Conference marvin::uk_music

    Here goes (in order);
    
    Madonna - Like a Prayer
    
    I know it's only been out a year but I think it will last in my memory
    for years to come.  ALL tracks are good, except for 1, and evrything is
    structured to perfection.  The four singles released are not a fair
    reflection of this album, because there are some better songs with a
    more serious lyric, still lurking on there.  Most of the lyrics on the
    album are an insight to Madonna's life so far, her divorce, her mother
    dying of Cancer, the importance of family life, whether or not God
    exists, etc.  As you can see this album is different to the rest of her
    stuff so give it a try.  (Also `True Blue' is a good LP for melodic
    love songs)
    
    Erasure - The Innocents
    
    This LP comes in two guises.  The CD and cassette contain 2 extra
    tracks compared with the LP's 11.  All tracks are at least good, but
    some stand out as perfect.  There were 3 singles from this LP, `Chains
    Of Love', `Ship Of Fools', `A Little Respect'.  There are 2 more tracks
    on there that I'm sure would've reached No1 and I can't beleive Mute
    Records didn't release them.  The only problem with the album is that
    the lyrics are very light hearted, but the construction is perfect.
    (I have to mention the other Erasure LPs as all of these are in the
    same mould.  Thses are `Wonderland', `The Circus', `2-Ring Circus' and
    `Wild'.  I prefer `Wonderland', with flopped, but there are orchestral
    versions of 3 great tracks on the `2-Ring-Circus'.  I have to say that
    many of their best songs are on the b-sides.  They have released about
    13 singles and these are backed by about 20 non-LP tracks.)
    
    New Order - Technique
    
    I picked this LP because it doesn't have any dud tracks on it.  I could
    have picked any of their LP's (Except Movement), but the rest have one
    or two horrible tracks on them.  These other LP's do have plenty of
    great tunes on them though.  Technique is a very House orientated LP,
    but combines their experience with the guitar to great effect.  It's
    the sort of stuff that the Stone Roses would like to do, if they had as
    much talent.  I reckon this LP is better than `Substance', which is the
    singles coleection.  Give it a bash.
    
    
    Mattyb
    

    MATTY!
    
    Go stand in the corner! You slagged off one band whilst reviewing
    another!
    
    David
    
    sorry, couldn't resist that! 8*)

    David,
    
    Who did I slag off then?
    
    If you mean the Stone Roses I like them too.  But I don't think are as
    consistent as New Order.
    
    
    Mattyb

     Should this be "Albums which _will stand_ the test of time" or
    "Albums which _have stood_ the test of time" ?? .... if the
    latter, then should they be older than (say) 5 years?....
    ... I don't really care, but mine are over 5 years!
    
    	1. Communique - Dire Straits. I am always listening to this
    	   ....I believe there was only one single released from the
    	   album, but every track is (IMO) very good.
    
    	2. Revolver - Beatles. Someone of my age cannot leave the 
    	   Beatles off any list! 
    
    	3. Astral Weeks - Van Morrison. A very talented guy. A lovely
    	   album, which must be 20 years old now, but sounds as fresh
    	   as the day it was made.
    
    Ray.
    
    

    Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge over troubled waters..

    The one lp, for me, that has stood the test of time is the 1977
    classic, "Marquee Moon", by Television. Layer upon layer of wondrously
    original guitar playing from Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, Verlaine's
    songwriting and lyrics which still sound fresh, and with tremendously
    inventive support from the rhythm section of Billy Ficca and Fred
    Smith on drums and bass respectively.
    
    Why do I love this record so much? Well, it goes very deep with
    me, the lyrics and music together seem to say so much, you can groove
    to it, you can sit and really get into it, and even after thirtenn
    years I hear new things in it. Funnily enough, their second lp,
    and most of Verlaine's subsequent work hasn't come anywhere near
    it.
    
    This one stands head and shoulders above all other albums, which
    is why I can't give you my second and third choices - there are
    too many....
    
    Bob

        This is an impossible task for me.  I don't have three favorite
    albums of all time.  Even picking a top 10 would almost be impossible
    for me.  I find that my list changes upon my mood and external
    influences.  I can identify groups and albums that I've been listening
    to for over 5, 10, 15 or 20 years, but picking the "best" of them isn't
    possible.
    
    Tony

    
    This is hard - there are quite a few albums I consider to be good/great
    in their entirity(sp.), but here goes -
    
       1) The Doors - Debut album. I actually consider all their albums
    to be great all the way through (even with stranger tunes like "My Wild
    Love"). Just the "sound" of the way the 1st album was recorded makes
    me think of the very first time I heard it. Timeless is what I consider
    this album to be.
    
       2) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here. IMO the best they ever did.
     (yes, even better than "Dark Side...)I can listen to it a hundred
    times in a row and never get tired of it. Especially nice sounding
    on cd.
    
       3) Alan Parson's Project - I Robot. This was a hard one to pick
    since I feel there are so many more albums I consider "great", "timeless",
    "at least worthy of mention". But, I decided this has to be one
    of my favorites (and I have to thank my brother for being the one
    to bring this one home). Another one where the recording really
    helps to establish the greatness of the album. Great production.
    Great music.
    
    
    As with what the prvious noter said about albums he's been listening
    to for 5-20 years. I to, have many albums that I constantly play
    according to the mood I 'm in - so picking just these three was
    tough. I myself could probably list at least fifty albums that I
    consider to be great, good or consistent all the way through. However
    I do feel that these three are at least among, if not at the top
    of that list.
    
      Steve S.

    Essential albums for serious music buffs :  (IMHO)
    
    a.	Axis:Bold as Love		Jimi Hendrix Experience  1968
    b.  The Lamb lies down on Broadway  Genesis                  1975?
    c.  Born to Run			Bruce Springsteen & E St Band
                                                                 1974?
    
