Working on a five point scale, it's a solid 2.75. Love Sam Cooke, just not a big fan of live music in general; it typically cannot compare to the quality of the music recorded in the sound studio. I would offer though, in this case, it may be more a reflection of the available technology of the day.
Every so often a group will come along with a debut album that is so unbelievably good, you can't help but wonder where the hell did these guys come from and can they keep it up?
Well, this was a sign of things to come for as good as their opening act was, the albums that followed immediately, were even better.
It was the dawning of a new sound, and it was spectacular!
This is arguably their finest album. It's a nice, easy listen, great vocals. The reality is Coldplay is just that, nice, easy, comfortable. There is no edge, no soul to me.
If you are to own just one Black Sabbath album, this should be the one. Yes, I know Master of Reality is so very close, but this is the one. It I brilliant! Surprised that with the four albums I have seen thus far in this journey, two have been Black Sabbath. I like heavy metal, at least some of it, and Black Sabbath would be at the top of my list for this genre from an artist perspective.
Indie just isn't my cup of tea, even though their opening album was well received critically and commercially, to me, it's eh? Sorry.
I'd never heard of these guys. The music was mellow, soft and tolerable from a listening perspective. It wasn't bad, but nothing I would get excited about, or purchase. I would give it a 2.5 if I could grade in half point increments.....it's a "C" for me.
This is arguably my favorite EJ album. I saw him at MSG on the tour introducing this album. The intro for "Funeral for a Friend" was unbelievably surreal, the show was spectacular! Undoubtedly, I have a clear bias as I sat and listened, not something I could objectively set aside. What a great album. If I were to own only one Elton John album, this would be this one.
I had always lumped these guys with the long list of one-hit wonders. This appears to be an unfair characterization. This is the first time I've ever listened to any of their albums, a bit of psychedelic, a bit of garage.....it was fun. I enjoyed the album and will actually check out another album or two of theirs.
This band since the day the broke onto the scene in 1969, has clearly been established as one of the greatest RnR bands of all times. What they lacked in creativity in the creation of the their early album titles, they more than compensated for with the licks they laid with their music and vocals. We all have our favorite Led Zeppelin album, mine is the first album, but all they released during their early years of existence were five-star albums. Led Zeppelin II is no exception. My favorite cut is "Whole Lotta Love" that I believe would have been more fitting on Led Zeppelin I, but it matters not. This is a GREAT album! The music they are offering clearly established the first album was not a fluke, and served as a representative precursor to what would be coming in the future.
Nice, mellow, soft, and not very exciting. It's not really my cup of tea, and if I could score on a half point basis, I would give it a 2.5.
I suspect Tom's gravelly voice is a required taste, damn if I haven't acquired it. Bit of jazz, a bit of blues, lots of Tom's voice after a night of drinking whiskey and smoking a pack of cigarettes. Good stuff!
This album was released during what truly was the golden era of rock. Between Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and McCartney and Lennon of the Beatles, they were setting new standards for everyone else to follow. Depending on the day of the week, this is no worse than my second favorite Beatles album, with "MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR" being the other. It was a real pleasure to have this selection roll up today!
This was a bit tough to find, but worth it. It was like a trip down memory lane, listening to the first music that was "mine" as opposed to my parents "stuff". My granddaughter couldn't understand why anyone would be named "Fats".
I absolutely hated this, just noise with no redeeming aspects from my perspective. I would give it a half point if I could
Not too bad, I was at least able to listen to the entire album without an overwhelming desire to turn it off
Now we're cooking, Carlos Santana! What a melting pot of musical styles this was, led by the virtuousness of Carlos on his guitar. There was so much much spectacular music coming out of San Francisco in the early 70's and Santana was part of that movement. This is my favorite Santana album, narrowly beating out their first album for that position.
I'd never heard of these guys. This was a fun album, typical teenage boy/young male adult material.....it's been awhile, but I can still relate. A gentler punk style than some of the other bands of this era.
This was probably one of their larger album successes in a long and illustrious career. Personally, I preferred the earlier years when their sound was more akin to the Motown sound. By the time this album arrived on the scene, the IB were clearly amongst the leading success stories for the Funk sound, even dabbling a bit on the disco fringes. I had never realized how many cover offerings they produced, a significant portion of what is offered here.
Not my cup of tea, at all. I gave it a chance, listened to the entire album, yech, but then again, how boring would it be if we all liked the same things.
