Essential Music for Everyone!

[Gary]

If you’ve read the “James Brown” thread, I’m sure you realize the importance of this artist. It got me to thinking about the “Best of the Best” or essential music that exists for each genre of music. You can classify music in many different ways: Classical pre 1900’s, classical post 1900’s (yes, they are actually different in my books!), Opera, Baroque, Classic Rock, ‘50’s Rock, “toga” Rock, Punk Rock, Kraut Rock, Electronica, Progressive Rock, Goth, New Wave, New Age, Grunge, Southern Rock, Bubble gum, Blues, Jazz, New Orleans Jazz, Big Band, Disco, Rap, Funk, Soul, Country, New Country, Western, Western Swing and probably a whole bunch that I can’t recall right now. It’s late! ;)

Anyway, we have a very wide variety of tastes, likes, dislikes and experiences on this forum. The James Brown thread made me realize that I am missing out on some essentials! Perhaps others are, too!

I was wondering if each one of us could post something on their favorite type of music in this thread as you’d probably be an expert on your favorite type of music! Please be as specific as possible for us such as “New Orleans Jazz”, “Country Rock”, etc.

Here are the guidelines: Post up to 10 of your favorite bands with their ‘biggest’ album in your one chosen genre. Choose only one genre, please! For the ‘essential’ influential bands in the genre mark it with a “*”. Or say that it is essential! Or tell us of three essential albums because of the artists long career! These top bands in your chosen genre would be considered by you to be essential listening! And sure, list the record label, which release, etc. if you want!

This way, we can educate each other about areas in music that we may be missing out on! Personally I’d like to expand my horizons, wouldn’t you? And if someone has already posted something under Jazz – who cares? Post your preferences, too!

Thanks! :cool:

[Gary]

1) Allman Brothers: Brothers and Sisters. Essential! Live at the Filmore East is also amazing!
2) Lynyrd Skynyrd: Gold and Platinum. This is a Greatest Hits CD, covering the best of the original line up. Essential! First two albums are also great (Pronounced and Second Helping). The live album One More For / From the Road is excellent.
3) Outlaws: first album. Essential! Live album (Bring It Back Alive) smokes!
4) .38 Special: first album
5) Charlie Daniels: Fire on the Mountain
6) Marshall Tucker: Carolina Dreams
7) ZZ Top: Rio Grande Mud

I know that some may disagree with some of my selections but that’s why we have the “Reply” button!

Actually Ronnie V-Z said that Southern rock was just something that the record label made up to sell records. At any rate, "southern rock" was some of the best rock & roll to come out of the USA! In my books, at least!
:)

[BradOlson]

Not necessarily in this order but these are 10 true country recordings that are a must have to start with:
1. Hank Williams-anything and for the music of his son, a hits comp and Hank Williams, Jr. & Friends
2. Jimmie Rodgers-any compilation (if you are on a budget, RCA's Essential and Koch's Train Whistle Blues are recommended for starters, but if money is no object, the Bear Family box or Rounder series are essential)
3. Carter Family-anything (Bear Family box if money is not an object, if you are on a budget, ASV's Wildwood Flower compilation, Legacy's Can The Circle Be Unbroken, and a comp I don't have yet which is Country Music Hall of Fame on MCA)
4. Johnny Cash-At Folsom Prison, At San Quentin, a compilation of the Sun recordings, and anything else you can find by him
5. Webb Pierce-King of The Honky Tonk which is an 18 track best of from the Country Music Foundation or if money is no object the Bear Family box
6. George Jones-anything
7. Red Sovine-The Best of Red Sovine: 20 Greatest Hits (these truck drivers songs and sentimental narratives are timeless)
8. Waylon Jennings-anything and Willie Nelson-anything
9. Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, Brenda Lee, etc.-anything
10. Jimmy Dean-Greatest Hits - this one may be one that some of you would question but Big Bad John, PT109, To a Sleeping Beauty, I Won't Go Huntin' With You Jake, The First Thing Ev'ry Morning (and The Last Thing Ev'ry Night), Dear Ivan, etc. are all classic songs, especially the first track mentioned.

[pigmode]

...more specifically, Jazz piano. Two that have seen a lot of play lately are:

Airto Morereia And The Gods of Jazz: Killer Bees
Keith Jarrett/ The Koln Concert.

The first is a jam session compilation. My favorite track, Nevermind, includes Herbie Hancock at the Piano and Stanley Clarke on the Double Bass. This is a superb performance with outstanding recording quality.

Jarrett: this one is a must have. It features an unusually lively sound for a great solo piano jam.

Umm okay, classical.

Hadyn/ Concerto No. 2 in D Major/ Jaqueline du Pre/ Barbirolli/ London Symphony Orchestra

[MagicAlex]

I choose Blues although my favorite genre is Jazz. Although there are many essential albums these are 10 that I come to mind right away. These 10 will lead you down to the crossroads....

