First song you play on new gear?

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by LetMeBeFrank, Mar 4, 2019.

  1. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    It can be a bit of both. I like hearing all suggestions.

    My cousin and I have always been into some kind of audio. We usually have it planned out ahead of time when we are getting something new, so we would always talk about what that "First Track" will be. Back when we were into car audio and big subs it was usually something like DJ Magic Mike - Feel the Bass, and once we were older and doing more in-home stuff it was songs like Rush - YYZ that we loved to play first.
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Doris Day: The Deadwood Stage, from the film Calamity Jane.

    There is no hifi or audio significance whatsoever. It's just become a tradition. Wire stuff up. Does it even work? Play this song. And hey, it makes me feel good

    :sail:
     
  3. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    First song I always play is Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams". I love how tight the bass and drums are, they have this wonderful forward presence. There's some interesting soft dynamics throughout the song too.

    Usually if I'm trying out equipment I bring in a Dr. Dre 2001 CD.

    Runners up:

    Michael Jackson - Billie Jean, Rock With You, Can't Let Her Get Away
    Daft Punk - Da Funk, Fragments of Time
    Janet Jackson - That's the Way Love Goes, Runaway
    Robyn - Just Another Girlfriend
    Taylor Swift - State Of Grace
    Nelly Furtado - I'm Like a Bird
    Missy Elliott - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
    Britney Spears - Oops...I Did It Again
    Massive Attack - Angel (I've blown a headphone driver with this track)
    Moby - Porcelain (a good bass test)
    Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent
    Christina Aguilera - Genie in A Bottle
    Phil Collins, Phillip Bailey - Easy Lover (more so to hear how punchy Phil's drum kit sounds)
    Ariana Grande - God Is A Woman
    Toni Braxton - You're Making Me High
    Gladys Knight & the Pips - Neither One Of Us
    Santana, Michelle Branch - Game of Love
    Eminem - Marshall Mathers
    Soundgarden - My Wave, Black Hole Sun

    Yeah, yeah I have garbage taste in music.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2019
  4. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Nice list, brother! Do it for Dale!
     
  5. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    Since the mid 80's it's been Shibuya Station by David Benoit,



    and Ray's Rockhouse by Manhattan Transfer. Of course, I have the CD's from back then, so no loudness war.



    Usually I'll follow up with some Zeppelin or maybe something from Quadrophenia. And then probably one or more of Moon on the Rain, Clare, or The Moon is Mine by Fairground Attraction.

    We've done 4 already but now we're steady and then they went 1…2…3…4
     
  6. hikergrl

    hikergrl Friend

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    This is an awesome thread!
    My favorites to "torture" my new gear with, or when I've changed somthing around in my rig. I mostly start with 2 tracks.
    I listen to ensure that the instruments sound right (cymbals and vocals sound right, and that trombones sound like trombones (etc)) and that the guitar strings are right (nylon vs steel, flatwound or roundwound, etc.). Then I listen for details, whether I can visualize the placement of the musicians, and if things "collapse" during complex cacophonies. Then - most importantly for - the "toe-tapping" factor (am I enjoying the tracks - this is now quite a challenge since I've listened to these 2 track sooooooooo very often).
    Keb Mo "as soon as I get paid" for guitar strings, vocal details and bass (etc.) (also for the irony factor).
    Lyle Lovett's Large Band "Tickle Toe" for placement of instruments, drums and possible cacophony.





    (Oops - edited spelling typo.)
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2019
  7. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    My playlist assembled for audio component listening evaluation. Technically, Daybreak by Overwerk is first on that list.
    Audio Component Listening Evaluation Playlist.png
     
  8. loncher

    loncher New

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    Coldplay - Speed of Sound
     
  9. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Waltz for Debby by Bill Evans Trio. Recorded live in less than ideal conditions on a less than ideal tape deck.

    Edit: @atomicbob I also use those Cat Stevens tracks. The Bill Evans tracks help sort out gear that makes everything sound good.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2019
  10. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    1. First two tracks (Bode and Optimism, they flow together) of Vijay Iyer's Accelerando album (44.1/16)
    2. First movement (The Sea and Sinbad's Ship) of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, historic Reiner/CSO RCA Living Stereo recording remastered for SACD (88.2/24) and reissued digitally
     
  11. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    For-Peter-Toilet Brushes-More
    Nils Frahm

    Concierto De Aranjuez
    Jim Hall

    These two tracks have been my favorites when new gear is on hand. With these it’s less about technical capability and more about how engaged I can get with the music.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2019
  12. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Tidal version of course.
     
  13. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Something always sounds off with the tidal version. Maybe I just like putting the CD into the Theta. f'ing love this album.

    Also, this is the only elton john cover I've ever liked. I love him to bits but covers always make me cringe.
     
  14. Boops

    Boops Friend

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    Is this CD super rare? Not seeing any used or new copies available in the usual places.
     
  15. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Also having difficulty locating a CD. Suggestions?
     
  16. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    Album is called "brave enough: live at the variety playhouse" and there are used copies available on Amazon and eBay. Looks like it's a DVD+CD.
     
  17. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    May be totally geeky, but whenever I first hook up a new piece of gear I play Adele's "Hello". Nothing to do with the song, just kind of a tradition as if I can hear her say "hello", then I know I set things up correctly!

    From there I move to the actual serious listening to tracks I know very well, including:

    Peter Gabriel - "Time of the Turning (Reprise)" from OVO


    Anna Nalick - "Breathe (2am)"


    Peter Gabriel - "Father Son"


    Lady Gaga - "Aura"


    And then the entirety of "Tears of Stone" from The Chieftains (yes, this was influenced by Jim Smith's "Get Better Sound")
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpbWumNEoHvJ31q6fAmUbdfH7iDaKT5XE

    And as so many others have pointed out here, The Eagles with "Hotel California" (preferably the HFO Tour live version). This is due to the fact that almost every setup at any audio show I've ever been to has this track.


    Other key tracks from REM, Talking Heads, Green Day, Metallica, Rammstein and many others...
     
  18. Richgard

    Richgard Friend

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    The Clash - Death or Glory


    Miles Davis -So What


    Burial - Archangel


    John Wiliams - Jurassic Park Main Theme


    letlive. - Good Mourning America


    Hot Water Music - Drag my Body
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPVNKIqy_cw

    all of them from Redbook or Tidal

    also Fugazi , Vektor, Chuck Ragan, King Crimson, Brain Eno, Daft Punk and so many more
     
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I didn’t think it was but I’m having a hard time finding it in stock.
     
  20. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    There was one on eBay for the DVD/CD combo, but it just sold in the last 30 minutes. Went for $55. Wonder if it was someone here?
     

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