Long form: The 100 Greatest Albums. . .ever
When approaching a daunting task, it is best to break it up into bite-sized pieces. This was the case with The 100 Greatest Albums. . .ever. I've talked about this list with friends and coworkers and just about anyone with an interest (as interpreted by me) for years. I've discussed this list at a baseball game in Fenway Park, on an airplane, in a late night bar, on my back porch, on a golf course in Bermuda, at a bathroom in Newark. . .I think.
I've talked about a list of albums I could leave my children to offer them an appreciation of the record as an art form; not just a collection of vinyl relics with cool covers sitting in my basement. An offering of music for the world in long form, a selection of musical pieces from an artist to be listened to and enjoyed. Not a greatest hit CD. Not a playlist or a mixed tape or travel CD. Hotel California, Back in Black, Autumn, Band on the Run, a concert on recording. . .something to stretch our attention span. Something that beckons us to sit and listen to for awhile and enjoy.
One hopes that the album is not dying. I am a reasonable man and open to - even looking for - good new stuff. There are great songs today but few great albums anymore.
Here are some great albums; I believe them to be the 100 greatest - a subject of debate I admit. But I will offer a money-back guarantee: Buy any of these albums - close your eyes and point to one - listen to it at least a dozen times; if you don't understand why it is great, let me know and I'll buy it off of you.
The 100 Greatest Albums. . .ever, in no particular order.
1. Eagles - Hotel California (1976)
2. Glenn Gould - Bach's Goldberg Variations (1955)
3. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)
4. AC/DC - Back in Black (1980)
5. Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968)
6. George Jones - I Am What I Am (1980)
7. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)
8. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
9. B.B. King - Live at the Regal (1964)
10. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street (1972)
11. George Winston - Autumn (1980)
12. Elton John - Madman Across the Water (1971)
13. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
14. Weather Report - Heavy Weather (1977)
15. Steely Dan - Aja (1977)
16. Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night (1966)
17. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours (1955)
18. Artur Schnabel - Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (1935)
19. Sarah Vaughan - At Mr. Kelly's (1957)
20. Carole King - Tapestry (1971)
21. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
22. Junior Wells and Buddy Guy - Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
23. Billie Holiday - Songs for Distingué Lovers (1957)
24. U2 - War (1983)
25. Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)
26. Patsy Cline - Patsy Cline Showcase (1961)
27. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born to Run (1975)
28. The Who - Who's Next (1971)
29. Paul McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run (1973)
30. Randy Travis - Storms of Life (1986)
31. Willie Nelson - Red-Headed Stranger (1975)
32. Trevor Pinnock & The English Concert - Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (1980)
33. John Eliot Gardiner & The Monteverdi Choir - Mozart's Requiem (1986)
34. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970)
35. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
36. Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)
37. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
38. The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (1959)
39. Spirit - Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)
40. Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors (1973)
41. Muddy Waters - Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live - 1979
42. James Brown - Live at the Apollo - 1963
43. The Beatles - Abbey Road - 1969
44. Pablo Casals - Bach: Six Suites for Solo Cello - 1936, 1938 and 1939
45. Michael Jackson - Thriller - 1982
46. Loggins & Messina - Sittin' In - 1972
47. Willie Dixon - I Am the Blues - 1970
48. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II - 1969
49. The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967
50. Chick Corea - Return to Forever - 1972
51. Merle Haggard - Big City - 1981
52. George Strait - Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind - 1984
53. Boston - Boston - 1976
54. Martha Argerich - Martha Argerich Plays Chopin: The Legendary 1965 Recording - 1999
55. Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries - 1985
56. James Taylor - Sweet Baby James - 1970
57. Charlie Parker - Jazz at Massey Hall - 1953
58. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - 1974
59. Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball - 1995
60. Ricki Lee Jones - Pirates - 1981
61. Il Giardino Armonico - Viaggio Musicale - 2001
62. Frank Sinatra - A Swingin' Affair! - 1957
63. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes - 1979
64. Alan Jackson - Drive - 2002
65. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - 1964
66. The Kinks - One for the Road - 1980
67. Matchbox Twenty - Yourself or Someone Like You - 1996
68. Judas Priest - British Steel - 1980
69. Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls - 1980
70. Simone Dinnerstein - Bach: Goldberg Variations - 2007
71. The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man - 1965
72. Vladimir Horowitz - Horowitz in Moscow - 1986
73. William Ackerman - Conferring with the Moon - 1986
74. The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You - 1981
75. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas - 1965
76. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves - 1976
77. João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto - 1963
78. The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band - 1969
79. Anne-Sophie Mutter - Carmen-Fantasie - 1993
80. Andras Schiff - Beethoven's Broadwood Piano - 1977
81. The Clash - London Calling - 1979
82. Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing - 1997
83. Junior Walker & the All-Stars - Road Runner & Home Cookin' - 1966
84. R. Carlos Nakai - Desert Dance - 1989
85. Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark - 1974
86. The Beatles - Revolver - 1966
87. John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists - Bach: Mass in B Minor - 1990
88. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People - 1992
89. Peter Frampton - Frampton Come Alive! - 1976
90. Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club - 1997
91. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited - 1965
92. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks - 1965
93. Fleetwood Mac - Rumors - 1977
94. Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced - 1967
95. Clint Black - Killin' Time - 1989
96. Thelonius Monk - Brilliant Corners - 1957
97. Jackson Browne - Running On Empty - 1977
98. Donald Fagen - The Nightfly - 1982
99. Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses - 1978
100. Lyle Lovett - Pontiac - 1987
Background here and here. Additional thanks to my boss, Scott, Doug, Geoff and Rob for their extracurricular suggestions.
I've talked about a list of albums I could leave my children to offer them an appreciation of the record as an art form; not just a collection of vinyl relics with cool covers sitting in my basement. An offering of music for the world in long form, a selection of musical pieces from an artist to be listened to and enjoyed. Not a greatest hit CD. Not a playlist or a mixed tape or travel CD. Hotel California, Back in Black, Autumn, Band on the Run, a concert on recording. . .something to stretch our attention span. Something that beckons us to sit and listen to for awhile and enjoy.
One hopes that the album is not dying. I am a reasonable man and open to - even looking for - good new stuff. There are great songs today but few great albums anymore.
Here are some great albums; I believe them to be the 100 greatest - a subject of debate I admit. But I will offer a money-back guarantee: Buy any of these albums - close your eyes and point to one - listen to it at least a dozen times; if you don't understand why it is great, let me know and I'll buy it off of you.
The 100 Greatest Albums. . .ever, in no particular order.
1. Eagles - Hotel California (1976)
2. Glenn Gould - Bach's Goldberg Variations (1955)
3. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Crosby, Stills & Nash (1969)
4. AC/DC - Back in Black (1980)
5. Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison (1968)
6. George Jones - I Am What I Am (1980)
7. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)
8. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
9. B.B. King - Live at the Regal (1964)
10. The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street (1972)
11. George Winston - Autumn (1980)
12. Elton John - Madman Across the Water (1971)
13. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
14. Weather Report - Heavy Weather (1977)
15. Steely Dan - Aja (1977)
16. Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night (1966)
17. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours (1955)
18. Artur Schnabel - Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (1935)
19. Sarah Vaughan - At Mr. Kelly's (1957)
20. Carole King - Tapestry (1971)
21. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)
22. Junior Wells and Buddy Guy - Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
23. Billie Holiday - Songs for Distingué Lovers (1957)
24. U2 - War (1983)
25. Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)
26. Patsy Cline - Patsy Cline Showcase (1961)
27. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born to Run (1975)
28. The Who - Who's Next (1971)
29. Paul McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run (1973)
30. Randy Travis - Storms of Life (1986)
31. Willie Nelson - Red-Headed Stranger (1975)
32. Trevor Pinnock & The English Concert - Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (1980)
