Reference Albums Compilation Project - Page 2

I had a thought while I was showering - Perhaps the thread is mistitled?  The way it is structured, it ought to be more like

POLL: What do you use as reference albums?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF 

Then it's pointless! Absolutely pointless...

 

Likewise, there are huge differences between different releases on the same format. There have been countless re-issues on Van Morrison's "Moondance" on CD. However only ONE CD has the mastering done correctly for it to sound great. Other versions use the wrong mix or are compressed to the point of distortion. Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" is also often used as a demo recording but only one CD has the entire album in it's full dynamic range. This goes for all formats, CD, LP, SACD, etc.

 

Also, IMHO, the point of making such a thread is for helping people attain such reference recordings - that's why when I post something about a recording I provide a direct link for that album. If you leave it up to the person reading to do the research for the best version of a particular album then they will be up s*&t creek for a while because it's difficult to find all the relevant information to distinguish certain pressings from others, let alone making sure that such information is correct and presented in a non-confusing way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackbeardBen 

And that's what makes this thread best a work in progress - not a final product.  Easy to contribute and discuss, then you can go off and compile your list of the releases to own for specific reference...  If you want.

 

I'd argue that even poorly mastered versions of an album are important as references, because there sure are plenty of albums that don't have any good releases...

I have to agree with LFF here; what I want to know is how to find the best, most reference album recordings out there. I already know what I like, but the community could be of great assistance for help in sorting through the various releases. Knowing exactly what recording to look for in either (or both) vinyl and CD formats would be priceless IMHO.

[04] Steely Dan - Aja (+1)

[01] Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (new)
[02] Porcupine Tree - In Absentia (-1)
[05] Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (+1)
[02] Eric Clapton - Unplugged
[00] James Newton Howard & Friends - ST [XRCD](-1)
[01] Dave Grusin - Discovered Again Plus [XRCD]
[01] Steve Khan & Rob Mounsey - You Are Here
[01] 10cc - How Dare You
[01] The Apartments - A Life Full of Farewells
[00] XTC - Nonsuch(-1)
[01] Al Di Meola - Kiss My Axe
[01] Trey Gunn - Raw Power
[01] Dadawa - Sister Drum [XRCD]
[02] Massive Attack - Mezzanine
[00] Alan Parsons Project - I Robot (-1)
[01] Holly Cole Trio - Temptation
[00] Patricia Barber - Nightclub (-1)
[02] Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets
[01] Dave Brubeck - Time Out
[02] Bjork - Debut

[00} Bjork - Homogenic (new)(-1)

[01] Bjork - Medulla (new)

[00] Bjork - Vespertine (new)(-1)
[02] Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions(+1)
[01] Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Shaka Zulu
[00] Rush - Moving Pictures
[00] Metallica - Metallica (-1)

[01] Brazilian Girls - Brazilian Girls (new)

[01] Craig Klein - New Orleans Trombonisms (new)

[01] Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams (new)

[01] Kraftwerk - Minimum-Maximum (new)

[01] Luke Winslow-King - Old/New Baby (new)

[01] Oasis - What's The Story (Morning Glory) (Note: Horrible Mastering Reference) (new)

[01] Orbital - Orbital (new)

[01] Rage Against The Machine - The Battle Of Los Angeles (new)

[01] Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend (new)

[01] Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars (new)

[00] Gorillaz - Demon Days (new)(-1)

[01] Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson (new)

[01] Taj Mahal - Live And Direct (new)

[01] Talking Heads - Speaking In Tounges (new)

[01] Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (new)

[01] Talking Heads - Naked (new)

[01] Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (new)

[01] Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile (new)

[01] Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Social Network (new)

[01] Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Couldn't Stand The Weather (new)

[01] Phish - A Picture Of Nectar (new)

[01] Phish - Billy Breathes (new)

[01] Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow (new)

[01]The Beatles-  White Album

The idea is fun, but maybe there should be a limited number of albums,

as to Mr. LEF, If the music is good is good!!

