When it comes so-called ‘classic’ albums I assume that they’ll find me eventually, perhaps via an article or a review, or maybe a chance discovery in a chazza, ye olde recorde shoppe or boot sale. Sometimes it’s a case of wondering what all the fuss was about, but every so often one will knock me little socks right off and I’ll wonder where it’s been all my life.
I write this because on Sunday I stumbled across a few such classics at a car boot, and over the last two evenings have been left reeling – REELING I tell you – by the wonder that is Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, and aside from the well-known title track I’ve clearly been missing out; despite owning a couple of his other LPs, and being aware of its good standing, I never felt the need to seek it out.
Anyway, what classic album(s) have you only just discovered recently? And was it shit or not? Do tell.
N.B. It must be commonly thought of as a proper ‘classic’. Points will be deducted for wilful obscurity.
minibreakfast says
—>
Moose the Mooche says
What on earth is up with that woman on You Sure Love to Ball? Does she have a cold or summat?
Bingo Little says
I love love LOVE Let’s Get It On.
By happy coincidence, I’ve only recently lent a proper ear to Here My Dear.
Always assumed it was unlistenable because of the back story. As it turns out, it’s actually bloody marvellous. He could sing a bit, could Marvin.
Also lyrically wonderful – who can fault lines like “somebody tell me please… why do I have to pay attorney fees” and “magnets! Make the love rise”?
minibreakfast says
I’ve got one disc of Here, My Dear. I bought it unsleeved for 50p at a boot sale, but of course I’ve since listened to the rest on Spotify. And yesterday I also found I Want You, which I’m very much looking forward to.
Moose the Mooche says
Unsleeved? Be careful!
While I’m here, Midnight Love is better than everybody thinks, after 30+ years of grumbling “….Well there’s nothing else on there of the standard of Sexual Healing”. There isn’t, but it’s still ace.
Black Celebration says
Do you remember this story? Link below. A Marv album bought for 50c contained his passport!
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/marvin-gayes-1964-passport-found-in-vinyl-by-motown-fan-9109170.html
minibreakfast says
I had a funny feeling I’d compared Here, My Dear to Blood On The Tracks somewhere. Turns out I did: http://carbootvinyldiaries.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/open-up-and-say-ahh.html
Markg says
Markg says
Good idea…never have listened to the VU ,will do so tonight and maybe see if it stands up….great sleeve at least!
minibreakfast says
How was it, Markg?
Markg says
Ok let’s say that I can’t stand Nico’ s voice so that rules out liking the whole album…i think this must have really sounded new and powerful in 1967! My favourite tracks would be those featuring Lou Reed,in particular Heroin and Venus in Furs….didnt like Run,Run,Run…who sings lead vocal on that?
Tony Japanese says
I get what you mean about Nico’s voice (I didn’t enjoy ‘Chelsea Girl’ when I listened to it) but I think it works on this record. It’s an aquired taste. I think Lou Reed sings lead on all the ones that Nico doesn’t.
Paul Wad says
I listened to Chelsea Girl for the first time last week! I thought it was okay.
anton says
Oh my mistake
minibreakfast says
Hmm, I won’t hurry to get to it. It’ll find me in time I’m sure.
Tony Japanese says
I actually really like the VU & N, regardless of Nico’s voice. In fact it almost inspired me to form a band.
Moose the Mooche says
Live Rust.
Fookin ace man!
Oh yeah… and Handsworth Revolution. Actually I taped it back in 1983 but something happened to the tape and I never heard it for 34 years.
Fookin ace man!
minibreakfast says
Live Rust – decidedly Not Shit.
Gary says
Handsworth Revolution fanfeckinbrilliant album. I reckon Britain has produced two absolute classic reggae albums – Signing Off and Handsworth Revolution. (Aswad were great, but never made a classic album imho).
Moose the Mooche says
Countereurovision!
Countereurovision!
Countereurovision!
Tiggerlion says
I think you are being unfair on Aswad. New Chapter/New Chapter Dub are excellent.
