By Roger Nead
January 28, 2005
DESERTED ISLAND DISCS:
Here we go with a brand-new weekly segment where I’m gonna give you a year-by-year listing of the 10 albums every music lover should have with them in case they find themselves lost on some deserted island or trapped on some far away space station (assuming of course that they remembered to bring along a whole bunch of batteries!) Some of the albums that make my Top 10 lists are well known and you probably already own them, but some will make you say “what the hell is that?…I’ve never heard of it!” I would recommend that those lucky enough to have a working record player on hand rush off to their nearest used record store, or thrift store, and pick these up on a nice scratchy piece of vinyl. But if not, a nice shiny CD will do fine! I begin this week with a great year for LPs: 1969. Enjoy!
10) GILDED PALACE OF SIN by THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS The most perfect piece of Country-Folk-Rock ever recorded, LA based Burrito Brothers featured ex-BYRDS members GRAM PARSONS and CHRIS HILLMAN. GILDED PALACE OF SIN was THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS first release, and although it didn’t have much commercial success (Palace peaked at #164 on the album chart) it was the ideal record for Parsons to showcase his anti-establishment politics with moving acoustic and steel guitars, and a sound that falls somewhere in between JOHNNY CASH and THE ROLLING STONES. It’s also the perfect album for drinking hooch, smoking joints and singing along. Best tracks: “Hot Burrito #1,” “Hot Burrito #2,” “Dark End Of The Street,” “Hippy” and “Christine’s Tune.”
9) NASHVILLE SKYLINE by BOB DYLAN Recorded after Dylan’s voice began to get rough, but before it sounded like sand paper, NASHVILLE SKYLINE saw Bob mixing his Folk-Rock with a little Country, and even featured a duet with JOHNNY CASH (who won a Grammy for writing Skyline’s album notes). The biggest hit on the album was “Lay Lady Lay” a Top 10 smash that was originally written for the Oscar winning pic MIDNIGHT COWBOY but rejected. Other NASHVILLE SKYLINE classics include “Tell Me That It Isn’t True,” “I Threw It All Away,” and “Peggy Day.” Dylan wouldn’t produce another album as good as this until 1975’s BLOOD ON THE TRACKS.
8) THE CARROLL COUNTY ACCIDENT by PORTER WAGONER My two previous choices are on the Country/Rock side, but this one is just plain pure Country & Western. Hall-Of-Famer PORTER WAGONER is probably best known these days as being responsible for launching DOLLY PARTON’S career, but as an artist in his own right Porter is one of Country’s greatest “story-tellers.” The album’s title track was a hit on both the Country charts and the Pop charts, and Wagoner turns out some timeless versions of legendary C&W classics, such as: “Banks Of The Ohio,” “Rocky Top,” and “The World Needs A Washin’.” “Accident” also features songs by then “up-and-coming” Country songwriters MERLE HAGGARD (“Sing Me Back Home”), and Parton, who contributed possibly the best song on the album “I Lived So Fast And Hard.” These days when one considers Country artists from the 1960’s JOHNNY CASH, BUCK OWENS, PATSY CLINE, LORETTA LYNN and EDDY ARNOLD tend to come to mind, but PORTER WAGONER shouldn’t be overlooked. One listen to THE CARROLL COUNTY ACCIDENT and you’ll see what I mean.
7) THE BROTHERS: ISLEY by THE ISLEY BROTHERS How ‘bout a little Soul now? In a year when the Isley’s released two of their best albums it’s tempting to go with the biggest one, IT’S OUR THING, which featured one of the groups biggest hits “It’s Your Thing,” but you know I like to be different, so I decided to pick the lesser known THE BROTHERS: ISLEY, mainly because of the albums two biggest singles: “I Turned You On,” and “Black Berries.” Sure, the record has other great songs too, like: “I Got To Get Myself Together” and “Get Down Off The Train,” but if “I Turned You On” isn’t enough to make your body move in ways you never thought possible, maybe there’s something wrong with you!
