What's the first song you'd play.....

Bob in St. Louis · « **on:** 16 Apr 2011, 01:17 am »

...when someone important is coming over.

And no...I'm not talking about your Mother, I'm talking about somebody in the audio industry.
Somebody who knows music, and knows what it's supposed to sound like.

What's the first song you'd play for them.

Ideas?

Bob

airhead · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 01:29 am »

"Snow", from Patricia Barber's Cole Porter Mix.
This is to demonstrate what I think are the most important aspect of my system, which is to communicate the emotional intensity and intimacy of music. This song, simple sonically, has that in spades. It is in fact the first thing I played after reassembling the panels to my Stax speakers after their restoration by Electorstatic Solutions. The tech who came to my house to help me was blown way, although, as he said "he had heard lots and lots of ordinary sounding systems."

Another choice, perhaps more typical, is Mwana Talitambula, the last cut on Regina Carter's Reverse Thread Album. It has subterranean bass, ethereal highs,
a very affecting violin midrange, and a great sense of space. This piece revealed a serious weakness in the bass of my system, now ameliorated by Roger Modjeski's subwoofer system from his own ELS system.

eclein · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 01:37 am »

"Avalon"-Roxy Music
or
"Two Against Nature"-Steely Dan

gnev · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 01:41 am »

It's an album not song, but...

I start almost every demo session with Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" on SACD

-So many different instruments and ranges high, mid and low
-Excellent quality of recording
-Bridges multiple genres of music

A must have in my Demo toolbox

Demarche · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 04:56 pm »

XTC - River of Orchids

konut · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 11:58 pm »

I'd ask them to bring their favorite or have them select something from my collection that they're familiar with. The first thing I'd want to hear is Abbey Road.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 06:55 pm »

Nice.

There are some great suggestions here, and a few I've not heard of. Will have to looking into those.
The suprise idea is "bring your own". That one never occured to me, great idea.

Others?

Bob

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 07:18 pm »

Play music that you enjoy for the musical content, not the sound quality.

Period.

End of story.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 07:43 pm »

Yea, but.....

[re-read my first post]............that person has certain "expectations", ya know?

Bob

Wayner · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 08:17 pm »

Either Peter Pumpkinhead by XTC (on the Nonsuch LP) or Thomas Dolby's I Love You, Good Bye (from Astronauts and Heretics).

Wayner

doug s. · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 08:24 pm »

Quote from: konut on 16 Apr 2011, 11:58 pm

I'd ask them to bring their favorite or have them select something from my collection that they're familiar with.

you beat me to it!

doug s.

Ryanz · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 08:31 pm »

Charles Mingus', II B.S. off his Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus album.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 08:41 pm »

Sinead OConnor Bewitched Bothered and bewildered

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 17 Apr 2011, 07:43 pm

........that person has certain "expectations", ya know?

I hear ya' Bob and I don't like being put in that position either.

I actually don't like to demo my stereo at all because most people expect to be blown away with a thirty second sound clip or they have already made up their mind about what it sounds like based on what it looks like or what they own. So, I just play music that I feel like listening to and I nod my head to their comments.

I always encourage people to bring or play music that they enjoy, not pick recordings that make good sound demos.

Maybe if your mystery guest really is a good guy he will enjoy listening to your personal choice of music and stick around long enough to have fun. Sometimes that happens too.

Good luck Bob.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 09:27 pm »

Thanks 'Quiet'.

I totally understand what you're saying and you do make some very good points.
Much appreciated!

Although, I'd still like to hear some more suggestions.

Bob

DougSmith · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Apr 2011, 10:15 pm »

Depends what kind of a mood I'm in, but the first few songs would probably include some of the following Crosby & Nash: Lay Me Down, Andy McKee: Dreamcatcher or Top Hat, David Gilmour: On an Island or Mihalis, Yundi: Chopin Nocturnes, Bill McLaughlin: Hurricane Bob, Abbey Lincoln: Throw it away, or Eric Clapton: Change the World

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Apr 2011, 01:43 am »

Ok, I will conform . . .

The Higher Intelligence Agency : Hubble
Donald Fagen : Security Joan
E.S.T : Bound for the Beauty of the South
Van Morrison : Celtic New Year
Stones : Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Praful : Sigh
ColdPlay : High Speed
Patrick O'Hearn : Beautiful World
Grand Funk Railroad : I'm Your Captain

After that I would hand him(her) the remote and a pile of discs while I go grab a couple of beers.

timind · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Apr 2011, 01:44 am »

One song? That is a tough question.
I'd go with Jane Siberry's Calling All Angels from her album titled, When I Was A Boy.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 Apr 2011, 02:13 am »

Quote from: Quiet Earth on 18 Apr 2011, 01:43 am

Ok, I will conform . . .

Nice! Thank you.

You have some great suggestions there. I have quite a few of them, most I'd forgotten about.

Thanks guys! Neat stuff, keep 'em coming!

Bob

Matty_J · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Apr 2011, 09:53 pm »

The first song would be Caribbean Blue from Enya. Excellent vocals and rich deep bass.