Also, try Misty In Roots – Live At The Counter Eurovision 1979, Linton Kwesi Johnson – Forces Of Victory, Matumbi – Point Of View, Blackbeard – I Wah Dub or, more recently, Prince Fatty – Survival Of The Fattest, The Breadwinners – Dub Unlimited, Hollie Cook – Twice and Roger Robinson – Dis Side Ah Town.
Moose the Mooche says
I’m glad you mentioned that Misty album because nobody mentioned it.
Nobody.
Tiggerlion says
Sorry. I’d composed my post ‘off-line’, then copied and pasted. I saw you’d alluded to it but couldn’t be arsed editing.
Moose the Mooche says
Let that be a lesson – without knowledge of the Updates, you’re like a cabbage in this society.
Lando Cakes says
I’d have gone with You – a sinner!
skylarkingmatt says
Discovered the Misty album a couple of months ago after someone recommended it to me. It’s fantastic
Gary says
I like New Chapter, I just don’t think of it at as a classic. Forces Of Victory maybe.
Lots to check out there though. I know and like Holly Cook and Roger Robinson. Don’t know any of the others.
Mike_H says
I used to love the first self-titled Aswad album, and “Showcase” is positively outstanding.
I seem to recollect “Live & Direct” was pretty good too, though I haven’t heard it for a very long time indeed.
duco01 says
I endorse all of Tigger’s choices above (although maybe Dennis Bovell only half counts, because he is/was of Barbadian nationality).
I’d also add LKJ”s Making History, More Time, In Dub Vol. 1 and 3.
Junior Wells says
Wise and Foolish is also a good Misty album . Live and direct by ASWAD is indeed excellent. First saw them live in the beer garden at Queens Hotel in Harare under the shade of a blooming jacarandah tree. African sun shimmering off the brass instruments, cold beer in hand…spliff consumed….nostalgia
Kid Dynamite says
I heartily endorse any recommendation for Prince Fatty. My own choice would be “… Versus The Drunken Gambler”, which has a brilliant cover of Got Your Money (with Holly Cook providing the female vocals) and a track called Kung Fu Battle Inna Brixton, which ought to be enough to endear it to anybody.
Tiggerlion says
Appetite For Destruction.
minibreakfast says
Out, you.
Tiggerlion says
This one, from Niggaz4Life by N.W.A.
Moose the Mooche says
The George Osborne years!
“We’re In This Together, Muthafuckas!”
Neela says
Played Appetite for the first time in maybe 25 years just last week. Still sounds really good. Especially the first side is pretty stunning.
Tony Japanese says
I bought Appetite For Destruction the other day too. There are many classic’ albums that I’ve not heard in full.
Blue Boy says
I wrote in glowing terms here a few months ago about The Yes Album which I’d never heard before and really enjoyed. Sadly Close to the Edge didn’t repeat the trick…
Wilson Wilson says
I’m a late convert to Television’s Marquee Moon. Have known and loved the title track for years, no idea why I never bought the album before.
Gary says
I was trying to think of a recognised classic I don’t know. And there’s one right there. That’s going to be my listening at the beach tomorrow.
pawsforthought says
Also been meaning to listen to MM. I’ll try it on the way to work, rather than the beach.
pawsforthought says
Actually, I listened to it on the beach. This made it sound as if they put a lot of wave sound effects on the record.
On the whole I liked it, the title track was really good- you could hear how it influenced Wilco amongst others (particularly reminded of spiders kidsmoke). The writing was mature beyond their years and it was a well produced record. Also, it allowed enough time for the family to play in the sea whilst I got on with it. Sadly my next listen will have to be in the car on the way to work as I’m now sat in the airport waiting to fly home.
davebigpicture says
The Band: Music From Big Pink. Haven’t got up to the magic six plays but it’s pretty good.
Love: Forever Changes. Apart from Alone Again Or, it’s a no from me.
dai says
Oh my goodness please give it more listens.
davebigpicture says
@dai Love or The Band?
dai says
Love.
You Set the Scene is one of the pinnacles of post war Western civilization (and the rest isn’t too shabby). I prefer “The Band” to “Pink” but it’s an excellent album.
