Twenty Five Records that changed your life
Antipositivist
why? Here is a short chronology of 25 records that made a big
difference in my life.
1. American Graffiti – Soundtrack
I got into this LP in 6th or 7th grade, after seeing the film; I loved
all the songs, and from this LP, developed an interest in music from
earlier eras. This led directly to my interest in collecting music on
vinyl, tape and CD.
2. The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks
This LP got me very interested in the Stones and marked a major
transition in my musical tastes, around age 13, from pop to rock
3. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
I remember listening to this record, over and over, during my freshman
year of high school. I still think it is one of Elton’s best. It
also led me to pay more attention to lyrics and song structures.
4. Aerosmith – Toys in the Attic
I also got into these guys during my 1st two years in high school
(1975-77) and saw them live at Madison Square Garden around 1978. I
have loved high energy, heavy guitar driven, blues based rock bands
ever since
5. Queen – A Night at the Opera
Initially captivated, like nearly all rock fans back then, by the
phenomenal hit single "Bohemian Rhapsody," Queen sort of introduced me
to a uniquely British, campy, ironic sensibility and led me on the way
to check out other such campy/ironic Brit acts as Roxy Music, Brian
Eno, Sparks, T Rex and David Bowie, all of which paved the way for the
later 70s new wave moment. I also saw Queen live at MSG around 1977 or
78.
6. Bruce Springsteen – Darkness on the Edge of Town
While I basically liked Mandred Mann’s version of "Blinded by
the Light," and was remotely aware of the existence of Born to Run,
this was the record that made me a lifelong Bruce fan. It was also the
record that helped develop my appreciation for themes of darkness and
protest in rock music, and thus probably also paved the way to my
eventually checking out Dylan and various folk/blues/roots artists
– everyone from Robert Johnson to the Fugs and the Holy Modal
Rounders. Plus, he gave this Jersey boy something Jersey related to be
very proud of.
In the meantime, this remains one of my favorite Springsteen
LPs’ "Candy’s Room" and "Promised Land" are two of my
favorite songs in the Springsteen canon.
7. The Ramones – The Ramones
I first heard the Ramones debut record in early 1977, when I was 15,
and I was blown away by its stripped down sound. I became an instant
fan. One of my brother’s college roommates had been visiting our
house and he had the 1st Ramones record, so I got to check them and
the NY Dolls out at the same time. I remember just loving the
Ramones’ sound and their twisted sense of humor, and beginning
with them, embracing the punk revolution as a breath of fresh air. I
remember seeing them live twice (once in 1978, with a teenage Joan
Jett and the Runaways the opening band). I also remember rushing out
to buy "Rocket to Russia" when it came out in 1977 (I think at some
dept. store like Korvettes, or maybe Gimbels). I also remember the
thrill of running into Joey Ramone in lower Manhattan one afternoon
– I wish I still had the autograph which I got from him, but
it’s gone.
Although I sort of stopped listening to the Ramones as heavily as I
once did once I discovered bands like Husker Du, Black Flag, the
Minutemen, and the Replacements, I never lost my appreciation for
them. There was something very pure about the Ramones. I still listen
to their music, though, and it makes me very nostalgic. I’ve
even been rediscovering some of their stuff; I was listening to "End
of the Century" recently, and realizing what an underrated record it
is.
8. The Jam – This is the Modern World
9. The Clash – The Clash
I’ve written elsewhere the following: Joe Strummer was one of my
cultural heroes, and I long have thought of him as being like a wise
older brother.
I had the privilege of seeing the Clash twice; once in September of
1979 at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, and a few years later, at an
outdoor summer show on the pier in NYC. The first time, I was blown
away by how much power and energy the band produced. Being at the show
felt like you were in the middle of a street brawl or a riot - your
adrenaline pumping away. The second time around, Joe had his Travis
Bickel mohawk, and the band's sound was only somewhat more polished
and less raw, but still amazing. I still remember Joe reacting to the
Intrepid battleship, which was docked next to the stage as a now
museum, and how this set him into a rant about militarism and
imperialism. I also remember what a striking and charismatic figure
Joe Strummer was on stage; it was hard to take your eyes off of him.
He was an amazing performer, one who seemed to muster up a kind of raw
power from deep in his gut, which would then inhabit his
whole self.
Starting in high school in the late 70s, I discovered punk, and the
Clash quickly became one of my favorite bands. Along with the Jam's
"This is the Modern World," the Clash's 1st LP "The Clash" had a
profound influence on me, and I recall listening to these records over
and over again. Through the Clash and Joe Strummer, through song lines
like "the truth is only known by guttersnipes" or through sarcasm
about "career opportunities...the ones that never knock," and also
through the very Hegelian/Marxian idea of a "clash of opposites," I
discovered a kind of critical social analysis, at a time and in a way
that made perfect sense to my teenage sensibilities, which has been
with me to this day and which sustained me through college, grad
school and a whole variety of activities. In that sense, the Clash
were right up there for me as offering the same kind of inspiration
that cultural icons like Woody Guthrie, Charlie Parker, The Weavers,
Bob Dylan, and others offered to earlier generations.
10. The Talking Heads – More Songs About Buildings and Food
11. The Patti Smith Group – Radio Ethiopia
Both of these records I associate with a time when I was trying to
figure out what I wanted to do with my life; I was taking a writing
class at the New School then. I also associate these records and
artists with the world of lower Manhattan, particularly the area of
the East Village/St. Mark’s Place, where I was spending an
increasing amount of time, going to book stores and record shops and
developing a deep appreciation for ideas and for various alternative
cultures/cultural undergrounds. All this led to my becoming a
sociologist.
12. Public Image, Ltd. – 2nd Edition
13. Joy Division – Closer
14. The Stooges – The Stooges
I got into Iggy Pop around the time of "The Idiot" and "Lust For Life"
and only later checked out his old band, The Stooges. I personally
associate these three records with the same transitional time
(1979-81), during which time I was at four different schools, as well
as feeling apprehensive about Reagan’s election and the big
political/cultural shift to the right taking place before my eyes
– and also with feelings of confusion and alienation which are
often rather typical of being in one’s late teens.
The PIL record was, I thought, a wonderful mix of post-punk
experimentation, electro-dub rhythms and neo-Germanic noise-drones. I
listened to this record so much around 1980 that I wore my copy out
and needed to buy a second copy.
I was awed by the power of Joy Division. This record, for me, was for
really listening, and not as mere background music. I always found it
to be a moody, somber and yet deeply satisfying listening experience.
It may have taken me ten years to catch up with The Stooges. About
this record, as Mark Deming on the All Music Guide says, "the best
moments of this record document the blithering inarticulate fury of
the post-adolescent id." Indeed! I just connected with this record,
and now consider it one of the great proto-punk rock classics. As Iggy
explained, with a big sheepish grin, to Dinah Shore while appearing on
her show with David Bowie, the Stooges "helped to wipe out the
sixties!"
15. The Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat
I’ve said repeatedly that the Velvet Underground is my favorite
all time band. I am the proud owner of their boxed set, "Peel Slowly
and See." (one of the few boxed sets I own). I also own some solo
records by various Velvets, including Lou Reed, Nico, and John Cale. I
brought my friends to see the film "I Shot Andy Warhol," which
reconstructed the era of Warhol’s Factory, when the Velvets
(well played in the film by Yo La Tengo) were the house band.
I bought a rather old, scratchy copy of this record, which I found in
a used record bin, while in high school, which is also the period of
time when I began to discover the music of Lou Reed (e.g., "Coney
Island Baby," "Transformer," "Street Hassle," etc). However, I
didn’t truly get deeply into Lou and the Velvets until a bit
later, when I bought a Velvet compilation, and began listening to
them, as well as the various Velvets solo stuff more frequently.
Nevertheless, having first listened to this record – and its
classic punk track "Sister Ray" – when I did, planted a seed.
16. Flipper – Generic Album Flipper
17. Pere Ubu – Dub Housing
These two great records are among the music I associate with the time
I was in college in NJ. I was studying for my BA in sociology, and
listening to lots of early 80s post-punk and alternative rock (which
I’d hear on local college radio or in various lower Manhattan
record shops, and/or read about in publications like Trouser Press or
the Village Voice).
