4) Scarecrow by John Cougar Mellencamp. Music from the American heartland. “R.O.C.K. In The USA” is catchy and was a huge hit but it is songs such as “Small Town,” “Rumbleseat,” and especially “Rain On The Scarecrow” which keep drawing me back. It is one of the few albums where I really think the artist is both passionate and sincere.
5) Greatest Hits by Pat Benatar. What can I say? I thought she was hot in my thirties, I thought she was hot in my forties, and well you get the idea. I also enjoy her brand of hard rock and while her studio albums may be a little uneven in places, when you gather her best material in one place it is excellent. “Hell Is For Children,” “Promises In The Dark,” “Love Is A Battlefield,” “Shadows Of The Night,” and a host of others all contain lyrics that walk on the dark side of life and that has an odd appeal as well.
6) Get It by Dave Edmunds. Just accessible pop at its very best. His version of “I Knew The Bride” makes the list of my favorite songs and “Get Out Of Denver” plus “Here Comes The Weekend” are not far behind. Why he has not been a bigger star in The United States is beyond me.
7) Party Doll And Other Favorites by Mary Chapin Carpenter. From the enthusiasm and joy of “Passionate Kisses” and “Down At The Twist and Shout “ to the thoughtfulness and challenge of “Stones In The Road” to just the good music of “Shut Up And Kiss Me” and “Quittin’ Time,” Mary Chapin Carpenter has put together a country/rock catalogue that is second to none.
8) Days Of Future Passed by The Moody Blues. Justin Hayward and John Lodge joined The Moody Blues and enabled them to fuse a rock and classical music sound. This album was and still is creative as it presented a day in a life. “Nights In White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” are still a pleasant way to spend an hour of my time
9) Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix. I saw Hendrix live for the first time when I was in high school and how I convinced my parents to let me travel into New York City for the performance I have no idea. His debut album still knocks me out forty plus years later. “Purple Haze,” “Fire,” “Foxy Lady,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” and “Third Stone From The Sun” continue to amaze me on a regular basis.
Article comments
1 - fcetier
The Beatles,Hendrix, Dylan, The Beach Boys, & Moody Blues I'm with you.
Wasn't familiar with some of the others. Heard of most of the artists but not those particular albums.
I would add "Eat a Peach" by The Allman Bros. Used to listen to Steppenwolf a lot, too. Ray Charles & Johnny Cash.
Good article, thanks for reminding me!
2 - Chris Shields
I considered my father's gift of his old record collection to be one of the most meaningful and enjoyable gifts I'd ever received. I'd heard a lot of it throughout most of my life, and those records stir memories ...
Enjoyed the article. Congrats on the big 60.