1. Folk Singer - Muddy Waters
2. Hoodoo Man Blues - Junior Wells
3. I Am The Blues - Willie Dixon
4. King Of The Delta Blues Singers - Robert Johnson
5. Founder Of The Delta Blues - Charley Patton
6. Live At The Regal - BB King
7. The Natch'l Blues - Taj Mahal
8. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan
9. T-Bone Blues - T-Bone Walker
10. Otis Spann Is The Blues - Otis Spann

If you could only have one boxed set of blues it would have to be 'Chess Blues'. As a matter of fact, if anyone is new to the blues this would be my suggested starting point. Chess Records in Chicago put out, IMO, the best 50's/60's blues masters that there is.

Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Otis Spann, Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Little Walter, Willie Mabon, and many, many more all made those sessions...great stuff!!!

[Scott Wheeler]

Progressive English seventies rock

1. Yes: Close to the Edge*
2. Genesis: The Lamb lies down on Broadway*
3. Jethro Tull: Aqualung*
4. Moddy Blues: Days of Future Passed*
5. Pink Floyd: Darkside of the Moon*
6. ELP: Brian salad Surgery
7. Renaissance: Sheherazade and other Stories
8. Mike Oldfield: Ommadawn

[Dave]

Blues Rock

The first band that comes to mind has got to be Cream, others would be:
Led Zeppelin (the song Black Dog blew me away)
Blind Faith
Derek And The Dominos
Bad Company
The Doobie Brothers
Jeff Beck: Truth
AC/DC
Jeff Healey
Stevie Ray Vaughan (truely the best)

[Grant]

60s/70s/80s R&B/soul/funk:

EARTH, WIND, & FIRE***
*That's The Way Of The World-Coumbia/Legacy CD remaster
*All 'N All-Columbia/Legacy CD remaster
Graditude-Columbia/Legacy CD remaster

JACKSONS
Destiney-Epic

BAR-KAYS
Flying High On Your Love-Mercury LP
*Nightcrusin'-Mercury LP

ISLEY BROTHERS***
*3+3-T-Neck CD
*Live It Up-T-Neck LP
*Fight The Power-T-Neck/Epic/Legacy CD Remaster
Harvest For The World-T-Neck/Epic/Legacy CD remaster
Go For Your Guns-T-Neck CD
*Go All The Way-T-Neck LP

RUFUS Featuring Chaka Khan
*Rufisized-MCA CD
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan-MCA CD
*Ask Rufus-MCA CD

AL GREEN***
*Let's Stay Together-The Right Stuff CD
*I'm Still In Love With You-The Right Stuff CD
*Greatest Hits-DCC CD

RICK JAMES
Come Get It-Gordy CD
*Bustin' Out Of L7-Motown CD
*Street Songs-Gordy CD second remaster

TEENA MARIE***
*Lady T-Gordy LP
*Irons In The Fire-Gordy CD
Robbery-Epic CD

CAMEO
*Knights Of The Sound Table-Mercury CD
*Cameosis-Mercury CD
Single Life-Casablanca CD
*Word Up-Casablanca CD


OHIO PLAYERS***
*Fire-Mercury CD
*Honey CD
*Skin Tight


BROTHERS JOHNSON
*Lookin' Out For #1-A&M CD
Right On Time-A&M CD
*Light Up The Night-A&M CD


Oops! That's twelve, huh? oh well...


If I could add more I would include Issac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Chic, Spinners, Raydio/Ray Parker Jr...

[romanotrax]

Originally posted by pigmode
...more specifically, Jazz piano. Two that have seen a lot of play lately are:

Airto Morereia And The Gods of Jazz: Killer Bees
Keith Jarrett/ The Koln Concert.

Jarrett: this one is a must have. It features an unusually lively sound for a great solo piano jam.



For Keith Jarrett I would also add "The Sun Bear Concerts". Beautiful playing with none of Keith's "singing".

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by romanotrax


For Keith Jarrett I would also add "The Sun Bear Concerts". Beautiful playing with none of Keith's "singing".

I have this box and it is a wonderful set of music. I don't really mind Keith's 'singing' really. A quick listen to many of the classic jazz pianists will prove that he is not the only one that 'sings'. Albeit, his 'singing' is a bit more unique than most.

I have to add that my favorite Jarrett CDs are the trio box 'Live At The Blue Note'. I am more of a straight-ahead jazz fan and this is probably the reason...I am a piano trio nut! This is essential jazz for me.

[snowman]

'The Eighties' (much rubbish in this decade)

Echo and the Bunnymen.

[sgb]

Jazz saxophone players

These are not listed in any order of preference, just the way they come to mind:

John Coltrane: Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane, This one doesn't have the fame or respect that some of his other titles do, but I keep coming back to it. And... I got to cheat by listing one of my favorite piano jazz recordings. Most are Monk compositions, all of them stellar.