    Axis
    ====
    
    The second album from Hendrix, released in those heady days of the
    late 60's. So why does this album survive when so many others from
    the same period fade into smoke (cough cough !). Simply because
    it has pure class. Hendrix and Chas Chandler (producer) had really
    found their feet in the recording studio, releasing all their creative
    powers. Even so, most of the album is recorded on 4 track machines.
    But lets forget the technology, and the time period from which this
    comes from. I purchased this in 1975, and now own 4 copies of. The
    album starts with a 'sound painting', followed by songs which demonstrate
    the groups collective talent and Jimi's unique song structures.
    And of course a bit of guitar here and there. Actually one remarkable
    aspect of the album is that there are very few guitar solo's in
    the "traditional" mode (ie hours long), which I believe led to some
    criticism (!) when the album was released. In fact this is the albums
    strength = restraint with emphasis on songs/harmony/melody/ensemble
    playing. Perhaps unexpected from a "guitar hero" ?
    	Like all great albums, it needs a good few listens to get into,
    especially if you dont normally go for this type of music. However
    I have been playing this since '75, and it still remains in my opinion
    one of the greatest albums of all time.  Get it.
    
    The Lamb
    ========
    
    This was the last genesis record with Peter Gabriel at the helm.
    It is a double album + a concept album, but dont let that put you
    off ! The Hipgnosis sleeve is very 1970's. The album plots the progress
    of our hero as he undergoes some sort of emotional breakdown - I
    think ! People have called this "Genesis's Dark Side of the Moon"
    album.
    On the music side, the album has great "songs", but what makes it
    an outstanding album are the musical passages which bind the songs
    together. There is very little on this which sounds like earlier
    albums, or later ones, and definitely not like anyone else !
    Get it.
    
    Born to Run
    ===========
    
    Bruce's 3rd album, and probably the one which "broke" him in the
    States. Definitely a Rock 'n' Roll album to play at maximum volume,
    every song goes straight for the heart as well as the head. Great
    group playing from the E Street Band.
    Actually the title track is my least favorite on the album - although
    its his most famous track.
    In an appraisal of Punk a while back, Bruce was credited with being
    one of its founders ! Actually not as silly as it sounds. Just when
    music was getting ploddy/pheusodo etc, this album came along with
    its raw excitement, simple production, street lyrics and
    ANGER/Frustration.
    Again - Get it
    
    Sorry if I have gone on a bit, hard to stop !
    
    Let us know what you buy Steve.
    
    Rich

    1. Tapestry - Carole King. Great songs, well recorded, and well
    played/sung by Ms. King and some of the greats of that era as session
    players - James Taylor and Joni Mitchell to name but two. If "It's Too
    Late" doesn't strike a chord, you haven't lived.
    
    2. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac. The album that completed the metamorphosis
    - at least in terms of style - from the old blues band of the late 
    60s/early 70s into the band we know today. Everything they've done
    since has been an attempt to recapture Rumours, in my view they haven't
    done it yet.
    
    3. Abbey Road - The Beatles. The Fab Four's last "proper" album
    captures them at their peak. In my view this album was the logical
    outcome of everything they'd done before, a "this is it folks, now
    we're quitting" statement. If you want hear them at their best, either
    as individuals or as a group, you *must* have a copy of this album.

    
    
    How about:-
    
    Stevie Nicks   - Wild Heart
    
    Nanci Griffths - Storms
    
    Lyle Lovett    - Pontiac
    
    
    Just because they're good!
    
    Samantha

    The .12 note now reads:

    "587.12 is being written"  -   (while it's on view)

    "0 lines"                  - at the top

    "424678959000 more lines"  - (or some such number) at the bottom left
                                 corner of the screen.  

    Surely a classic!

    - Tim

    
    I've often thought that a true test of liking an LP could be measured
    by a 'playometer'. A gadget that works out how many times an LP's been
    played. I have yet to invent it unless of course you know better.
    
    By standing the test of time then I guess this means doesn't date. In
    that case EVERY Beatles LP with the exception of Please Please Me, With
    the Beatles and Yellow Submarine (for some reason) I consider to be
    timeless.
    
    Others off the top of my head?
    
    No Secrets - Carly Simon.
    Another Page - Christopher Cross (his best by far, released in '84)
    
    Richard

    
    Yup...
    
    Beatles ABBEY ROAD and The White Album
    
    but also,
    
    David Bowie - Hunky Dory
    
    Do compilations count ?
    
    If so...Squeeze, The Police and Neil Young's Decade
    
    Byeeeeeee

        I have three albums that would be up there on my list of albums
    that will stand the test of (my) time.  Everytime I try to narrow it
    down I realize how many albums I'm leaving off.  So here we go:
    
    The Tubes - The Tubes
    ---------------------
    For me at least one album by the Tubes belongs on this list.  This
    group is one of my all time favorites.  I had a hard time choosing
    between this and "Young and Rich".  I finally decided on this one
    because it includes the classics "What Do You Want From Life", "Mondo
    Bondage" and of course "White Punks On Dope".
    
    This San Francisco group's debut album will always have a special place
    in my heart.  The lyrics are a lot of fun and the music is extremely
    approachable.  In addition it carries a varied group of songs from the
    Spanish (Mexican???) balad "Malaguena Salerosa" to the rocking "Boy
    Crazy" the album is full of enjoyable songs.
    
    
    How Dare You - Ten CC
    ---------------------
    The last of the Godley and Creme Ten CC albums, this one is my favorite
    of all the Ten CC albums.  The witty lyrics and catchy tunes get to me
    everytime this platter hits the turntable.  My favorites include "I'm
    Mandy, Fly Me", "Don't Hang Up" and the title track.  I think its the
    variety of musical styles that are used throughout the album that
    really hook me.  These are not run of the mill songs, and Ten CC was
    not a run of the mill group.
    
