OK gang, since Paul went to the trouble of listing his best reference recordings for us, how about we start a list for him of some of our favorite songs or albums we’d like to hear on the IRSV system, or any balls-to-the-wall system. You might even make a comment on why you listed it, like great sax solo, incredible dynamics, wonderful recording, etc.
Here’s a couple to start…
Roberta Flack - First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. One of a kind vocal talent.
Grace Potter - Daylight. The whole package, great recording, great vocals, great transitions and dynamics.
Carpenters - Superstar. Always loved her voice.
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - Karn Evil 9. Keith Emerson’s keyboards would really make the IRSV’s woofer panels honk.
James Blake - Limit to your Love (huge empty spaces, and huge bass).
A Submotion orchestra track (choice to be confirmed) - huge bass opposite the airy soft jazz vocals).
Calm but dramatic, deep lyrics with perfectly voiced harmonies, great (sparse) drums and sub bass. Would love to hear that on the reference system in Boulder.
Some of my go-to test tracks, its a long list but playing any few of these and I’ll know if I like what I hear.
Weight of the Planets - Aldous Harding
Philharmonics - Agnes Obel
Your Cover’s Blown - Belle & Sebastian
Temptation - Diana Krall
Down to the Waterline - Dire Straits
Strange Fruit - Dominique Fils-Aime
Water Boy - Don Shirley
Make me Feel - Janelle Monae
Soothing - Laura Marling
Vanishing Act - Lou Reed
Matchstick Man - Mark Knopfler
Hell or High Water - Sara K.
Lead Me On - VanWyck
Peaches - North Mississippi All Stars
More From Mongo…you were warned…
Diane Birch - Tired. Very talented young lady. Reminds me a bit of Carol King.
The Alan Parson’s Project - What goes up. Typical AP great recording. Haunting.
Sade - Haunt me. One-of-a-kind voice. Very detailed recording, and some of the best back-up musicians in the business.
Wonder if Paul is going to keep making his daily videos, with all these great listening tips you guys and gals are giving him, he may be too busy in the IRSV room. G
I remember when I was buying my first HiFi (probably 1983) and the salesman played me I Robot. That was wise on his part. I left with no money, B&O speakers, HK receiver and a Dual turntable. I have enjoyed that album ever since. AP and Steve Miller, two extremely fastidious recording artists of their time.
I’ll throw in a couple of oddballs for audiophiles;
-Dog and Butterfly - Heart…used to take this album to shop for headphones in HS in the early eighties, became a test track for me, mainly for mids and highs and soundstage.
-Voodoo Child - Stevie Ray Vaughan
-The Wall (any track, but esp the helicopter) - Pink Floyd
-Song To The Siren - This Mortal Coil
-All of my love - Led Zeppelin
-Don’t cry for Louie - Vaya Con Dios
-Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Lyle Lovett: Here I Am
Dianne Krall: Peel Me A Grape
Larry McNeely: Paradise (vinyl is better)
Stevie Ray Vaughn: Tin Pan Ally
Cyndi Lauper: Sally`s Pidgeons
Andy Timmons: Ascension
Wow. Where to start? How about alphabetical, part one (non-classical):
The August - Sparrow, Thistle, and the Tall, Tall Grass
Patricia Barber - A Fortnight in France
Beatles - Abbey Road
Brown Bird - Salt for Salt
Cantus - Let Your Voice Be Heard
Johnny Cash - American I
Bill Charlap - Written in the Stars
Cyrus Chestnut - Soul Food
Bruce Cockburn - “Gavin’s Woodpile” from In the Falling Dark
Tim Connell and Eric Skye - June Apple
David Crosby & Graham Nash - Another Stoney Evening
Jeff Daniels - Live and Unplugged to Benefit the Purple Rose Theatre
Dapp Theory - Y’all Just Don’t Know
Kurt Elling - Close Your Eyes
Connie Evingson - Sings the Beatles