Kenny Garrett: Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane This guy has chops, major chops.

Stan Getz: The Girl From Ipanema Not sure if this 4-CD boxed is still in print, but it lets me cheat again by making a single recommendation for what amounts to a collection of nearly all of Getz's bossa nova stuff (with Byrd, the Gilbertos, Jobim, Bonfa et al). When you find out how good this stuff is, order a copy of Getz/Gilberto #2 just for the bonus tracks that don't appear anywhere else. You'll never hear a finer Corcovado (spectacular sound on the bonus tracks too).

Coleman Hawkins: Body And Soul From among scores of Hawkins CDs to choose from, this budget priced CD from RCA offers those unfamiliar with this tenor master an overview of his career. The CD spans more than 3 decades, and includes, of course, the song that made him famous.

Lee Konitz: Inside Hi-Fi Known mostly for his tenor work, this collection has him blowing just as supremely on alto on half the tracks. A stunner.

Gerry Mulligan: Night Lights If you are lucky enough to find an import pressing of this one, you'll also be treated to some pretty good early sixties sound - I can't speak for the currently available USA version. Although Mulligan's work here is consistent with his other recording, better known performances, this one shines brightest thanks to the amazing interaction of Brookmeyer (trombone) and Farmer (trumpet).

Paul Desmond: Live his last recording before his death. Excellent sound on the recent Verve remaster. Of course, Desmond is always superb, but this one's my favorite.


Charlie Parker: Yardbird Suite a collection from Rhino. Like the Hawkins CD above, this one spans a large portion of the Bird's career. Perhaps the most important jazz reissue of 1997.

Sonny Rollins: No, I'm not going to tell you that you have to have Tenor Madness (DCC versions, of course) or Saxophone Colossus, or Way Out West - you should already know that. But there are two very important recordings that are usually overlooked in discussing my favorite sax player of all time: Sonny Meets Hawk, and Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins. These offer a sublime taste of Rollins in collaboration with other jazz masters. It has been written that as a teenager, Rollins would go to Monk's house for some sort of tutoring on what it takes to make good jazz, and here we have some early fifties examples of how well Sonny learned his lessons. The Hawkins/Rollins recording will help you come to understand the differences in phrasing and tonality. Sound quality on the Classic Records reissue is excellent, but it is, sadly, OOP.

[pigmode]

Originally posted by Grant
60s/70s/80s R&B/soul/funk:

EARTH, WIND, & FIRE***
*That's The Way Of The World-Coumbia/Legacy CD remaster
*All 'N All-Columbia/Legacy CD remaster
Graditude-Columbia/Legacy CD remaster



ISLEY BROTHERS***
*3+3-T-Neck CD
*Live It Up-T-Neck LP
*Fight The Power-T-Neck/Epic/Legacy CD Remaster
Harvest For The World-T-Neck/Epic/Legacy CD remaster
Go For Your Guns-T-Neck CD
*Go All The Way-T-Neck LP



Grant, which Isley Bro. has For The Love Of You? How is the sound quality on that CD and the Gratitude CD?

I have to add that my favorite Jarrett CDs are the trio box 'Live At The Blue Note'. I am more of a straight-ahead jazz fan and this is probably the reason...I am a piano trio nut! This is essential jazz for me.

I have Blue Note, and will pick up La Scala today. Sun Bear is on the list...

[Togo]

Classic British (and Irish) Pop/Rock 1980 onwards in no particular order:

XTC "English Settlement"

Elvis Costello "Imperial Bedroom"

Peter Gabriel "III" (Melt)

U2 "War"

Squeeze "East Side Story"

Blur "Parklife"

Oasis "What's the Story Morning Glory"

Kate Bush "Hounds of Love"

The Verve "Urban Hymns"

Smiths "Queen is Dead"

Radiohead "OK Computer"

Suede "Dog Man Star"

Teardrop Explodes "Wilder"

Associates "Sulk"

PJ Harvey "Dry"

Sorry, I have cheated a little and given you 15 great ones rather than 10 (all high water marks but so many more have been left out!!!)

Happy listening!

cool:

[Grant]

Pigmode,

"For The Love Of You" is on the "Fight The Power" CD.

The remaster of EWF's "Gratitude" sounds excellent, and restores some things that were cut off the original LP.

I'm noticing that except for Bradley and me, the tastes of the participating members don't really stray too far from classic rock and jazz.

[pigmode]

Originally posted by Grant
Pigmode,

"For The Love Of You" is on the "Fight The Power" CD.

The remaster of EWF's "Gratitude" sounds excellent, and restores some things that were cut off the original LP.

I'm noticing that except for Bradley and me, the tastes of the participating members don't really stray too far from classic rock and jazz.