    
    Sunburst Finish - Be-Bop Deluxe
    -------------------------------
    Riding the creative genius of master guitarist Bill Nelson, Be-Bop
    Deluxe produced many fine pieces that never went anywhere commercially
    (at least not here in the states).  Sunburst Finish captures the band
    at their best.  Once again as with The Tubes and Ten CC the lyrics play
    a big part in my choice.  I find those of Be-Bop paint an interesting
    picture while I listen to the songs.  They compliment the music and the
    music complements the lyrics in a symbiotic relationship.  The story of
    the robot in "Life In The Air-Age", the beauty of "Crying To The Sky"
    and the images presented in "Blazing Apostles" still captivate me when
    listening to this album.  I'm waiting for this album to be released on
    CD.
    
    
    Honorable Mentions
    ------------------
    Devo - New Traditionalists
    Devo - Q: Are We Not Men?  A: We Are DEVO!
    Alice Cooper - Killer
    The Beatles  - Magical Mystery Tour
    Focus - Moving Waves
    Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True
    Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings and Food
    Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
    Blondie - Blondie

    I reckon the LP I've had longest is `Best Of Blondie'.
    
    It was the first LP I bought (1982), and I still enjoy it as much.  I
    reckon Blondie were the best group through the late 70s and early 80s,
    but then I'm only 19 and therefore my opinion doesn't count!
    
    
    Mattyb

    Matty - I also reckon that 'Best of Blondie' is one that stands
    pretty well too.
    
    Paul

    I should add also:
    
    "Abraxas" by Santana - the best of all Santana LPs which you can listen
    and magically relax.
    "Demons and Wizards" by Uriah Heep - about 18 years after it has kept
    intact with its mistical flavour. All the LP is perfect including also
    the "Easy Livin'" hit. A 10/10 for recording also.
    "Made in Japan" by Deep Purple - One of the best live albums ever.
    
    Very difficult to stop as there are many many others.
    
    Sorin

    Another one that stands the test of time.....
    
    Paris 1919, by John Cale. Originally released about 1970/71, about
    his second solo lp after leaving the Velvet Underground.
    
    A thoroughly magical record that doesn't hurt your head (although
    that doesn't mean it's bland); very soothing and uplifting stuff.
    
    Has Cale's typically mysterious lyrics, but without the (sometimes
    a bit bludgeoning) manicness of some of his later records.
    
    Other honourable mentions.
    
    1. HQ, Roy Harper
    2. King of America, Elvis Costello (still my favourite Elv lp)
    3. Stormcock, Roy Harper
    4. Murmur, REM
    5. Fables of the Reconstruction of the Fables of the....., REM.
    
    Bob

    
    The trouble with this note (Oh no here he goes again I hear you
    say!) is that the personal taste of people sways what they think
    stands the test of time.
    
    Someone might say that Pink Floyd's Animals is an album which stands
    the test of time well, but to me it still sounds like the soundtrack
    from Emmerdale Farm (without the people!). Before you all jump on
    me I'm not knocking Pink Floyd, I'm just pointing out that old albums
    which appeal to people aren't affected by a different set of rules.
    If you like a record you like it, be it old or new.
    
    Personally, I reckon that most of the Beatles albums stand the test
    of time, but then again I probably would have liked them when they
    were new.
    
    The two albums which stick in my mind as being good, but which aren't
    my usual taste, are Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (which I don't own)
    and Hotel California by the Eagles (which I do).
    
    I also reckon Lexicon of Love by ABC is a truly classic album, but
    I don't doubt a lot of you would say it's a load of over-produced
    self-indulgence and whose to say you're not right! :^)
    
    Mark

>>    The trouble with this note...is that the personal taste of people
>>    sways what they think stands the test of time.
    
      Mark,
           isn't this the whole point of the note ??

      Some `reviews' and opinions you'll find interesting (or whatever) and
      you may wish to hear the record concerned sometime.

      This is different (in one major way) to a brief listing of the 50
      Best Singles of 1989 (or whatever, again) in that the entries make a
      genuine attempt to explain *why* the record(s) is liked/admired.

      After that, it's up to you to make up your own mind. It's only a byte
      or two of diskspace...after all.

      - Tim

    
    Yep, I suppose so.
    
    I didn't manage to get across the point I was trying to make, and
    I doubt I'll do any better a second time, so I won't bother (Thank
    God, you all say!).
    
    Don't worry,
    
    I'll be gone soon!
    
    Mark

  
Well the response to this note has been great so far, and over the coming
months I'll buy some of the albums - about a dozen artists have been listed whom
I have meant to try out, but never got around to it.

Very few of your selections overlap with what is in my record collection 
(which, if you were to see it, would not suprise you!) - this is good news as
I'm looking for things that are different. So saying The Beatles, Be-Bop Deluxe,
& Santana are well represented. 

My choice (classical selection excluded - wrong notesfile):

o Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts 
	(with apologies to Brian CLADA::MEAGHER in note 493.55 :-) !!)

An album that I never tire of - there is so much more to discover on each play.
VdGG strengths never lay in their melodies - so read-on if that's what you're
looking for! The music is manic and pulsating, and supports the mood of the
intense lyrics; which reach out and grab your attention. The musicianship is of a
very high standard, and Peter Hammill (the lead singer's) voice has a 
phenomenal range and penetration (Robert Fripp described it as the vocal
equivalent of Hendrix's guitar playing - but then again, he married Toyah
Wilcox so his taste isn't exemplary).

Other VdGG albums worthy of note - Still Life, Godbluff and World Record -
forget the other five and Hammill's solo work - very inconsistent.

o Peter Gabriel IV.

Difficult to choose between this and PG III - which is more melodic. Again,
lyrically strong, imaginative choice of instruments (I think Gabriel did
a trendy "tour around the globe listening to 3rd World musicians" skit before
writing the album), and I love the gutteral background vocals he has on most
of his tracks. A disk that pulsates from start to finish (last track excepted).

Listen to "Wallflower" - to see why musicians are persecuted in certain parts 
of the world - it is one of the most powerful political songs ever written.

Other Gabriel albums - PG III. ('So' is So-So - even though it achieved 
commercial recognition)

o Yes - Close to the Edge.