18. Husker Du – Zen Arcade
If Iggy Pop helped to wipe out the 60s, Bob Mould and company helped
to bring it back. That is, this band managed to expand upon the
musical/emotional/cathartic possibilities in high speed hardcore by
drawing upon 60s (and 70s) hard rock/psychedelic influences. This was
the record that made me a huge fan of this group, and I believe that
this record remains one of the 80s rock classics.
19. The Minutemen – What Makes a Man Start Fires?
The Clash helped to generate an interest in the connections of
music-politics, but this band furthered my interest in this
connection.
20. Don Cherry – Complete Communion
21. Charlie Parker – Summit Meeting at Birdland
22. Charles Mingus – Sessions in Times Square
I guess I started really getting into jazz at around the same time
that I was getting into PIL and Joy Division, even though I had grown
up hearing the big band jazz that my parents listened to. I was
reading Keruac’s On the Road, and William Burrough’s Naked
Lunch during this time, and these literary works got me interested in
the Beat movement, and its interest in the jazz music of the Be-Bop
era. I discovered, as I listened to these (and other jazz) records
that this musical genre provided another music source for when I
wanted something perhaps a bit more melodic and less abrasive than
post-punk; of course, that was a bit bore I discovered Albert Ayler
and free jazz, and learned, appreciatively, that jazz could be as
noisy/abrasive as the best early Sonic Youth or Teenage Jesus and the
Jerks records.
23. My Bloody Valentine – Isn’t Anything?
I’ve written previously that everything I've ever heard by this
band is magnificent and sublime, and that its music is filled with all
sorts of symmetries, which create the music's beauty. It is
extraordinarily powerful, with a hard driving, guitar heavy, post-punk
ambiance. Yet, when I listen to this band, I get the feeling of being
transported into another world. They are transcendent, kind of like
religion was meant to be. This is a consistent experience I have of
their music.
I also associate this record with Los Angeles. I had been in LA in
1991 checking out grad schools, and had just gotten into this band
that year. As I drove around the sunny freeways of Southern
California, the song "Soft as Snow" would be playing in my head; I
enjoyed that discrepancy, but it was also a sign of how much I loved
this band.
24. A.) Esquivel – Space Age Bachelor Pad Music and B.) The
Shaggs – Philosophy of the World
I really have to group these together because they both represent
music that is, on the surface, pretty bad, but yet on a deeper level,
really kind of great. I love both of these acts. Whenever I am feeling
a bit blue, and I hear one of these records, it cheers me up
immediately. I also think that I am influenced by these records to
appreciate naïve creativity, which is a good counter to the ever more
cynical world we all inhabit.
25. Yo La Tengo – I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One
This brilliant record is almost like the history of rock/history of
underground rock condensed and packaged into one singular recording.
It’s my favorite record by my favorite current band – and
I am happy to say that I am going to see them live next month at the
Beacon Theater. Perhaps they’ll play some songs from this
record.
Throckmorton
1. Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience. I liked the song "Hey Jealousy"
when it was relegated to "120 Minutes" on MTV. This was several months
before it would crossover onto top 40 or be in constant MTV rotation. But
when I put the CD on for the first time, it was like I was listening to my
life story. Every foolish mistake that someone could make. Every idiotic
thing you ever did and regretted. There it was.
2. Sinatra's Swingin' Session. I found this in 1986 in a junk pile in our
attic. But saw it had several Cole Porter songs on it and wanted to check
them out. As soon as I played this record, I knew why in the late '50s
Sinatra was the Chairman of the Board. He and Nelson Riddle made a great
team, with their ability to take a lot of old standards, and make them seem
as fresh as anything that was playing on top 40 radio at the time. Little
things that just jump out, like the brass sting at the end of this album's
version of "You Do Something to Me." Sadly, this was always one of those
LPs that I'd eventually get on CD, but haven't yet done it.
3. Best of the Big Bands. This was a three-record set put out by Capitol
in the late 50s featuring Benny Goodman, Glenn Gray and Harry James. The
only reason why this one changed my life, so to speak, was I went looking
around for some old records in our attic after they showed us the film
"Xanadu" in a junior high assembly. The notion of young people being able to
find something to like in this old music was really important to me. While
having recently seen the film "Xanadu" again, it was a major disappointment,
but as a teenager, it did open my eyes to the fact that you can find
something enjoyable in a place where you'd least expect it. I used to enjoy
juxtaposing Benny Goodman's "Let's Dance," with David Bowie's "Let's Dance,"
which was popular at the time when I found the record. I could enjoy each
for their strengths and could find beauty in both types of music.
4. The Best of Bing. Sorry to keep going so retro, but have you actually
heard this? This was a double LP put out in the 70s that featured the hits
of his Decca years. Again, this was in the mid-80s, and it was another
example of being able to fully appreciate something that was totally foreign
to my generation. Hearing how Crosby could not only sound like Everyman,
but also, at the same time, sound so unbelievably cool. As in hip. Or hep.
Download Bing and the Andrews Sisters singing "Don't Fence Me In" from 1943
and then tell me you can't visualize the "wide open country that I love" or
that it doesn't sound like total paradise. Plus when I hear something like
"Dear Hearts and Gentle People," it reminds me, too, of the people of my
small town hometown. And "Sam's Song" and "Play a Simple Melody," two songs
done with his son Gary (who'd letter write the exposee "Going My Own Way")
truly were amazing, and with "Sam's Song," you can hear Gary do "patter,"
which is better known today as rap.
5. Radiohead - Pablo Honey. Back to a more modern time, but this was
another that completely blew me away, track by track the first time I heard
it. At first it was for the hit, "Creep" but I'd later find even greater
enjoyment in songs like "Stop Whispering" or "Prove Yourself." While the
band's later albums, especially "OK Computer" would be of greater artistic
merit than this, it was their debut album that really changed my life,
because this band and the Gin Blossoms, really seemed to reflect most what
my thoughts and attitudes were in the mid-90s.
6. U2- The Joshua Tree. Again, a matter of being exposed to various genres
at the same time. I remember shutting off a Sinatra record, and turning on
the radio, hearing "With or Without You" for the first time. It stopped me
in my tracks, because the lyricism was so creative, the Edge's bass line was
as hypnotic as anything heard before, and Bono's singing really sounded like
someone who was totally tortured by a love he couldn't live with or without.
Not unlike Sinatra's singing on some of his heavier recordings with Gordon
Jenkins. The whole album turned out to be one of the best I'd ever heard
once I got it.
7. Born in the USA. I bought this well after it had been popular, because
hype can do a lot to make you wary. But again, it became one of those albums
you could listen to song after song and find it so enjoyable. Not that I
agreed with a lot of it, but the writing was beautiful. "My Hometown" could
have easily been the story of my hometown.
8. Buffalo Tom - Big Red Letter Day. Another one that blew me away from
the first time I heard it. Bill Janovitz, Chris Coburn and Tom Maginnis are
perhaps the most unappreciated band of the '90s. They should have really hit
it big with this release, especially after the song "Sodajerk" was picked up
for at least two major commercial campaigns. Uh-oh, I guess that would make
them "sell-outs," the phrase adopted by so many people when their favorite
professional musicians actually decide to make some money with their craft.
Buffalo Tom would get even better with their next release, "Sleepy-Eyed,"
but "Smitten" was a bit of a disappoinment at least to me. Thier "Asides"
and "Besides" collections are a good way to introduce yourself to the band.
Songs like "Crueler" from "Sleepy-Eyed" show very craftfully bitter but
literate songwriters at their prime. "Taillights Fade" is probably one of
the best songs I've ever heard.
9. The Best of James Taylor. It's probably not correct to include a Best of
here, but this was another in my musical quest in the mid-80s to find some
beauty in the songs of another time. Actually, a station I listened to a lot
back then would play songs like "Fire and Rain" or "You've Got a Friend" as
well as the pop songs of the day. But hearing the collection was music to my
ears in more ways than one. I really enjoyed Taylor's singing and the
serenity of it all, even through songs about tragedies such as "Fire and
Rain."
