MY TOP 100 LPs
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Introduction
This is my personal list of those lps that I think are the best i have ever heard. The only criteria is that all the lps are ones I return to again and again. This also explains why most of them were made in the last centuary. Also I have confined this list to long players or cds, I have purposefully excluded all collections originally released on 78s, therefore The Hot 5s & 7s do not make the list-obviously they would have done as they are a musical cornerstone and repay repeated listening. Also there is no one lp reted above the others, this would be silly.
LOVE: FOREVERCHANGES
I first bought this in 1974, July in Wigan. I had read about it in NME and my brother had already got Love Masters so I knew about half the lp. It has always been a record I return to. This music is timeless, it is the apex of Arthur Lee's work.
SHIRLEY COLLINS & THE ALBION COUNTRY BAND: NO ROSES
A well crafted lp that presents traditional English music in a 1970's manner. This lp is near perfect. The musicianship is superb. I bought this my brother for his birthday in 1972 and I have listened to it since.
LEONARD COHEN: VARIOUS POSITIONS
It is difficult for me to choose a single lp by Leonard. I find beauty in them all but this has such good songs on it that it has to be up there with the best.
ART PEPPER: THE TRIP
The second album of his comeback, the great Art Pepper, the best saxophonist in the world at this point. The Trip itself is onr of my favourite tunes. This is such a solid album no track-or note is wasted.
THE DECEMBERISTS: CASTAWAYS & CUTOUTS
Again it is difficult to pick a specific lp by Mr. Meloy as they all have ther charms. I am swayed to this record by the number of good songs on it. I realised that The Decemberists were a classic band the first time I saw them when they played Clementine-spellbinding. Also my wife walked down the aisle to california One.
CORRINA REPP: ITS ONLY THE FUTURE
What an organic peice of music making, this sounds so natural, like rainfall, or the wind. Then you listen to the lyrics, there is pain here, there is love and over all there is beauty. Ms Repp keeps getting better-check out her new band Tu Fawning.
SHELAGH Mc DONALD: STARGAZER
More arrangements by John Kirby. This is a mix of her own songs , the odd cover and a traditional song.
MILES DAVIS: KIND of BLUE
OK this is the biggest selling jazz lp of all times-that's because it is so good. It is one of those albums where everything just fits.
AMY ANNELLE: SCHOOL of SECRET DANGERS
This is a lo-fi classic. The songs are well constructed, romantic, lyrically warm and the samples just seem to fit. this is a desceptive lp-worthy of repeated listenings and much concentration.
STEVE ASHLEY: STROLL ON
What a lovely record, the cd collects the single and the track that was on Electric Muse. John Kirby orchestrated it. The list is endless, its the original Albion Band on Lord Bateman. Candlemass and John Donne song are perfect.
PAUL SIMON: HEARTS & BONES
Paul Simon describes Hearts & Bones as the favourite lp of the discerning fan, he is right, this is near perfect. The lyrics are amazing, personal and highlighting the skill of a major wordsmith. I feel he was right to remove Art Garfunkle's vocals and that Philip Glass at the end, so beautiful.
BOB DYLAN: BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
This is near perfect. It is so much better than the New York version you can pick up on bootleg. Probably his last truely great lp.
THE ZOMIES: ODESSY & ORACLE
This appears to have become a trendy lp now. I first heard it as the second album of a CBS double in the middle 70's. Wonderful, the songwriting and delivery is fantastic.
SPIRIT: CLEAR
I love this lp. Its rocky, its jazzy, its good pop music. Spirit were so talented.
TOM RAPP: STARDANCER
Why has this never been released on cd? It is such a good lp-it gets better with the years. If you can track down a copy it is worth it.
SHELAGH MC DONALD: STAR GAZER
Robert Kirby arrangements, such good song writing, no one else was writing like Shelagh at this time and StarGazer itself-wonderful.
JOHN MARTYN: ONE WORLD
His last great lp. Beautiful.
JOHN MARTYN: ONE WORLD
His last great lp.
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