June 12, 2006

Elessar buys records

[Elessar sent me a great list of albums from the past, albums that must be owned. He's the music man, so I'll bow to his experience, and if you disagree, take it up with him at elessar@ntlworld.com]


Ok, Hypey---

Here's a list of what I would have tried to buy, knowing everything I know now, back then, for the foundations of my collection of music, which is primarily rock- (but also folk and classical , a wee bit of jazz & blues & swing, a lot of electronica) based. I figure it wasn't until the Beatles and the Rolling Stones (and others, for sure) realized that 12" records could be more than a collection of 2 or 3 'hits' and a bunch of 'filler' that the rock album could be a truly satisfying sonic journey. So I present a list of avatars, with a huge tip of the hat to psychedelic leanings

North American

10. Quicksilver Messenger Service--Quicksilver Messenger Service
9. Jimi Hendrix & associates--Electric Ladyland
8. Steve Miller Band--Sailor
7. Jefferson Airplane--Crown Of Creation
6. Simon & Garfunkel--Bookends
5. Blues Magoos--Psychedelic Lollipop
4. The Doors--The Doors
3. It's A Beautiful Day--It's A Beautiful Day
2. The Byrds--5D
1. Joni Mitchell--Blue


British/European

10. Pink Floyd--A Saucerful Of Secrets
9. The Beatles--Revolver
8. King Crimson--In The Court Of The Crimson King
7. Led Zeppelin--Led Zeppelin
6. Traffic--Mr. Fantasy
7. The Nice--Ars Longa Vita Brevis
5. Eric Burdon & The Animals--The Twain Shall Meet
4. Rolling Stones--Between The Buttons
3. The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown--The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
2. Deep Purple--The Book Of Taliesyn
1. Moody Blues--To Our Children's Children's Children

I can't rank these in order--I like them all very much, and it would be like telling your kids which one you like best, and traumatizing the lot of them, the chosen ones and the unchosen ones alike. That's the beauty of music: it's a very large room, and everyone can play. I'm just tossing a bunch of birds into the air and watching them fly. If you are in your teens or twenties, and a musicHEAD, consider these the suggestions of an insurgent, 30 years ago.

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