Must Own Albums: Country Classics

June 9, 2015June 13, 2015 / James Fenney

Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison

Following the success of his hit song “Folsom Prison Blues” and the numerous letters he had received from inmates, Cash had aspired to record a concert at a prison. Sadly his dream was put on hold. After many years of struggling to keep his career afloat due to his drug addiction he finally played his Folsom Prison concert which proved to be one of the most successful albums he ever produced. (I’m breaking my own rules by including a live album, but it is one of the most famous performances in history!)

Dolly Parton – Jolene

Although her best-selling album is ‘Eagle When She Flies’, the album everyone needs is her 13th studio album, ‘Jolene’, one of her more traditional country albums released during her split from Porter Wagoner. With the exception of ‘It Must Be You’, the entire album was written by Dolly herself and includes two of her best hits, the catchy ‘Jolene’ and the beautiful ‘I Will Always Love You’ which topped the country charts twice making Dolly the first artist to earn a number 1 twice with the same song as a singer and three times as a writer following Whitney Houston’s cover.

Willie Nelson – Always On My Mind

Described as one of the finest country singer-songwriters, Nelson’s catalogue of 68 studio albums proves this. But the album to have is 1982’s ‘Always On My Mind’. Featuring the single ‘Always On My Mind’ which has been recorded by many artists both before and since Nelson’s version including Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley and which gave Nelson 3 wins at the 1983 Grammy’s and 4 CMA’s at the 1982 and 1983 CMA Awards. The album also includes a recording of Paul Simon’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ and Procul Harum’s ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’.

Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man

The First Lady of Country Music. The title track ‘Stand By Your Man’ was the most successful song of Wynette’s career and the best-selling hit single of any woman in country music until Dolly Parton’s 9-5. Despite its success, the song was controversial, the lyrics suggesting that women stand by their men despite their faults, and was derided by the 1960s feminist movement in the US. The album however, went platinum and has been described as a classic country album.

The Carter Family – Wildwood Flower

Predating all country music charts, the Carter Family’s music has influenced bluegrass, southern gospel, pop, rock and country. They became the first country music stars and their album ‘Wildwood Flower’ includes many of their hits including the song ‘Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow Tree’ which has become a timeless country song.

(Contribution from guest author Ailish Barker-Brown)

Must Own Albums: Masters of Metal

May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 / James Fenney

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

Not many bands can be credited with creating a new genre, but all forms of modern metal can trace their roots back to this very album. Tony Iommi is in another league when it comes to creating slow growling riffs that sound like the ever encroaching apocalypse. Songs like ‘War Pigs’, ‘Iron Man’ and the title track ‘Paranoid’ sparked a musical revolution.

Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast

The new wave of British heavy metal brought music that was more complex, both musically and lyrically. Beast was the band’s first album to feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals and the last to feature Clive Burr on drums. The album features some unforgettable singles in the form of the title track and ‘Run to the Hills’ as well some great storytelling on ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ which is about a prisoner sentenced to death.

Judas Priest – British Steel

Whilst it may not be Judas Priest’s heaviest album, it was however the album that brought them mainstream success. It brought heavy metal into the public eye and helped define many of the genre’s defining characteristics. Big singles like ‘Breaking The Law’ and ‘Living After Midnight’ may seem tame and commercial by today’s standards, but at the time of release they were some of the heaviest songs on the radio.

Dio – Holy Diver

Ronnie James Dio is one of the best, if not the best vocalist in heavy metal. Having already made incredible albums with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, and created the famous metal horns hand gesture, Dio pulled together the best musicians he could find and made yet another great album under his own name. The title track, ‘Rainbow In The Dark’ and ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ condense his expansive fantasy lyrics into a radio friendly format.

Metallica – Master of Puppets

Metallica are undoubtedly the most famous band in metal and one of the most innovative. Master of Puppets was the band at their creative peak. The aggression and fast tempos set a new standard but no other band, not even Metallica themselves, have managed to match the quality of this album. The title track and the instrumental track ‘Orion’ in particular are a master class in metal.

