Reader here, and today, I’ve been thinking about some of my favourite music.
I often check out the website for Spin magazine. (Do they still actually make a print edition anymore? I’m not sure. But, I do love to actually read a physical magazine! But that’s another story for another day.)
Anyhoo, one of their features is a weekly list, entitled “5 Albums I Can’t Live Without,” in which artists compile a list of some of their favourite albums that shaped their lives and musical outlook, and help to make them the artists they are today.
And that got me thinking about some of those albums that have played a huge role in my life.
So, I thought I’d share five of my favourites, in no particular, that are albums I love, and often come back to, when I just want to put on some tunes, kick back, and relax.
First off? You know my favourite band, the Rolling Stones were going to figure in this list, so let’s get ’em out of the way now. In particular, the album that was the gateway drug for me, the compilation, “Hot Rocks 1964-1971.” I picked this on up in high school, and have listened to it so many times I’ve lost count. This double album has all the biggest hits of their early years on London Records, as well as their first two singles on Atlantic Records, as part of their parting of the ways with their original label. Everything is there, from “Satisfaction,” to “Jumping Jack Flash,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Brown Sugar,” “Wild Horses,” and many more.
It’s the perfect introductory course to Mick, Keith and Co. Sort of a “Stones 101,” if you will.
Next up, the other huge album of my high school years, “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” by Lenny Kravitz.
His first two albums, “Let Love Rule” and “Mama Said” were successful in their own right, but Album #3 made Lenny a global superstar.
The title track, along with songs like “Believe,” “Is There Any Love In Your Heart,” “Heaven Help,” and “Sister,” made this an album that remains on heavy rotation at my place to this day!
Adding a little western Canadian flavour, is the Bros. Landreth, out of Winnipeg, and their first album, “Let It Lie.”
With Joey Landreth on lead vocals and lead guitar, and brother Dave on bass and vocals, they have great riffs, lyrics and fantastic harmonies, that seem to come naturally to family musicians! The title track, along with the bittersweet “Greenhouse” are two of my faves, but “Made Up Mind,” which was recently covered by one of their heroes, Bonnie Raitt (who won a Grammy for her cover!) Such a great album!
Fourth on the list is the first (and self-titled) album by Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.
It’s the album that out them on the map, with “S.O.B.,’ along with “I Need Never Get Old,” “Look It Here,” “Mellow Out,” and my personal favourite, “Wasting Time.”
This album set the stage for a ton of hits and fantastic albums to come.
And one more for the list, featuring two of the titans of Jazz, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, with “Ella and Louis.”
What a combo. Satchmo’s joyful voice and trumpet chops, and Ella’s sublime voice… “Can’t We Be Friends,” “Stars Fell On Alabama,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “Cheek To Cheek,” and this beauty…
No matter my mood, happy, sad, mad… this is about as perfect an album as there is, and I always feel like everything is right in the world when I put this one on!
So, there are five albums I can’t live without. What are some of yours?
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