rock music is mixed for the radio/MP3 world and sounds horrible on a quality system.

Here's a list of some fantastic recordings for those that are looking for some recommendations:

David Garrett - Tchaikovsky Conus Violin Concertos with the Russion National Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)
David Garrett - Paganini Caprices with Bruno Canin, piano (Deutsche Grammophon)
James Galway & Phil Coulter - Legends
Yo-Yo Ma - Appassionato
Michael Buble - It's Time (Songs 5, 7 & 11)
Jane Monheit - Taking a Change on Love


I have a few other great CDs, but these are by far the best recordings.

Any suggestions for me? 

[Toymin8r]

Any suggestions for me? 

You need to play Black Sabbath on 88 speed!   You'll see god! 

[blackdiamond [OP]]

You need to play Black Sabbath on 88 speed!   You'll see god!  

I'd be willing to bet it would make my head hurt.   

[exxon]

what speakers/head unit are you running for curiousity purposes

[crawlerdad]

From the looks of your list I will have to call my Grandma for suggestions. Just kidding. Beethoven has some nice range.

[abnormaltoy]

Beethoven has some nice range.

That's like saying Mike Tyson used to knock emeffers out.

I have a suggestion...I guess they're a love 'em or hate 'em band...Gov't Mule. Crank up the album "Dose". I love the tracks Thorazine Shuffle (killer guitar work), Larger than Life and Game Face.

[Stocker]

I have a suggestion...I guess they're a love 'em or hate 'em band...Gov't Mule. Crank up the album "Dose". I love the tracks Thorazine Shuffle (killer guitar work), Larger than Life and Game Face.

I've heard one of their songs (on Pandora) and liked it, but I can't think of it right now. I'm adding Thorazine Shuffle, maybe it will play one of these days. Thanks for the tip!

[abnormaltoy]

I've heard one of their songs (on Pandora) and liked it, but I can't think of it right now. I'm adding Thorazine Shuffle, maybe it will play one of these days. Thanks for the tip!

Always glad to spread the word about them.

[Tallchevy]

I had this back in the day when I had a huge stereo system. It's synthesized classical and it has a large rage of frequencies from highs to lows.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Busters-Don-Dorsey/dp/B000003CTU

[Stocker]

I've heard one of their songs (on Pandora) and liked it, but I can't think of it right now.

Hah! It finally came to me... Endless Parade.  

[BLACKDOG]

Not that I expect to gain a lot of approval, but a buddy of mine has a killer stereo system (20K+) and some of his favorite music is rockabilly, and earlier punk rock.  One of my favorite bands is Social Distortion, and having heard it on his stereo, I would agree. 

Rockabilly is some of his favorite because it combines different music styles, resulting in a large range of instruments, rythyms, tones, and vocals.

Just a thought.

[blackdiamond [OP]]

what speakers/head unit are you running for curiousity purposes

I have an Integra 50.1 receiver with Focal 836v floorstanding speakers.  They seem to be a great match considering overall sound quality and relative price.  I've listened to Focal speakers ranging from $495 to $180,000 retail and was able to listen to my 836v speakers hooked up to the same system that is used to run the $180,000 speakers.  I know how good they can sound and I'm happy with what I have.

Focals most impressive speakers are actually a $14,000 pair of bookshelf speakers (tweeter and a single 6-1/2 inch woofer) that are simply jaw dropping.  Coupled with a $3,500 JL Audio subwoofer was about the most impressive thing I've heard.

The bottom line is that my stereo is good enough to expose poor recordings even if the music is good.

[blackdiamond [OP]]

From the looks of your list I will have to call my Grandma for suggestions. Just kidding. Beethoven has some nice range.

You're probably right.  I'm more of an easy listening guy and don't enjoy the majority of contemporary pop, rock, rap (if one considers it music at all), etc...  There are specific songs that I enjoy, but I have a difficult time getting CDs for a single song.

I finally got Pandora sounding as good as possible with it hooked directly to the receiver and using it optimizer feature for compressed auido files.  It really sounds great until you put in the actual CD and compare, then it's not even close.

[steveco.]

The Mars Volta-Deloused in a Comatourium

John Fruciante- The brown bunny OSD

Flaming Lips- Zaireeka Files CD's 1-4 played at the same time.

[Cheesemaker]

I've always been a fan of Wagner, especially the "March of the Valkyries," and Eric Clapton's lesser known album, the movie soundtrack for Rush.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_%28soundtrack%29   First seven songs are just instrumental, and with 3 songs and one being, "Tears in Heaven."  I would play the first seven tracks over and over on my system.