Dorzia started a great forum with "suggest a new album" to buy discussion. As stated in resonse, at my stage of life I need the input (the vast majority of it intelligent and right on target). However, some of my age know of great albums that history has buried. These are great works of art from great artists and bands. I would like to begin this thread of suggestions with one great band and one great album. The band is Badfinger. Recording on the Apple label in the late 1960s and early 70s, they produced some great music. Rather than recommend one album, since some albums on cd will be difficult to acquire, I suggest buying their greatest hists cd and listen to some stirring music from a band that got the shaft. Though many classic-rock lovers and students probably know of this album, many others will not. Jethro Tull's album "Living in the Past" (I believe the follow up to the classic "Aqualung") has depth and creativity from beginning to end. Music from both of these bands will enhance your library and allow you to hear some old stuff that will come off as "new" regarding its ability to capture the ear.
Boy, you got to carry that weight a long time!
Posts: 401 | Location: Georgia | Registered: 14 October 2005
One artist I have been listening to a lot lately is Donovan. Unfortunately, a lot of people write him off as a Dylan wannabe, but I think thsese people just haven't heard enough of his stuff. He has come back into fashion a little bit due to a recent anthology collection and his son "Catch the Wind" is featured in a commercial. Anyway, the album I am going to suggest is "Barabajagal," which was released in 1969. It has only 10 cuts, but it ranges from folk to psychedelia to children's songs. Check it out.
Posts: 3130 | Location: FoCo | Registered: 07 January 2005
I'm suggesting Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks". Most music aficianados probably alreay know this one, but if your only exposure to Van Morrison is hearing "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Moondance" on the oldies station, get this album and prepared to be wowed. With only 8 tracks, this album contains zero filler and shows Van at the top of his game, backed by a jazz rhythm section. "Madame George" and "The Way Young Lovers Do" are highlights, but in reality the whole album is a highlight.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5473 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
I'm suggesting Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks". Most music aficianados probably alreay know this one, but if your only exposure to Van Morrison is hearing "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Moondance" on the oldies station, get this album and prepared to be wowed. With only 8 tracks, this album contains zero filler and shows Van at the top of his game, backed by a jazz rhythm section. "Madame George" and "The Way Young Lovers Do" are highlights, but in reality the whole album is a highlight.
I second this recommendation. Easily his most intense work. Don't forget "Sweet Thing", which is probably the best track alongside "The Way Young Lovers Do."
On first listen this album doesn't make much sense. There is a flute chirping all over the place in the background and the bass/rhythm section is very loose, but once it all comes together it sounds unlike anything else.
I really gotta second the Astral Weeks reccommendation, as well. What a stellar album. Its all I listened to this summer.
As for other reccs, I gotta say Oracle and Odyssey by the Zombies. Don't judge them on "Time of the Season" which is a decent song, but one of the weakest on the album. I strongly reccommend that album.
Originally posted by crowdiggs: I totally agree with the Astral Weeks reccomendation. I would also suggest checking out: Big Star-#1 Record and Radio City
I almost recommended "#1 Record/Radio City", however I've always thought that "Third/Sister Lovers" was a much better album, since I like Alex Chilton's stuff better than Chris Bell's. However, there's a lot of good stuff on 1R/RC, like "THe Ballad of El Goodo", "What's Going Ahn", "September Gurls", and "I'm in Love with a Girl." You also get to hear the original version of the theme song to That 70's Show.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5473 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
Astral Weeks, The Band, Odessy and Oracle, Village Green...all great recommendations. All are among my very favorites. Everyone knows of the Velvet Underground, but I've found that most people start with VU & Nico, and that many don't move on from there. I would argue that "The Velvet Underground", while not quite as earth-shattering, is just a good of a listen, and in many ways the better of the two albums.
Originally posted by superabound: Astral Weeks, The Band, Odessy and Oracle, Village Green...all great recommendations. All are among my very favorites. Everyone knows of the Velvet Underground, but I've found that most people start with VU & Nico, and that many don't move on from there. I would argue that "The Velvet Underground", while not quite as earth-shattering, is just a good of a listen, and in many ways the better of the two albums.
I'd say you could make a case for any of the four proper VU albums. Each have their charm.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5473 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
Barely making the cut- I would recommend any solo album by Ronnie Lane, the bass player of Small Faces and Faces. He wrote most of Faces best songs, and after Rod Stewart refused to sing "Ooh La La" and slagged the album in the press, Laney left the band to tour the British Country Side in a circus tent and play the sweetest folk rock ever. Albums, ANYMORE FOR ANYMORE, and a great CD that has most of RONNIE LANE"S SLIM CHANCE and ONE FOR THE ROAD on it would be good starting places.
Take it easy... ...but take it
Posts: 110 | Location: Inches from my computer | Registered: 01 November 2005
Another album from this era that I don't think gets mentioned enough is Rod Stewart's "Every Picture Tells a Story". Rod gets a bad rap based on the majority of his output over the past 25 years, but after a listen to EPTAS you'll remember that he was once among the greatest singers in rock n' roll. Most people are familiar with this album's centerpiece, "Maggie May", but nearly every song on the album is awesome. If you like blues-tinged classic rock, this is definitely worth picking up.
----- We were wasps with new wings, now we're bugs in the jar.
Posts: 5473 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
Get the four albums by The Move. I'd start off with their first album (self titled), which I think is absolute musical perfection. The songs are fun, insanely catchy, and the lyrics are so creative and interesting.
Then you should move on to Message From the Country, the last album in which the band was reduced to a trio (all of whom would go on to form The Electric Light Orchestra). It's very diverse. There's rockabilly, folk, pop-rock, hard rock, country, baroque, Gershwin, drumming on pieces of paper. Crazy stuff.
As for the other two albums, Shazam and Looking On, they may be harder to get into in you don't count the bonus tracks on the Repetoire reissues (which makes those two CDs worth the purchase). Looking On is my favorite, but I can understand how some might find the first half to be tedious.
Posts: 24 | Location: New Orleans | Registered: 03 June 2006
yes I agree about rod stewart's early work. When he was teamed up with Ron Wood they were so on the same page. From gasoline alley, never a dull moment and EPTAS their is some incredible work there. Even if you listen to jeff beck's Truth album you you hear it. On Truth, jeff Beck pretty much used Rod Stewart's future band. Ron wood is a very underrated guitarist, but what is amazing it they way he plays bass on Truth.
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