UMPIRE2's Semi-Personal MUSIC Thread

[umpire2]

OK, the original concept of this thread was to create a kind of 'Desert Island' music list, but unlike most "Top Ten"'s, I wanted to put together the top 1,000 albums 'of all time' ----IN MY OPINION.

Looking through my 11,000+ albums, I could only come up with 970 "must haves" (I know---this sounds ridiculous to some, but I listen to music constantly and must have variety).

So, in a COUNT DOWN, I am going to mini-review my TOP 970 albums that I couldn't do without if I was trapped on a desert island (with a portable generator, plenty of food, books and about a half-dozen women, of course).

Feel free to point out YOUR favorites, without condemning MINE.

The first review coming up shortly...

[umpire2]

NUMBER 970:

"Green River"---Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

Led by John Fogerty, four Southern California boys channel the Mississippi Delta sound and come up with their own version of 'bayou music'.

Containing the hits "Green River", the rockabilly "Bad Moon Rising" and the oft-covered "Lodi", this album also contains the blues-oriented "Tombstone Shadow" and "Cross-Tie Walker". Even the semi-silly attempt to mimic Ray Charles' version of "The Night Time Is The Right Time" is worth a listen or two.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 969:

"The Clash"---The Clash (1977)


Opening with "Clash City Rockers", the debut of London's THE CLASH was filled with a biting cynicism and a feeling of, if not quite anger, at least an energy that cried "Get off your duffs and pay attention!"

Soon dubbed "the only band that matters' by their fans, The Clash mixed rock, reggae and rockabilly into what many called 'punk', but was really something quite unique and separate from developing punk in the period.

While there are two or three so-so songs on "The Clash", most of the 15 tracks are outstanding, including "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.", "Complete Control", "White Man In Hammersmith Palais" and a version of The Crickets' "I Fought The Law" that kicks ass.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 968:



"Who Will Save The World"---The Groundhogs (1972)


This record may be best known for it's 'comic book' cover, drawn by the incredible Neal Adams, but it is the music within that should be the main attraction.

Often overlooked, the blues/rock band, The Groundhogs has been together in one form or another since 1962. Originally a backing band for John Lee Hooker, Little Walter and other blues artists, the Groundhogs began to record on their own in 1968. Lead guitarist Tony McPhee has been the mainstay of the group for over forty years.

Stand-out tracks on "Who Will Save The World" are 'Earth Is Not Room Enough', 'Death Of The Sun' and 'The Gray Maze'.

Well worth a listen if you have any affinity at all for British blues/rock.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 967:


"Let's Get It On"---Marvin Gaye (1973)


The epitome of sexy soul, Marvin Gaye followed his politically charged 1971 LP, "What's Going On" with a return to sensually-charged romance.

Gaye might have been the the only artist in history to make a song entitled "You Sure Love To Ball" sound like a romantic dinner conversation compliment.

Every track on this album (which also includes the hits 'If I Should Die Tonight' and 'Distant Lover') is A+; if there are any complaints to be made about "Let's Get It On" they include it's short length (only about 32 minutes for 8 tracks) and the fact that the track 'Keep Gettin' It On' is essentially identical to 'Let's Get It On' and could alternately be called a 'reprise'.

Nonetheless, an exceptional album that should be heard.

[Katie Unleashed]

My must have at the moment is 'The Mummers' with their 'Tale to Tell' album. It has a fantastic circus/fairground feel to a lot of it. they are a big band of proper musicians, and the whole album is filled with great arrangement. It has a feel that it's being piped through from a slightly different reality where their is a little bit of magic in the air.
That doesn't give you all much of an idea what to expect but give them a go. They have a myspace page with music on it to check out. Love 'em I do!

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by Katie Unleashed

My must have at the moment is 'The Mummers' with their 'Tale to Tell' album. It has a fantastic circus/fairground feel to a lot of it. they are a big band of proper musicians, and the whole album is filled with great arrangement. It has a feel that it's being piped through from a slightly different reality where their is a little bit of magic in the air.
That doesn't give you all much of an idea what to expect but give them a go. They have a myspace page with music on it to check out. Love 'em I do!