So, I guess the conclusion I am beginning to draw is, seemingly, whatever Led Zeppelin album I am listening to at the time, is my favorite. These guys were so damn good, there was no weak element to this band whatsoever. The first album will always hold a special place in my heart, as that was the publics introduction to this band, but the band's evolution from album album is a true wonderment.
There are lots of things I am learning in this little excursion with 1001 Albums. First of all, there are A LOT of albums to which I have never listened. Secondly, within that group, there are many albums for which I feel no less, by having never listened to them, or in some cases, never even heard of them. Thirdly, and most importantly, there are some real gems, reinforcing why I chose to participate in this journey.
I was never much of a (solo) John Lennon fan, lots of reason, none of them relevant at this point. What it did though is predisposed me not to listen to any of his albums post-Beatles. This album would demonstrate, I would have been wiser to keep an open mind about John. Fortunately, I've been given an opportunity to correct.
It is rumored, the only bigger fan of CCR is Mrs. Fogerty, and I give her that honor having two sons in the band. CCR was one of the first bands with which I fell in love as my music tastes first started to dramatically change in the late 60's. "GREEN RIVER" was not my favorite CCR album, but it was tied for second, with three others. To this day, I always love hearing John Fogerty let loose. They were a comet that burst upon the sky and for the five short years of their journey, there was simply no one better.
I don't have many Elvis Costello albums in my music collection. This was my first listen for this album and I was pleasantly surprised and while I may not pick up the album, I will download a couple of these songs.
Sorry, I just don't get it. While I would like to say I just don't like punk, there have been a couple artists I could tolerate. This is no such example, as this was the longest 38 minutes ever.
Another debut album here, though the first of the jazz genre. Beautiful melodious voice, great accompaniment, nice listening when the mood appropriately aligns. This is the only Norah Jones recording I have in my collection, so obviously I have an affinity for this album.
I enjoy Irish folk rock, and in addition to this album, have several other albums from the Pogues. In addition, my collection includes the Chieftains, Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys. This style is just fun, though there are of course those tunes with a bit of a deeper, darker message, aren't there. All in all though, good stuff!
I suspect John is an acquired taste, not unlike say maybe a Tom Waite. Some of the tunes seemed like an attempt at humor? Anyway, it doesn't work for me.
I suspect I am not unlike many boomers who grew up in a musical era where the diversity of the music, and the quality of the artists, was so extraordinary. We had rock, hard rock, heavy metal, Motown, soul, folk, blues, southern rock, garage....it's been a challenge to find in today's era worthy successors to the musical artists of our youth.
This band is tolerable, not great, but the music is listenable at least.
Another band of which I was completely unaware. It was an easy listen, but not something for which I see a need to add to my collection, sorry.
Needless to say, an incredibly unique sound, so very "electronic". While it's not something I would listen to every day, I enjoyed as such a very different sound.
Little Stevie Wonder, one of the best Motown ever featured. I love the Motown sound, I love Stevie Wonder and this was arguably the finest album he ever created.
I'm not exactly sure what they're going for here, and have mixed feelings. A few of the cuts, I enjoyed, but others, it's as if they're going for some shock value.
So, this is a genre I just don't get, and while I would not even view this as music, that may be more a reflection of my age, as opposed to my good taste, or maybe the other way to view it is, the absence of any taste by those who view this as music.....yes I am joking. I still do not care for it, at all, sorry.
It's becoming abundantly clear that rap just isn't my thing.
Once you get into the mid-80's and beyond, it clearly becomes hit and miss as to whether I am familiar with a band, so it would seem. I understand this was the bands first album, not bad actually.
Brilliant album! We're back in my wheelhouse with the music of this era.
My relationship with Bob Dylan has been a bit of a journey. I was not much of a fan in my early days, of really listening to music. I just didn't get Bob as a young teen. He did though wear on me well and as I aged, my appreciation of Dylan's "style", developed. I like this album, not a favorite, but still solid.
What are we now, all beatniks? Didn't like it, some great cover songs were nearly unrecognizable due to the interpretations taken.
Wonderful dance music, IF I DANCED THE MAMBA. Just not going to work listening to a full album, particularly when I don't understand the words.
I hadn't really listened to any of this artist's work. I enjoyed this album, I could even see myself buying. it.
Another band and of course another album of which I was unaware. It was "interesting", not something I would purchase but not bad.
Musical interpretations of this sort, while interesting, are not going to readily embraced by me at this point in my life. It might have appealed more when the album was actually released, it just doesn't work for me now.
As I shared earlier, I didn’t initially take to Dylan. This was released about the time a few of my high school friends caught the religion that was Bob Dylan. My epiphany would come a few years later, when I moved beyond just voice to message as well. So I missed this album when released, when I finally did pick it up, enjoyed it thoroughly, still do as it’s in my collection.