10. Dada - Puzzle. Not until compiling this list did I actually realize how
steeped my tastes really were in the alternative rock movement of the early
90s. Some will say a lot of these bands weren't really alternative, and
that's certainly room for another debate (as if it hasn't been debated
enough in various other ng's, especially alt.culture.us.1980s). But here was
another one that really just grabbed me. Again, many of these songs were
totally contrary to my own personal beliefs, but that didn't mean I couldn't
find something to be in awe of in songs like "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" or
my all time favorite song by Dada, "Moon." Coincidentally, Phil Leavitt,
the man who was Dada's drummer temporarily toured as the Gin Blossom's
drummer last summer. I met him after one of the concerts and he seemed
genuinely surprised when I told him how much I enjoyed that album and the
song "Moon," in particular.
Honorable mention: Not all records, of course, are music. One that really
developed my taste in vintage comedy was a record that had two episodes of
Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, including one where Charlie and Marilyn
Monroe were going to get married. This was from 1952 and was funnier than
anything I'd seen on television in 1979 the year I got the record. It helped
me learn at a very early age what gold their was in our national
entertainment heritage.
The NightHawk
(not in any particular order)
1. American Pie, Don McLean. First LP I'd ever bought.
I'd bought many 45s prior to that, but this was the first album.
2. Symphony No. 9, Ludwig von Beethoven. Don't recall
details of the recording. This record opened my mind to
the classical music experience.
3. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan. This one turned
me on to Dylan. Meeting him during his Rolling Thunder was
a real experience too.
4. The Goldberg Variations, J.S. Bach, Glen Gould pianist.
This album just blew me away. Gould was an awsome pianist
and Bach's AOF was a brilliantly composed work.
5. Kind Of Blue, Miles Davis. This, along with #6 turned me on
to jazz, which is now my greatest music love.
6. My Favorite Things, John Coltrane. See above
7. At The Filmore East, The Allman Brothers. I swiped my first
copy of this record.... it was so damn good and I just couldn't
affort it. It still is a favorite listen.
8. Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac. I remember this album
because I used to hang out at the rec center in my neighborhood
when Rhiannon was in the top ten. There was a stereo in the
rec center that was always on, and I remember Rhiannon playing
a lot during a time when I was trying to get the attention a certain
very pretty girl. I didn't get the girl, but everytime I hear Rhiannon
I think of her. She had a cute butt... lol.
9. Straight No Chaiser, Thelonious Monk. Along with #10, this
album introduced me to Monk. Monk was, in my opinion, the
greatest jazz composed of any time period.
10. Monk's Blues, Thelonious Monk. See above
11. Revolver, The Beatles. Does it get any better
than this? This was the first Beatles album I ever
owned.
12. Blood On The Tracks, Bob Dylan. One of my
favorite albums of the 70s. Awsome music and
lyrics, and Dylan at his best vocal form.
13. The Best of Otis Redding, Otis Redding. The day Otis
came into my life was monumental. Someone gave me this
record, and within a month I had begged, borrowed, and stole
to get just about every record of his I could find. Otis was
instrumental in opening my ears to R&B, a music form
that I know have a great, great love for. And I can't
help but feel that Otis is rolling in his grave over the
crap music his people are putting out now. Rest
in Peace, Otis.... rap can't last forever. Neither
can Whitney Houston, thank god.
14. Music from Big Pink, The Band. First time I heard this
a friend had just gotten it. Wow. The next day I walked up
to a local department store that had a good selection, picked
up the album, and walked out the door. Hey, I was broke and
poor in those days. Nobody even noticed either. I still listen
to this album a lot.
15. Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys. A friend was given this
LP for his birthday. He didn't think the Beach Boys were
cool (big Sabbath fan that he was), so the day after he
got it he gave it to me... still in the shrink wrap. The idiot
didn't even give it a chance. It was awsome. A month
later he was in my room and I put it on. He asked what
the hell that was, when I told him it was the album he
so quickly parted with, he was really pissed at himself.
I suppose I could have offered it back.... yeah.... right!
16. Waltz For Debbie, Bill Evans Trio. I've been
a huge, huge fan of Bill Evans and his music
since hearing this album. I know own a a CD
copy of every elbum he ever released. Love them
all.
17. Sticky Fingers, the Rolling Stones. What can I say
about this great album that hasn't been said? Great music,
a cover that pissed off our parents. I still have my
original copy of SF with a pristine cover.
18. Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd. I first heard
this at friends house and was instantly blown away.
I did some smooth talking and traded the guy my
denim jacket for it. Got home with album, mother
asked where my jacket was, made up some story
about it being stolen from my lock, retreated
to my roon, put album on record player, and
wasn't seen again by the outside world for
over a week. I think it was the only LP I'd ever
owned that I played so much that it literally was
worn out.
19. Parsely, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. This album
has thee songs which really get to me.... 7 O'Clock
News/Silent Night, and Dangling Conversation, and
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (my favorite
S&G song).
I rmember the first time I heard this album. A buddy
loaned me his.... said it was great. I put it on
later at night.... a few candles my only light,
coupld sticks of patchouly insence, and a glass
of wine from my stash I kept hidden in my room.
It was quite an experience.
20. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Beatles.
It blew me away when I first heard it.... and it still
does. It's one of the few LPs from my first collection
that I still have.
21. Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John. A highly
under-rated album. Most would disagree with me, but
I have always thought it was EJs best. The songs
are quite lyrical and tell some very moving stories.
22. Can't Buy A Thrill, Steely Dan. The album that
turned me on to this band. I think it was my first
exposure to a band that mixed jazz with rock.
Great album. Loved it then, love it now.
23. Workingman's Dead, The Grateful Dead.
Can't explain it. Found it at the library, checked it
out, took it home, and really liked it. 2 months
later the Dead were playing in Tampa. Friend and
I bought tickets. I told my folks I was going to stay
at his house for the night. He was supposed to be
staying at mine, or so his folks thought. We hitch a
ride into Tampa for the show. They rocked into the
wee hours of the morning with some incredible music.
If not for Workingman's Dead, I might not have even
given going to that show a thought. It was my
first real concert, by the way.
24. Time Out, Dave Brubeck. The album that
made me a Brubeck head. You have to admit,
Take 5 is a great tune, even if you don't like
jazz. I've seen Dave play around 15 times, and
have had the pleasure of meating him a couple
times. Nice guy, awsome musician.
25. The Goodbye Girl, David Gates. What's
this doing here? Back in the late 70s I was
very much in love with a pretty lady. We
were infact engaged. She asked my for
the album for Christmas. I bought two copies,
one for her, one for me. I won't say more about
all that other than to say I was a horses ass and
messed up that relationship. Something I have
deeply regreted ever since. The song Goodbye
Girl does not get played in my house as I can't
stand the pain it brings.
The Nighthawk
Philosopher, historian, critic, cynic, shaman, priest,
medicine man, writer, wanderer, poet, dreamer, lunatic,
and mendicant purveyor of flatulent didactics. Cigar
smoking guru to the politically incorrect.
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/bluemax/nighthawk.htm
Gun Control: Making life for criminals better by
disarming their victims.
The NightHawk
<ba...@nospam.stargate.net> wrote:
---/snip/---
>Monroe were going to get married. This was from 1952 and was funnier than
>anything I'd seen on television in 1979 the year I got the record. It helped
>me learn at a very early age what gold their was in our national
>entertainment heritage.
>
Americas entertainment past, from comedy, to blues, to jazz,
to folk.... etc.... is truly a national treasure. In terms of comedy
I have an old LP around here with one of Maury Amsterdams
stage routines on it. Some of the funiest stuff ever recorded.
Thomas Conroy
"The NightHawk" <rroe...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
<snip>
You've got some great stuff here, Ray. What was it like to meet Dylan?
Tom
The NightHawk
He was very cool. He and the entire Rolling Thunder Review were
staying a local private resort prior to the tour. My step father was
moonlighting as a security guard and got me in the door every
day they were day. I met Dylan, Clapton, The Band (Robbie
Robertson was an asshole, rest were good guys). I got to
watch them reherse and good off. It was certainly a memorable
event.
Dylan himself was a bit aloof, but all in all quite cordial. He didn't
object to my hanging around at all.
Something Stinks In Here
In Bangkok" by Murray Head. Some stations played a version of this song
that began with a classical intro, leading me to pretend to conduct an
orchestra while standing in the toilet.
Yes, I ran into the bathroom, removed my socks, and stepped into the
toilet bowl. I grabbed a toothbrush or a pencil or something and
pretended I was using it to conduct an orchestra.