Thank you so much for the suggestion, Katie!

The MUMMERS...

[umpire2]

NUMBER 966:


"Walkabout"---The Fixx (1986)


One of four outstanding efforts by The Fixx in the 1980s. Quirky rhythms dominate along with Cy Currin's recognizable vocals.

All ten tracks are extremely listenable and 'Secret Separation', 'Built For the Future', 'Sense of Adventure' and 'Camphor' are top rate.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 965:


"Bayou Country"---Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)


While limited to only seven tracks, Fogerty and Creedence produce their best overall effort including the iconic "Proud Mary". Contains several other gems such as "Keep On Chooglin' ", "Born On The Bayou", "Penthouse Pauper" and a rousing version of "Good Golly Miss Molly".

[richief]

Originally Posted by umpire2

NUMBER 969:

"The Clash"---The Clash (1977)


Opening with "Clash City Rockers", the debut of London's THE CLASH was filled with a biting cynicism and a feeling of, if not quite anger, at least an energy that cried "Get off your duffs and pay attention!"

Soon dubbed "the only band that matters' by their fans, The Clash mixed rock, reggae and rockabilly into what many called 'punk', but was really something quite unique and separate from developing punk in the period.

While there are two or three so-so songs on "The Clash", most of the 15 tracks are outstanding, including "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.", "Complete Control", "White Man In Hammersmith Palais" and a version of The Crickets' "I Fought The Law" that kicks ass.

If you got this you must have "London Calling". The pure energy of the all the tracks always blows my head even 30 years later. especially
Londons Calling
Guns of Brixton
Rudie Can't Fail
Spanish Bombs.

It was their fusion of punk, ska and reggae that first blew my mind away in the late seventies, music had found a way of rescuing itself from the blandness of the disco and prog rock years.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by richief

If you got this you must have "London Calling". The pure energy of the all the tracks always blows my head even 30 years later. especially
Londons Calling
Guns of Brixton
Rudie Can't Fail
Spanish Bombs.

It was their fusion of punk, ska and reggae that first blew my mind away in the late seventies, music had found a way of rescuing itself from the blandness of the disco and prog rock years.

Thanks, Rich! "London Calling" is INDEED on the list! I will get to it soon!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 964:


"Rise & Fall, Rage & Grace"---The OFFSPRING (2009)


To quote 'You're Gonna Go Far, Kid', "DANCE, FUCKER, DANCE!"

What I'd like to know is how three guys who are clearly having so much fun can also show so much maturity...

The OFFSPRING offer 12 out of 12 top tracks, led by 'Half-Truism', 'Trust In You', and 'Fix You' within a party atmosphere that also provides killer musicianship.

A decade after nuevo-punk bands started to sound stale, The OFFSPRING manage to sound fresh on an album that just sounds better with every listen.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 963:


"Split"---Groundhogs (1971)

There are stories to some of these, and here is one.

I'm not certain WHY I like this record so much; it is very good, but is it really in the 'Top 1000' category?

Well, for me it is, but its hard for me to put my finger on it. I've been listening to it at least once a month for about 32 years---which clearly makes it a winner to me---ever since I came across it in a girlfriend's dad's record collection. I heard it, loved it, and there you go.

Tony McPhee, Pete Cruickshank and Ken Pustelnik hand over the 20 minute + track 'Split', the band's only Top 5 single hit in the UK, 'Cherry Red', a bit of psychedelia in 'Junkman', and two pure blues, 'A Year in the Life' and 'Groundhog'.

Perhaps this record deserves to be as onscure as it is, but I don't think so...

[ejls]

I loved CCR as a teen. And I can't think of much sexier music than that of Marvin Gaye. Thank you for this thread, Ump. I'm spending a lot of time on YouTube listening to your suggestions.

[Chagrin]

Couldn't round it out with 30 more?

Well, if you ever get down to your top ten or so, I'll have to check back with this thread.