Try this: http://rainwarrior.thenoos.net/music/moon8.html

[04] Steely Dan - Aja

[01] Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill
[02] Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
[05] Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

[01] Pink Floyd - The Wall (new)
[02] Eric Clapton - Unplugged
[00] James Newton Howard & Friends - ST [XRCD]
[01] Dave Grusin - Discovered Again Plus [XRCD]
[01] Steve Khan & Rob Mounsey - You Are Here
[01] 10cc - How Dare You
[01] The Apartments - A Life Full of Farewells
[00] XTC - Nonsuch
[01] Al Di Meola - Kiss My Axe
[01] Trey Gunn - Raw Power
[01] Dadawa - Sister Drum [XRCD]
[02] Massive Attack - Mezzanine
[00] Alan Parsons Project - I Robot
[01] Holly Cole Trio - Temptation
[00] Patricia Barber - Nightclub
[02] Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets
[01] Dave Brubeck - Time Out
[02] Bjork - Debut

[00} Bjork - Homogenic

[01] Bjork - Medulla

[00] Bjork - Vespertine
[02] Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions
[01] Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Shaka Zulu
[00] Rush - Moving Pictures
[00] Metallica - Metallica

[01] Brazilian Girls - Brazilian Girls (new)

[01] Craig Klein - New Orleans Trombonisms

[01] Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams

[01] Kraftwerk - Minimum-Maximum

[01] Luke Winslow-King - Old/New Baby

[01] Oasis - What's The Story (Morning Glory) (Note: Horrible Mastering Reference)

[01] Orbital - Orbital

[01] Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine (new)

[00] Rage Against The Machine - The Battle Of Los Angeles (-1)

[01] Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend

[01] Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between The Gutter And The Stars

[00] Gorillaz - Demon Days

[01] Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson

[01] Taj Mahal - Live And Direct

[01] Talking Heads - Speaking In Tounges

[01] Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense

[01] Talking Heads - Naked

[01] Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral

[01] Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile

[01] Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Social Network

[01] Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Couldn't Stand The Weather

[01] Phish - A Picture Of Nectar

[01] Phish - Billy Breathes

[01] Jeff Beck - Blow By Blow

[01]The Beatles-  White Album

[01] Dead Can Dance - Toward The Within (new)

[01] Dire Straits - Dire Straits (new)

[01] Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (new)

[01] Neil Young - Harvest (new)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF 

 

Then it's pointless! Absolutely pointless. Why? Well, let's take a title like Grant Green's "Matador" on Blue Note. A reference recording if there ever was one BUT you would never know it was a reference recording if you heard the recent RVG release or the previous RVG release. You also wouldn't be able to tell it's such a stellar recording by listening to the vinyl issue nor the original CD mastered by Ron McMaster or the japan re-issue. Ah, but if you listen to the 45RPM recording on Music Matters then you can really appreciate what an excellent recording it really is. However, this is really comparing apples (CD) to oranges (LP).

 

Likewise, there are huge differences between different releases on the same format. There have been countless re-issues on Van Morrison's "Moondance" on CD. However only ONE CD has the mastering done correctly for it to sound great. Other versions use the wrong mix or are compressed to the point of distortion. Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" is also often used as a demo recording but only one CD has the entire album in it's full dynamic range. This goes for all formats, CD, LP, SACD, etc.

 

Also, IMHO, the point of making such a thread is for helping people attain such reference recordings - that's why when I post something about a recording I provide a direct link for that album. If you leave it up to the person reading to do the research for the best version of a particular album then they will be up s*&t creek for a while because it's difficult to find all the relevant information to distinguish certain pressings from others, let alone making sure that such information is correct and presented in a non-confusing way.

 

If I missed the point then by all means continue without me.

Which "Kind of Blue" do you suggest?  

I sincerely hope your wiki will expand from its beginnings.  I wish I could say that I can contribute, but I must admit to gross ignorance of these things.  I assume that contributors are welcome.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF 

Wiki sounds like a great idea but I have no idea how to do that.

 

What I was thinking was a thread where the first post could be updated. The bad thing is that some people feel some pressings are superior to others and vice versa. There must be an agreement and/or a preferred version with other suitable options. Also - what about popular sonic turds that will always be turds - polished or not (ie, Led Zeppelin)?

 

EDIT: HERE WE GO!

 

http://www.head-fi.org/wiki/reference-recordings