This act has guided my life since I was 12 years old.
--
STOP THE WAR: CHEW BUBBLE GUM!
I think. Therefore, I am not a conservative!
------ http://www.todayslastword.org -------
Beatlfilms
>What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
>why? Here is a short chronology of 25 records that made a big
>difference in my life.
You forgot "Cat Scratch Fever" on your list, Tom. :-) OK, as for mine (in no
particular order)...
1. and 2. "Revolver" and "Abbey Road" -- The Beatles. The albums that turned
me into a full fledged, unapologetic Beatles worshipper. Quite possibly the two
greatest albums of all time.
3. and 4. "Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine" -- John Lennon. The records that
cemented in my mind that John really was a genius.
5. "All Things Must Pass" -- George Harrison. The record that showed me that
even a genius can hold back another genius. George solidified his position in
history with this gem.
6. "Destroyer" -- KISS. The album responsible for me acquiring a garage full of
memorabilia and a head full of memories, as well as spending enough money over
the years to buy Peter Criss a winter home in Hawaii.
7. "FM & AM" -- George Carlin. My entire sense of humor was forever altered by
hearing this record.
8. "Who's Next" -- The Who. If "Revolver" and "Abbey Road" are indeed the
greatest albums of all time, then this is hot on their heels. The record that
turned me on to the genius of the Who.
9. "American Recordings" -- Johnny Cash. The record that proved conclusively
that after 40 years Johnny was still a major force, and refueled my passion for
the the Man In Black.
10. and 11. "Exile On Main St." and "Sticky Fingers" -- The Rolling Stones. The
epitome of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Songs like "Sweet Viginia," "Shine A
Light" and "Dead Flowers" still take my breath away.
12. and 13. "Sounds Of Silence" and "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme" --
Simon and Garfunkel. I am stopped dead in my tracks by any track from either of
these albums. My God, Harmony and Songwriting 101!
14. "Shake Your Money Maker" -- The Black Crowes. The loose, jamming, bluesy,
Stones-ish nature of this record was so powerful that it saved a 1990 full of
Paula Abdul and Milli Vanilli and gave me hope that rock and roll was still
alive.
15. "Are You Experienced?" -- The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Damn near wore this
one out and it still elicits memories for me of when I discovered it.
16. "American Graffitti" -- soundtrack. While a big fan of Elvis, Buddy Holly,
and Chuck Berry, this was the record that exposed me to "I Only Have Eyes For
You" by the Flamingos, "Little Darlin'" by the Diamonds, "Smoke Gets In Your
Eyes" by the Platters, and the Regents' version of "Barbara Anne" (rather than
the *annoying* Beach Boys abomination).
17. "Wildflowers" -- Tom Petty. I always kinda liked Tom Petty, but this was
the one where he hit his full potential, and I saw what others saw in him.
18. "Cheap Trick" -- Cheap Trick. A neighbor had this, and I could not believe
the Beatles meets KISS power of such an odd collection of dudes from Illinois.
No big hits off their debut, but still my favorite Cheap Trick abum.
19. "Flaming Pie" -- Paul McCartney. I love Paul, but his albums had been
largely hit-and-miss for a number of years prior to this. Then he puts out this
masterpiece and I am reminded how great he can be when he gets the creative
juices flowing. Renewed my faith in Macca.
20. "2112" -- Rush. Never was much into Rush until a friend spun this record
for me in around 1977 or 78. Then I finally "got" them.
21. "Houses Of The Holy" -- Led Zeppelin. Though this and the "Zosa" album are
my favorites by Led Zep, this one "changed my life" (as the thread says)
because my older next door neighbor got me stoned for the first time with this
as the soundtrack!
22. "Back In Black" -- AC/DC. This was such a monster album, that it turned out
to be the one that really turned me on to AC/DC, and caused me to go back and
*really* check out the older Bon Scott-era. Haven't looked back since.
23. "Cold On The Shoulder" -- Gordon Lightfoot. A relative of mine had this
album, and I was completely oblivious to Gordon Lightfoot prior to hearing it.
It was actually like discovering somebody; "You mean there are other records
that sound like this?"
24. "Let Love Rule" -- Lenny Kravitz. I was working at record store when this
came out, and was swept away by the cool Motown/Beatlemania hybrid.
25. "Appetite For Destruction" -- Guns N' Roses. I thought it was the second
coming of the New York Dolls when this album came out. I was playing bass in a
heavy metal band at the time, and with KISS, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, the
Scorpions, et al, mired in a slick, synthesized, spandex-clad slump, this bad
baby gave us something to aspire to (though we never even came close). But we
would crash our way through "Sweet Child O' Mine" and the girls hanging around
us thought we were cool!
Shawn
The NightHawk
>Antipositivist said:
>
>
>14. "Shake Your Money Maker" -- The Black Crowes. The loose, jamming, bluesy,
>Stones-ish nature of this record was so powerful that it saved a 1990 full of
>Paula Abdul and Milli Vanilli and gave me hope that rock and roll was still
>alive.
>
Ah.... a great album that is very much under-rated. Too bad the Crowes
aren't doing anything now... and from the sounds of Chris Robinson,
they may not be doing anything for a long time. I love them. Rough
edged, raw, bluesy.... just good rock and roll without a lot of crap
or studio tricks.
Molly, the New Wave Queen
Tom, because it was hard to narrow my list down, and it's going to be a bit
hard to explain why these albums changed my life since sometimes I have a
hard time explaining things clearly. :p
1. Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles: This was the very first rock
album I ever heard. My parents used to play a lot of Beatles when they had
parties, and I remember hearing this album and totally loving it. My
all-time favorite song from this whole album is "Strawberry Fields Forever".
2. Hounds of Love - Kate Bush: This album really turned me on to Kate.
This album is a masterpiece. The songs just flow together so well.
3. Skylarking - XTC: This album helped me get through a very tough time in
my life when I was in the hospital after my accident five years ago. I'd
play this on my discman and it helped me with my sad feelings.
5. Xanadu (soundtrack): I'm not so sure why this album totally changed
my life, but it got me more into both ELO and Olivia Newton-John. This is
one of those albums that will be in my collection for the rest of my life.
6. Ray of Light - Madonna: This is about the same as Skylarking,
because I used to play this album all the time when I was in the hospital
recovering from my accident. It kept my spirits up and this has got to be
one of Madonna's best albums.
7. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd: I remember listening to this
album on my brother's 8-Track and totally loving it. I was only a little
kid, but it hit me in a very wwird way.
8. It's My Life - Talk Talk: This is the album that got me into this
band, and totally got me into New Wave music. My sister got me this album
on cassette back in '84 when she went to the mall. This has got to be one
of Talk Talk's finest works.
9. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac: This album was almost like #7, as I first
got introduced to this album on my brother's 8-track. I used to think that
Christine McVie was a guy, because her voice is so low (but remember I was a
little kid at the time). When I got my own copy of the album I used to
listen to it all the time. I used to pretend I was Stevie Nicks and sing
along with her songs.
10. Wings Greatest Hits - Wings: I used to play this album all the time,
and I used to pretend I was Linda McCartney and play air keyboards. This
album got me into trying to learn how to play the piano. It was all because
of Linda. :)
Molly
MaryMc
anti...@earthlink.net (Antipositivist) wrote:
> What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
> why? Here is a short chronology of 25 records that made a big
> difference in my life.
Oooh, good poll! Here's mine:
The Monkees--their self-titled first album--It was the first LP I ever
owned. My mother bought it for me at Safeway (they used to have a
record bin next to the produce). I was eight years old. I developed a
huge crush on Micky, demanded a pair of white go-go boots, and learned
to do the Watusi dancing on my bed after Blue Bird meetings while the
record played on my cheap-assed Radio Shack record player.
Carly Simon--No Secrets--When I was fourteen, I had my first big
romance. It only lasted a few months before he got bored and dumped me.
I was heartbroken. He went to a different school, so I didn't see him
for a while. Then I ran into him at a football game. We sat together
and talked. He said he'd been thinking a lot about me. He said there
was a song on this album--it was called "The Carter Family"--that
reminded him of me. Of course, a few days later, I ran out and found
the album to see what he meant. The song is about a girl who brushes
off her best childhood friend, then realizes she misses her more than
she'd ever have guessed. I was ecstatic. I waited and waited for him
to follow up...but he didn't. It was just a tease. I was heartbroken
again, and learning that men don't always make sense and can't always be
trusted.