Although I gotta say, I'm already impressed by the list. From most of them, I was expecting you to go for older music than I usually listen to, then you popped the Offspring in there, with a fantastic album. Nice

[Baddog_WOOF]

Originally Posted by umpire2

NUMBER 969:

"The Clash"---The Clash (1977)


Opening with "Clash City Rockers", the debut of London's THE CLASH was filled with a biting cynicism and a feeling of, if not quite anger, at least an energy that cried "Get off your duffs and pay attention!"

Soon dubbed "the only band that matters' by their fans, The Clash mixed rock, reggae and rockabilly into what many called 'punk', but was really something quite unique and separate from developing punk in the period.

While there are two or three so-so songs on "The Clash", most of the 15 tracks are outstanding, including "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.", "Complete Control", "White Man In Hammersmith Palais" and a version of The Crickets' "I Fought The Law" that kicks ass.

I love the Clash!
I like the U.K. version of the first album mainly due to "White Riot" is much more raw than the US version and the song "Deny".

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by Chagrin

Couldn't round it out with 30 more?

Well, if you ever get down to your top ten or so, I'll have to check back with this thread.

Although I gotta say, I'm already impressed by the list. From most of them, I was expecting you to go for older music than I usually listen to, then you popped the Offspring in there, with a fantastic album. Nice

Chagrin, you will find all kinds of music on this list (except full-blown opera), and stuff from the 1950s through well, now....

Thanks for the input!

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by ejls

I loved CCR as a teen. And I can't think of much sexier music than that of Marvin Gaye. Thank you for this thread, Ump. I'm spending a lot of time on YouTube listening to your suggestions.

There is more variety coming, ejls. Keep your YouTube warm....

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by Baddog_WOOF

I love the Clash!
I like the U.K. version of the first album mainly due to "White Riot" is much more raw than the US version and the song "Deny".

Thanks, Baddog! I've got the U.K. LP...and I agree

[dominatemeplease]

YAY! Been waiting on this thread ump!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 962:


"Damn The Torpedoes"---Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers(1979)


Petty's brand of Southern (well, Florida) Pop/Rock enters it's peak with this 1979 effort. Even the filler is listenable, with the outstanding and radio-worthy hits being 'Refugee', 'Don't Do Me Like That', 'Even The Losers' and 'Here Comes My Girl'.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by dominatemeplease

YAY! Been waiting on this thread ump!

I hope you are not disappointed, DMP!

[dominatemeplease]

Originally Posted by umpire2

I hope you are not disappointed, DMP!

If it's music....I won't be...lol.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 961:


"If I Should Fall From Grace With God"---Pogues (1988)


A tip of the hat to Flogging Molly and even Black 47, but in truth, where would they be without The Pogues?
The answer is, somewhere east of nowhere.

As brilliant as the earlier "Red Roses For Me" and "Rum, Sodomy & The Lash" were, The Pogues reach their peak (and unfortunately the beginning of their end) here with "If I Should Fall From Grace With God".

Shane MacGowan was already a drunken sot, but his mind, body and soul were not yet a total ruin and he had one last piece of magic within him.

'Turkish Song of The Damned', 'Fairytale of New York', 'Thousands Are Sailing', 'The Battle March Medley', 'The Broad Majestic Shannon' and even 'Worms' still send chills up my spine more than 20 years on...

[umpire2]

NUMBER 960:


"Ballbreaker"---AC/DC (1995)



When George Young took off for England with The Easybeats in 1966, riding a wave of popularity built on a half-dozen top 10 singles in Australia and "Friday On My Mind" ready to burst onto the charts, his 11 and 13 year old brothers may have been envious, or just biding their time...

With 'Hard As A Rock', 'Burnin' Alive', 'Whiskey On The Rocks' and 'Ballbreaker' only a few of the oustanding tracks, the 13th studio album by AC/DC caused no superstitious hesitation among fans, going double-platinum...

[umpire2]

Number 959:


"Rose of Cimarron"---Poco (1976)


Featuring four songs by Paul Cotton, three by Rusty Young and two by Tim Schmidt (before his departure for the Eagles), "Rose of Cimarron' was Poco's last outstanding album. The title track was more popular in country music circles as covered by Emmylou Harris, and other great tracks include 'Just Like Me', 'Starin' At The Sky', and 'Too Many Nights Too Long'.