Must Own Albums: Soul and Motown

April 4, 2015April 4, 2015 / James Fenney

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

In the 60s, Motown records ruled the world. They had perfected the formula for a perfect radio hit. Naturally they were hesitant when their biggest star wanted to break away from the norm. What resulted was soul music’s greatest concept album, reflecting poverty, injustice, crime and the Vietnam War, which was a stark contrast from the label’s usually upbeat output. It provided new horizons for soul music and solidified Gaye’s reputation as one of the genre’s greats.

Otis Redding – Otis Blue

Back in the day cover versions had far more pull. It was one thing to have a great song, it was another to take someone else’s and make it greater. Otis Redding could sing the phone book and make it sound glorious, so of course he works wonders with songs from the likes of The Temptations, The Rolling Stones and fellow soul legend Sam Cooke.

Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

No list of soul legends should ever be without the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin. One of the most influential female figures in pop culture and one of the greatest voices ever recorded. After moving to Atlantic records she provided her biggest and most powerful hit, her astounding cover of Otis’ ‘Respect’ which has become an anthem for women around the world.

Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life

Stevie Wonder was the poster child of Motown, their biggest earner, their most loved artist. By this point in his career he had produced more hits than most artists could dream of and was seriously considering quitting the music business. Instead he ended up taking a couple of years out and produced his best and most highly anticipated album. The resulting double album included the hits ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ and ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’.

James Brown – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

James Brown is one of the all time great performers. Really I could’ve picked any of his studio albums, as none of them (not even Man’s World) could possibly sum up the power and the passion of him live on stage. He was the Godfather of Soul, one of the pioneers of the genre and remains to this day one of the most influential figures in music history.

Must Own Albums: Singer-Songwriters

February 27, 2015February 27, 2015 / James Fenney

Don McLean – American Pie

I’m fairly sure most people in the civilised world know the chorus to McLean’s opus ‘American Pie’ and would quite happily sing it at the top of their voice. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable, if complex, song about a dark day in music history. The other highlight of the album is ‘Vincent’, his ode to Van Gogh. A picture is worth a thousand words but in just a few minutes McLean sums up the beauty of both one the most incredible paintings in the world and the wonderful man who created it.

Carole King – Tapestry

Carole King had been writing hit songs for years before she decided to try singing them for herself instead of writing for others. The album includes ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ and ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow?’ which were made famous by Aretha Franklin and The Shirelles respectively. Here they are sung in the stripped back manner in which they were created, as well as ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ which would later go on to be a #1 hit for James Taylor.

Nick Drake – Bryter Layter

Whilst his first and last albums were simple an somber, here on his second album Nick Drake creates a soundscape that is wistful and uplifting. The music and lyrics fill your mind with enchanting scenery of your own design. One moment you feel as though you are strolling by the river in Paris and the next you are drifting through the ‘Northern Sky’. Honestly some of the most innocent and beautiful music ever created.

Joni Mitchell – Blue

Simple poetry and melancholy. It’s a very personal album, listening to is like hearing Joni confess all her troubles, unload all the hurt and the sorrow. She has the voice of an angel and as a whole ‘Blue’ sums up the appeal of so called Singer-Songwriters (a term I usually abstain from using), a deep sense of intimacy and honesty.

James Taylor – Sweet Baby James

James Taylor is certainly one of the first people to enter my thoughts when someone says singer-songwriter. ‘Sweet Baby James’ features contains his finest song, ‘Fire and Rain’. It’s all his troubles summed up in a single song; the loss of a friend, his battle with drugs and depression and his struggle to come to terms with fame.

Must Own Albums: American Essentials

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015 / James Fenney

Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley

The debut album of one of the greatest musical icons, the first rock and roll album ever to make it to the top of the charts. Elvis was, and in many ways still is, a cultural phenomenon who forever changed the face of music. It’s Elvis… need I say more?