Not my favorite Bowie album, fair, not great
Not a fan, very familiar with this band and not even one of their songs has made it into my library
This is not the album I would have selected for the former lead singer of the Impressions. Curtis is a talented singer and this is a nice album, just not his best.
This certainly was not the band the Pixies that I knew. Interesting, if I could do half pointe, would award a 2.5.
Big Peter Gabriel fan and while a couple of these cuts are amongst my favorites, this is not my favorite album. In my collection and a wonderful listen
This is the only Radiohead album that I have in my collection. Not a huge fan, but like this album
I have a lot of Hendrix in my collection, but this is an album I missed completely. Thanks for correcting my oversight
As a teenager, the very first album I purchased with my own money was by The Beach Boys. That was the start of my appreciation of their music and this album was certainly on the list of their many albums I purchased over the years.
Interesting album, didn't hate it
While familiar with a couple of the cuts, I had never heard this album in its' entirety. I enjoyed it overall, with a couple of these clearly well known hits.
So, I have a lot of music in my collection, with of course a heavy emphasis on rock, late 50's thru the 70's. There are several artists where I have a significant number of their albums. Given the length of his career, no one is more represented in my collection than ol' Slow Hand.
Neil was another of those artists that grew on me over time, and this was the album that was the tipping point for me. With the longevity of his career, like ol' Slo Hand, I have a tremendous number of Neil's albums in my collection, and this is one of my favorites.
I hadn't listened to this album before, I enjoyed it.
I enjoy Paul Simon, and while he clearly was the musical talent behind Simon & Garfunkel, I loved Simon and Garfunkel.
Such and incredible piece of work, the man's talent really shown through and of course it's in my collection as well.
Are you kidding me, B.B. King playing the Blues, there is nothing better than this.
So, if I were to choose just one regular album from the Stones for my collection, this might very well be the one!
I really we we could do half points as my true score would be 2.5. A straight two would not be fair as I found the album to be just okay.
Not necessarily my cup of tea, but okay and while I would not personally purchase their albums assuming this is representative of their music, I can at least listen to it.
So, this is our third stop with Robert Allen Zimmerman, and we finally have arrived at my favorite album, albeit it's a tie with Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks, and the way this works is, whichever of the three I am listening to at the time is my favorite. The way I figure it is, with his library of works, narrowing it down to three is pretty impressive.
I'd never heard of this band, it was a fun listen.
I absolutely hated this, can I do a negative number?
So it seems now I have become my parent. Just as my parents could not understand my rock and roll, I don’t get this music. While some of the messaging may be the same as it relates to sex and drugs, my music was a bit more discreet on the topics. The huge disconnect for me though is the obscene glorification of violence and the degradation of women. I get it, it’s real and raw, but that doesn’t make it acceptable. Sorry.
Man the horns, pretty good stuff and while it's not something to which I would typically listen, it was fun.
Huge Todd Rundgren fan, given his talent both as an artist and as a record producer for other bands, it is stunning it has taken him this long to get into the HOF. Loved this album, and while I have heard individual cuts, I had never listened to this album in its' entirety. It was a pleasure.
So, who doesn't like the Beatles? One of my favorite Beatles songs is on this album, George's "Here Comes the Sun". Nice album overall, nice to listen to this again.
Another band with which I had no familiarity, and what a pleasant surprise this album was. I thoroughly enjoyed it in its' entirety.
Really? We've been down this road before, the violence, the sexual degradation, etc., etc., etc. I understand the rawness, the life reality for some, but not for me my friends.
Mixed bag on this, some of the cuts I enjoyed, others, not so much. This was another new band for me, which in general terms is a positive for me.
This is probably my least favorite of their first six albums, but just like the five albums that preceded "PHYSICAL GRAFFITI" it's a great album. Kashmir and Ten Years Gone are arguably amongst the best songs they ever recorded.
Jim Steinman, "Meat Loaf", what an album by which to introduce yourself into the rock world, though some of us first caught notice of Meat Loaf in his other career as an actor in "ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW", a couple years earlier. Powerful album, great fun, and still a joy to listen to nearly fifty years later.
When it comes to Grunge, it really comes down to the artist. New band to me, not bad, not horrible, but not quite okay for me.
I have this album so while I’m not a huge Metallica fan, I thought enough of this that I felt the need for it to be part of my collection.
