Yup. That’s a good one! 
For the “I’m the one who’s there” sensation I think it gets down to having a band playing in a small venue so you can “hear the room” via reverberations off not-100% treated walls, but also from the band being small and using natural instruments that don’t take up a ton of bitrate (that’s when even YouTube’s 140-160 kbps compression turns out to be pretty close to lossless and able to reveal all the subtleties).
I’ve rarely had this experience, but one early case that I will never forget - which is more of the type where “the artist is here with me” -, was when I first noticed the difference going from onboard sound + any-old-speakers to dedicated sound card + entry-level monitors (Tannoy Reveal 502): in “I Don’t Feel It Anymore” William Fitzsimmons was in my room singing to my face and why did his head look like a computer monitor?
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Man you did good if you got this impression right away after your first decent pair of speakers! I’m just getting there.
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Still have the same ones. Once I had that experience I knew there was no more reason to change them unless they broke or something. I think it will be 10 years next year, I may have to start watching for bad behavior due to aged capacitors lol.
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The John Renbourn Group - Live in America
A CD my mum got me over a decade ago, I still enjoy it a lot. Lots of texture from the vocals, tabla, guitar, flute etc. Feel like I’m in a tavern with them sometimes.
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See this one gets it: find something you really like and then stop
I’m listening to country/bluegrass legend Robbie Fulks’ new record, “Bluegrass Vacation,” on my Grado 325x’s with the G “bowl” pads, and it sounds like he and his band are right damn here.
Sublime. 
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This “happy jazz” album makes you feel like you’re right there sitting in the club, sipping martinis , and tapping your toes to the groove.
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A young band from Germany, I’ve been listening to on repeat since discovering their music back in 2015. Their live album is one i absolutely adore and have been a nightly (or at least every other night - maybe a couple nights a week) listen since released.
I always use this album for reference when demoing new audio stuff. Vocals and instruments are feels.
Their debut album ROOKERY have also been on repeat since released. I reckon it’s perfectly mixed and mastered.
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Happened to me about 6 days ago. I had just gone through the exercise of dialing in my speakers when I put this one on
I hit play, sat back and this magic happened! Just unbelievable. If I closed my eyes I swear I could see them there. Every instrument, every nuance - I truly felt like I was in the room. I have never experienced that sort of realism before. I have come close with headphones, but nothing like this.
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Aint nothin but a pipe dream and my guitar…
Youtube > FiiO Q7 > HD800S
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The pride of Syracuse, New York! My hometown – and current residence – too!
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Listening to this great track from the new album from modern bluegrass band Arkansauce on my Grado 325x, and I feel like I’m in the front row at a small club. The musicianship is off the charts:
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I wish my room was that big to accommodate that many people, but, jokes aside, this track is mixed perfectly.
Here’s a fun one! Some heavy guitars and clarity to mess around with.
I need to come back and say what an unbelievable rec. thank you. This is an incredible album.
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I don’t know if it’s appropriate to reply here (apologies everyone) but you can experience them live on 26 July at Paradise 
Happy to read your reply and to share the rookery goodness 
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Also my favorite jazz vocalist! Juno award winner!
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Resurrecting this thread because I found this. 
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