Tony Japanese says
I was listening to The Band’s self-titled offering last week and it got me wondering if ‘bonus tracks’ on albums (i.e. ones on the same disc) are ever a good thing. I like the album, but I don’t really need to hear alternate takes etc and I’d rather have them on a seperate disc if anything.
dai says
See also an extended Forever Changes, when You Set the Scene fades and you wonder if you will ever feel quite this good again, you immediately get Arthur telling Johnny to go for another take, or other such nonsense. That is followed by the wonderful Your Mind and Me Belong Together however …
Moose the Mooche says
And Laughing Stock.
“Ohh Ted in bed, and ride ride ride”
Don’t do drugs, kids!
Neela says
Big Pink is a favourite of mine. Took a while to get in to though. Still think it sounds weird with all the organs or whatever it is. Nothing like it really.
Tahir W says
Which one of them had that whiney voice? That’s what makes it hard for me to think of it as a fave.
Neela says
Not sure. Levon sings the opening verse of The Weight. Rick sings This Wheel’s On Fire. Richards sings I Shall Be Released. So which one’s the whiney one?
Moose the Mooche says
I think he does actually mean Manuel, who is the first voice you hear on Tears of Rage.
minibreakfast says
Yep, can’t stand his voice. Whiney and whimpering.
JustB says
Moondance and It’s Too Late To Stop Now. Van Morrison had just passed me by entirely because I never liked Astral Weeks much and assumed it’d all be more of that.
It’s not.
DogFacedBoy says
Bob if I have a go at Moondance will you try ‘Band & Street Choir’?
JustB says
Sure! 🙂
Mike_H says
Moondance is most definitely a front-loaded album.
Excellent Side One ending with the fabulous “Into The Mystic”.
Side Two is alright but contains nothing outstanding.
In my opinion.
I haven’t heard “Band & The Street Choir” for a long, long time. Used to like it, as I recall.
Junior Wells says
Band and Street Choir is a very good album, underrated as it is more soul and “straight ahead” than the mystic incantations of St Dominic’s Preview.
Voice in fine fettle too.
mikethep says
If I’m honest Band and Street Choir and Tupelo Honey are the albums I return to most often, with honourable mentions for St D’s Preview and Into the Music. Don’t seem to need any others…
Junior Wells says
V Fleece ?
Wheldrake says
The run of albums from Moondance to Veedon Fleece all have something to recommend them. Moondance has long been a favourite of mine.
minibreakfast says
You’ll love it, Bob.
slotbadger says
Scott 2. I have been meaning to listen properly to it for ages and got around to it today, soundtracking a rainy afternoon at home. Beautiful.
bricameron says
Up.
deramdaze says
The Prom last night (on T.V. on Friday) has nicely set up a Scott Walker fortnight or so.
I was listening to Scott 2 when I read this post. What are the chances?!
Junior Wells says
I have never owned nor played in its entirety, Sgt Peoper
mikethep says
Neither have I. Who’s it by?
Junior Wells says
Tho Beotles
mikethep says
Ah, the Fub Fuor!
slotbadger says
They came from Liverpool and were unfairly overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Gerry and The Peacemakers
Sewer Robot says
To be fair, the peacemakers were blessed…
Tiggerlion says
Pacemakers are more useful, though.
mikethep says
Nevermind
Thriller
As previously admitted, nothing by S Wonder
Horses
Purple Rain
The Bends
Not particularly proud of this…
I have however listened to Holiday in Italy by Kurt Edelhagen und sein Tanzorchester.
mikethep says
Having reread the OP, I realise I was supposed to have listened to all these and been bowled over by them…I may be some time.
minibreakfast says
Never mind that! How was Kurt?!
mikethep says
Awful. Seems he made an album with the Modern Jazz Quartet which might be worth a listen.
minibreakfast says
So much for HP’s sparkling review, then. Cuh!
duco01 says
Earlier this year I heard “Chicago II” for the first time, following a recommendation from Bargepole.
Does that count as a classic album?
It should do, because it’s great – an absolute revelation, in fact.
Declan says
Their debut, Chicago Transit Authority, stuffed with good material and even better. And Terry Kath, what a guitar hero.
BTW the hit, I’m A Man, is quite funny as there was no internet back then to check lyrics so they just plough on with what they think they’re hearing. Hardly sounds like English in places.
Moose the Mooche says
Amen.
