Top 10
Music implies all genres, jazz, rock, pop, dance, etc..
Tough. This list is in no order. I realize the greatest hits and box sets are cheating, but it’s the only way to get a few great folks in.
Lots of blatant omissions: Beatles, Stones, Led Zeppelin, U2, Eagles, Police, R.E.M., Sinatra, Prince, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tom Petty, Beach Boys, Smiths, etc.. Many of these are either overplayed or lack “the” great album. Also, total disregard for “influence.”
The List
- Who’s Next – The Who – Their best collection of songs. Power, musicianship, lyrics, all against the backdrop of “Teenage Wasteland.”
- Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd – Dark Side is a better record, but this one has something special going for it. The last excellent Pink Floyd record.
- Back in Black – AC/DC – Bon Scott was the better frontman, but these songs both rock and get you dancing. Go figure.
- Aja – Steely Dan – The slickest “rock” record ever. A different band on every track. If you don’t like it, “drink your big black cow and get out of here!”
- Kind of Blue – Miles Davis – The crossover jazz record. Coltrane, Adderley, and Bill Evans. Timeless.
- The Best of Earth Wind and Fire Vol. 1 – The first real crossover band, for great reason. Catchy tunes, bouncy bass lines, and positive vibes.
- Live at Fillmore East – Allman Brothers – Unsurpassed rock improvisation. Greg Allman’s old man vocals. Duane’s otherworldly slide guitar. A jacked-up crowd. “Play all night!” Indeed.
- Band of Gypsies – Band of Gypsies – The story is Bill Graham told Hendrix to “cool the theatrics, and just play!” This was the result. Stratocaster nirvana.
- Revolutions – Steve Winwood – Sure, some filler here. But here you get Traffic, Blind Faith, and those tremendous solo records. B3 improvisation and Ray Charles vocals.
- Look of Love (the box set) – Burt Bacharach – Pop music with sophistication, deft lyrics, and a roster of performers that is remarkable.
This post originally published here on Quora.
