Top Ten
Hey y'all!!
I hope that all is well with all of you blog fans. By the way, it's very easy to set up your own blog at www.blogger.com, and lots of fun. You should check it out!
The other day, Dave, who is not only my brother, business partner, and very close friend, but frequent concert buddy as well, posed an interesting question to me. (I've probably seen more concerts with Dave than anyone except my wife Anne, who is not only a great music fan but very tolerant of strange bands as well.)Anyway, the question he posed was one of those late night hanging around the college dorm kind of questions - "If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one album, what would it be?" (For those of you who are under twenty five years old or never really got into music, "album" is a generic term for a musical offering by a band. We used to also call this an "LP" - but these days you may just want to say (gasp) "CD."
Anyway, I'm pretty sure that Dave will be answering this question soon in his blog, "Dave's Weekly Feed." But my main response usually is - "Under what circumstances would you EVER be kidnapped and forced to live on a deserted island to begin with, and if so, would your captor actually give you the chance to take one album with you?" So I'm pretty sure that this scenario would never happen, and if it did, I would just grab my 40 gig iPod with 500 albums on it; captors be damned.
Anyway, a question I am also frequently asked is "What are your top ten albums of all time?" This is also a pretty tough question ,and needs to be differentiated from "What do you think are the ten BEST albums of all time?" Favorite and best are not always the same thing. But also, this list changes from day to day as albums are rediscovered, old favorites are replayed and just don't sound as good as they used to, etc..
In any case, let's go with it. A list of ten is way too short, and leaves off many fantastic albums, but let's face it, most of you probably wouldn't read a list of my favorite 100 albums (that is, those of you who are still left.) I'll try to leave explanations to a minimum. So here we go.
Rich's Top Ten Albums
1) The Beatles - Abbey Road
The Beatles' final studio recording shows everything that made them the best band of all time. Paul's genius with a pop melody ("Oh Darling" and the incredible medley on side two), John's angry genius ("Come Together," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," George's emergence as a songwriting equal ("Here Comes The Sun," "Something,) and even Ringo's lovable goofiness ("Octopus' Garden") make this the "complete" Beatles album in every sense of the word. The closing "The End" and "Her Majesty" are a perfect ending for the best album by the greatest band of all time.
2) The Beatles - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
This is the record that changed everything. Every single note played in rock and roll after this was released showed its influence. It's beauty and creativity actually brings me to tears upon occasion.
3) The Clash - London Calling
The Clash called themselves "The Only Band That Matters," and for a brief period in time it may have just been true. This sprawling double set showed The Clash growing out of their punk roots and experimenting with reggae, rockabilly, pop, ska, jazz, and everything else in between. They burned out quickly afterwards, but London Calling remains a testament to how great, moving, emotional, and intelligent rock and roll could be.
4) Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks
After a string of brilliant albums in the 60's ("Blonde On Blonde," "Highway 61 Revisited," and more) Dylan became a recluse and released a series of pleasing yet subdued albums. Some thought he was finished. Then, in 1975, the sad breakup with his wife spawned this incredible comeback. It is both his most listenable and fully realized album - a series of masterpiece moments that just never lets up from start to finish. Never has an album been so appropriately named.
5) Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
From the first harmonica wail of "Thunder Road," this album blows out of the speakers and hits you over the head like a wall of sound, with Bruce venting every frustration and feeling of life in blue collar Jersey. He has never been as strong and focused before or after. This is the classic highlight of the career of one of the great American songwriters.
6) Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
Wow - this album is truly a landmark that sounds as good (if not better) today than the day it was released. While every song is first rate, the incredible raunchy grit of "Living For The City," perhaps Stevie's finest hour, sandwiched in between two absolutely beautiful songs, "Visions" and "Golden Lady," is just astonishing, and showcases what an incredible talent Stevie Wonder is. This blend of gorgeous balladry and pure funkiness not only created a genre, but stands up well against anything since. Add to all of this the fact that without the benefit of vision Stevie wrote these songs and played all of the instruments on many, and you've got an amazing work by a true master.
7) Steely Dan - Katy Lied
Steely Dan's cryptic weaving of smoky jazz, top notch musicianship, tight arrangements and mysterious songwriting made for one of the best bands to emerge from the U.S. in years. They had a long and fruitful run - any of their first six albums could have made this list. Katy Lied seems to hold up the best over time and if anything, is the most "typical" of the Steely Dan sound. Plus, the low key climax towards the end of "Dr. Wu" is simply breathtaking.
8) The Who - Tommy
No comment is actually necessary on this "rock opera" of sorts. Before this style became pretentious, The Who proved that it really could rock.
9) Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
Essentially one long song, this experiment worked in every way. Beautiful acoustic guitar, interwoven and reprising themes, and of course, the flute of Ian Anderson make this somewhat difficult and complex album one of the most memorable listening experiences for the rock and roll ear.
10) Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky
The defining album and sound of the "singer / songwriter" era (Carole King's "Tapestry" may be better, but hey - this is MY list), Jackson captures the angst and mixed emotions of turning into an adult better than anyone out there. Put it on when you're feeling depressed and get transformed to another world!
Well, there you have it, but tomorrow things may be completely different. Also, these albums are all OLD!! To make this list, they had to withstand the test of time. But lots of great music has been made recently. So - coming up soon - the Top Ten Albums Of The Last Ten Years!!
Please feel free to comment below.
See you soon!