The Whole World’s (Not) Listening, sadly
salwarpe says
Exile on Main Street. Half shit, half quite good actually. The best bits seemed to be played by people who weren’t core (or long-term) members of the group.
dai says
No it’s all brilliant. You obviously haven’t listened to it enough (took me about a year)
Junior Wells says
Yep , never understand the naysayers. Perhaps it is the dense sound. Certainly ain’t no Ruby Tuesday stuff.
A few years ago we had a dinner party that sort of continued on. We just kept pressing repeat on Exile til about 3 am.
salwarpe says
I reckon that if you listened to anything for a year, eventually you’d plead for mercy, submit, and accept the worst twaddle as musical gold dust.
Tahir W says
Actually there’s quite a bit of controversy about who played what. It was the drugs, you know.
Locust says
The Roches. I’d heard a couple of tracks on the radio around the time of release but despite loving “Hammond Song” I never bought it (hadn’t really started to buy many albums yet then due to a distinct lack of funds, and forgot all about them).
Got it from a friend this year and really like it. Lovely harmonies and very funny and occasionally moving in a good mix. It also gives me some kind of Proustian rush when I listen to it, but I haven’t figured out quite why yet. Fleeting images and emotions diving under the surface again as soon as they’ve emerged. But the warm and fuzzy kind of just-out-of-reach memories, so that’s OK.
bricameron says
How are we defining “Classic”? Who on earth are ‘The Roches’?
Locust says
Well, it’s no. 150 on that list of female albums, which is why I thought of it now when this question was posed! 🙂
Lando Cakes says
I agree that it’s a classic. I always think of it as a companion piece to the first Kate & Anna Mcgarrigle album. Interesting that they became related by marriage.
Clive says
I’m working my way through that 1001 albums to listen to before you die… I’m on 220 which was Tago Mago by Can so in the past 3 months I’ve listened to loads of so called classic albums for the first time.
Ones I’ve enjoyed most on first listen are Liege and Lief, Bluesbreakers, Aqualung, Five Leaves Left, Songs of Leonard Cohen, Oar by Alex Spence but pretty much all the jazz albums I find unlistenable.
NigelT says
Agreed – the jazz albums are sometimes hard going. I got a bit fed up with the obvious American slant of the book, but now I’m in the 60’s and and in much more familiar territory for me. Few socks have been knocked off, but some of the early pre-rock stuff was totally unfamiliar and Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours and particularly Songs For Swingin’ Lovers (oh how language changes) were revelatory.
Tony Japanese says
I started doing this about five years ago, but I keep finding other things to listen to. So far I’ve managed to get up to 1967 and (apart from the albums I already owned) I’ve been particularly impressed by the Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, A Date with the Everlys, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, Songs For Swinging Lovers, Tragic Songs of Life, Freak Out, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears and Sam Cooke’s Live at the Harlem Square Club.
Mavis Diles says
Something/Anything by Todd Rundgren. It’s an odd album; plenty of sublime power pop with rich chords and melodies, but tainted by a nasty misogynistic undertone in parts, and some obvious space fillers. I’ll definitely give it a few more goes.
nickduvet says
Never really picked up on the nasty misogynistic undertones. As you say, the album has more gorgeous love songs than you could shake a stick at. Unless you’re talking about “S-L-U-T, she may be a slut, but she looks good to me!” But that’s obviously tongue in cheek, and an irresistible chorus to boot.
Like most doubles, it’s a more expansive landscape. And if you know anything/something about Todd, you know he follows his own path.
Where do you stand on Wizard?
Mavis Diles says
I only just listened to Wizard (etc) and Hermit too. I really don’t know what to make of him.
SLUT and You Left Me Sore are both nasty, and It Takes Two to Tango I’m also not sure about. I might just need to tune in to his ‘thing’, which seems to be a rather detached, almost autistic disregard for the listener. He’s got an album to fill.
nickduvet says
Don’t even try Mavis. I’ve been listening to his music for 40 years and much as I love all the 70s stuff (though I won’t be listening to A Treatise on Cosmic Fire again probably ever) no other artist has irritated me more. Like I said, he follows his own path. You either go along or you don’t.