6) CROSBY, STILLS & NASH by CROSBY, STILLS & NASH Thank MAMA CASS ELLIOT for putting this “super-group” together, she introduced ex-Byrds Crosby to ex-Hollies Nash, who join ex-BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD member Stills for a jam session after Nash turns down the lead singer spot for BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS. These talented, experienced musicians kicked off their career with a debut album that was so good they could never top it (even after adding NEIL YOUNG to the mix). It won them the Best New Artist Grammy, and gave us one of the 60’s best ballads: “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” written for Folk star JUDY COLLINS. The only thing that could’ve made this album better would be the inclusion of Young’s haunting “Ohio,” which was released a year later.
5) HOT BUTTERED SOUL by ISAAC HAYES Well-established Soul song writer/producer Hayes began his career in front of the mic with a full-length album that only needed four songs, and a picture of his big beautiful bald head on the cover to become an R&B classic. A double-sided single release of two of the albums tracks (significantly edited down) “Walk On By,” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” reached #30, and #37 respectively, and the nearly 10 minute long funk track “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” seems like it flies by in about 2.
4) ABBEY ROAD by THE BEATLES ABBEY ROAD doesn’t have the significance of being THE BEATLES biggest album, or their best, but it has remained a favorite among the bands fans. The continuous run of songs on side two (“Because” – “Her Majesty”) is unique and compelling and “You Never Give Me Your Money” is one of the best pieces of music PAUL MCCARTNEY ever wrote. In fact, there’s not a bad song on the album, and that’s impressive considering it includes Ringo’s second attempt at song writing “Octopus’s Garden.” ABBEY ROAD remains the last album THE BEATLES ever recorded (but not the last album they released), and it’s a fitting end to a short but incredible career.
3) LED ZEPPELIN by LED ZEPPELIN The greatest debut album of 1969, and that was a year that saw debuts by: SANTANA, CS&N, CHICAGO, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, among others. Zeppelin’s debut album introduced hard rock that had never been heard before, and even included rocked out covers of blues standards such as: “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” and “You Shook Me.” In January of ’69 Zeppelin opened a concert for IRON BUTTERFLY, who had the biggest selling album of the year, and Zep so effected the audience that Butterfly refused to go on after them. This type of energy followed LED ZEPPELIN through their entire career, and it’s no more apparent then on their first album. Now, as any Zeppelin fan will tell you, the band never released a bad album, but with tracks such as: “Good Times, Bad Times,” “Your Time Is Gonna Come,” “Dazed And Confused,” and “Communication Breakdown” you’d swear it was a Greatest Hits collection, but no, it’s just one of the greatest Rock & Roll records ever released.
2) COMPLETELY WELL by B.B. KING In a career that spans more than 50 years, B.B. KING has cemented himself as the worlds most popular blues artist, and COMPLETELY WELL is a perfect example of why that is. White rock artists had been covering classic blues tunes for years, ELVIS PRESLEY and THE ROLLING STONES for example, but this was the first black blues record to gain wide appeal among white middle and upper class Americans. Including King’s signature tune “The Thrill Is Gone,” a cover of ROY HAWKINS classic blues hit, COMPLETELY WELL is a testimony of the women who broke Riley King’s heart. Lets face it, regardless of our gender or race we’ve all been there before, and this the album that was made for being dumped. Just put the albums final three songs on repeat: “Cryin’ Won’t Help You Now,” which segways into “You’re Mean,” and finishes up with “The Thrill Is Gone”…and you’ll feel better in no time.
1) LET IT BLEED by THE ROLLING STONES My favorite album of 1969 is also my favorite album by the legendary Stones. This was BRIAN JONES’ last work (he was found dead in his swimming pool before LET IT BLEED was released), and MICK TAYLOR’S first appearance with the Stones. Bleed kicks off with “Gimme Shelter,” probably the best piece of music they ever produced, and finishes off with the classic rock favorite “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” In between is one great song after another, from the blues laced title track, to the rocking “Midnight Rambler,” to the Country flavored “You Got The Silver,” (featuring Keith on vocals). LET IT BLEED contained no hit singles, (although it does have an alternate take of the Stones #1 hit “Honky Tonk Women,” called: “Country Honk,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” was released as a single four years later). If THE ROLLING STONES had called it quits after this album, it would’ve been worth it! As a added plus, LET IT BLEED contains one of the Stones best album covers, with a plate, a film can, a clock, a pizza, a bicycle tire, and a cake loaded on a hi-fi. Truly great stuff!