The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced

Another debut album, one of the finest in fact, from the greatest guitarist who has ever lived. He would go on to create music unlike anything that had come before and influence generations of people to start playing guitar. The US release featured some of his biggest hits, including “Purple Haze”, “The Wind Cries Mary” and “Foxy Lady”.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Thriller saw the King of Pop continue to expand his music in various directions in an attempt to create an album that would be loved by all. Clearly it was a success as a year after it’s release it became, and still is, the best selling album of all time. The album was one of the first to use music videos to help promote the massive singles “Thriller”, “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”.

Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA

Possibly one of the most American things ever made. Here The Boss brought some lively, upbeat songs with help from The E Street Band which were a stark change from the dark content of his previous album “Nebraska”. The songs still cope with less than cheerful topics, The Vietnam war on the title track and the thoroughly fed-up and self deprecating lyrics of lead single “Dancing in the Dark”, but they are all sung optimistically in search of a silver lining.

Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water

One last swan song from one of the best musical duos. The signature harmonies and enchanting vocals are still here, but the once stripped back folk sound has been expanded. Paul Simon would later go on to a successful solo career and Art Garfunkel would… erm, not. But here the two of them give their fans some of their best work as a final parting gift, including the title track, “Cecilia” and “The Boxer”.

Must Own Albums: Best of the Best

January 2, 2015January 2, 2015 / James Fenney

Here’s the first post of what I hope to be a regular feature listing albums that you need to hear before you die. Albums that no good record collection should be without. Each band/artist can only have one album in the list and it’s studio albums only, no live albums or compilations. I thought it would be best to start with some of the most important acts in music and, what I consider to be, their best work.

The Beatles – Abbey Road

It goes without saying that The Beatles should be first on the list. They are the most influential act in the history of music and the cover of Abbey Road is one of the most famous images ever created. Beneath the cover you find their swan-song, their last great work before the band called it a day. Ironically they sound more like a tightly knit unit here than they had done in a long time. Each member (even Ringo) makes great contributions and it has the perfect blend of experimentation and radio friendly songs.

The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed

The pinnacle of the Stones’ 50 year long career which included some of the finest blues rock ever produced. The last album to feature Brian Jones and the first to feature Mick Taylor. You’ll find many fan favourites here including “Midnight Rambler”, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and their magnum opus “Gimme Shelter” which has an other-worldly guitar sound and incredible vocals from guest Merry Clayton.

Bob Dylan – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

Undoubtedly the greatest songwriter the world has ever seen. He’s crafted many poetic masterpieces that perfectly described both the beauty and the hardship in the world. He has inspired countless people. He would later go on to make such classic albums as “Highway 61 Revisited” and “Blonde on Blonde”, but “Freewheelin” was one of the first real LPs. Before Dylan albums were mostly just soundtracks or compilations. Here was a group of songs all written and performed by one man full of enticing imagery which began a chain reaction that has influenced our entire culture.

The Who – Who’s Next

By this time in their career The Who had made angry anthems for the frustrated youth of the world and intricate (and downright weird) rock operas. Performing the polar opposite genres of punk and prog before either were really invented. This album features the broken pieces of a failed concept piece, but even so there’s no denying the magnificence of the music. Some of the best musicians of the time, who sound way ahead of their time.

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV

With their first 3 self titled albums Led Zep revolutionised blues, hard rock and folk music, and here on their fourth they brought it all together. There’s never a dull moment, each song captivates the listener. Robert Plant’s wailing vocals on “Black Dog”, John Paul Jones’ funky keyboards on “Misty Mountain Hop”, John Bonham’s epic, thunderous drum intro on “When The Levee Breaks” to Jimmy Page’s triumphant guitar solo at the climax of their signature song “Stairway To Heaven”.