Whilst I Siberian Khatru on side 2 very much I choose this disk mainly for the 
title track - which is side one. This is so well written, orchestrated and 
played - it is a real pleasure to hear it over and over again. This is the true 
heir to Classical Music - forget your modern day "experimental" stuff. 
It's brilliant!

Other Yes albums - Relayer, Songs from Topographic Oceans, 90125 (however,
totally different from the others).

Cheers

Steve

    
    
    
    Can't buy a thrill       Steely Dan
    
    The Nightfly             Donald Fagen

    
    
    
    Michael
    

It's difficult to just pick three, but here goes.....

Bonzo Dog Doodah Band - "History of the Bonzos"

A great album for whenever you're feeling a bit glum. I defy anyone to
listen to "Mr Slater's Parrot" without smiling just a teensie bit. This
album also has the greatest deliberately naff guitar solo ever, complete
with Elvis impression ("In the canyons of your mind");

Frank Zappa - "One Size Fits All"

My word this man can play a fine guitar solo. This is my favourite Zappa
album, as I feel it strikes the right balance between musicianship and 
humour. I've nominated this for containing my all-time favourite guitar 
solo ("Inca Roads"), my all-time favourite guitar sound ("Pojama People"),
and for bringing Johnny 'Guitar' Watson to my attention;

King Crimson - "Red"

Hard to pick any particular Crimson album (although they're not all good),
but this is the one I come back to time after time. It also has a few 
good memories associated with it, which helps any album to become 'timeless'
for an individual.

I'll probably change my mind on this choice once I've entered this reply :-)

Cheers,

    Derek.

It took me a while to figure out how to cut down to only three 
choices. It seems that this is turning into 'Album Reviews' for albums 
that:

1- have been out a while, 
2- are personal favourites, 
3- not so widely popular that everyone outside of the 
       Amazon rainforest knows them so a review here is redundant.

That would limit me to only 100 or so :^). 
I'm also going to add the criteria that the albums be

4- ALBUMS and not just collections of singles. In other words, there 
should be some thread among the tracks that binds them together, 
whether that be theme or story or sound. 

Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Aqualung and Tommy  
would be examples of this but fail on the third criteria. New York 
hasn't yet stood the test of time.

The three I'd consider 'hidden treasures' would be:

Surf's Up- The Beach Boys. If you only associate the Beach Boys with 
Surfing music or cars, this album will surprise you. It is highly 
produced with a sort of laid back 'wall of sound' that washes over you 
like waves. Van Dyke Parks' influence is clear. Three songs on
ecology, a few on reminiscing, a couple of thoughtful and a couple of
'fun' songs. The lyrics tend more towards poetic images than simple
rhymes. Of course, there are the BeachBoys harmonies. The thread among
the tracks is the sound, with the exception of Student Demonstration 
Time which energises you after the slow Disney Girls just in time to
get up to flip the album. 1971 Reprise records. 

         side 1				 side 2
	Don't Go Near the Water		Feel Flows
	Long Promised Road		Looking at Tomorrow
	Take a Load off your Feet	A Day in the Life of a Tree
	Disney Girls (1957)		'Til I Die
	Student Demonstration Time	Surf's Up

Blue- Joni Mitchell. I hesitated before putting this in because it is 
a basically downbeat album. But if you're in a pensive mood and want 
to hear Joni at her best, I think this album is the E ticket. The album 
is mostly Joni on guitar and piano (and voice, of course) but she has 
a pretty good back-up band on a few tracks (James Taylor, Stephen
Stills, Sneeky Pete and Russ Kunkel). Most of the tracks are dealing
with regrets and reminiscing. 1971 Reprise (it was a good year). 

	side 1			side 2
	All I Want		California
	My Old Man		This Flight Tonight
	Little Green		River
	Carey			A Case of You
	Blue 			The Last Time I Saw Richard

Child is Father to the Man- Blood Sweat & Tears. This is the debut 
album (pre-David Clayton Thomas) and had Al Kooper and Steve Katz as
the primary influences/members. Other band members were Randy
Brecker-trumpet, Jerry Weiss-trumpet, Dick Halligan-trombone, Fred
Lipsius-Sax, Jim Felder-Bass and Bobby Colomby-Drums. The sound is 
clearly brass oriented, but Kooper's organ and Katz' guitar added a 
balance that I found missing in later BS&T. Heavily Blues/jazz 
oriented, with a few ballads. The album is clearly intended to be
played in its entirety and even begins with an overture and ends with
an underture :^). Without Her is the Nilsson song, So Much Love is 
Goffin-King, House in the Country is introduced by Donald Duck and the
5th song on the second side has to be one of the best track titles
ever. 1968 Columbia. 

	side 1			side 2
	Overture		I Can't Quit Her
	I Love You More Than	Meagan's Gypsy Eyes
	   You'll Ever Know	Somethin' Going On
	My Days are Numbered	House in the Country 
	Without Her		The Modern Adventures of Plato,	
	Just One Smile			Diogenes and Freud
				So Much Love/Underture

Happy Listening!

George

    Yup, `Blue' IS good.

    - Tim

    Here are a few LPs from my own collection that I reckon are solid all
    the way through and you wouldn't go wrong buying. They're in no
    particular order.
    
    Boxer "Below the Belt". Boxer were a pretty tough four-piece in the
    70's and released this about '75. It's two sides of good solid songs,
    not a duff track to be heard, a gem of an album. I'm trying to think
    what to compare it to for those that haven't heard it, but I can't.
    It's heavy, but not heavy metal, it's sensitive, but not acoustic.
    Really worth tracking down. Incidentally, it's another "precursor of
    punk" album, especially in the inside-cover photo.
    
    The Scars "Author! Author!". The Scars were a new-wave edinburgh guitar
    band and released this about '81. Once again, two sides of good solid
    songs, melodic but with guts. I played this the other week and it still
    sounded excellent. Great cover.
    
    Magazine "Real Life". Released in '79, this was my best-ever impulse
    buy, Howard Devoto at his best.
    