You see, I don’t get the nasty that you hear, I just don’t. Maybe because I heard it in a different time and I’m just better tuned in to his sensibility. I don’t see how someone who could write with such sensitivity could really be nasty. He’s a young guy having some fun and indulging himself, and boy did he indulge himself. If you didn’t get on with Wizard and Hermit, then I suspect Todd is not for you. There’s a double CD best of called ‘Go Ahead, Ignore Me’ which I would recommend to anyone who wants to cherry pick his work.
SixDog says
Listened to Pink Moon just the other week.
Not for me. We move on…
count jim moriarty says
Not the place to start. Five Leaves Left is an easier way in the the wonderful world of Nick Drake.
Gary says
I’m not agree. Pink Moon was my introduction to Nick and remains my favourite. I think unaccompanied acoustic guitar suits his voice and songs best.
nickduvet says
Just to show that everyone’s got their own favourite, mine is Bryter Layter, followed by Pink Moon. Nick and his producers gave it their best shot with Bryter. Nick put so much faith in it and it’s failure caused him to retreat further into himself. What I still find astonishing about those records is the recording of his voice. It’s so intimate.
duco01 says
Nick Drake.
Every track on all three albums is essential.
Declan says
Almost true. Except that stuff on Bryter Layter with the jolly rhythm and trumpet bollocks.
aging hippy says
I’d include Made To Love Magic with the original 3. It’s got Black Dog as well as some interesting alternative versions.
nickduvet says
I’m imagining the surprise in the studio as Nick starts singing “Hey-hey mama said the way you move….”
But seriously, the original fourth album was Time Of No Reply, which has the last three doom-laden songs he recorded as well as alt versions and rarities such as Robyn Frederick’s ‘Been Smoking Too Long’
minibreakfast says
Another of Sunday’s bargain buys was Solid Air. Not sure it’s going to be my cup of tea, but it was so cheap it’s got to be worth a go.
pawsforthought says
Listened to Solid Air for the first time about two weeks ago. Didn’t think I’d like it, but it was really good. I also listened to Rock Bottom, which I thought I would like and I was very disappointed. Still I have only given them both two listens so I could be wrong.
Sewer Robot says
Rock Bottom – The Lyndsey De Paul and Mike Moran Eurovision classic? Never fails to hit the spot Chez Bot…
Moose the Mooche says
Rock Bottom and Solid Air?
Parrrp!
Paul Wad says
I bought Solid Air a couple of years ago, after hearing May You Never on a BBC compilation show, and was sure I’d love it, but I was as disappointed as when I first heard What’s Going On (sorry OP!). I’ve tried them each a few times since but they just don’t do it for me.
fentonsteve says
I bought the half-speed Abbey Road vinyl series. Didn’t take to Disralie Gears or Fire and Water. Loved Solid Air and New Gold Dream.
nickduvet says
Yes, the Solid Air is outstandingly good. Worth it just for the keyboards on I Don’t Wanna Know
duco01 says
It seems increasingly clear that John Martyn wasn’t a particularly nice man.
But the music he made on Bless the Weather, Inside Out, Live at Leeds, Solid Air, One World and Grace and Danger had a terrible beauty, and was brilliantly played and sung.
JustB says
I’d go a bit further than “not particularly nice”. Everyone’s complicated and difficult to a greater or lesser extent, but in JM’s case the “being an absolute cunt to everyone and specifically abusive to women” side did seem more ascendant than the side that had the sensitivity and appreciation of beauty that produced Solid Air.
On the basis that it’s what we do (and especially how we treat others) that defines whether or not we’re good people, I think there’s very little case for John Martyn to be remembered as anything other than a supremely talented utter fucking bastard.
Neela says
Dark Side Of The Moon. Like it, still not much of a Floyd fan though. Wish You Were Here my favourite.
DanP says
A couple, actually.
Astral Weeks. Mesmerising. I think I’ve been turned off by Van Morrison generally through Moondance’s ubiquity on the radio and Sunday arvo pub singers.
Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Have always loved the song but for what ever reason had never got around to the LP.
Lat year was Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book.
Much forehead-slapping in response to all three.
Wheldrake says
By coincidence I too have only recently listened to Let’s Get It On. And it it quite superb.