If you are not too brainwashed by what passes as 'country music' these days and you'd like to hear something worthwhile but not in the 'Buck Owens & The Buckaroos' realm, check this out.

[JayneyRedd]

I'm loving this thread

Thanks, Ump, I'm fascinated to see what's coming next.

I've got a few suggestions of my own, but I'm waiting to see what your list is first
Keep it going

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by JayneyRedd

I'm loving this thread

Thanks, Ump, I'm fascinated to see what's coming next.

I've got a few suggestions of my own, but I'm waiting to see what your list is first
Keep it going

Thanks, Jayney. I'm trying to keep the reviews brief for a couple of reasons: First, I DO have a tendency to 'go on', so I'm trying to edit myself as to not get boring, and Second: Many of the albums I'm listing are by the same bands, so I intend to add more 'band information' with each post.

Cheers!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 958:


"The Book of Secrets"---Loreena McKennitt (1997)



The real challenge here is to name a single bad track on this album. 'The Mummer's Dance' received the most attention and airplay, but 'Skellig', 'The Highwayman', 'Marco Polo', 'Night Ride Across the Caucasus' are all amazing tracks.

Multi-instrumentalist McKennitt's voice soars through what most would dub 'New Age' music with a tone that is razorblade soft.

No offence meant to Enya, the darling of 80s and 90's New Age, but McKennitt is the real deal.

[Incubus]

you have waaaaaay too much free time.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by Incubus

you have waaaaaay too much free time.

You're right. I should be doing something more constructive like playing video games, watching Reality TV or shooting dope.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 957:


"Don't Say No"---Billy Squier


Too much Billy Squier IS too much Billy Squier. The poor guy is pretty much a one trick pony, but for one LP (except for the almost unlistenable piece of sap 'Nobody Knows') he put together a great set.

'In The Dark', 'The Stroke', and 'My Kinda Lover' are exceptional and the remainder are solid tracks.

[fatstrat]

Originally Posted by umpire2

NUMBER 957:


"Don't Say No"---Billy Squier


Too much Billy Squier IS too much Billy Squier. The poor guy is pretty much a one trick pony, but for one LP (except for the almost unlistenable piece of sap 'Nobody Knows') he put together a great set.

'In The Dark', 'The Stroke', and 'My Kinda Lover' are exceptional and the remainder are solid tracks.

And don't forget Lonely is the Night and Whadda You Want From Me. Very underrated album I think. Some qualitity tracks on this album.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by fatstrat

And don't forget Lonely is the Night and Whadda You Want From Me. Very underrated album I think. Some qualitity tracks on this album.

Thanks, Fatstrat. I agree with you completely. Other Squier albums have two or three good tracks and the rest of the material is either repetitive or simply boring, but "Don't Say No" is a great effort!

[umpire2]

NUMBER 956:


"Nevermind"---Nirvana


I do not know anyone who hates Nirvana (That is my disclaimer) and I certainly do not mean to offend anyone, but they are extremely overrated. They have no longevity of excellence and are 'who they are' because of the dark charisma of Kurt Cobain. "Bleach" has a few good tracks, but is a feeling-out effort and mainly pretty dismal. "Incesticide", a collection of EP tracks and demos has three or four good tracks, but most are a waste of time. "In Utereo" is a good effort, uneven, but containing several excellent songs; but none of these others is in the class of "Nevermind".

On their second full studio album, the band has found themselves, sets out to accomplish something and (Cobain certainly would have argued this) does it. While not perfect, "Nevermind" is nearly there. Led by "Smells Like Teen Spirit", "Come As You Are", "Lithium", "Polly" and "Something In The Way", this album would have been hard to top had Nirvana continued to produce for another 20 years.

[WantSumCandyLittleGirl]

Ump - I'm looking forward to reviewing your Top 970. I have plenty of my own that I consider excellent, so it will be amusing (to say the least) to see where your tastes lay as compared to mine. Not sure if I could actually derive a Top 1000, but considering my choices, it would be fun to try.

