Sounds like you are there.

[davidlzimmer]

I'm looking for some tracks to intertain myself. I particularly enjoy tracks that make you feel like the band is in the room.

Basically, tracks where the engineer just let it happen.

The best examples I have found yet are Nora Jones "The Prettiest Thing", any OLD Brubeck, and beleive it or not, Johnny Cash "Hurt".

You can put these tracks on at a volume that makes the vocals sound natural and you start seeing faces.

Anyone have material to suggest?

PS. I love Rock but, you just can't put a rock band in a living room.
Well, not since I stopped playing :-)

[b-square]

the whole johnny cash american recordings series, from which his cover of hurt comes, fits the bill. you can also try ani difranco's albums "not a pretty girl" and "dilate". i also like miles davis "sketches of spain". i haven't heard many albums that were produced like that track by track: either the whole thing is live or close mic'd or none of it is.

is classical allowed on your list?

[lndm]

Credence, Beatles, sound better than most.

[davidlzimmer]

"Is classical allowed on your list?"

Maybe chamber music. To me, all classical recordings try to put you in 10th row center aisle. Which is fine and I love it. But for this thread I'm talking about a small combo in the room that you feel you can reach out and touch.

[b-square]

in that case, here's another plug for dvorak string quartets:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002DEH4

[Wombat]

Tom Waits - Alice
On some songs it sounds like the piano he sits at is in front of you and the other musicans nearby.
Poor Edward is my famous piece

[davidlzimmer]

Thanks B-Square and Wombat.

I think the Tom Watts is the type of track I'm looking for. Like some of the Nora Jones sets. It sounds as if you are leaning over the piano and she is whispering a song just for you.

THAT could make a guy's day!

I'll try to find some MP3s or a CD.

Thanks!

Keepem comming folks!

[Wombat]

I hope you won´t be dissapointed by Alice cause it is darker coloured in sound like lets say Norah Jones "Come Away With Me"
If you like Tom Waits Alice i´d suggest Mark Hollis - Mark Hollis.
He also sits in front of his piano sounding like 20 years of heroine and for sure relaxed The recording itself isn´t that great but the atmosphere it spreads is unique! Like imaging silence with music.
I love it!!

[bottom_feeder]

I totally agree with the Miles Davis 'Spain' recording - any of his live recordings do the job for me (Funny Valentine, his stuff with Milt Jackson, etc.) .

Another favorite: a Charlie Byrd 'Direct to Disc' recording that sounds so real you can touch it - recorded on Crystal Clear Records Label on white Vinyl. CRAZY flute and guitar work on this one.

Here's one out of left field: Mad Season - it was a Alice in Chains side project back in the 90's - very jazzy, very minimalist recording. I know what your saying - ALICE IN CHAINS??? TRUST me . . . it's gooooood

[davidlzimmer]

Modern Jazz Quartet. Lonely Woman

1962

Excellant recording!