Inspired partly by one of those Facebook note things that make the rounds every so often and that I never get around to doing (think it was DJ who tagged me – thanks!), and partly by the fact that I just saw The Boat That Rocked and I’m feeling in a very musicky mood, and partly by the fact that it’s 29 minutes to midnight on day three of Blog Every Day April and I still haven’t blogged for today… I give you, in no particular order, ten albums that helped make me.
1. String of Pearls by Deborah Conway
First CD I ever bought. I had just won some random singing competition and the prize was voucher for a music store. I was seven. I bought String of Pearls, probably because it was the only album I really knew of at the time, excluding perhaps the Dirty Dancing soundtrack (but I already had that on an extremely well worn cassette), because my eldest sister already owned it (yes, I was unoriginal, but I was SEVEN). I loved it, and still rate it in my top five of all time. Best tracks: Deborah Conway’s Nightmare #347, String of Pearls, Buried Treasure, Someday, Release Me, It’s Only the Beginning.
2. Use Your Illusion II by Guns’n'Roses
Was my brother Josh’s album actually, he used to play it all the time when I was about seven or eight, which would have made him about twelve or thirteen. I think I started liking it to be cool, but then really loved it… and eventually stole it from him and pretended I didn’t have it so I could keep it forever. It’s still in my collection, and the liner notes are in pretty bad shape. Best tracks: Civil War, Don’t Cry, Yesterdays.
3. James Taylor Greatest Hits
Anyone who doubts this man’s brilliance deserves a disapproving frown and a haughty tut. Best tracks: All killer, no filler. But if I must choose just a few… Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, Something in the Way She Moves, You’ve Got A Friend (though obviously this is Carole King’s genius on loan), Mexico, Carolina In My Mind, Only a Dream in Rio… oh, I see what I’m doing here. Okay, ALL OF THEM, alright?
4. Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five
My third favourite band of all time. I listened to this album over and over and over and over (like every other album on this list I guess). Ben Folds is so very clever and funny as a songwriter, and that he manages to pull off a song like Brick alongside a song like Song For the Dumped says a lot about him and the band as performers. This album is close to perfection, IMO. Best tracks: Again, I have to say all of them. Major stand-outs, though: Steven’s Last Night in Town, Smoke, Battle of Who Could Care Less, Evaporated.
5. Queen Greatest Hits
I don’t think you need me to explain this. I don’t think anyone, ever, needs to explain this. Best tracks: Oh, come off it.
6. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill
Has this brilliant woman put out another album since Miseducation? Can I request that she does? Best tracks: To Zion, Doo Wop (That Thing), I Used to Love Him.
7. The Sweetheart Break-In by Supreme Music Program
Did you ever watch Will & Grace? Do you know Megan Mullally, the chick who played Karen Walker? Do you realise she’s a fabulous singer? And really, achingly cool? The Sweetheart Break-In is a bit of a rarity and absolutely rocked my world when I was about fifteen. All quirky, superbly chosen covers, performed live. Best tracks: Ruby’s Arms (Tom Waits cover), Surabaya Johnny, Scarlet Ribbons, I Remember.
8. Recurring Dream, The Very Best of Crowded House
My absolute favourite band of all time. Best tracks: Distant Sun, Into Temptation, Private Universe, Mean to Me, I Feel Possessed.
9. Song Review by Stevie Wonder
Controversially, I think there are as many misses as there are hits on this two-disc collection. But I love him, and the hits well and truly make up for the misses. Let the lynching begin. Best tracks: the usual suspects I guess… For Once In My Life, Signed Sealed Delivered, Lately, I Wish, Superstition.
10. Pieces of You by Jewel
I know it’s not really fashionable to love Jewel, but I do. I actually liked her second album, Spirit, a lot more than this. But I got Pieces of You when I was about 13, so around the age that I started writing songs, and here was this girl who lived in a caravan and wrote all her own tunes, and was effortlessly cool and seemed to have a lot to say. I think she might have influenced my lyrics a lot back then. Best tracks: Who Will Save Your Soul, Foolish Games, Painters, Little Sister.
Which albums would make your list?
Hehe, of these albums I have (and love) you chose none of my favourite songs. Music is brilliant.
I wrote something similar, just with songs instead:
http://www.sianyland.com/$blog/2009/03/21/songs_are_pretty_magic_like_that
I love your choices…and must admit that half of them (and I’m sure you know which half) would be on my list also.
There is often talk about the music that shaped a generation, but much of this list is definately music that shaped our family.
(PS – I’m still a softie for White Roses from String of Pearls)
The video for ‘String of Pearls’ is the funniest thing I’ve seen in ages. You don’t often see golf, that much tartan, achingly unhip soft lighting and plus fours appearing in a pop promo – now I know why.
Three to add to your i-pod: Miles Davies Kind of Blue, The Clash London Calling, Alice Russell Under the Munka Moon.
I got to number three, and easily predicted the rest – pretty much. But only because seven out of ten of these would also be on my list. I like
Oh, okay I read the end now, and seeing as you asked… Other albums that mean something to me would be Michael Jackson – History, Dirty Dancing fo shiz, Stevie Wonder’s Greatest Hits rather than that other one, Tina Arena – Don’t Ask, RENT, The Musical, John Farnham – Whispering Jack, I’m sure even one of the Triple J Hottest 100s would make it in there – probably…. 1996ish. Yeah, so if we take the seven from your list and add these, that’s more than ten, but I would fine tune it if pressed to.
Since that sunday up in highgate you have totally re-ignited my love of Crowded House. I’m listening to Not The Girl… Right now. I’m going to check out your no 1 today.
Siany: I love that. I’m going to steal it.
Fonz: I know, when I was putting it together I thought the same thing. Also, White Roses used to be my favourite but I think I played it too many times when I was seven and then got totally over it, and that feeling has somehow lasted 16 years.
Chris: I know right? Hilariously bad, but in a precursor to the No Doubt video for Don’t Speak kind of way, IMO. Love Miles Davis. Think someone has previously recommended Under the Munka Moon to me, it sounds familiar. Actually wait… I think it was you. Will get on it.
Narc: I wasn’t including soundtracks, but would have included RENT if I’d thought of it. Also Wicked. Also, cannot BELIEVE I forgot Under Rug Swept by Alanis Morissette. One of my favourite albums ever. Also… Song Review is SW’s greatest hits.
Ribena: That’s funny, because since that day I have been listening to Arcade Fire. You’re right – definitely in Canadia’s top ten musical exports.
No Jeff Buckley? I didn’t think anyone was allowed to put together a top ten albums list and not include Grace.
Jeff Buckley… oh god, I’m going to by lynched… sort of bores me a little bit.
*hides under bed awaiting angry mob*
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