OK I’ll play again 11 years later.
Tough choices having a sizeable LP and tape collection and constantly shopping for and (re) discovering new LPs on the shelves.
But here goes my top five dressed to impress.
Fink: Low Swing Sessions, Horch House/Low Swing Records, 15 ips tape; (alternatively, Low Swing Records, 45 rpm LP)
Charlie Byrd: Self titled, D2D Crystal Clear Records, 45 rpm LP
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, RCA Living Stereo, LSC 1992, Munch/BSO and Heifetz (violin), either the Classic Records 45 rpm reissue or original SD LP (very early, experimental stereo, 2-track recording done in 1957 (?)) at Boston Symphony Hall
Amemiya: Summer Prayer, RCA RVC 2154, 45 (very rare) or 33 rpm LP
Now where’s things get interesting and I can’t make a decision on numero cinco.
So here’s my choices:
#1 Bill Evans: Waltz for Debby, Tape Project/Riverside 15 ips tape or Analogue Productions 45 rpm LP; word of warning: don’t get the new Craft LP. It’s a pale facsimile of the original LP sounding washed out, stereo and lacking the airiness the original.
#2 George Duke: Feelings, (Frank Zappa appears on two tracks), Horch House/MPs 15 ips tape or recent MPS LP reissue
Or #3 Dimeola, McLaughlin, de Lucia: Saturday Night in SF, Horch House, 15 ips tape (it’s all analog unlike the Impex reissue)