33. John Eliot Gardiner & The Monteverdi Choir - Mozart's Requiem (1986)
34. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970)
35. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959)
36. Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)
37. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
38. The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (1959)
39. Spirit - Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)
40. Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors (1973)
41. Muddy Waters - Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live - 1979
42. James Brown - Live at the Apollo - 1963
43. The Beatles - Abbey Road - 1969
44. Pablo Casals - Bach: Six Suites for Solo Cello - 1936, 1938 and 1939
45. Michael Jackson - Thriller - 1982
46. Loggins & Messina - Sittin' In - 1972
47. Willie Dixon - I Am the Blues - 1970
48. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II - 1969
49. The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - 1967
50. Chick Corea - Return to Forever - 1972
51. Merle Haggard - Big City - 1981
52. George Strait - Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind - 1984
53. Boston - Boston - 1976
54. Martha Argerich - Martha Argerich Plays Chopin: The Legendary 1965 Recording - 1999
55. Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries - 1985
56. James Taylor - Sweet Baby James - 1970
57. Charlie Parker - Jazz at Massey Hall - 1953
58. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - 1974
59. Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball - 1995
60. Ricki Lee Jones - Pirates - 1981
61. Il Giardino Armonico - Viaggio Musicale - 2001
62. Frank Sinatra - A Swingin' Affair! - 1957
63. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes - 1979
64. Alan Jackson - Drive - 2002
65. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme - 1964
66. The Kinks - One for the Road - 1980
67. Matchbox Twenty - Yourself or Someone Like You - 1996
68. Judas Priest - British Steel - 1980
69. Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays - As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls - 1980
70. Simone Dinnerstein - Bach: Goldberg Variations - 2007
71. The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man - 1965
72. Vladimir Horowitz - Horowitz in Moscow - 1986
73. William Ackerman - Conferring with the Moon - 1986
74. The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You - 1981
75. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas - 1965
76. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Night Moves - 1976
77. João Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto - 1963
78. The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band - 1969
79. Anne-Sophie Mutter - Carmen-Fantasie - 1993
80. Andras Schiff - Beethoven's Broadwood Piano - 1977
81. The Clash - London Calling - 1979
82. Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing - 1997
83. Junior Walker & the All-Stars - Road Runner & Home Cookin' - 1966
84. R. Carlos Nakai - Desert Dance - 1989
85. Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark - 1974
86. The Beatles - Revolver - 1966
87. John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists - Bach: Mass in B Minor - 1990
88. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People - 1992
89. Peter Frampton - Frampton Come Alive! - 1976
90. Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club - 1997
91. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited - 1965
92. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks - 1965
93. Fleetwood Mac - Rumors - 1977
94. Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced - 1967
95. Clint Black - Killin' Time - 1989
96. Thelonius Monk - Brilliant Corners - 1957
97. Jackson Browne - Running On Empty - 1977
98. Donald Fagen - The Nightfly - 1982
99. Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses - 1978
100. Lyle Lovett - Pontiac - 1987
Background here and here. Additional thanks to my boss, Scott, Doug, Geoff and Rob for their extracurricular suggestions.
HOLY @%&$##!!! WHERE'S POPS??? If he ain't there, then you better get 2 flag decal stickers, man!
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Let the debate begin. Considered. Not on the list.
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A great exercise and a great list. Thanks for doing all the heavy listening. S
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Rush - 2112, Signals. The Police - Ghost in the Machine. Pat Metheny - Letter From Home, Sade - Lovers Live, Fleetwood Mac - Rumors, Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life, Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled His Feet and the soundtrack from O Brother Where Art Thou. I'm just sayin'.
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101, 102, 103, 104, On the list, 105, 106, 107. Stevie Wonder may be classified as a "miss" by me.
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Fine work my friend. This needs to get out there. Love the guarantee. E.
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