Sewer Robot says
Bit short though, innit? Needs Keep Gettin’ It On refrain to drag it over the half hour.
I thought cocaine was supposed to make people work harder and, for pop stars, to lend expansive bombast to their ideas (“Four minute intro, enormous guitar solo, lyrics about how we own the world now, ten – no – a dozen helicopters in the video” – that sort of thing..)
retropath2 says
Do the National count? and Radiohead? Altho’ I owned Boxer (tN) and OK Computer (RH) I hadn’t ever given either much thought and neither had left much imprint until I decided to try the last released from each, Moon Shaped Pool (RH) on release and Trouble will Find me (tN) a few weeks ago. Then some of the gaps inbetween. So no wonder I was waiting for Glastonbury with some remote excitement. On deliberation of both output and live televised showing, National 1, Radiohead Nil
Lemonhope says
Abbey Road – loved it, although as is often the way with the Beatles, I had heard all the tracks, just not in album form – a bit miffed it took so long to get to it, tbh
minibreakfast says
I was relatively late to much of the Beatles catalogue, but like all of these so-called classics I’m in no great rush to hear them. In fact I quite like the idea of lots of fantastic albums lined up in my future like little musical land mines, just waiting to be stepped on, though of course I only want my socks blown off, not me legs.
Moose the Mooche says
No! Your legs are very important.
Ohhh.
ganglesprocket says
Earlier this year, because I had never bothered listening to any of the pre Rubber Soul Beatles albums, I actually listened to all of them from Please Please Me to Let It Be (which I also never bothered to listen to on the grounds that it looked shite).
I’d say that With The Beatles and Let It be were the two I came closest to disliking (although both have their moments).
Help was the nicest surprise, genuinely thought that was ace.
A minor observation. They certainly front loaded those early ones didn’t they? Took them a while to figure out how to end those things…
Moose the Mooche says
PPM was the real revelation in the 2009 remasters. I’d always liked it but the stereo mix is just… stunning.
“Oh dear, he likes stereo, how civilian” etc.
minibreakfast says
If you haven’t already, give Let It Be Naked a whirl. It’s way better than the original LIB.
Moose the Mooche says
Trust you to prefer that one.
You also prefer –
Help! We’ve Lost Our Pants
Rude Bare ‘Soles
Please Please (Cover) Me (Up)
deramdaze says
Each to his/her own, OOAA, here’s one I prepared earlier etc. etc., but “Twist and Shout” doesn’t seem an unreasonable way to finish an L.P.
Declan says
Loads, always loads. Recently heard Wind + Wuthering and it was better than expected, also a couple of Steve Hacketts, very enjoyable. Less pleased with Atomic Rooster and Budgie stuff. Still trying to discover Springsteen and a few were excellent, Nebraska and 18 Tracks but The River didn’t do anything for me. And hearing Jagged Little Pill as an album was strange as so many tracks were familiar from the radio. There are still Floyd/Stones/Dylan/Van albums waiting to be heard.
Paul Wad says
Well, thanks to stopping working a couple of years ago I have had a lot of time on my hands. I set about my hip hop odyssey in January last year, when it was safe to say I’d never heard around 90 of the albums that would make an average top 100 hip hop albums list, but now I’ve heard the lot and wish I’d got round to it a long time ago. I’d never even heard of Nas, for example, never mind not knowing Illmatic.
But having come close to exhausting most avenues looking for more new hip hop albums I have been branching out in all kinds of directions and have been seeing what else I had been missing by listening to too many identikit guitar bands (it is funny that most of the music that I have cast aside to make way for my new tastes has been guitar based music since 1997 – with very few exceptions I really don’t think I’ll ever go back to them). I’ve been using things like the books 1001 albums you must hear… And 263 best albums since punk and there are some absolute gems that I had ignored.
Two recent ones are Baduism and the first Soul II Soul album (the recent TV documentary by Jazzy Jeff led me to that one, as you couldn’t help to be enthused by his passion and love for music). Both those albums are great and quickly led to me buying a boxed set of Soul II Soul CDs and downloading more Erykah Badu. To continue the soul thread I am at this very moment listening to Diana Ross’ 1980 album ‘Diana’ for the first time, having read loads of great things about it and that it was basically a Chic album with Diana Ross as the vocalist. A year or so ago I would have sniffed at it, knowing a couple of singles and dismissing them as chart pop rubbish, in much the same way that Back To Life had put me off Soul II Soul. And like that one I am pleased to find once again that I was wrong, as it’s great.