OK, that’s it for 1969. Keep in mind these are only my opinions and I welcome you to disagree. Tune in next time for my Top Ten albums of 1970!
NEW ALBUM REVIEW:
 |
Title: ETERNIFINITY
Artist: THE MATTOID
Release Date: February 22, 2005
When I first popped this in I didn’t know what to think. Is ROB ZOMBIE doing Lounge music now? The more I listened, the more the music started to click with me, great rhythm guitar, bass and keyboards, even slightly reminding me of DEVO or THE CARS, which I love. But, as I kept playing lead track “Joy” I wanted to know just why this crazy guy kept screaming at me. Vocally I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything quite like THE MATTOID, possibly KLAUS NOMI on steroids. As it goes along ETERNIFINITY seems to get poppier and happier, “Little Surfer” would almost fit perfectly on THE CARS “Shake It Up” album, but as much as I like the music, the lyrics, the production, I just can’t decide how I feel about the crazy bald headed Scandinavian guy who sounds almost like one of the Muppets. So am I recommending ETERNIFINITY? I’m not sure…but dammit, I have to listen to that “Joy” song again…yet I’m frightened! Help Me!
For more info on THE MATTOID, go to: www.cleftmusic.net
U.S. Singles Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 singles:
1) Let Me Love You by MARIO
2) 1, 2 Step by CIARA Featuring MILLY ELLIOTT
3) Lovers And Friends by LIL JON & THE EAST SIDE BOYZ Featuring USHER & LUDACRIS
4) Soldier by DESTINY’S CHILD
5) Drop It Like It’s Hot by SNOOP DOGG Featuring PHARRELL
6) How We Do by THE GAME Featuring 50 CENT
7) Disco Inferno by 50 CENT
8) Boulevard Of Broken Dreams by GREEN DAY
9) My Boo by USHER And ALICIA KEYS
10) Over And Over by NELLY Featuring TIM McGRAW
U.S. Album Chart:
Here are this week’s Top 10 albums:
1) American Idiot by GREEN DAY
2) Encore by EMINEM
3) Greatest Hits by SHANIA TWAIN
4) Get Lifted by JOHN LEGEND
5) Crunk Juice by LIL JON & THE EAST SIDE BOYZ
6) Breakaway by KELLY CLARKSON
7) Confessions by USHER
8) MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups Presents: Collision Course by JAY-Z/LINKIN PARK
9) The Red Light District by LUDACRIS
10) Now 17 by VARIOUS ARTISTS
Top 10 Most Downloaded Tracks:
Here is this week’s Top 10 Hot Digital Tracks:
1) Boulevard Of Broken Dreams by GREEN DAY
2) 1, 2 Step by CIARA Featuring MISSY ELLIOTT
3) Since U Been Gone by KELLY CLARKSON
4) Disco Inferno by 50 CENT
5) Drop It Like It’s Hot by SNOOP DOGG Featuring PHARRELL
6) Get Right by JENNIFER LOPEZ
7) Over And Over by NELLY Featuring TIM McGRAW
8) How We Do by THE GAME Featuring 50 CENT
9) Let Me Love You by MARIO
10) Lady by LENNY KRAVITZ
Modern Rock Tracks:
Here are this week’s Top 10 Modern Rock tracks:
1) Boulevard Of Broken Dreams by GREEN DAY
2) Scars by PAPA ROACH
3) Cold by CROSSFADE
4) Look What You’ve Done by JET
5) Mr. Brightside by THE KILLERS
6) All Because Of You by U2
7) Pain by JIMMY EAT WORLD
8) I’m Not OK (I Promise) by MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
9) Home by THREE DAYS GRACE
10) Save Me by UNWRITTEN LAW
U.K. Singles Chart
Here are the Top Ten singles in the UK:
1) One Night/I Got Stung by ELVIS PRESLEY
2) Empty Souls by MANIC STREET PREACHERS
3) Somebody Told Me by THE KILLERS
4) Against All Odds by STEVE BROOKSTEIN
5) Staring At The Sun by ROOSTER
6) Strings Of Life (Stronger On My Own) by SOUL CENTRAL Featuring KATHY BROWN
7) Live Twice by DARIUS
8) The Number Of The Beast by IRON MAIDEN
9) Out Of Touch by UNITING NATIONS
10) Jailhouse Rock by ELVIS PRESLEY
FUN & GAMES:
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC:
THE 70’S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 29 years ago January 25TH, 1976!
