10 Essential Albums

Here are ten albums that every serious music fan should have, in no particular order.

1. Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis
Great soul from Dusty and Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd, with that Atlantic Records sound. Deluxe edition has an album's worth of bonus tracks.

2. Peter Tosh - Equal Rights
For my money, the definitive reggae album, angry, passionate, brilliant.

3. Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
Seriously, this album is great start to finish. Really.

4. The Flying Burrito Bros. - Gilded Palace of Sin
Gram Parsons, Gram Parsons, Gram Parsons

5. The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Gram Parsons, Gram Parsons, Gram Parsons

6. Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball
Take one of the best voices of all time, throw in a heaping spoonful of Daniel Lanois, songs by Neil Young, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, well, you get the point…

7. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass
Yoko may have ruined the Plastic Ono Band, but nothing could ruin Harrison's first solo album.

8. Tom Waits - Closing Time
Maybe not his best, but his first album is certainly the most accessible. A good introduction to Waits.

9. Talking Heads - Fear of Music/Remain In Light/Speaking In Tongues
Don't make me choose.

10. Neil Young - Tonight's the Night
Dark and soul-wrenching.

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found
  • No image found

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 22, 2013

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs