MUSIC HISTORY: Classic Albums On CD

Throughout rock music’s history, a certain selection of albums have become the cliched staples of radio formats, “best of” lists, and television specials, sometimes limiting the true scope of any given band or artist. Bands like The Beatles and The Who are sometimes broken down in assessment and discussion to one recording: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Tommy respectively. Through the sixties and seventies rock music progressed in an astounding fashion, advancing the art form and influencing our culture like never before. Though much of its relevance has since dissipated, many recordings from that era still inspire and have withstood the test of time. What follows is a list of alternate favorites (as well as a few typical classics):

The Beatles – The Beatles (1968) Universally known as the “White Album,” this was yet another instant classic upon its release. Diverse, eclectic, and impeccably played and recorded, this album showed there was little the Beatles could not do well.

Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield Again (1967) They only recorded three albums, but the Springfield’s influence was far reaching, and they were truly ahead of their time. Roots of the Eagles and Tom Petty can be found in such tracks as “Bluebird,” “Rock & Roll Woman” and “Mr. Soul.”

Eric Clapton – Crossroads (1988) This was one of rock’s first top-shelf comprehensive CD box-sets, covering “God’s” entire career from his years as a Bluesbreaker through Cream, Derek and the Dominos, and his broad-ranging solo career. With out-takes, alternate tracks and engaging liner notes, this was truly the cream of Clapton.

Crosby, Stills & Nash – CSN (1977) Considered by many to be their finest effort, CSN contains some of the finest songwriting and production by this legendary trio. From “Run From Tears” to “Just a Song Before I Go,” this album was a staggering collection of all that rock was capable of.

Bob Dylan – Blonde On Blonde (1966) Dylan was at the height of his career with this recording that ranged from blues (“Pledging My Time”), to folk (“Visions of Johanna”), to rock (“Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”). This recording changed what rock could sound like and express over the course of fourteen groundbreaking tracks.

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971) With this album, Gaye recorded not only his finest work, but one of the finest works rock (or r&b for that matter) has ever seen. Lilting, jazzy rhythms lay the foundation for lyrics that are still pertinent today, with Gaye expressing his heartfelt sorrow at the state of a world riddled with war, drug addiction, and poverty.

Genesis – Abacab (1981) Streamlining their typically progressive rock approach, Genesis showed signs of new wave economy and a new angle of pop sensibility that garnered them a whole new audience. It showed there were clearly many avenues to explore in the post-Peter Gabriel era.

The Grateful Dead – One From The Vault (1991) This live 1975 archive recording presented the Dead at their most cohesive and sophisticated, showing how refined and intricate the band had become after years on the road. Includes “Help On The Way” and “Franklin’s Tower.”

Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys (1970) Recorded on New Year’s Eve, this live album showed Hendrix in fine form, eschewing his usual onstage theatrics for a night of unparalled jamming. With full concentration on what and how he played, it was clear that when it came to guitar, Jimi Hendrix was on another level altogether. Classic track: the 12-minute plus “Machine Gun.”

Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones (1979) This album ranks as one of the strongest debuts by anyone in rock’s varied history. Unique, tender, hip, and street-smart, no one had heard anything like Rickie Lee Jones before this album was released.

Carol King – Tapestry (1972) One of the biggest selling albums of the seventies, this album gave a voice of expression to the liberated every-woman, with great lyrics, melodies, and instrumentation that showed real intelligence and insight.

John Lennon – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970) Lennon’s first straight-ahead solo effort deflated every myth associated with him, standing as one of the most brutally honest, direct and searing pieces of artistic expression in rock’s history. Rarely has any artist been so true to himself, and to his vision of the world around him.

Joni Mitchell – The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975) This follow up to 1974’s Court and Spark showed that Mitchell’s sophistication and flair for jazz harmony could be taken still further. Even today, there are precious few songwriters that can match her level of innovation.

Van Morrison – Too Long In Exile (1993) Van Morrison made somewhat of a return to his blues roots (which he never strayed from completely) on this great collection. Coming on the heels of 1991’s Hymns to the Silence, it showed “Van the Man” was still a force to be reckoned with.

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975) The follow-up to 1973’s ambitious Dark Side of the Moon was an even darker, more cynical and colder offering of pristine production and disturbing subject matter. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” proved to be a concert staple that was both bluesy and thought provoking, with great guitar from Gilmour and Waters’ impressive lyrics.

The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks (1971) This collection neatly summed up everything the Stones accomplished between 1964 and 1971, their most fertile and relevant period. From “Paint It Black” to “Midnight Rambler,” few bands have progressed so brilliantly without losing sight of their identity.

The Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols (1976) This was the album that served notice to the old guard of rock that they’d become fat, rich, boring and outdated, not to mention out of touch with rock’s purpose, and it’s audience. Loud, raw and obnoxious, the Sex Pistols spit in the face of hypocrisy and changed rock’s focus forever.

Paul Simon – One-Trick Pony (1980) Arguably his greatest work, One-Trick Pony was written as the soundtrack companion to Simon’s underrated film of the same name. Astonishing songwriting is coupled with stellar musicianship, resulting in the superb “Ace In The Hole” and “Late In The Evening.”

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle (1973) – This, in the eyes of many, is the quintessential Springsteen album, with lyrics rife with rambling stories and song forms stretched to the breaking point. This was Bruce before the wave of success that followed 1975’s Born to Run, and before fame and the music business altered his songwriting perspective forever.

Steely Dan – The Royal Scam (1976) Walter Becker and Donald Fagen’s immaculately recorded dark, dour, and depraved masterpiece was a benchmark of literate lyrics and harmonic sophistication. Includes the smoldering “Don’t Take Me Alive” and “Everything You Did.”

James Taylor – Dad Loves His Work (1981) A generally overlooked album in the Taylor catalog, this album moved J.T. into the eighties with his skills clearly intact: succinct story-telling, top-notch playing, and a #11 hit with “Her Town Too.”

Pete Townshend – Empty Glass (1980) Townshend’s first true solo effort further displayed that he was one of rock’s strongest and most literate songwriters. Themes ranging from aging, lust, and fear of failure abound through Townshend’s most impressive record to date.

The Who – Quadrophenia (1973) More engaging and ambitious than 1969’s Tommy, Quadrophenia was Pete Townshend’s take on the issues surrounding and inside of the British Mod culture that the Who came out of. A monumental achievement, and possibly the Who’s finest record, this album gave focus to every listener struggling to come of age and understand life.

Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life (1976) This was Wonder’s ultimate statement of artistic expression, and a real tour-de-force. Funk grooves, impeccable melodies, insightful lyrics and peerless vocals added up to a powerful whole that was like no other.

Yes – Fragile (1972) A staple of both progressive rock and seventies FM rock radio, Fragile was the result of the band’s effort to fuse classical, rock, blues, folk, and a hint of psychedelia into a successful cohesive whole. Contains the epic hit “Roundabout.”