For acoustic music, either of the first two Nickel Creek CD's (coincidentally, Ms. Krauss produced them!) IMHO, Alison's voice on many AKUS discs is unrealistically "airy"...as is Norah Jones' voice on her first two, on some cuts.
David Grisman's "dawg" music (jazzy bluegrass) on his own label (Acoustic Disc) is extremely well done. Make sure it's one of his own "modern era" CD's.......he occasionally licenses old analog recordings of bluegrass artists for re-release on his label. One can often find a sampler called "100% Handmade Music, Volume 1" at used disc outlets, and it is a good way to hear various bluegrass/acoustic artists for not a lot of money.
Harry Connick, Jr. has put out some very well recorded albums, some early in his career......."Lofty's Roach Souffle" for straightforward piano/bass/drum trio; "25" for a mix of piano, trio, and larger bands backing his vocals. The "When Harry Met Sally" soundtrack also has some surprisingly well done cuts.....a lot of CD's released then were far too edgy, and that one is an exception.
The Michael Hedges CD's noted above are good, too (from Windham Hill.) Tuck & Patti, also Windham Hill artists, released a CD called "Tears of Joy" a long time ago that remains one of my favorites for auditioning gear......it's just Patti's very dynamic voice accompanied by Tuck's jazz guitar, no overdubs.
And a sleeper, from a short time when Windham Hill was trying to release a few more mainstream jazz CD's (rather than "new age")........"A Change of Heart" by John Beasley, released in 1993. Funky and accessible, with great piano and acoustic bass, amazingly recorded percussion of all sorts, some sweet bass clarinet and flute work.....it oozes "texture". I put that one on at the Chicago mini-meet in early '06 and Ray Samuels thought it was a great demo disc.
David Grisman's "dawg" music (jazzy bluegrass) on his own label (Acoustic Disc) is extremely well done. Make sure it's one of his own "modern era" CD's.......he occasionally licenses old analog recordings of bluegrass artists for re-release on his label. One can often find a sampler called "100% Handmade Music, Volume 1" at used disc outlets, and it is a good way to hear various bluegrass/acoustic artists for not a lot of money.
Harry Connick, Jr. has put out some very well recorded albums, some early in his career......."Lofty's Roach Souffle" for straightforward piano/bass/drum trio; "25" for a mix of piano, trio, and larger bands backing his vocals. The "When Harry Met Sally" soundtrack also has some surprisingly well done cuts.....a lot of CD's released then were far too edgy, and that one is an exception.
The Michael Hedges CD's noted above are good, too (from Windham Hill.) Tuck & Patti, also Windham Hill artists, released a CD called "Tears of Joy" a long time ago that remains one of my favorites for auditioning gear......it's just Patti's very dynamic voice accompanied by Tuck's jazz guitar, no overdubs.
And a sleeper, from a short time when Windham Hill was trying to release a few more mainstream jazz CD's (rather than "new age")........"A Change of Heart" by John Beasley, released in 1993. Funky and accessible, with great piano and acoustic bass, amazingly recorded percussion of all sorts, some sweet bass clarinet and flute work.....it oozes "texture". I put that one on at the Chicago mini-meet in early '06 and Ray Samuels thought it was a great demo disc.
