15 Albums That Changed (Sorta) Changed My Life.
Think of 15 albums, CDs, LPs (if you're over 40) that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life.
The following are not necessarily my favorite albums but ones milestones that helped shape me into the musical mutant I am today. This might not be the original
purpose of this exercise, but it's my meme and I write what I want to.
1. The Monkees -- The Monkees
This was my first album. It was given to me by my parents' banker when
they were transacting some business. Apparently he had gotten it for his daughter who already had it. I loved The Monkees and was thrilled but never did listen to it,
though, as we had no 33 rpm turntable. My mother probably gave it to a
cousin or trashed it.
2. Pure Prairie League -- Two Lane Highway
This was the first entire album (cassette) I listened to. Up until
1975, my music had been radio top 40 and 1940's crooners from dad's
collection of 78's. My brothers were quite into "swamp rock" and this
was the only one that caught me fancy because of its drive and catchy
melodies.
3. Bruce Springsteen -- Born to Run .
I was cool. It was my first step beyond Top 40 and a whole album, to boot. It's not so much the music on Springsteen's The River, but the fact I was couldn't wait to get it on the day of it's release in 1980. I was expecting a crowd waiting for the door of Record Theater to open. As it turned out, I was the only one waiting and there were 4 copies on the shelf. I was confused but that did little to diminish the thrill of getting a brand-spanking-new release.
4. Moody Blues --Seventh Sojourn
This was my first album purchase. After hearing the extended version of "Nights in White Satin," I went to find a full album. Initially, I was disappointed to find this was the only Moody Blues cassette at the store and it didn't have "Nights." But the album was full of tracks even better than their best known song.
5. Soundtrack -- Until the End of the World
This album introduced me to Nick Cave. It is also one of my first (and favorite) "various artists" compilations.
6. Sam Cooke -- Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963
I've never cared for live albums. But this one remains a glorious exception.
7. Emmylou Harris -- Wrecking Ball.
The combination of Harris' voice and Daniel Lanois' arrangements are hauntingly melancholy.
8. Michael Nyman -- The Essential Michael Nyman.
If there's a call for my biopic, let Nyman's unique music grace the soundtrack.
9. Lead into Gold -- Chicks & Speed: Futurism --
I generally prefer my music quiet and relaxing, but this bit of industrial whimsy is one I would crank to 11 and just feel good and surly.
10. Shockheaded Peter --Tiger Lillies .
My favorite book from childhood turned into
a "junk opera." Brechtian sounds become new and Martyn Jacques falsetto is just incredible.
11. Smetana/Rimsky-Korssakoff/Liszt/Glinka --
This was my first CD and the first time I heard Die Moldau, one of my favorite classical works.
12. Bing Crosby -- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.-
-It was the only album my dad listened to. He could not be bothered learning the three or four steps involved popping in the cassette, so he would call on me. But that does not diminish the my love for this album. It's a beautiful collection of Irish-American songs sung by Bing, who could put them over like no other.
13. Brian Eno & John Cale -- Wrong Way Up.
Musical savants unite in an album which gives me the same feeling as reading great literature.
14. Tom Waits -- Big Time
- My introduction to Mr. Waits' early oeuvre.
15. Antony and the Johnsons -- I am a Bird Now.
Antony Hegarty has a beautiful, expressive voice. It's a touching album that I find touching but never whiny or mawkish
The following are not necessarily my favorite albums but ones milestones that helped shape me into the musical mutant I am today. This might not be the original
purpose of this exercise, but it's my meme and I write what I want to.
1. The Monkees -- The Monkees
This was my first album. It was given to me by my parents' banker when
they were transacting some business. Apparently he had gotten it for his daughter who already had it. I loved The Monkees and was thrilled but never did listen to it,
though, as we had no 33 rpm turntable. My mother probably gave it to a
cousin or trashed it.
2. Pure Prairie League -- Two Lane Highway
This was the first entire album (cassette) I listened to. Up until
1975, my music had been radio top 40 and 1940's crooners from dad's
collection of 78's. My brothers were quite into "swamp rock" and this
was the only one that caught me fancy because of its drive and catchy
melodies.
3. Bruce Springsteen -- Born to Run .
I was cool. It was my first step beyond Top 40 and a whole album, to boot. It's not so much the music on Springsteen's The River, but the fact I was couldn't wait to get it on the day of it's release in 1980. I was expecting a crowd waiting for the door of Record Theater to open. As it turned out, I was the only one waiting and there were 4 copies on the shelf. I was confused but that did little to diminish the thrill of getting a brand-spanking-new release.
4. Moody Blues --Seventh Sojourn
This was my first album purchase. After hearing the extended version of "Nights in White Satin," I went to find a full album. Initially, I was disappointed to find this was the only Moody Blues cassette at the store and it didn't have "Nights." But the album was full of tracks even better than their best known song.
5. Soundtrack -- Until the End of the World
This album introduced me to Nick Cave. It is also one of my first (and favorite) "various artists" compilations.
6. Sam Cooke -- Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963
I've never cared for live albums. But this one remains a glorious exception.
7. Emmylou Harris -- Wrecking Ball.
The combination of Harris' voice and Daniel Lanois' arrangements are hauntingly melancholy.
8. Michael Nyman -- The Essential Michael Nyman.
If there's a call for my biopic, let Nyman's unique music grace the soundtrack.
9. Lead into Gold -- Chicks & Speed: Futurism --
I generally prefer my music quiet and relaxing, but this bit of industrial whimsy is one I would crank to 11 and just feel good and surly.
10. Shockheaded Peter --Tiger Lillies .
My favorite book from childhood turned into
a "junk opera." Brechtian sounds become new and Martyn Jacques falsetto is just incredible.
11. Smetana/Rimsky-Korssakoff/Liszt/Glinka --
This was my first CD and the first time I heard Die Moldau, one of my favorite classical works.
12. Bing Crosby -- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.-
-It was the only album my dad listened to. He could not be bothered learning the three or four steps involved popping in the cassette, so he would call on me. But that does not diminish the my love for this album. It's a beautiful collection of Irish-American songs sung by Bing, who could put them over like no other.
13. Brian Eno & John Cale -- Wrong Way Up.
Musical savants unite in an album which gives me the same feeling as reading great literature.
14. Tom Waits -- Big Time
- My introduction to Mr. Waits' early oeuvre.
15. Antony and the Johnsons -- I am a Bird Now.
Antony Hegarty has a beautiful, expressive voice. It's a touching album that I find touching but never whiny or mawkish