Keep up the great work.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by WantSumCandyLittleGirl

Ump - I'm looking forward to reviewing your Top 970. I have plenty of my own that I consider excellent, so it will be amusing (to say the least) to see where your tastes lay as compared to mine. Not sure if I could actually derive a Top 1000, but considering my choices, it would be fun to try.

Keep up the great work.

Thanks, WSCLG!

Feel free to make suggestions---my "Top 970" is already set, but I'm always looking for interesting things I may not already have.

[WantSumCandyLittleGirl]

Originally Posted by umpire2

Thanks, WSCLG!

Feel free to make suggestions---my "Top 970" is already set, but I'm always looking for interesting things I may not already have.

Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and Days of Future Passed.

Molly Hatchet - Molly Hatchet

Beatles - White Album

Stevie Ray Vaughn - Double Trouble & Texas Flood

Eric Clapton - Slow Hand

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Roy Parker, John Lee Hooker, Derek & The Dominos, Cream.

Oh, the list can go on and on. I'll hold off on anymore until I see your list. Might I also make a suggestion? Consider adding a file listing your choices in order at the end? That way we can look it all over at one time.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by WantSumCandyLittleGirl

Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and Days of Future Passed.

Molly Hatchet - Molly Hatchet

Beatles - White Album

Stevie Ray Vaughn - Double Trouble & Texas Flood

Eric Clapton - Slow Hand

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Roy Parker, John Lee Hooker, Derek & The Dominos, Cream.

Oh, the list can go on and on. I'll hold off on anymore until I see your list. Might I also make a suggestion? Consider adding a file listing your choices in order at the end? That way we can look it all over at one time.

That's a good idea, WSCLG.

Hint: Six of the artists/bands you mention are on the list; several multiple times.

While every one you mention is excellent, please remember that these are just MY opinions AND I am going by what I consider the overall quality of each album.

There are literally dozens of artists and bands that I really enjoy that did not find a place on the list because I did not think they had an entire single ALBUM that was great----individual songs, yes.....overall career quality, yes...but no single great album.

(Those artists with a number of scattered songs that are brilliant will be on my Ipod, which I also want with me on that island...)

[umpire2]

NUMBER 955:


"Bat Out of Hell"---Meatloaf (1977)


I had to think long and hard about this one, since I got so sick of hearing it when I was a kid. However, overplay aside, it is a brilliant album.

Some people complain that it is too theatrical, too over-produced, etc., and that may be true, but in my opinion, as a one-shot it is almost perfect.

Listening to over-produced and overly theatrical songs regularly can certainly be annoying, but this record has 're-grown' on me over the years, and as long as I listen to it only occasionally, I love it.

(Life on the island would not be the same without listening every once in a while to the unforgettable play-by-play of Phil Rizzuto saying "The suicide squeeze is on...here he comes...there's a play at the plate...HOLY COW, I THINK HE'S GONNA MAKE IT!")

The negative thing about Meatloaf (and I genuinely like the guy) is that he has tried to duplicate "BOOH" over and over again for nearly 35 years.

[WantSumCandyLittleGirl]

Originally Posted by umpire2

That's a good idea, WSCLG.

Hint: Six of the artists/bands you mention are on the list; several multiple times.

While every one you mention is excellent, please remember that these are just MY opinions AND I am going by what I consider the overall quality of each album.

Oh, I am so crushed all of them aren't on your list. Seriously, we all have our own tastes and far be it from me to attempt to influence yours.

[richief]

Pretty much agree on you last two choices. BOOH is the one album that was great and popular when I bought it, but over the years it gathered some sort of stigma and some guys though they love it in short bursts will never put it in there top 5 list.

[WantSumCandyLittleGirl]

Originally Posted by richief

Pretty much agree on you last two choices. BOOH is the one album that was great and popular when I bought it, but over the years it gathered some sort of stigma and some guys though they love it in short bursts will never put it in there top 5 list.

Which might be why he has it so low down on his list.

