Good Morning Blues - Various Artists - 1995 Box Set

An excellent collection for musicologists of popular music. You will not find audiophile recordings in this collection but it is a great selection. Popular music is folk music. It gives us a window into the past and reminds us that one day the music of the present will be the legacy we created and no doubt there will be musicologists and historians who will value our efforts.

 

Aaron Neville - Greatest Hits - 1996 Compact Disc

I bought this compact disc just for Tell It Like It Is. I never owned a vinyl copy of this song so I went to YouTube and checked this version against the original 45 vinyl release. The version on this compact disc is exactly the same as the vinyl release. The reason I went for this Curb release is because I felt that being an American label they would be more inclined to present the music as it originally sounded on vinyl. I am happy to report this is the case. I would like to thank all the people on YouTube who make videos of themselves playing their original vinyl collection.  

 

Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing - 1987 Compact Disc

In the UK the DNA Remix of Tom's Diner was most peoples introduction to Suzanne Vega. A later appearance by her on UK TV singing Tom's Diner a capella was a performance that many would remember. I did have this album on vinyl but I only regularly played the first two tracks. I listened to this whole compact disc and apart from the last two tracks was very impressed by the rest of the songs. I think from an audiophile perspective the production values on this album must rank up there with the best. This CD has "Mastered by Nimbus" on the Matrix and is the first UK issue.

 

Julian Bream - Spanish Guitar Recital - 1994 Compact Disc

This compact disc is a compilation of famous Spanish Classical pieces. All of these tracks were also released on the RCA Victor Gold Seal Julian Bream Edition series but the overall mastering is different compared to this single compact disc. For that reason I am recommending this RCA Navigator compact disc which in my opinion is superior with regards to sonic impact and also has a coherent track program. The music flows effortlessly throughout the program and will make you feel that you are at an intimate guitar recital.

 

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland - 1984 Compact Disc

 This is as near to the vinyl mix that I have found on compact disc.  

Wagner Orchestral Music - Karajan - 2004 Compact Disc

This compact disc is part of the Great Recordings of the Century series by EMI Classics. I think this is a great introduction to the music of Wagner. I am not an expert on Wagner or the best performances of his operas but these six tracks are so absorbing that I find myself returning to them time and time again.