    Any Cocteau Twins album, especially "Garlands", "Treasure" or "Bluebell
    Knoll". Seriously, The Cocteaus are very consistent and don't put
    anything on vinyl that fails to match the rest of the LP. If you don't
    like them, it's not because you found a duff LP, it's because you
    really don't like them.
    
    New Order "Technique". A second mention for an album less than a year
    old! This record has hardly been off my turntable since I bought it
    nearly a year ago. It's definitely their most consistently good to
    date.
    
    
    Rod

    Rod,
    
    I totally agree with you about `Technique' being consistent.
    
    I really like all the other albums, bar `Movement', but they all have
    the odd dud track in there.  I nearly picked `P,C & Lies', because I
    think `Your Silent Face' and `5-8-6' and superb.
    
    While I'm at it I would like to mention `Kick' by INXS.  All tracks are
    good, but the best thing I like about it is Michael Hutchence's voice
    and the way the band work together so well.
    
    Only problem is, all the respect I had for Micheal Hutchence being a
    `Wok & Woll Webel', has gone down the drain now that he and Kylie are
    an item.
    
    
    Mattyb
    		

Another vote for Can't buy a Thrill and Abraxas. And how about...

ABC "The Lexicon of Love", Bowie "Young Americans" - I can't believe that they 
haven't been mentioned yet - probably the most complete pop albums since Sgt. 
Peppers. Pity ABC never really came close to matching their peak again.

James Brown "Live at the Apollo" - Mr. Dynamite and his Famous Flames get DOWN.
Buy both volumes.  

The Jam "All Mod Cons" - Pure raw energy. Where are they now?!

The Blues Brothers Soundtrack - Required music for EVERY party. This album, 
along with the Batman Theme will keep the party swinging (as James Last once 
said) ALL night.

Meatloaf "Bat out of Hell" - love it or hate it, it's damn good. Play it LOUD
at 90mph.

It's not true that all classics have to be years old, though. Sometimes 
you get a new album that you just want to play and play and play. Such as
Tone Loc's "Loc'ed after Dark". Rap's finest hour (so far). To hell with James 
Brown, this is the funkiest album I've ever heard. I left this at home at 
Christmas and I've had the musical DTs ever since.

-Patrick--

    
    I mentioned Lexicon of Love, and I also reckon that Alphabet City
    (with When Smokey Sings, King Without a Crown and some other great
    tracks) comes pretty close in terms of quality.
    
    Mark
     

      
      Three albums, mmmmh, that, as anyone who has contributed to this 
    note will realise is a rather difficult task. Initially on reading 
    the note, you ponder, no worries and list three from top of your 
    head. 
      
      Then heading home you begin to drift back to your chosen albums 
    and you wonder whether or not they were the correct choices. 
    Invariably not.
      
      Then you discuss it with the people you live with, you give them 
    your first impressions, they repsond aghast and amazed that you 
    missed X, Y, or Z. 
      
      Next, your in a bar, after a few pints of plain, the top three 
    again begin to juggle. Deep meaningful albums, only now in your 
    altered state do you begin to comprehend, and they start to make 
    the running. 
      
      Lying in bed, whoever's bed it may be, you play the diplomat. 
    Sure, I like that one.
      
      Next morning, it's back to those three again. No solution, only 
    pain. 
      
      Eventually light begins to appear at the end of the tunnel, the 
    light takes the shapes of artists rather than albums. In 
    particular there are three bands/groups
      
      - James Brown
      - Steely Dan
      - Bob Dylan
      
      From the Godfather of Soul, surely (don't call me Shirely) the 
    most pervasive influence in modern black music be it dance, soul, 
    rap, you name it James was doing it twenty years ago. About a year 
    ago Channel 4 did a one hour music documentary on him, featured on 
    the programme were clips of James with his Flames from the late 
    fifties through to the eighties with 'Living in America'. The 
    Godfather of Soul he may be, but in the Seventies he reigned the 
    undisputed Master of bad fashion tastes. 
      
      Normally after a number of drinks the video  of James pops out 
    and the house begins to do the funky chicken, the camel, and the 
    robot (yes, it was James Brown who invented the Moonwalk which 
    Michael Jackson has made his own). The originality and expanse of 
    the music featured on the programme is phenomenal. To me, the man 
    in his early years created the basis for all the great music of a 
    'black' influence being produced today. The use of the word 
    'black' stretches from Prince to WET, WET, WET (big into Memphis 
    Soul)
      
      To name an album, without doubt the 'Live at the Apollo' Vol. I 
    and II. Volume II being my personal favourite.       
      
      The second choice are our suggestively named friends; Steely 
    Dan. I find it difficult to express why I like this type of music, 
    perhaps it's the complete sound they produced, the rhythm, or 
    maybe they have long hair like me. Who cares ! Their albums 
    perhaps 'Pretzel Logic', 'Can't Buy a Thrill' or 'Gaucho'. 'Hey 
    Nineteen' would without doubt be one of my favourite Steely Dan 
    tracks. 
       
      Hey McFly ! what about 'Nightfly' by Donal Fagan ?
      
      
      The last is the Big Z, The Master, what can you write about Bob 
    that hasn't already been said ? except to recap that he can't 
    sing, nobody understands the majority of the lyrics, and the times 
    they are a changing. My Dylan favourites, 'Nashville Skyline', 
    'The Free Wheelin Bob Dylan', 'Blood on the Tracks', 'Highway 61 
    Revisited' and of course 'Desire'. 
      
      "I'll let you be in my dreams if you let me be in your dreams."
      
       Dreaming WW III Blues.    
      
      A rather apt line for the state of the world over the past six 
    months.
      
      Other artists which appeared in the running through the initial 
    examination of listening trends phase.
      
      Santana            	Abraxas
      Talking Heads     	Naked
      Van The Man         	St. Dominics Review
      The Blades    		Last man in ...can't remember, help !
      ABC            		Lexicon of Love
      Johnny Guitar Watson  	Hit The Highway
      Ry Cooder      		Borderline
      Carol King		Tapestry
      The Doors 		Absolutely Live
      Gil Scott Heron           A Best of album
      The Jam			Snap
      The 4 of Us		Songs for the Tempted.
      Al Green                  Call Me
      The Rolling Stones        mind blockage problems..
      Springsteen               Darkness on the Edge of Town 
      
      and many more
      
      This list is heavily influenced by my friend at galvia, Jazz. 
    Thanks man ! 
      
      
      Richard 'soon to be in Bali' O'Shaughnessy
      

.34�      The Blades    		Last man in ...can't remember, help !
                                        	  EUROPE	
.34�      The Rolling Stones        mind blockage problems..
					EXILES ON MAIN STREET
    					          
    

    Speaking of The Blades...does anybody know what Paul Cleary and The
    Partisians are up to now ?

    - Tim

    re .34....
    
    I agree with your comments and choices, in spite of what I tapped in.
    The thing about people who like Steely Dan or Dylan is that often they
    can't define what is that attracts them, especially to aghast
    outsiders; it's just a sort of unspoken, commonly-felt, "yeah, man"
    sensation.
    
    Whether their output would stand the test of time with people who
    aren't converts is open to debate.
    
    Dave (a Dan & Dylan addict)

    
    I am not a big Steely Dan fan, but i always thought that "Katy Lied"
    was a classic album...
    
    Mind you i havn't played it for three years !
    
    John

    I have to add this one too because it's quite unique:
    
    "Romantic Warrior"   - by Return to Forever
    
    It's one of the best jazz-rock LPs ever, featuring Chick Corea
    (keyboards), Al Dimeola (guitars), Stanley Clarke (bass)..
    A great album which sould like to anyone who likes music in general
    (not only jazz-rock). The only problem is that I never seen it on CD.
    
    Sorin

    One of my all time favs has been listed .
    
    	'Blue' by Joni Mitchell.
    
    But one Album I can play and play without getting fed up is
    
    'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' by Derek & the Dominoes.
    
    Clapton at his basic blues best with Duane Allman providing some
    excellent slide guitar.

    Probably because Free was my first taste of rock which unfortunately
    was the time the band suffered its final split.
    
    Richard.

    Re FREE

    I just bought THe Free Story double album again (I first bought it 16
    years (!) ago). Very good music...especially Mr Big. I suppose you need
    to be in the frame of mind for 70's English rock/blues though.

    - Tim

    I was pleased to see this topic start. I don't normally like the
    "lists of favourites" topics, but the way this one was introduced
    in .0 was very good, and it got me thinking. I also thought that
    the first replies were good too: people had obviously thought long
    about which albums to nominate. I too started thinking about which
    three albums I would choose: the first two were fairly easy, but
    it wasn't until I was listening to it last night in bed that I finally
    realised what the third one must be. So, here goes:
    
    Hotel California - The Eagles
    =============================
    
    No surprises here for any regular readers of this conference. Although
    I have a passionate love of The Eagles' music, which I accept will
    bias my opinion, I do regard this as one of the best popular music
    albums ever. So often albums have a few good tracks, but they are
    diluted by the remaining mediocre tracks. There are not, in my opinion,
    any mediocre tracks on this album at all. There is the amazing dual
    guitar "solo" at the end of the title track, there is some truly
    deep emotion in the lyrics of "Wasted Time" and "Try and Love Again",
    there is excellent harmony throughout, and finally the whole album
    is complete in itself: the addition of any more tracks or the omission
    of any tracks would spoil it. I still listen to it frequently even
    now, fourteen years after its release.
    
    Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
    =======================
    
    This was another album that was very widely acclaimed when it was
    released, and not suprisingly. Fleetwood Mac had built up to this
    album - almost like Digital built up to the VAX with the PDP-8 and
    PDP-11. (Whoever would compare popular music to Digital? Oh well..)
    Back in the sixties, Fleetwood Mac were laying down their roots,
    and with the departure of Peter Green they looked for a new direction.
    They almost had it with their eponymous album which preceeded
    "Rumours", but they surpassed that with "Rumours" itself. They say
    every band has one good album, and this was theirs.
    
    "...and then there were three..." - Genesis
    ===========================================
    
    I didn't really discover Genesis until about 1983, and by then many
    would say they were passed their peak. Maybe that's true: all the
    Genesis albums I enjoy are from the 70s, although "Invisible Touch"
    from the 80s is also very good. I don't know what it is about "...and
    then there were three..." that appeals - perhaps it is the lavish
    production or maybe once again the excellent harmonies that appeal.
    Whatever, this album does stand the test of time.
    
    Keith

    A very difficult choice indeed, but without wishing to emphasize rare
    albums, here are the three I really prefer :
    
    SHAKE SOME ACTION (The Flamin'Groovies)
    =======================================
    I admit it sometimes sounds a little Beatle-ish, but it is really a
    masterpiece, full of emotions, energy,... One of the only LP I have
    never hesitated to listen to. Cyril Jordan's at his best and Dave
    Edmunds's excellent production. From a mythical a really mythical
    album, exceptional not for his rarity but for its true quality.
    
    
    FOREVER CHANGES (Love)
    ======================
    Surely contains the most beautiful songs ever recorded on earth. This
    album features Arthur Lee at his best. Even the presence of an
    orchestra far from being ridiculous strenghtens the beauty of these
    unforgettable songs.
    
    
    PREHISTORIC SOUNDS (The Saints)
    ===============================
    Unforgettable album for the wonderful use of horns and the beauty of
    the Chris Bailey/Ed Kuepper compositions at their best. Previous albums
    were too much rough, further albums Saints albums lack of the Ed Kueppe
    genius and further Ed Kuepper albums lack of the incredible Chris
    Bailey voice.
    
    
    Other albums that I regret not to have put among these three :
    
    SEARCHING FOR THE YOUNG SOUL REBELSA (Dexy's Midnight Runners) :
    incredibly soulful album.
    
    EASTER EVERYWHERE (13th Floor Elevators) : The Masterpiece of US
    psychedelism.
    
    PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN (Pink Floyd) : The Masterpiece of UK
    psychedelism.
    
    LAYLA AND ASSORTED LOVE SONGS (Derek and the Dominos) : already
    mentioned, Eric Clapton is really at his best.
    
    AURAL CULTURE (Stranglers)
    
    PENDULUM (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
    
    QUEL ENFER ! (Niagara)
    
    A l'OLYMPIA (Alain Stivell) :a true great folk album !
    
    And surely the latest Kate Bush
    
    I hope I've not forgotten a major album.
    
    Didier

    Cripes yes, Didier, those first two are classics, the Flamin Groovies
    for energy and the Love for inventiveness.
    
    Bob

It's been over a month since the last reply to this note, which shows how often
I get a chance to read this conference.

My list of three classic albums would have to be:


In the Court of the Crimson King (King Crimson)

I've probably played this album more than any other, and I have quite a few!
Each note on this album is perfect, from the solitude of Moonchild to the
craziness of 21st Century Schizoid Man.  I think this album contains my favorite
song of all time, Epitah.


Songs for a Friend (Jon Mark)

Half of the band Mark-Almond, this album is comprised of beautiful ballads, lush
with orchestration.  I met Jon once at a concert in Hartford, Connecticut, and
expressed my appreciation for making this record.  Through some record company
problem, this album never got wide release and has been out of print almost
since its release.  This one would be great on CD as my two vinyl copies reveal
hiss and noise since parts of the album are so quiet.


Clan of Xymox (Clan of Xymox)

They go by Xymox now with a different lead singer.  I am shocked that any record
can be this good.  I've missed this band twice when they came to Boston but will
be sure I won't miss them again.  Enchanting, rich, ominous, great music.

I mentioned this note to a friend.  His three favorites of all time are:


All Things Must Pass (George Harrison)

A Curious Feeling (Tony Banks)

Songs for a Friend (Jon Mark)


Honorable mentions:

Flash and the Pan (Flash and the Pan)
Waving Not Drowning (Rupert Hine)
Azure D'Or (Renaissance)

    
    
    
    
    
    Joni Mitchell - Blue
    Tom Waits - Closing Time
    Prince - Dirty Mind
    My Bloody Valentine - Is'nt anything
    Prince - Sign o the times
    
    These were the first 5 2 pop 2 mind !
                             Camille
    

    I Feel Free - Cream
    Van Halen - Van Halen  (Years ahead of it's time, and still unrivaled
    as the greatest inspiration of the seventies for guitarists since
    Hendrix)
    Boy - U2  Stil their best album todate.
    Purple Rain - Prince (Just to show that Hendrix never died)
    Almost anything by Hendrix.
    Never Mind The Bollocks - Sex Pistols
    
    But the most Timeless album of all must surely be 
    
    
    The Colour of Spring - Talk Talk
    
    This is one of the greatest albums ever recorded.  It was done in 1986.
    Many moons before the Dance wave swept Britain again.  That band had
    the hair and the lack of shoes long ago.  One of the mellowest and
    grooviests albums of all time.  The tour was pretty f'ing good as well.
    Mark Hollis was John Lennon and Kermit the Frog in one body.
    
    (O H Songs by Winnie the Pooh and Freinds is pretty good listening
    still as well)
    
    Nigel

    Another vote for The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk. Once heard, never
    forgotten, a style completely their own etc,etc.
    
    Other faves;
    
    Prince - Purple Rain
    Simple Minds - Life In A Day 
    Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell
    Human League - Dare
    The Levellers - Levelling The Land (i know it's newish,but it *will*
    stand the test of time !)
    
    Kev...

    Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell

Hmmm... didn't expect to see that as a choice!? But I agree!

								- JIM CAD*

    
    Some of my favourites,
    
    Sex Pistols - Nevermind The Bollocks
    
    Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas
    
    The Jam - Setting Sons
    
    Nirvana - Nevermind 
    
    Bob Marley - Babylon By Bus
    
    
    				stuart.

    Heaven 17 - Luxury Gap
    New Order - Substance
    Madness - Keep Movin'
    Duran Duran - Rio
    ABBA - Arrival

    After a LONG think:-
    
    U2 - The Joshua Tree
    Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain
    Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
    Lloyd Cole - Rattlesnakes
    Julian Cope - World Shut Your Mouth
    Cocteau Twins - Treasure
    Velvet Underground & Nico
    Brian Eno - Here Come The Warm Jets
    Joy Division - Still
    Hothouse Flowers - People
    The Waterboys - can't choose..
    REM - Green
    Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
    Talking Heads - Remain in Light
    Magazine - Real Life
    Beatles - Abbey Road
    Crowded House - Woodface (yes I know it's new, but it's the best yet)
    

    
    
    REM - MURMUR
    INXS - KICK
    CHARLATANS - SOME FRIENDLY
    WONDERSTUFF - EIGHT LEGGED GROOVE MACHINE
    
    Greg...

    Many of my most-played albums are compilations.. which if you think
    about it is quite logical. 

    Singles Going Steady - Buzzcocks
    Substance - Joy Division
    Revolution - Theatre of Hate
    Assemblage - Japan
    The Immortal Story - Only Ones (its new, but the songs aren't)
    
    Others (based on most worn out thru playing)

    Psychedelic Furs 1st
    Killing Joke 1st
    If you want Blood, you've got it - AC/DC 
          (I know, that one sticks out a bit, don't it!)
    Rattus Norvegicus - Stranglers
    Live and Dangerous - Thin Lizzy (yes, its true)
    Play - Magazine    

    I can't _believe_ that no one mentioned London Calling; the album that
    redefined punk and ushered in New Wave...

    re-1.  Ushered in New Wave?  Whats that mean?  I remember the what is
    New Wave/what is punk argument going for some time before London Calling
    was even a twinkle in anyones eye.  I'm too old to even remember the
    argument now, but it all seemed so important at the time...
    
    sigh.
    
