Demo Tracks – The Sound of LAAS 2017

When starting this journey, we’re constantly looking for good “demo tracks” to test gear. We would even listen to music we don’t like just to have a reference point on how certain elements of a recording sound. My recommendation would be to get familiar with recordings you actually enjoy as it’ll make the journey more enjoyable and less arduous. I know some of my test tracks aren’t the best recordings but I personally enjoy them and if there’s a chance they could sound better, it’s a win-win in my book.

When attending shows, it’s nice to have a familiar recording we could reference. Something more than Hotel California by the Eagles or Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. I think I’ve seen only one attendee who brought in their own demo CD. Although not an optimal environment, listening to familiar tracks will still provide some insight on the capabilities and characteristics of the components.

I’ve found Soundhound to be an indispensable tool at these shows and even at local listening rooms. Sometimes it needs less than a second to pull up the song. Here are some of the tracks I curated at the Los Angeles Audio Show 2017. There’s a ton of sonic gems on this list. Enjoy!

• Before I Die – David Roth
• You Don’t Know Me – Patricia Barber
• Deep – Marian Hill
• Electrified II – Yellow
• Come Down in Time – Svante Henryson
• Ain’t No Sunshine – Eva Cassidy
• La Linea del Sur – Renaud Garcia-Fons
• I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You) – Dean Martin
• Mood Indigo – The Ellington All Stars
• Don’t Forget – Demi Lovato
• Spinning Wheel – Blood, Sweat & Tears
• Down in the Hole – John Campbell
• Master Blaster (Jammin’) – Jen Chapin
• Jazz Variants – O-Zone Percussion Group
• Bess, You is my Woman Now – Ella Fitzgerald
• Hurt – Johnny Cash
• In the Good – Visionaries
• III. Allegro, ma non tanto – Joshua Bell
• Night Train – Christian McBride
• Black and White (As Simple As) – Joe Sample
• Too Close for Comfort – Christian McBride
• Quality of Mercy – Michelle Shocked
• Veto – Sohn
• What Do You Want From Me (Remaster) – Pink Floyd
• Blue in Green – Miles Davis
• Show Biz Kids – Rickie Lee Jones
• Bluesville – Count Basie Orchestra
• He’s Late – Pheobe Killddeer & the Short Straws
• After Time – Author
• Carmen, Act 1: “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” – John McCarthy
• The Firebird, Introduction-The Firebird and Her Dance-Round Dance of the Princesses – Infernal Dance – Robert Shaw
• Child in Time – Deep Purple
• Whims of Chambers – Art Pepper
• Flore de la Citta – Seu Jorge
• Caravan – Nat King Cole
• Ready for the Big Ride, Bubba – John Powell
• Do What You Please – Anne Bisson
• Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
• Halleluljah – k.d. lang
• River – Natalie Merchant
• Teach Me Tonight – Ray Brown Trio
• Illusion, Coma, Pimp & Circumstances – Prince
• Man in the Long Black Coat – Bob Dylan
• Raining in my Heart – Buddy Holly
• River – Joni Mitchell
• Rhapsody in Blue, Pt. 1 – Leonard Bernstein
• La Cumbia – Ana Caram
• Ride Across the River – Dire Straits
• Just a Little Lovin’ – Shelby Lynne
• I was Made For Lovin’ You (without steelguitar) – Maria Mena
• Bridge of Sighs – Robin Trower
• People Make the World Go ‘Round – Ramsey Lewis
• Hold On – Angus & Julia Stone
• Great Equator – Zammuto
• Concerto in D Major for Double-bass and Orchesra: 1. Allegro Moderato – Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra
• Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’ – Shirley Horn
• Sweetest Decline – Beth Orton
• The Look of Love – Jacintha
• Solitude – Ben Webster
• House of the Rising Sun – Jean-Jacques Milteau
• New Dawn – Dominic Miller
• Duende – Bozzio Levin Stevens
• Opera – Emanuel Sanarromana
• No Sanctuary Here – Chris Jones
• Your Love – The Outfield
• Yeah Boy – Kelsea Ballerini