THE 80’S
Hear the official weekly Billboard Top 50 chart from 19 years ago
January 25TH, 1986!
REMEMBER THESE?:
Here are the official Top Ten Charts, 5, 15, 25, and 35 years ago this week:
JANUARY 25, 2000:
1) I Knew I Loved You by SAVAGE GARDEN
2) What A Girl Wants by CHRISTINA AGUILERA
3) Smooth by SANTANA Featuring ROB THOMAS
4) Back At One by BRIAN MCKNIGHT
5) Bring It All To Me by BLAQUE
6) Blue (Da Ba Dee) by EIFFEL 65
7) Hot Boyz by MISSY ELLIOTT Featuring NAS, EVE & Q-TIP
8) That The Way It Is by CELINE DION
9) I Need To Know by MARC ANTHONY
10) My Love Is Your Love by WHITNEY HOUSTON
JANUARY 25, 1990:
1) How Am I Supposed To Live Without You by MICHAEL BOLTON
2) Pump Up The Jam by TECHNOTRONIC Featuring FELLY
3) Downtown Train by ROD STEWART
4) Everything by JODY WATLEY
5) Two To Make It Right by SEDUCTION
6) Just Between You And Me by LOU GRAMM
7) Free Fallin’ by TOM PETTY
8) Opposites Attract by PAULA ABDUL With THE WILD PAIR
9) I Remember You by SKID ROW
10) Another Day In Paradise by PHIL COLLINS
JANUARY 25, 1980:
1) Rock With You by MICHAEL JACKSON
2) Do That To Me One More Time by CAPTAIN & TENNILLE
3) Coward Of The County by KENNY ROGERS
4) Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by RUPERT HOLMES
5) Cruisin’ by SMOKEY ROBINSON
6) Send One Your Love by STEVIE WONDER
7) We Don’t Talk Anymore by CLIFF RICHARD
8) Crazy Little Thing Called Love by QUEEN
9) The Long Run by EAGLES
10) Sara by FLEETWOOD MAC
JANUARY 25, 1970:
1) I Want You Back by THE JACKSON 5
2) Venus by THE SHOCKING BLUE
3) Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head by B.J. THOMAS
4) Whole Lotta Love by LED ZEPPELIN
5) Without Love (There Is Nothing) by TOM JONES
6) Don’t Cry Daddy by ELVIS PRESLEY
7) I’ll Never Fall In Love Again by DIONNE WARWICK
8) Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
9) Someday We’ll Be Together by DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
10) Leaving On A Jet Plane by PETER, PAUL & MARY
ROCK & ROLL TRIVIA QUESTION:
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:
Since the creation of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, who is the only solo artist to have the #1 pop single of the year more than once?
THE ANSWER:
I know at first glance you’d be tempted to guess ELVIS PRESLEY, and Elvis did finish two years off with the #1 song of the year, 1956 with “Heartbreak Hotel,” and 1957 with “All Shook Up,” but both years predated the Hot 100. Since the start of the Hot 100 chart only GEORGE MICHAEL has topped the year-end charts twice with solo hits. “Faith” was the #1 hit of 1988, and “Careless Whisper” which was listed as a solo hit for Michael in the UK, but credited to WHAM! Featuring GEORGE MICHAEL in the US (due to the rising popularity of WHAM! at the time), was the #1 hit of 1985.
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
In June of 1968 four completely different songs debuted on the Hot 100 all with the same title. What was the title?
Answer next week!
E-MAIL THE AUTHOR |
ARCHIVES
