the comfortably numb test

[uzziah]

do you have a song that is just always inspiring? one that you use to test any equipment that comes your way? for me it's pink floyd's comfortably numb. not a terribly unique selection, but one that is just absolutely inspiring for me. if my gear doesn't give me the "it" factor on this song, that pretty much tells me how i feel about it, and vice versa

 

[vpivinylspinner]

Mine are:

Dr. Michael White - "Summertime" from Jazz from Soul of New Orleans CD
Cowboy Junkies - "Sweet Jane" from The Trinity Sessions 45 RPM
Grover Washington Jr. - "Blues for DP"
Little Feat - "Dixie Chicken" MFSL Vinyl
Jeff Buckley - "Hallelujah" The Grace EP on Vinyl

Based on the demographics threads here most of these are probably foreign to alot of people here.

 

[slinger1182]

For me it has to be Mark Knopfler's "What It is", Trilok Gurtu's "Brindavan Dance" and Fuzon's "Khamaj" and PF's "Run Like Hell"

 

[gordie]

The only problem is Comfortably Numb is so damn good it transcends mere equipment concerns and it sounds good on pretty much everything...

Actually, while that song is amazing and gives me chills on even a modest Tivoli Radio, I always felt that whole album wasn't all that well recorded compared to Dark Side and Wish you Where Here. A bit compressed and dull on the sonics, although still one of my favorites of all time because the content is so awesome. It definitely inspires me to pick up a guitar, however...

I know what you mean though, I used to cart around a few CDs anytime I listened to new audio equipment (made much easier by the advent of the iPod and iTunes now). There's so much good music now, though, I hate to start listing my most inspiring songs, as it would just go on and on....

-- Gordie

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

YAY I am inspiring...

Err obviously one of my favorite songs

 

[dhp]

the entire album of Dark Side of the Moon straight through

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieInAFire the entire album of Dark Side of the Moon straight through

Yea that is one of there best albumbs IMHO, I spent quit a bit of money for a used Mofi edition of Dark Side Of The Moon $45

but well worth it IMHO, and the usal go to disc when testing new equipment

 

[rhythmicmoose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gordie Actually, while that song is amazing and gives me chills on even a modest Tivoli Radio, I always felt that whole album wasn't all that well recorded compared to Dark Side and Wish you Where Here. A bit compressed and dull on the sonics, although still one of my favorites of all time because the content is so awesome. It definitely inspires me to pick up a guitar, however...

Look into acquiring a copy of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab remaster. It sounds absolutely stellar. The same goes for pretty much any MFSL release. Especially Meddle. My go-to test songs for headphones are usually the MFSL versions of "Money" (if I can hear the echoes off the walls of the recording studio, the headphones are probably going to get my stamp of approval) and "Fearless". For audio codecs, it's usually "Who Knows" by Jimi Hendrix.

 

[creyc]

For me it's:

"Keep it alive" - Downsyde (yes..it's hip hop

)
"Papua New Guinea" - Future Sounds of London
"Try" - Sweatshop Union
"Lead the Way" - Sweatshop Union
"Dare" - Gorillaz

I'd love to add to this list. :\

 

[Meyvn]

Highs = The Mars Volta's "Cicatriz ESP"

Mids + soundstage = Aretha Franklin's "The Lord's Prayer"

Lows = Belle & Sebastian's "White Collar Boy" (because it usually has high bass) and "Electronic Renaissance" (because it usually has low bass).

 

[vorlon1]

I use a few things for testing.
Hurricane - Bob Dylan, nice for guitar and electric violin.
Dvorak Symphony No. 8, 4th movement Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Von Dohanyi conducting, a great horn introduction at the beginning.
Spanish Harlem -Rebecca Pidgeon, Sweet Georgia Brown - Monty Alexander, both of these are super recordings from Chesky with great clarity and detail and lots of punch and tempo on Sweet Georgia Brown.
Diamonds and Rust- Joan Baez, accoustic guitar and female vocals
Talk to me of Mendocino - Linda Rondstadt, nice cello at the beginning, and a good test of vocal detail and clarity.
and others, but those do a nice job at getting at a lot of things musical.

 

[appar111]

Here are my picks for testing the warmth, detail, and presence of a pair of headphones, amp, etc.:

Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral and Further Down the Spiral
Prince & the Revolution - 1999
Iron Maiden - The X-Factor
Bjork - Vespertine and Homogenic

 

[aerius]

I play "Harvester of Sorrow" by Metallica. If it doesn't rock, it sucks.

 

[pne]

for me its the eagles, and for female vocals its usually jewel.

 

[Mercuttio]

I always try:

Stop Whispering (US version from Itch) by Radiohead
Comfortably Numb (Me too!)
Life in a Glass House (Full version from Knives Out EP) by Radiohead
No Surprises (OK Computer) Radiohead.

Gee, wonder who my favorite band is? There are also various other songs I try, but these always come first. If I like what I hear on these, I know it'll translate to my other music well.