Music Lane

In Reply to: Top 5 - Must Sound Good Audition CDs posted by Rod M on March 09, 1999 at 11:15:58:

1. Dick Hyman - In Recital - Reference Recordings. Have never
heard a better recording of piano. Play this to see if your
system can reproduce piano accurately
2. Muddy Waters - Folk Singer - Mobile Fidelity. If you dont have
it, get it.
3. Kenny Davern - One Hour Tonite - MusicMasters. Recorded 10
years ago, but the cd is *quite* good. Cut entitled "Pee Wee's
Blues" gives me the cold chills.
4. Dan Crary - Jammed if I Do - Sugar Hill. Suprisingly good
recording quality, and superb playing. Use this one to test
your system's ability to reproduce acoustic guitar.
5. Ella Fitzgerald - Sings Cole Porter Songbook - Verve. This may
not be the best version of this recording (there is a gold version
available from someone), but is good nonetheless. And it is Ella
at her peak.

And then there is my current favorite: Jimmy Witherspoon - Singing
the Blues - Pacific Jazz. A 1959 recording recently reissued with
the SBM treatment. 'Spoon is in excellent form, and 'Sweets' Edison
gives a master class is blues trumpet playing. If you love the blues,
get this one.