    Mikef  

    
    London 0 Hull 4. I still love this lp.
    
    It Will Take A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back - Public Enemy. I
    think this is about five years old, but it is still a cracking lp,
    still being sampled from.
    
    Tony
    
    
    
    

    Hipsway                   Hipsway
    Ultravox                  Rage in Eden
    Love and money            Strange Kind Of love/ All you need is
    Thompson Twins            Into the Gap
    Visage                    Visage
    Japan                     Gentlemen take Polaroids
    The Blue Nile             A walk across the roof tops
    Depeche Mode              Black Celebration
    Tears for Fears           The Hurting
    Dead Kennedys             Fresh fruit for rotting vegetables
    Devo                      Are We Not Men
    Endgames                  Love Building Beauty
        

    
    Liquid Gold - Dance yourself dizzy
    Kelly Marie - Tak summa yon !
    The Nolans  - Sex on a barbed wire fence
    
    

    
    
    The Cure   - Summery songs (The picnic Mega-mix)
    
    Black Lace - Sex, Drugs & Rock n' Roll  Vol II
    
    The Smiths - A Guid plate o' broth goes a long way when next doors
                 rotwieller eats yer' hamster
                                

    "Next" - S.A.H.B. Cause the production/engineering/sound/whatever
    still stands up today. Wunnerful.
    
    barry

    Van Morrison - Into The Music
    Bruce Springsteen - The River
    Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
    Neil Young - After The Goldrush
    Tom Petty - Damn The Torpedos
      and, agreeing with some others:
    U2 - Joshua Tree
    
    
    Lorna
    
    

     OK  this file looks old enough and unused enough to spark a mini
    revival.   The criteria for three favourite Albums is far too
    restrictive to make any real sense.  Purely on grounds of logic, listen
    to any top 500, year end type voted for faves and you will see, that
    the ones that end up on top, are usually the most recently released. 
    Its a bit like this here, only the most recently listened to, or talked
    about.
    
    I have listed here an A-Z, spanning the years,  who I hope represent a
    style and type of music, it does not contain any compilations, Sound
    tracks or, singles albums. They are, IMHO marketing vehicles so record
    companies can cash in, or recorded with the specific aim of delivering
    lots of singles, (therefore the best singles is the place for them). 
    The List therefore has non of the above and I hope plenty of Bollocks!!
    The A-Z  criteria used is as follows, if a single artist,  sir name
    first, if band by first name, other than the definite article, ie Ian
    Dury under D and The Clash under C.
    
    Several of these have been mentioned by other noters but what the hell: 
    Fell free to challenge any of this selection, on any grounds, a good
    challenge is "pompous bastards". 
    
    A  Azwad,   New Chapter, the first British Reggae band with bollocks I
    ever heard
    
    B  Big Audio Dynamite,   This is BAD   Just a great sampling	
    
    C The Clash	London, Calling  Just the best of its type
    
    D Ian Dury and the Blockheads.  New Boots and panties, 1st time I heard
    that rhythm section with delivery and lyrics to match
    
    E Eurythmics,  Sweet Dreams,  and I thought the tourists would be a
    hard act to follow, What a Stonker
    
    F Fabulous Thunderbirds, T-Bird Rhythm, The track Cant get it up
    enough, should be played loud and often, especially when you feel down.
    
    G Go West, Bangs and crashes.  Drummer Tony Beard, Backing vocals of
    Carol Kenyan and Silver Mason-James are a treat on the live tracks.
    
    H Hot Tuna, Hot Tuna.  What two acoustic guitars and an occasional
    harmonica can do, even if the harp player went under the name of Will
    Scarlet!!
    
    I It's a beautiful day, Marrying Maiden.  Now hears one for all you
    hippies out there, all bells and incense.
    
    J  Riki Lee Jones  Riki Lee Jones.  Two of my all time fave tracks,
    Chuck e's in love and Danny s all star joint.
    
    K King Crimson.  Heartbeat, in for lots of reasons, but the most
    powerful, the title track is just the best Rock n Roll love song ever.
    
    L Led Zeppelin,  Physical Graffiti, Crank it up and strap yourself into
    the armchair, this is even better if you upset the neighbours.
    
    M Hugh Masekela, Techno Bush.  African rhythm and his horn playing,
    almost like being there, well with the right substances.
    
    N Randy Newman, Little Criminals.  A lot of his best work and an album
    with a track called  Sigmund Freud's impersonation of Albert Einstein
    in America  cant be all bad.
    
    O Oasis, What s the story Morning Glory.  The boys just get better
    
    P Robert Palmer, Sneakin Sally thru the alley.  Drivin rhythm and great
    songs.
    
    Q Queen Ida and  the Bontemp Zydeco band on tour.  Cajun at it s best
    stomp all the way round the M25
    
    Tod Rungren  Accapella, Turn on Tune in and believe, yep all done with
    the old vocal chords.
    
    S Sly and Robbie, Language Barrier, Reggae but not as you know it Jim. 
    Rhythm and roll, crank it up and join the culture.
    
    T Tear Drop Explodes, Kilamanjaro.  Still one of my most played albums
    of all.
    
    U Undertones, Undertones.  Any album with as Mr P would say, the best
    single ever, on it has to be in the list.
    
    V Velvet Underground,  Andy Warhole, anarchy in music, Had to by the CD
    as the album ceased to function years ago.
    
    Tom Waits Small Change, for its lyrical content, wit, atmosphere and
    stuff
    
    X  XTC, Garden City of earthly delights.  Not the best known or loved,
    but my fave as Andy Partridge is at his best lyrically.
    
    Yellow, The Flag.  God tunes from two of the oldest dudes still dooin
    it.
    
    Z, this was a toss up between Zappa and Lena Zavaroni, but on
    balance!!!!    Frank Zappa, hard to choose out of overt 50 albums, but
    Freak Out.  Mainly from the memory of the first album I remember with
    the word fuck in the lyrics.
    
    Enjoy critisising!!
    
    T' Gradley one