MC Escher says
Chart pop rubbish? If I only ever listened to singles (or whatever we’re calling them now) for the rest of my life I think I’d be quite content.
aging hippy says
Here Comes Shuggie Otis.
Ok maybe not a classic in the truest sense but I do remember the buzz about this guy when the album was released in 1970 mainly due to the fact that he was 14 years old when he recorded it. Co-wrote all the tracks and played a variety of instruments as well as the guitar. Dude could’ve been Prince before Prince was invented but drugs (of course) and an obsession for perfection in the studio really pissed off the record label and it all fell away. He’s been trying to make a comeback in recent years. Here’s the opening track of the album. An instrumental.
Neela says
Yes!
It’s almost as good as Inspiration Information, which is finally receiving the classic status it has deserved since day one in 1974.
Carl says
He was the new Hendrix for about three to six months, only to disappear from view as far as the MM, NME and Sounds were concerned.
Tony Japanese says
So I have started listening to some more of the 1001 albums I must listen to before I die (I’ve prolonged it to keep me alive) and recently I have heard the following for the first time:
Buffalo Springfield – Buffalo Springfield Again
Moby Grape – Moby Grape (which is probably my favourite of the latest bunch, but is apparently unavailable on CD)
Captain Beefheart – Safe as Milk
The Monkees – Headquarters.
Tiggerlion says
Safe As Milk is one of my favourite albums of all time. My babysitting aunt had a sailor friend for a short while. He changed my life.
Most Moby Grape greatest hits include all of their debut album, which didn’t last much longer than half an hour. On release, as a gimmick, the record company issued every track on a single as well. It didn’t work. The last CD was on Sundazed in 2007 but it was withdrawn because the Grape’s manager claimed he owns the rights to the cover image and he threatened to sue. Moby Grape were always self-destructive. You’d have thought they didn’t want to make any money.
aging hippy says
I prefer MG’s Wow! Bought it on release (couldn’t resist the cover art) and played it to death. Most of the tracks are on the greatest hits (which is a good investment) though there was a countryish song that didn’t make it. Can’t recall the title now but it was a favourite at the time. The Grape had everything going for them – 3 great vocalists, a great guitarist and a bunch of fine songs. One of the band, Peter Lewis, was the son of 50’s Hollywood star Loretta Young.
Junglejim says
Bitches Brew for me.
I bought the 40th anniversary deluxe wotsit for peanuts recently.
Pretty odd as I consider my self a Miles fan, but have only really explored the work of the Quintet(s) in real depth. I have heard it before many times but I have never really ‘listened’ to it ( maan!), having bracketed it as druggy noodling coupled with truly yuck cover art.
The cover art (to my mind) hasn’t improved & it still seems very ‘stoned’, but there are loads of brilliant spooky grooves on it & plenty of real depth.
On balance I think it is bloody brilliant (maybe not for dinner party background music at high volume).
The sleeve notes & the ‘exclusive essay’ that come with the package do however rank up with some of the most Pseuds Corner guff I’ve ever read.
minibreakfast says
This is on my list.
JustB says
Off the back of Saucey’s thread I tried Abraxas and Caravanserai. They were OK. Not really my thing, but fine.
minibreakfast says
I like a lot of Abraxas. Never heard the one about camping.
JustB says
The music was fine: I know it’s just my specific allergy to the sound of a certain kind of overdriven guitar solo. The same way the sound of a flute, or a drum machine, or a gated reverb on a snare, or, AutoTune, or an operatic vibrato, or [insert your musical bete noire here] is like nails on a chalkboard for others, that’s what a particular kind of soloing guitar tends to do to me.
The Santana didn’t affect me as negatively as that, but still I probably would’ve liked those records a lot more without the solos. But without them, there’s no Santana, is there?
Junior Wells says
got that right Bob
Martin Hairnet says
Aka Carry on Carlos.