This is the only Arcade Fire album I have in my collection
This is the only Arcade Fire album I have in my collection
This was the first jazz album I ever purchased, of course I love it
So, my gold standard for Funk is the Funkadelics and while they are no Funkadelics, it was a pretty good listen.
Many would rate this Airplane’s best album as it contains their most famous songs. I am partial to Volunteer myself
Very mellow, not very complex musically.
Sorry, this just doesn’t cut it for me.
This is absolutely his best album, love it!
A bit of a story with some actual musical elements. It wasn’t totally offensive and completely unexpected.
British folk, who knew? Never heard of Bert, always thought folk was an American thing only. I enjoyed it.
Nice album, with a couple great cuts. You can never go wrong listening to Stevie Wonder.
Enjoyed the album, a couple of the cuts I even recognized.
Another one of those albums that does nothing for me.
Love Dion, I understand this album was originally released in England only, great to be able to listen to it now.
Why are you sending me this stuff?
One of the first concerts I attended while in college featured Tim. His music then was much more folk/rock and on that particular night he did acoustic guitar work. Great introduction, enjoyed him thoroughly. This album is clearly a departure from his early style. I enjoyed it, but not as much as his work that was more folk leaning.
It’s the Beatles, it’s at least going to be good and better than most, right? Not a personal favorite, still a very nice album. I would like to give it a 3.5, not an available score, and there’s no way you can give it a 3.
What a pleasant surprise, I love these opportunities to listen to someone for which I had absolutely no awareness. I really enjoyed this album, thank you for that experience.
It was a solid 2.5, but as you know, no half points available.
Arguably their finest album with “Thick As A Brick” being the other candidate. Loved returning to this decade and listening once more in its’ entirety.
While Tusk is my personal favorite, most would mark this album as the band’s finest work. It’s amazing to where the band evolved once the Americans arrived on the scene, though I truly loved the band when Peter Green was the driving force.
So, not a big fan of Punk, but at least it doesn’t offend me. I would give this a 2.5 if I could, but as you know, no half points.
This concert was performed shortly before Duane was killed, so I believe it is the last ABB album where Duane appears on all the album cuts. In my mind, this album is amongst the Top 5 Live albums ever, and even the harshest of critics would at least peg it as a Top 10. Great to listen to some music I really, really enjoy!
I had never listened to this album. I don’t even think I’d heard any of these cuts previously. A really nice listen, some of it clearly recognizable as Queen, some of it not.
This album does NOTHING for me. It’s not that it’s horrible, there are good elements, but I just don’t like Scott’s voice.
Tolerable, would have given it a 2.5 if I was able.
Have this album, big fan.
While I recognize the creative talents of MJ, if the truth be known, I may have as much Jackson 5 in my collection as I do Michael Jackson as I believe THRILLER is his only album I own.
Big fan of Bruce and for many years, this was my favorite of his releases.
I was a big fan of his father, but had actually not listened to much by Jeff. Nice album, this is one I might actually buy.
As a kid, this was the kind of music I first heard in my house.This was such a sweet listen, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was a big fan of his father, but had actually not listened to much by Jeff. Nice album, this is one I might actually buy.
Still not buying this style
Great album, of course it's in my collection.
Jeff is truly amongst the greatest guitarists ever. While this album may not have been the commercial success as those of his peers, it is a world class listen
A wonderful album, I think it's their best!
While there has been too many albums that I just hated as their genre just doesn't work for me, you also come across pieces like this. I'd never heard of this artist, but I enjoyed it. This is the important component of this journey.
There are times when Judas Priest can be a bit much for me. This album was not one of those times. Enjoyed it, this album was one of the better efforts.
When BS&T burst upon the scene in the late 60’s, I quickly became a fan. While on a college break during my family’s relocation to the suburbs north of Detroit, I was able to catch the Al Kooper led version of BS&T and a few years later, the David Clayton Thomas led version as they introduced this album. Both versions offered rich background music and while my preferred version of BS&T was the Al Kooper group, this is a great album. I’m a huge fan.
David Bowie was an incredible artist. I would offer this was for him just an average effort.
In case you haven’t noticed, this genre does NOTHING for me!
Damn, yet another band with which I had no familiarity. I enjoyed it.
But again music for which I have no interest.
I like Little Stevie, had not listened to this album though. There were a couple cuts I recognized, but nice to hear the entire album. Thanks for that opportunity.
This was the Eagles very best album. There is no doubt as to how it should in turn be rated.
So, I’ve always viewed this band as one of the many one-hit wonders. Nothing I’ve heard here changes my perspective. That one hit became an anthem for a truly classic flick, and it is of course on this album. The rest, is rather pedestrian from my point of view.
