What is your personal reference audiophile recording (best sound quality)?

[bbfoto]

...Yeah, leave it to the noob to bring this thread back from the dead. Sorry guys, but there are A LOT of amazing suggestions in this thread that I love, and of course, I have to add some of my favorites.

 

 

Anaïs Mitchell - Hadestown

 

(a "conceptual" album with EXCELLENT SQ tracks including "Why We Build the Wall" featuring the deep baritone voice of Greg Brown. Amazing production, instrumentation, and solo and chorus vocals...Excellent imaging and staging. Many other guest vocals.) It might not be everyone's cup of tea as it's one of those "different/unusual" albums, but I HIGHLY recommend it! Many tracks will get stuck in your head for good reason and this album will always be a DEMO CD in my system.

 

Any of the Opus 3 label's Demo Discs, such as "Test CD 4 - Depth of Image, Timbre, Dynamics" (available in SACD & Vinyl)

 

 

Joe Weed - The Vultures

 

 

Brass Roots - Purple Cha Cha Heels

 

 

A la Carte Brass & Percussion - Boogeyin'! Swamprock, Salsa & `Trane (on Mapleshade)

 

 

Fay Lovsky & La Bande Dessinée - (Self-Titled), Check out the track, "Film Noir: Danger City"

 

 

...BUT MY CURRENT FAVORITE IS:

 

The Steph Johnson Trio - "Nature Girl" (jazz guitar & vocals)...

 

...Steph Johnson (guitar & vocals), double bassist Rob Thorsen, and drummer Fernando Gomez are independent musicians from the San Diego area, and all I have to say is that after hearing this CD I'm definitely going to try to hit up their next live show.

 

D@mn gents, she's got an amazing voice (as stated in the liner notes by a reviewer...a mix of Etta James and Cassandra Wilson)...this woman has SOUL!

 

And I can't stress enough that this CD is an EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT SQ recording!!!

 

Years ago I was a drummer/percussionist and alto/baritone saxophonist, and the drum kit and double bass on this CD are SO LIFELIKE that it instantly sent chills down my spine, not to mention Steph's smokey vocals and smooth, clean guitar work. You can hear the "wood" of the drumstick tips on the hi-hat, individual brushes on the snare, and the cymbals and tom-toms have that lifelike attack, sustain/shimmer, and decay...all of that micro detail that make it REAL.

 

This is one of THE best recordings, both for pure SQ, AND pure enjoyment, that I've "purchased" in a looooong time. If you are at all interested in jazz, and beautiful female vocals, say Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Ella Fitzgerald, Melody Gardot, etc, I highly recommend that you check out this CD! Even if you aren't a fan of the genre, this entire CD will show off your system like very few others. And (at least IMHO) there is not a "bad" track on the entire album.

 

There are various little drum and bass solos spread throughout that are just absolute morsels of auditory joy. I could see many of these tracks ending up on Demo Discs such as the Focal Demonstration discs..they ARE THAT GOOD. The musicians ARE IN THE ROOM with you!

 

I don't personally know Steph or the other musicians, I just happened to come across a link to her music, loved it, and I always like to support local artists, so I donated, and am so glad I did. In order to receive a copy of the CD you need to make a Donation, and the CD will be sent to you in the mail straight from Steph herself.

 

Anyway, if you are interested, check out her web site at:

 

Steph Johnson Band (Steph Johnson Band)

 

On her home page, under the "NEWS" heading, Click on, "Help Steph Release Her 3rd Album!" to get to the PayPal donation link. AFAIK it's the Only way to receive a physical CD of this great release.

 

And here's a YouTube video of the 1st track off of the "Nature Girl" CD...Just remember that the SQ on the CD is much better, but for a YT video, this is quite good:

 

"Who is Steph Johnson?" in HD - YouTube (

)

 

She also has some of her previous releases on iTunes at:

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mysterious-feminine/id354936882

 

 

Hope you enjoy and am looking forward to many more amazing recommendations from you guys!

[bbfoto]

So you are the one reviving all the Zombie threads. Have you voted on the >45 polls as well? ;-)

 

Oh snap! I'm gonna search for all of those Poll threads as soon as I finish this reply!!!

 

Joke apart, welcome to CA; and same here, I discovered many great albums on this thread. Actually, since I created it, my favorites have not surprisingly evolved, so maybe I should repost on my own thread at some point.

 

Seriously, thanks for the warm welcome...much appreciated. And thanks again for starting this thread!

 

Also check out: Oi Va Voi - Laughter Through Tears

http://sdrv.ms/ZGr979

[bbfoto]

THANKS bbfoto . . .

 

I think this is really as good as you say.

 

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I am looking to purchase this and I can only find a iTunes or CDBaby download with no real resolution as this artist deserves. Is there anything better to purchase than these limited rez downloads available?

 

I did pick up a couple of your other recommendations bbfoto.

 

Thanks to you and all that have jumped in with recommendations.

 

HIFI, I actually emailed Steph Johnson who will send you any of her three releases. I had a hard time locating her second release so send off an email. I was pleasantly surprised to get a personal email in return. CDbaby is 16/44.1 and any of the three you can get a CD direct from her. I suggested she contact Cookie at Bluecoast/Downloadsnow about current releases in HR or future ones with Cookie. Cookie is very approachable and down to earth gal. I believe they both would enjoy working with eachother.

 

Sorry that I didn't get back to you gents sooner in this thread, however I did respond to HIFI's email. Yes, just contact Steph Johnson through her web site at Steph Johnson Band and she'll get a CD to you!

 

I've been buying discs/downloading like crazy because of this thread, LOL! Absolutely fantastic recommendations here! Thanks all.

 

And thanks, kevalin, for responding to HIFI. Yep, Steph is a true sweetheart and really does take the time whenever she can to personally respond to her emails. That's awesome that you put her in contact with Cookie at Bluecoast/Downloadsnow! I've also been thinking about how to get her music out to the masses, so props to you for that!

 

Thanks again everyone. Keep the recommendations coming!

 

Billy B.