Thanks, I have the Gratitude LP but no TT.:(

Actually, I'm a bigtime 70's Funk fanatic--I could start naming names if need be.;) I listen to classical about 60% of the time though.

[GoldenBoy]

Please ignore the thread I started with this post, that was an accident. I meant to reply to this thread.


If that even IS a category. I started to do Classical, but thought it too complicated at the moment I hope I don't botch the guidlines too much.

Sonic Youth* (Sister; Daydream Nation; Washing Machine)
Nirvana* (Nevermind; In Utero)
The La's (The La's)
Lenny Kravitz* (Let Love Rule; Mama Said)
Tori Amos* (Little Earthquakes)
Pavement* (Slanted and Enchanted; Terror Twilight)
Sebadoh (Bakesale)
Sinead O'Connor (The Lion & The Cobra; I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got)
PJ Harvey* (Dry; To Bring You My Love; Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea)
Bjork* (Post; Homogenic; Vespertine)

[sgb]

Originally posted by Togo
Classic British (and Irish) Pop/Rock 1980 onwards in no particular order:
cool:

Some nice stuff, Togo; try Sunset Wading.

[Gary]

Originally posted by GoldenBoy
" I started to do Classical, but thought it too complicated at the moment I hope I don't botch the guidlines too much. "

Guidelines? What guidelines? ;)

Hey, GB, it's a free for all! :D Thanks for the Tori Amos / Pavement / PJ Harvey suggestions! I'll have to check 'em out! :)

[trhunnicutt]

It's tough to limit a list to 10-12 albums, but here's my take on 70's soul (my favorite genre of music)

1. Stevie Wonder

* Talking Book
* Innervisions
* Original Musiquarium

IMO, one of the greatest, seminal 4-year set of works in the history of music (1972-1976)

2. Marvin Gaye

* What's Going On
* Let's Get It On

3. EWF

* That's The Way of the World
* Gratitude
* Best of Vol. 1

4. Isley Brothers

* 3+3
* Greatest Hits

5. Al Green

* Call Me
* Greatest Hits (DCC)

6. Barry White

*Just For You (Box set. A must for the full length versions). His LP's can be inconsistent.

7. O'Jays

* Back Stabbers

8. Teddy Pendergrass

* Teddy Pendergrass

9. Spinners

* Spinners
* Pick of the Litter

10. Isaac Hayes

* Hot Buttered Soul
* The Best of Vols. 1 & 2 (better than the Hit Singles collection. This guy did masterpieces (i.e. the 18min. full-length version of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix).

[pigmode]

Originally posted by trhunnicutt


9. Spinners

* Pick of the Litter



That's the one with the song "Sadie" right?

[trhunnicutt]

Originally posted by pigmode


That's the one with the song "Sadie" right?

That's on their "New and Improved" album.

Made we want to go back and modify my list ;)

[Grant]

Originally posted by trhunnicutt
It's tough to limit a list to 10-12 albums, but here's my take on 70's soul (my favorite genre of music)

1. Stevie Wonder

* Talking Book
* Innervisions
* Original Musiquarium

IMO, one of the greatest, seminal 4-year set of works in the history of music (1972-1976)

2. Marvin Gaye

* What's Going On
* Let's Get It On

3. EWF

* That's The Way of the World
* Gratitude
* Best of Vol. 1

4. Isley Brothers

* 3+3
* Greatest Hits

5. Al Green

* Call Me
* Greatest Hits (DCC)

6. Barry White

*Just For You (Box set. A must for the full length versions). His LP's can be inconsistent.

7. O'Jays

* Back Stabbers

8. Teddy Pendergrass

* Teddy Pendergrass

9. Spinners

* Spinners
* Pick of the Litter

10. Isaac Hayes

* Hot Buttered Soul
* The Best of Vols. 1 & 2 (better than the Hit Singles collection. This guy did masterpieces (i.e. the 18min. full-length version of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix).

Good choices! what did you thing about my picks?

[Grant]

Trhunnicutt, we may not agree on most things but you are talkin' my language here!:cool:

All,

now that we have some input, are any of us really going to investigate another area that we are lacking in?

Me, I just may try out something from Bradley's list, since there is VERY little real country in my collection. I wasn't really exposed to it, so...

[trhunnicutt]

Originally posted by Grant


Good choices! what did you thing about my picks?

Loved 'em. Especially Lady T and Bustin' Out of L7.

I'm lukewarm on the Jacksons Destiny LP.

Also, I'd add the LP versions to the remasters you listed, but, of course, that's just me.

BTW: do you have the 180 grams I mentioned? If not, let me know. I have some duplicates I'll mail you for your listening pleasure. Just send me your address. Santa will deliver some nice, clean, noise-free LP's for you to play with. Least I can do for all the back-and-forth you and I have had over the months. Can you pick out the funk song reference?