The Worst of Jefferson Airplane--My college roommate and partner in
crime, Roxanne, had this album. I'd never really heard the Airplane
before, but I was enthralled. I remember one late afternoon, smoggy
orange sun streaming in our dorm room window, tripping our brains out,
"White Rabbit" blasting at full volume, and Roxanne screaming along with
the big finish..."Feed your head! Feed your headdddddddd!!" But the
thing that I remember even more was Grace Slick's voice, and the effect
it had on me. It was the first time in my life I had to acknowledge
that I was turned on by another woman.
Miles Davis--Bitches Brew--It was my second year of college. I was
coming down the steps of the student union, and I saw this guy coming
up. I stopped to read his t-shirt, which said "Honk if you love Miles."
I realized he was stopped to read mine (it said something cute like "The
best part is inside." This was near the end of a diet and before the
regain, so I was feeling bold and saucy). We said hi. We chatted. We
made a date. He was a very sweet law student named Rich. He played
Miles Davis for me and I pretended to like it. He was the second man I
ever slept with, and the first one who wasn't a flaming asshole.
Another experience like my first one would probably have put me off sex
for good, but with him it was...lovely. A month later I dumped him for
a neurotic, repressed MBA student. I never said I had any sense about
men.
The Bothy Band--After Hours--I was twenty-one years old, and I was
living in London for a year on a study abroad program. I'd gone over to
Ireland for spring break and was hitchhiking by myself around the coast
of Ulster and Donegal. If you'd known me back then, you'd understand
what a revolutionary change that last statement represents. I'd always
been a "good girl," timid, dependent, sheltered. And here I was, 5,000
miles from home, traveling around by myself, taking rides with
strangers. It was glorious. One man who picked me up had a little
portable cassette player on the seat next to him. He was playing a tape
of some amazing traditional Irish music. When I asked him what it was,
he said it was the greatest Irish band in the world, The Bothy Band. As
soon as I got to Dublin, I found a music store and bought a copy. It
was probably the first music recording I'd ever bought that wasn't
mainstream and popular and something all my friends had heard of.
Gerry Rafferty--City to City--The year I spent in England is hard to
describe. It was intense and scary and transforming and big, big fun.
I went through some powerful changes, some of them easier than others
for my family and friends to accept. I loved it, but I was also
painfully homesick. I played this album a lot that year. Gerry
Rafferty wrote these songs about touring and staying in London and
missing his family in Scotland. I was touring and staying in London and
missing the people I cared about in California. One song in particular,
"Home and Dry," really had meaning for me. Some of the lyrics went
"This silver bird takes me across the sky/Just one more hour and I'll be
home and dry/Got to see you, got to be with you...Feeling tired, but I
feel good/'Cause I did everything I said I would..." I played it a
thousand times and pictured my flight home at the end of the year, when
I'd get to see my family and friends again, and eat a Tommyburger and a
frozen yogurt, and drive up Pacific Coast Highway looking at the ocean.
When I finally got on the plane, and the pilot pulled back the throttle
and we sped down the runway toward takeoff, it took everything I had to
stay in my seat and not stand up and yell "NO!!!!! Let me off!!! I
want to stay!!!"
--
MaryMc
mary...@NOSPAM.mindspring.com
Visit my Seventies Page... and Have a Nice Day!
<http://www.casagordita.com/70s.htm>
)
(
"Espresso est, ergo cogito." C[_]
Steve84
my life and pick out certain songs or albums that were key. I was born in 1962
but I did not have an fm radio in our house or car until around 1975 or so. AM
radio was still pretty big for awhile but I missed out on some things early on.
Many of my friends had older siblings who turned them on to older music but I
learned everything on my own
Jungle Book movie Soundtrack 1967
I remember my dad buying this at the movie theater after we saw the movie and it
was probably the first album I ever owned. I still love it and am a disney nut to
this day
Band on the Run - Paul Mcartney and Wings
My first real favorite song. The absolute first semi rock song I can remember
being in love with. It led to me buying Wings over America
Monty Python Live at City Center
The first album I think I ever actually paid for. I eventually bought all the
Python albums
American Graffiti Soundtrack
Like many people this was my first introduction to the oldies. I played the heck
out of this record and now own the CD. When I was around 18-20 my car only had am
radio and the only good music on AM in 1980 was oldies music.
The Beatles Blue & Red greatest hits albums
My introduction to the Beatles. Eventually I bought every Beatles albums there
were and still collect betles stuff
Rolling Stones Hot Rocks
One of my first friends with his own car had the 8 track and we listened to it
every day. Eventually I got the 8 track too. This started me on the road to
Rolling Stones fanatic leading to seeing them in concert in 1981 in one of the
greatest moments in my life
Bob Seger & Silver Bullet Band - Live Bullett
Another 8 track that we played the crap out of. Living in the Detroit area Bob
Seger was and still is a god
Led Zeppelin IV
Who didnt slow dance to Stairway to Heaven when they were growing up or blow the
car windows out listening to Rock & Roll
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces
I'll never forget hearing this after midnight one night on a Rock station. They
wouldnt play it during the day but played the whole album late one night. I had
to have it after hearing it once. This record started me in a whole different
musical direction. I bought the older Costello albums and started checking out
people like Joe Jackson, The Pretenders and Boomtown Rats
Joe Jackson - Jumpin Jive
Great music which led me to discover some of the original artists who performed
these songs like Louis Jordan Opened up a whole new musical worl to me
The Clash - The Clash
I was a rocker all through High School and some of my friends could not understand
why I liked this group. I would play them certain songs to prove that this music
rocked too but they just did not get it. Eventually in 1982 a group of about 15
of my friends went with me to see The Clash in concert because some of their songs
had become popular and to this day many of us consider this the best concert we
ever went to. I still collect Clash bootlegs
The Doors - The Doors
Every friday night beer party in High School eventually led to this album being
played. Show me the way to the next Whisky Bar!
Stray Cats - Built for speed
I instantly fell in love with this group after first hearing Rock this Town. I am
sure I owe my lifelong love of Rockabilly to this record
Dave Edmunds - Get It
My love of the Stray Cats led me to Dave Edmunds who is another Rockabilly guitar
king. I have bought many of his records over the years but this one remains one
of my favorites
The Brian Setzer Orchestra - Brian Setzer Orchestra
I always was a big Setzer and Rockabilly fan. I also was also a big swing fan
after years of going through my parents records. When I first heard this group
I felt like my life was complete. Rockabilly and Swing together! What more can I
ask for? I am a huge Setzer fan and own most of his cds. It sucks that you never
heard anything besides Jump Jive and Wail on the radio but if you get a chance to
see this band live do it.
BB King - BB King Wails
I used to go to record conventions every weekend when I was in high school and buy
lots of old scratched records to listen to. I bought this one for about a quarter
one weekend and fell in love with BB King and his music. The guy is a national
treasure and has been touring like a maniac for too many years to count
Steve's page of Fun links http://www.stevesfunlinks.com/
See Steve with famous people like the Bradys http://www.flash.net/~steve84/index1.htm
Steve's page of over 200 Disney links! http://www.flash.net/~steve84/Disney.htm
The NightHawk
>
>
>Stray Cats - Built for speed
>I instantly fell in love with this group after first hearing Rock this Town. I am
>sure I owe my lifelong love of Rockabilly to this record
>
Sadly an oft forgetten record. But a wonderful musical experience.
I have it on vinyl and enjoy listening to it when I've had my fill
of over produced recordings. Good old rock and roll is great.
Mivarsh Faz
:What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
:why?
1. Supertramp: _Breakfast In America_. The first album I ever owned.
2. Todd Rundgren: _A Wizard/A True Star_. I had established that I
liked Todd Rundgren and owned _Something/Anything_, but AWATS changed
my whole perspective on music and what it could be. My mind was
totally blown by the album; its length, its density, its wild
production, its wacky contrasts from track to track. I remember
listening to it over and over, there just were no weak spots. "Just
One Victory" became an anthem for me. I consider it *the* album that
got me through high school, so it will always have a special place in
my heart.