[fatstrat]

Bat out of Hell is worth top 100 don't you think? Beatles, Zeppelin, Stone, The Who, Elton etc...just to name a few have multiple albums and such a tough call to not put down in the top 100.

All of matter of taste.

[umpire2]

Originally Posted by fatstrat

Bat out of Hell is worth top 100 don't you think? Beatles, Zeppelin, Stone, The Who, Elton etc...just to name a few have multiple albums and such a tough call to not put down in the top 100.

All of matter of taste.

The combination of taste and the fact that over 3,000 "popular" albums (excluding re-releases, classical music, imports and self-produced and distributed CDs) are released in the U.S. alone EVERY YEAR....go back over 55 years to when the 'album' was first produced, that is getting close to 175,000 albums...(if you include the above EXCLUDED, you are probably talking at least another 200,000 to 300,000 albums) that is why every 'top' list is different....

[umpire2]

NUMBER 954:


"Walking Into Clarksdale"---Robert Plant & Jimmy Page (1998)


While not remotely on the same level as Led Zeppelin's output (or most Robert Plant solo albums, for that matter), "Walking Into Clarksdale" is a welcome excusion for the Zep alums. The title track, 'Burning Up', 'Heart In Hand' and 'Sons of Freedom' are top cuts.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 953:


"Greetings From Asbury Park, New Jersey"---Bruce Springsteen (1973)


Bruce Springsteen arrives full blown and Damon Runyon-esque as he partially channels Dylan in this 1973 debut LP. Bruce's songs are like scenes taken from an early 1950s film noir, with colorful and seedy characters that we are informed just enough about to become interested in, but never told how they reached their current state or what exactly happens to them.

Life in the rural urbanity of east-central Jersey comes alive in the lyrics, though musically, Bruce is still a step or two away from fulfillment.

The gem of this set is 'Spirit In The Night', although 'For You', 'It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City', and 'Blinded By The Light' (made into an international hit by Manfred Mann a couple of years later) are also excellent.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 952:


"Roamin' With Richardson"---Jerome Richardson (1959)
...New Jazz 8226


Semi-reclusive Jerome Richardson and his friend and fellow Oaklander, pianist Richard Wyands, stepped into Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey in October of 1959, and in one day laid down the six tracks that make up this album.

Backed by regular session players, George Tucker on bass and Charlie Persip on drums, Richardson switched from tenor and baritone saxes and flutes on a half-dozen great tunes, including an 'exotica'-influenced 'Poinciana', Wyands' composition 'Candied Sweets' and Duke Ellington's 'Warm Valley'.

Richardson rarely ever recorded and a listen to this album can get you very annoyed that he did not spend a lot more time in a studio.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 951:


"Prologue"---Renaissance (1972)

The first time I heard Annie Haslam 'do-do-do-ing' through 'Prologue', I was hooked.

Renaissance was born from the wreckage of the Yardbirds, founded by Keith Relf (guitar and vocals) and Jim McCarty (drums). Keith's sister, Jane, was Renaissance's first lead singer, but after two commercially unsuccessful LPs, both Relf's left the band and McCarty temporarily stopped performing to concentrate on writing.

The revamped band, bringing in bassist Jon Camp, guitarist Michael Dunford, drummer John Tout and vocalist Annie Haslam, produced "Prologue", an album steeped in classical music forms but with rock sensibilities.

Songs like McCarty's 'Kiev' and particularly Dunford's 'Rajah Khan' and 'Prologue' are perfect vehicles for Haslam's soaring soprano vocals.

[umpire2]

NUMBER 950:


"Dreamboat Annie"---Heart (1976)


Ann and Nancy Wilson set off the SECOND wave of Seattle rock (not quite the same as the Nirvana-esque THIRD wave) with the release of "Dreamboat Annie". Led off by 'Magic Man', there is one great pop/rock track after another: 'Dreamboat Annie', 'Crazy On You', 'Soul of the Sea', 'White Lightning and Wine', 'I'll Be Your Song', 'How Deep It Goes', etc.

The Wilson sisters (with a bit of help) wrote all of the songs and produced an excellent piece of work that they would never be able to duplicate.