Of course I have this album, a wonderful debut.
It's tolerable, though not my cup of tea. I would actually give it a 2.5 if I could allocate on a half point basis.
I've had my ups and downs with the BG's over the years....would like to have given a 2.5
Of course I have this album, there is nothing like Hendrix!
I've shared my thoughts on Neil Young, once I got hooked, I was really hooked. I'm not sure if there is an album of his I don't have, either in vinyl, CD, or electronic file. This one is a really great one.
Mellow tunes, sweet jazz, enjoyed it.
Coming on the heals of a jazz album, I don't think so. Albums like this are a very occasional digression from the music genres I prefer. Sorry, can't stack this on top of a jazz album.
Clearly a Phil Spectre production, complete with a bevy of artists from his stable. I’m not a big Christmas song guy, but for what it is, actually pretty good.
This is my favorite AC/DC album, so how you thinking I might rate this beast?!?!
Didn't know the album, hell, didn't know the band. Not too bad.
Not bad, not exciting but okay
I really didn't pick up on this band until "Damn the Torpedos". This was of course their introductory album, and has one great cut. I'd never listened to this album, but it's Tom Petty so you know it wasn't going to be a "bad" listen.
This was the era when I was most into music and Donovan, while I enjoyed him, he was not on my list of personal favs. This in my mind was his best album and I do have it in my vinyl collection, but it's good, not great.
I actually like this band. This album would have worked for me back in the day. Ultimately, this is another one of those albums where I would like to have a half point scoring capacity.....well see where I end up.
Interesting. Another band outside my sweet spot, but I enjoyed it.
Well, another one of these bands of which I was completely unaware, not bad though.
Okay, I think we've been down this road before, though I would offer this, there is not the blatantly offensive attempt, in the name of being "real".
I've never heard this album, and while I like Rush, I didn't really pick up on them until their next album, "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE". By the time "Permanent Waves" was released, I was all in.
Love Booker T and the M G’s, great album!
The arrival of folk, rock, what a treat. Arguably the Byrds best album, certainly part of my collection. It's nice that we're spending some time in my wheelhouse with these last few albums.
While I have no Tracy Chapman in my collection, I do enjoy her work.
Leonard Cohen is an interesting guy. I still don't know how I feel about his unusual style....it's a mixed bag.
I haven't listened to the Mothers in decades. They were one of those fringe bands for me during my college years, their schtick, just didn't wear that well with me on most occasions. This trip back then into memory lane has demonstrated the Mother's music hasn't improved with me, with age.
Neil Young, I have so many of his albums, and for good reason. He is amongst the very best from my era, and this is one of his best albums.
Not familiar with this band at all, not a bad listen at all. Thanks.
Amazing just how many bands I’ve never heard, or even know they existed. Not bad.
We're hitting a common theme here lately, I don't know anything of this band either. I actually enjoyed the album though.
It’s the Beatles and from my perspective, this was their third best album, plus it contains my favorite Beatles song, ever. Love the album!
So, I recognized Gene's name from the Byrds. I'm not sure if I'd forgotten he'd gone out on a solo career, or maybe I didn't know. This was an enjoyable listen for me.
Aerosmith, pride of Boston, like the band, don’t love them. Great opening song, but that’s about it.
If you’re only going to own one Nirvana album, this should be the one you own. The opening song is absolutely legendary.
Hadn’t heard this album previously, not bad.
Duran Duran was not a band that I enjoyed all that much. I would rate this their best album, but for me, I really only thought much of two of the songs. To me, it's a solid 2.5, but we'll see how I grade it when it comes time.
I really like Elvis Costello, and since this is one of the five albums I own, safe to say it is one of my favorites.
I've never really listened to Nick Drake, and after this listen, if this typical of his work, I understand the popularity. Not my typical style, but it was a delightful listen.
I really don't care for this genre, at all.
I'm a huge Kinks fan, but in spite of its' cleverness, I'm not a huge fan of this album in particular.
Britpop, unfamiliar with the term, as well as the band. It was tolerable.
Not bad, another new band for me
Kind of a novelty item for me. While it was a nice easy listen, it’s not something I would ever buy.
This is a spectacular album, by a tremendous band. It's not quite as good as Fragile, but damn close.
Great album, their second best album to Alive!, at least for me.
Electronic music huh, not offensive, but not exactly my cup of tea either.
I have some Lou Reed, but was unfamiliar with this album. He had some really strong artists playing with him for this concert, which added to the appeal for me as I am huge fans of Winwood and Bruce.