3. Genesis: _Nursery Cryme_. Purchased out of pure xenophilia. I'd
heard that Peter Gabriel had been in Genesis, but I had never actually
heard any music from that period of the band. The very idea fascinated
me, though, so I picked up a cheap copy and took it home. The style
appealed to me a great deal, and I fell in love instantly. With this
and Yes' _CLose To The Edge_, my musical taste became codified. I
learned to use bad reviews in "The Rolling Stone Record Guide" to my
advantage; if Dave Marsh hated an album, chances were very good that I
would love it. ;-{)>
4. Egg: same. I had a hell of a time with music theory until this
album, whose liner notes explained the musical changes. Thanks to Dave
Stewart (*not* the Eurythmics guy), I could actually *hear* what a
13/8 time signature sounded like.
5. _Electronic Music_. This album was on Turnabout Records, dated
from the early 60's and featured "Agony" by Ilhan Mimaroglu, "Fontana
Mix" by John Cage and "Visage" by Luciano Berio. By far, it was the
most bizarre thing my ears had heard up to that point, what with all
the blips and squeaks and snippets of sound that at the time seemed
almost random, not to mention Cathy Berberian laughing, crying,
moaning and muttering gibberish all over "Visage." It changed my whole
perspective on what the word "music" could mean. I've since discovered
"Visage" on CD, but sadly the others (especially the Mimaroglu piece,
which is haunting and beautiful) remain elusive.
6. Faust: _So Far_. I'd realized I enjoyed "Krautrock," having
already purchased and enjoyed albums by Amon Düül 2 and Can. Since I'd
heard these guys were good too, I decided to check them out too. My
jaw hit the floor when I first heard this album, from the almost comic
minimalism of "It's A Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl," to the sheets of
blasting electronic sound on "Mamie Is Blue," it totally blew my mind,
and opened up new worlds for me.
7. Novalis: _Vielleicht bist du ein Clown_. Not a particularly
substantial or memorable album, but it was a milestone as the first
album I ever purchased that featured lyrics entirely in a foreign
language.
8. Amon Düül: _Disaster_. Proof that sometimes something as small as
a number can make a world of difference (that "2" on Amon Düül 2
albums, it turns out, is *very* important), and a better example of
"Buyer beware!" I could not find. I did manage to get all the way
through this double LP at least twice before selling it. "F$#!ing
unlistenable" would be my description of it.
Can't really think of a 9 or 10 offhand. Oh well...
MIKE (a.k.a. "Progbear")
To reply, put a cereal box over your head, bang on a pot with a spoon
and shout "Poisson! Poisson!" Should that fail, consult [nickname] AT
"Ess Bee Cee" Glow-bull period net.
"Fetch Daddy's hard, plastic eyes, so that he can see the TV"
--Carl, of Carl & Sons.
N.P.:"Once"- T r a c e
Buddy from Brooklyn at Work
NECESSARILY significant of importance. But they ARE in more or less
chronological order.
1)Hound Dog by Elvis. Didn't understand it because I was so young and
innocent (I REALLY was once...a long, long time ago) but it was about
a dog. And it was the very first of what we came to call Rock 'n'
Roll. And Elvis was looked at as dangerous, and evil; which was a draw
all unto itself. He was not acceptable by the older people so HE WAS
FOR US. As John Lennon said "Before Elvis there was nothing."
2)Anything by Little Richard. My real name is Richard, and my parents
having gotten married around the age of 19 meant that they were still
young. So they were still listening to Rock 'n' Roll. They'd have
parties with their friends and send me off to bed. When I would hear
someone shout "Play Little Richard!" I would go running into the
living room thinking that my presence was being called for, and never
understanding that Little Richard was that guy banging the ol' 88s
furiously.
3)The Twist by Chubby Checker. I was 10 IIRC and the whole country was
swept up in this dance craze making me feel that "my generation" was
on the cutting edge, and that even the old people wanted to do what WE
were doing. Hell, it was rumored that Jack and Jackie did the twist at
a function or two. It was in many ways the first step, or indication,
of the youth culture (of which I was one at the time) taking over the
culture as a a whole.
4)This Land(?) by Peter, Paul and Mary. Not really sure of the title
but I can remember most of the tracks. I remember I bought this in '63
because I knew that "Something's happenin' and you dont know what it
is, do you Mr. Jones?" I wanted to know what was going on, the folk
music of America, the "other" voices, the issues of the day (which
were not yet being dealt with musically on the radio).
5)Edizione D'Oro-Four Seasons Greatest Hits by the Four Seasons. They
were the most prolific recorders and hit makers of my teenage
years-the younger ones. So each and every one seperately, and
together, make up the soundtrack and romantic understanding of my
earlier teen years.
6)I Wanna Hold Your Hand by the Beatles. This 45 hit at about the same
time these guys were on Sullivan. We had never seen anything like them
before. Prior to this the group was singers and backed up by session
people (with the exception of the Beach Boys). And here were these
guys actually playing their own instruments! Un-fuckin'-real! And the
haircuts gave us all something that would immediately differentiate us
from all who came before. It was like Elvis and the Twist all rolled
up into one, only bigger! As we grew our hair, the rest of society did
too. And after awhile it got harder to tell THEM from US. But "our
culture" swept America, again.
7)My Girl by the Temptations. So sweet, so elegant. Every boy has felt
this at some point in time. They spoke for the universal male's desire
to praise that which causes his heart to fly. And, for those who had
not yet met her; the feeling that they instinctively knew that would
come.
8)Sgt. Pepper by the Beatles. This was something entirely new, and
deep. The kinda thing ya had ta listen to a coupla times to start
gettin' it. At first we thought that a joint before listening to it
would make you "get it". But that was not the case. You actually had
to start expanding your mind, and allowing for new types of input. A
broader sense of horizon was needed.
9)HAIR by the Original Broadway Cast. In an age of experimentation,
reaching outward, and new lifestyles, of questioning authority, and
practically everything else. I found this to be liberating and
enlightening.
10)Monster by Steppenwolf. And amazing political statement made at a
very divisive time. I thought, and still do, that although dated, that
it is an excellent piece of rock history.
11)The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King. And almost anything else by him.
But it was this song in particular that inspired my interest and my
love of the Blues.
12)Abbey Road by the Beatles. I just dont know how to explain this.
Right up until the last line "And In The End The Love You Take Is
Equal To The Love You Make." I think I want that on my tombstone.
13)Greatest Hits by Chuck Berry. There have been so many greatest hits
compilations of his that it's hard to tell you which one exactly. It
was a two album set that I bought about '71. I remember ALL of his
songs singley, and this album just put them all in the same place. But
it was THE essential rock 'n' roll guitar collection, with a blues
number or two thrown in.
14)Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel. It made me
look at a softer, more introspective type of folk with a rock
sensibility. And one of my favorite songs of all time is on it: For
Emily.
15)1812 Overture by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia(?)
Philharmonic. I have always loved this piece. This is a very "male"
piece of classical music. Very emotional too.
16)John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic. It just touched a chord in me.
A foray into some jazzy sounds.
17)Four Way Street by C,S,N & Y. It was a great album if because of
nothing else the political statements that were made. The craftmanship
was good but as another album title say's "what do you want from
live?" Still they were excellent writers, musicians, (sometimes)
singers, and spokesman for a generation.
18)Blue by Joanie Mitchell. I didn't "get" this at first but a coupla
songs really stuck out to me: My Old Man, I was married at the time
and yet I knew that I only wished that my old lady felt the same
towards me as the song stated. A beautiful sentiment just the same. Or
Carey. With time the rest of the album rubbed off on me.
19)That Nigger's Crazy by Richard Pryor/ Class Clown by George
Carlin/Cheech And Chong/ How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When
You're Not Anywhere At All by Firesign Theatre/ A Pause In The
Disaster by the Conception Corporation. I list these all together
because each one of these albums were symbolic of a new age of comedy
happening out there. These are the ones that pushed the boundaries.
And, although some seem rather tame now; at the time they were
groundbreaking. And a few not to be played in front of mixed company,
or your parents. We had the radical black guy, the radical white guy,
the radical Mexican teamed with the radical Chinese guy, and two
groups of S.F. hippies burnt from acid and politics. And as Carlin
dedicated Class Clown "To Leonard Schneider, who took all the
chances." Leonard Schneider was Lenny Bruce.
