My 10 Essential Album CD releases of last 40 years

10 Albums / CDs that are simply timeless...
Each of these recordings have been played so many times I would know them by the opening bar if they were played...
This is a personal choice, built up from my schooldays to the present day...
I have "Wiki linked" the band/artist, and album/CD details where possible, and followed on with a YouTube link for a sample of the music...
I hope you find some music here to interest you, true to say these recordings are the soundtracks to my life and continue daily to make me thankfull of the rich diversity of music available out there (even if this selection is heavily biased towards rock music)...
I have put the list in chronological order to establish a timeline that makes sense...

Quadrophenia / The Who / 1973...

The second concept album by Pete Townend of the Who...A masterpiece that in my opinion overshadows the more popular "Tommy"...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrophenia

Song / 5:15...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj3SuZPahkc

Brain Salad Surgery / E.L.P / 1973...

There crowning glory and fourth studio recording...(Pictures was live) and there last recording untill Works volume one appeared in 1977...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_Salad_Surgery

Song / Karn Evil 9 - parts 1, 2 and 3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwTAXVcK1JA

Red / King Crimson / 1974...

The final cut from Crimsons 70s period...There definative period in my opinion...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_(King_Crimson_album)

Song / One more red nightmare...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdLMD-B2yhI

The Lamb lies down on Broadway / Genesis / 1974...

The sixth studio album by the British Progressive rock band before Peter Gabriel left the band to persue a solo career (Phil Collins took over vocal duties)...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lamb_Lies_Down_on_Broadway

Song / In the Cage...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzPcpbcwFJk

Queen 2 / Queen / 1974...

The second studio release from Queen before they went commercial (after Sheer Heart Attack)...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_II

Song / Father to Son...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFBKSfT5KA

UK (self titled) / UK / 1979...

Top flight british progressive rock "supergroup" made up of musicians from King Crimson, Yes, Frank Zappa, Roxy Music and Gong...Truely amazing stuff...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_(band)

Song / Nevermore...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbIr5If5AbQ

Green Album / Eddie Jobson and Zinc / 1983...

After his stint with UK, Eddie got together with a bunch of American session musicians and created this "new age" masterpiece...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Jobson

Song / Who my Friends...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI7ADVNoQzM

This Conversation Seems Like A Dream / Kip Winger / 1997...

I dont know much about Kip, short of his involvment with the "Bill and Ted" soundtracks, but this CD was never off my player for around 2 months back in 1999 when i first heard it...Simply perfect AOR...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kip_Winger

Song / Endless Circles...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEhLljGHCho

The Shaming Of the True / Kevin Gilbert / 2000...

Without a doubt, the finest singer songwriter of his generation, Sadly Kevin passed away before his abilty could have found a wider audience...I have to say, that although im relatively new to his material, his music and delivery is the very best of anything i have heard in the last 20 years...
Choosing a track, much less a CD is a near impossible task here, the material is really that good...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Gilbert

Song / Certifiable # 1 Smash...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywMaJnO3AtY

Insurgentes / Steven Wilson / 2010...

Porqupine Tree frontman Steven puts out his first solo effort, a truely inspiring mix of menace and beauty...Check out his work with PT to see why he has been heralded as the successor to Pink Floyd...(the videos and artwork are stunning)...

Details...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurgentes_(album)

Song / Harmony Korine....(video version)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BClzBQmZZBc

So there you have it...
Never easy paring down 40 years of music interest, and there are simply dozens of bands and recordings that I have had to leave out for lack of space...
Perhaps another list next year for the "Also rans".....

Comments (3)

MickmjbOct 23, 2017Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England UK

Starless, is one of my all time top 10 tracks! Great album Red.

BlackfieldNov 25, 2011Coventry, West Midlands, England UK

Some great choices! And nearly fell off my chair when I scrolled down to Insurgentes! Great stuff!

jadedheartNov 25, 2011Boise, Idaho USA

That is a great selection right there. You are the only other person on CS that I know that no's what the acronym AOR means. AOR and melodic rock is my music of choice. Kepp on rockin'!!

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Created: Sep 2011

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