Rich
I hope that all is well with all of you blog fans. By the way, it's very easy to set up your own blog at www.blogger.com, and lots of fun. You should check it out!
The other day, Dave, who is not only my brother, business partner, and very close friend, but frequent concert buddy as well, posed an interesting question to me. (I've probably seen more concerts with Dave than anyone except my wife Anne, who is not only a great music fan but very tolerant of strange bands as well.)Anyway, the question he posed was one of those late night hanging around the college dorm kind of questions - "If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one album, what would it be?" (For those of you who are under twenty five years old or never really got into music, "album" is a generic term for a musical offering by a band. We used to also call this an "LP" - but these days you may just want to say (gasp) "CD."
Anyway, I'm pretty sure that Dave will be answering this question soon in his blog, "Dave's Weekly Feed." But my main response usually is - "Under what circumstances would you EVER be kidnapped and forced to live on a deserted island to begin with, and if so, would your captor actually give you the chance to take one album with you?" So I'm pretty sure that this scenario would never happen, and if it did, I would just grab my 40 gig iPod with 500 albums on it; captors be damned.
Anyway, a question I am also frequently asked is "What are your top ten albums of all time?" This is also a pretty tough question ,and needs to be differentiated from "What do you think are the ten BEST albums of all time?" Favorite and best are not always the same thing. But also, this list changes from day to day as albums are rediscovered, old favorites are replayed and just don't sound as good as they used to, etc..
In any case, let's go with it. A list of ten is way too short, and leaves off many fantastic albums, but let's face it, most of you probably wouldn't read a list of my favorite 100 albums (that is, those of you who are still left.) I'll try to leave explanations to a minimum. So here we go.
Rich's Top Ten Albums
1) The Beatles - Abbey Road
The Beatles' final studio recording shows everything that made them the best band of all time. Paul's genius with a pop melody ("Oh Darling" and the incredible medley on side two), John's angry genius ("Come Together," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," George's emergence as a songwriting equal ("Here Comes The Sun," "Something,) and even Ringo's lovable goofiness ("Octopus' Garden") make this the "complete" Beatles album in every sense of the word. The closing "The End" and "Her Majesty" are a perfect ending for the best album by the greatest band of all time.
2) The Beatles - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
This is the record that changed everything. Every single note played in rock and roll after this was released showed its influence. It's beauty and creativity actually brings me to tears upon occasion.
3) The Clash - London Calling
The Clash called themselves "The Only Band That Matters," and for a brief period in time it may have just been true. This sprawling double set showed The Clash growing out of their punk roots and experimenting with reggae, rockabilly, pop, ska, jazz, and everything else in between. They burned out quickly afterwards, but London Calling remains a testament to how great, moving, emotional, and intelligent rock and roll could be.
4) Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks
After a string of brilliant albums in the 60's ("Blonde On Blonde," "Highway 61 Revisited," and more) Dylan became a recluse and released a series of pleasing yet subdued albums. Some thought he was finished. Then, in 1975, the sad breakup with his wife spawned this incredible comeback. It is both his most listenable and fully realized album - a series of masterpiece moments that just never lets up from start to finish. Never has an album been so appropriately named.
5) Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
From the first harmonica wail of "Thunder Road," this album blows out of the speakers and hits you over the head like a wall of sound, with Bruce venting every frustration and feeling of life in blue collar Jersey. He has never been as strong and focused before or after. This is the classic highlight of the career of one of the great American songwriters.
6) Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
Wow - this album is truly a landmark that sounds as good (if not better) today than the day it was released. While every song is first rate, the incredible raunchy grit of "Living For The City," perhaps Stevie's finest hour, sandwiched in between two absolutely beautiful songs, "Visions" and "Golden Lady," is just astonishing, and showcases what an incredible talent Stevie Wonder is. This blend of gorgeous balladry and pure funkiness not only created a genre, but stands up well against anything since. Add to all of this the fact that without the benefit of vision Stevie wrote these songs and played all of the instruments on many, and you've got an amazing work by a true master.
7) Steely Dan - Katy Lied
Steely Dan's cryptic weaving of smoky jazz, top notch musicianship, tight arrangements and mysterious songwriting made for one of the best bands to emerge from the U.S. in years. They had a long and fruitful run - any of their first six albums could have made this list. Katy Lied seems to hold up the best over time and if anything, is the most "typical" of the Steely Dan sound. Plus, the low key climax towards the end of "Dr. Wu" is simply breathtaking.
8) The Who - Tommy
No comment is actually necessary on this "rock opera" of sorts. Before this style became pretentious, The Who proved that it really could rock.
9) Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick
Essentially one long song, this experiment worked in every way. Beautiful acoustic guitar, interwoven and reprising themes, and of course, the flute of Ian Anderson make this somewhat difficult and complex album one of the most memorable listening experiences for the rock and roll ear.
10) Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky
The defining album and sound of the "singer / songwriter" era (Carole King's "Tapestry" may be better, but hey - this is MY list), Jackson captures the angst and mixed emotions of turning into an adult better than anyone out there. Put it on when you're feeling depressed and get transformed to another world!
Well, there you have it, but tomorrow things may be completely different. Also, these albums are all OLD!! To make this list, they had to withstand the test of time. But lots of great music has been made recently. So - coming up soon - the Top Ten Albums Of The Last Ten Years!!
Please feel free to comment below.
See you soon!
Rich
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