20)Songman by Jim Dawson, or any of his albums. I just love his
folk-rock approach to music with his soft voice.
21)Talking Book by Stevie Wonder. An amazing leap forward for soul
sounds. He led the way in progressive soul. It was an ingenious blend
of Rock, Soul, Synth-rock, R & B, etc. It hooked almost all who heard
it at the time regarless of your tastes.
22)Cigars, Cigarettes, Acapella by the Belmonts. Reawakened my love of
Doo Wop & Acapella that had laid dormant for so long. And started a
larger collection and interest in both.
23)Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd. It was just something to light
up, take off your shoes, eat a hit, and dwell in.
24)London Sessions by Jerry Lee Lewis. At this point EVERYBODY was
doing a London Sessions album. Jerry's was actually excellent! They
must have kept him sober for a week. It was a double album set with
great studio stuff.
25)Silver Morning(?) by Kenny Rankin. What a sweet soft combination of
jazz, rock, romance, soul, etc. And that SOARING voice. Blew me away,
and I ran out and over the years bought whatever I find by him. Sweet
music. As I told him when I met him "You have no idea how many times I
have gotten laid to your music."
26)Breakaway by Art Garfunkel. Gave me the same sort of romantic
introspection that P,S,R & T gave me but with a smooth rendition of I
Believe When I fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever (from Stevie
Wonder), and another of my all time favorite songs: Disney Girls (from
Bruce Johnston & the Beach Boys). And I cant forget I Only Have Eyes
For You (from the Flamingos)
27)The Reprise Collection by Frank Sinatra. This awakened my love of
Frankie. This was a kick ass collection of his hits perfectly
recorded.
LPecucci
1.Life & Times - Jim Croce (1973...7 years old,first record i ever owned,now
5,000 or so LP/CD/Tapes later...what did my mom start back then!!??)
2.Alive - Kiss (1st I bought myself!)
3.Desire - Bob Dylan
4.Never Mind The Bollocks - The Sex Pistols
5.Rocket To Russia - The Ramones (1977 - 12 years old.."Hey,I look like those
guys!..maybe I could be in a band!")
6.Armed Forces - Elvis Costello
7.London Calling - The Clash
8.Sladest - Slade
9.Tanx - T.Rex
10.The Slider - T.Rex
11.Electric Warrior - T.Rex (For whatever reason 70's glam was my big thing in
80's high school..)
12.Too Much Too Soon - NY Dolls
13.Tim - The Replacements
14.Flip Your Wig - Husker Du
15.Double Nickels On The Dime - The MInutemen
16.At Yankee Stadium - NRBQ
17.The Men Who Loved Music - the Young Fresh Fellows (NRBQ & The Fellows were
my dream bands to join..)
18.A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
19.Greatest Hits - Thelonius Monk (late 80's - ok,Im ready to start digging
into some non-rock stuff....)
20.Special View - the Only Ones
21.Rain Dogs - Tom Waits
22.Nevermind - Nirvana
23.Suede - Suede
24.The Holy Bible - Manic Street Preachers
25.White Blood Cells - The White Stripes
........................
tape/cdr/video trading:Beatles/Costello/Can/Chilton/Dylan/Kinks/N.Lowe/
Manics/Mott/NRBQ/NY Dolls/Only Ones/Stones/Slade/T.Rex/Y.F.Fellows&more!
http://members.aol.com/LPecucci/index.HOMEMIKE.html
Letterbomb(my band)http://www.letterbomb.net
Antipositivist
> Antipositivist said:
>
> >What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
> >why? Here is a short chronology of 25 records that made a big
> >difference in my life.
>
> You forgot "Cat Scratch Fever" on your list, Tom. :-) OK, as for mine (in no
> particular order)...
Lol, I actually once owned a Nugent LP, Shawn. I think it was called
"Double Live Gonzo." I thought it was more or less okay.
You've got some great records listed here, incidentally.
Tom
recsec
"Antipositivist" <anti...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:4cc86950.03031...@posting.google.com...
> What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
> why?
Well let's see. I don't know if they so much *changed* my life now or even
if I can come up with 25 of them. I can say the ones that hold dear memories
for me from the 1st time I heard them. Lemme see what I can do here. In no
particular order:
1. Feb. 9th 1964. The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan for the 1st time. 'I
Want To Hold Your Hand' stuck in my mind for weeks afterwards. I had just
turned 2 the previous Oct. & this is my second memory in life. I don't know
if it changed anything but it certainly set me on the right foot by giving
me a love of music. I DO know that it sounded MUCH better than Twinkle
Twinkle Little Star.
2. Dec. 3rd 1968. Elvis' 68 Comeback Special. There wasn't any one
particular song of his or from this show that changed me, but just seeing
him on stage in that black leather outfit rippin' thru Jailhouse Rock showed
me just what COOL looked like & that people could be multi-faceted as up to
that point I only knew of Elvis thru those sappy movies he made in the 60's.
Ya know, those movies I still watch to this day.
3. Me & Bobby Magee by Janis, Joy To The World by 3 Dog Night, Indian
Reservation by Paul Revere & The Raiders.
I got my very 1st radio in Oct. 70 for my birthday. By spring of 71 I
learned that I could have something of my very own from these 3 songs. They
taught me that there was some music out there that my Dad, & others in my
life then, didn't like. So I made it my mission to like songs like these.
Altho I still didn't know of FM type music. I heard all of these over on the
AM dial.
4. Kentucky Rain by Elvis. When I saw him at the Astrodome in 70 he
introduced this as his new song. It wasn't so much the song itself that did
anything to me but rather the people in attendance. Behind us was a woman
who was just screaming her lungs out at him. I didn't take to the change
*then* but did years later when I started going to concerts on my own. Her
screaming showed me that when you spend your money for a concert then by God
have a good time by yelling your approval for the artist performing. Get
your money's worth form it. I do that to this day. When I go to concerts now
& for the last 20 some odd years I DO NOT just sit there in my seat like a
bump on a log.
5. Tall Dark Stranger by Buck Owens. I think this came out in the late 60's.
I was always the tallest kid in my class. This song showed me that maybe,
just maybe there was a VERY slight really far outside sliver of a chance
that girls weren't as cootie ridden as I had been led to believe. Turns out
they weren't.
Moving on to later in my life.
6. In America by The CDB. Now before I say why this song is listed here I
want to let you know that it is NOT, I repeat *NOT* listed here to be a
political message/posting. I am very simply answering the question of the
poll here. That's all I'm doing. OK?? Remember this is NOT a political
posting. This song truly did something to me the 1st time I heard it. So
here
is why I have listed it. It was this song that basically set me on the foot
to Republicanism/moderate conservatism/Reaganism. He introduced the song at
the CMA awards in 80 I think it was. Maybe 79. It was something I needed to
hear at that time in our country's history. I was thinking that there
weren't a whole lot of people left here who believed in the things Charlie
sang of in this song. It brought back my pride in my country which had been
seriously downgraded at that time.
7. The Spirit Of Radio by Rush. This song really opened my eyes up to the
world of radio & what matters most to it. Sadly the music is not that but
rather ratings & money. It is not quite the friend you were convinced it
was. " But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.
For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen."
And yes I am guilty of falling into the "glittering prizes" aspect of radio
having won many many concert tickets from it. This song taught me to always
look at things with a wary eye.
8. Degüello by ZZ Top. This whole album spoke to me. It is just SO Texas to
me. It was the first album by them I had heard in it's entirety. I have worn
cheap sunglasses ever since. Course now I 1st heard the whole thing in like
80. Prior to that I wore mirrors.
9. Van Halen's 1st album. That is THE album that made me change from full
100% country. Up to then I hated rock & roll & the lifestyle. I heard this
one in 80 after I had graduated from school. A buddy turned me on to it. My
Dad was using someone's truck from work as his was in the shop. It had an 8
track player in it & my buddy had the 8 track of this album. My favorite
song on it is Jamie's Crying. I could not stop listening to that one. After
that I got head long into rock & roll & the history of it. My buddy has
since maintained that he created a monster when he turned me on to it. Prior
to this album just about the only rock I was into then was Foreigner's
Double Vision & Foghat Live. I had both of those on 8 track & they were
staples on Friday nites going to the football games.
That's really all I can think of that actually had an influence on me
thruout my life. Like I said I don't know that I was *changed* by any of
them but maybe I was taught things about life from them that I didn't get
from school. I wonder if that can happen to me know at the age I am.
Probably not seeing as how there is very very very little new music/singers
I care for. But who knows what the future holds.
Billy
The Man From Mars
1. The Beatles - White Album
2. Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy
3. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
4. Led Zeppelin - Presence
5. The Rolling Stones - Some Girls
6. Booker T and the MGs - Hip Hug Her
7. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River
8. The Beatles - 1962-1966
9. The Beatles - 1967-1970
10. The Ramones - Rocket to Russia
11. The Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
12. Billy Joel - 52nd Street
13. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
14. Kiss - ALIVE
15. Kiss - ALIVE II
16. David Bowie - David Live
17. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer - ELP
18. Boston - Boston
19. Steely Dan - The Royal Scam
20. Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
21. AC/DC - Back in Black
22. The Tubes - The Completion Backwards Principle
23. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome
24. Bruce Springsteen - The River
25. Seal - Seal
Antipositivist <anti...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:4cc86950.03031...@posting.google.com...
Beatlfilms
>Lol, I actually once owned a Nugent LP, Shawn. I think it was called
>"Double Live Gonzo." I thought it was more or less okay.
I think I have that one packed away somewhere. It has the fantastic version of
"Great White Buffalo" on it as I recall.
>You've got some great records listed here, incidentally.
Thank you much!
Shawn
Steve Carras
I'll list about five:
"Suavecito" by Malo. El Chicano sounding salsa/samba-like 1972 hit,
both English and Spanish lyrics at same time. Among the best bilingual
songs, and not just for that aspect. Love the lyrics, "Mever met a
girl like you in my life", with Edwyn Collins must haver loved..he had
a 1995 hit with that phrase for a title. Great chant, "La, la la."
Was originally 6:36 but was one of many many singles edited down for
three-minute based, TOP 40 AM radio airplay (3:25)
"Knock on Wood". Amii Stewart's 1979 remake of the 1966 tune is a vast
improvement.
"You're Still a Young Man" by Tower of Power. As with most of these
here, the longer (5:35) version is preferable. Great brass/rhythm,
smooth jazz with a good name, or was that urban funk, or cool
storm..:) BTW the singer is not who you might think, E.Castillo or
S.Kuputka, often mentioned, but Rick Stevens. Tower of Powers were a
white band with varying African American singers to, as pop critic
Robert Christgau once put it in the VILLAGE VOICE, "lend authencdity"
(Christgua, VILLAGE VOICE, 1972, and reprinted in CHRISTGAU'S RECORD
GUIDE, 1981). Wonder monologue at the end.
"Ma Belle Amie".Great early 1970 song by the Tee Set,a Dutch rock
band, aprofessionally done bubblegum AM POP piece of music.Another
bilingual, but French, or shall I say, freedom, lyrics and American
ones.
"Horse with no name" by Best country in the world no matter what Iraq
and France think--I mean, America, 1972. This and the abovemented
"Suavecito" (both coincidentally also on the same label,Warner
Bros.Records) are examples of songs with catchy chants, again from
early 1972.
These above changed my life just by making it a lot happier.
Steve Carras
Hi! I'm also a big Bind fan, and here are some albums, that
I'llmention
I keep buying both vintage and modern albums, both CDs and vinyl, very
few cassettes, though, when I do buy cassettes it's blank ones.
Dave Brubeck. "Time Out". 1959;Columbia. This is the major jazz
classic, and NOT just for the oft-mentioned TAKE FIVE (whose long
version here was one of the first examples of a song being edited down
for AM radio), but also STRANGE MEADOWLAND, and others.
Martin Denny, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull.First was 1960s Hawaiian music
jazz, the other two need no introduction.
Back in the seventies I would buy mostly singles, even if they weren't
out and out current but a few years old.Three Dog Night was a major
favorite..:)
I also enjoy, perversely, perhaps, Rudy Vallee..the 1920s prototype to
Donny Osmond and the Carpenters, he had a notable presence."Winchester
Cathedral" was done like him by just about everybody in 1966-67.
The NightHawk
<dead...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>In no particular order...
>
> 6. Booker T and the MGs - Hip Hug Her
A long forgotten classic album.
>20. Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
I never understood why Nightfly didn't garner more
acclaim that it did.... it's awsome!
>24. Bruce Springsteen - The River
Genuflect when you utter the sacred name of Bruce.....
Lady D
>What would you say were the 10-25 records that changed your life, and
>why? Here is a short chronology of 25 records that made a big
>difference in my life.
1. The first memory I have of any album is the Mary Poppins
soundtrack. My family and I played it over and over during a long
Winnipeg winter while doing jigsaw puzzles and cutting out paper dolls
etc.
2. The Sound of Music soundtrack. Same thing, and I still love it to
this day.
3. Some children story records my mother bought for me. Peter Pan,
Wizard of Oz, and assorted story songs. Jimmy Crack Corn etc.
4. Partridge Family: Up To Date
This was the first album I ever bought with my own money.
5. And so now we will switch to Rock 'n' Roll with my first album
memory in that category. Zeppelin III. I recall playing with the
wheel, which sadly is not included with the CD. Songwise I recall the
Immigrant Song and The Bridge, and thinking about it has brought back
the very scent of my brother's (Dan, the drummer) room while he drew
(yes, actually drew) desktop size mazes. It was a hobby. Wow, what a
powerful thing to remember!
6. The next album to make a huge impression was Elton John's Greatest
Hits.
7. John Denver's Back Home Again (It was thought of as popular, and
my interest in his music was short lived.)
8. Queen's A Night at the Opera, for the obvious. :) Oh, you thought
I would say Bohemian Rhapsody? God Save the Queen!!! Best rendition
I ever heard.
9. Foghat's Fool for the City -- only side one. I only ever heard
side two when I got the CD.
10. Helen Reddy's Greatest Hits, which I got by mistake for Christmas
in 77, and that turned out to be cool for me.
11. Breakaway, Art Garfunkel
12. Boston, Boston
13. Star is Born soundtrack
14. Heart's Dog and Butterfly
15. Rick Springfield . . . can't remember the name
16. Police, Synchronicity
17. SIGNS OF LIFE BY BILLY SQUIER, which of course opened up all of
his albums to me, which now number nearly 20, which most people don't
even know!!!! (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . ) I very much regret walking
away from an EP of Love is the Hero at a used record store cuz I
thought it cost too much -- three bucks or something stupid like that.
ARG
18. Sports by Huey Lewis & the News (ooooooooooo, that man looked
GOOD!)
19. Led Zeppelin I . . . I rediscovered ALL Zeppelin around this
time, and the next one to make a huge impression was CODA
20. Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy
21. Ella Fitzgerald Cole Porter Songbook -- big jump but it's the
next that I recall making a huge impression
22. Count Basie -- it's a three CD set
23. Bacon Brothers FOROSOCO
24. Titanic soundtrack
25. Last of the Dogmen soundtrack -- great movie, great music, which
is GREAT to paint to
Oh, crud, I forgot Jeff Beck, but it would be difficult to nail only
one of his albums.
Cool thread, Tom. Keep 'em coming!!!!
~~Dawna
On night's for two, then back on 2nd shift. (grumble grumble, mutter
mutter)
Sandy
>his albums to me, which now number nearly 20, which most people don't
>even know!!!! (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . )
And then she was lost forever in Billy land!
:D
Sandy
2-60
Class of 78
recsec
"Sandy" <sand...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030320120649...@mb-cq.aol.com...
And that's a bad thing??
Billy (grinning from ear to ear rite now)
The Wanderer
--
Buddy
from Brooklyn
http://www.geocities.com/thewanderer315/
http://the70s.cjb.net
"There are certain sections in New York, major, that I wouldn't advise you
to try to invade.' "
Humphrey Bogart as Rick-in "Casablanca"- to nazi officer.
"The making of an American begins at the point where he himself rejects all
other ties, any other history, and himself adopts the vesture of his adopted
land."
James Baldwin
"recsec" <rec...@flash.net> wrote in message
news:jbrea.37$XO...@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...