Our Favorite Albums (171 – 180)
171. Archie Shepp – Live at the Donaueschingen Music Festival [1967]
Nominated by DJ Steve of WESU Sports & Beyond who says: The lineup had Archie on tenor sax, Jimmy Garrison on bass, drummer Beaver Harris and TWO TROMBONISTS, Grachan Moncur and Roswell Rudd. This is the best “unknown” jazz album ever, and a very rare one to feature two trombones, playing duets. I was so fortunate to see Roswell Rudd live at the Falcon in in sleepy Marlboro, NY.
172. Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel (“Security”) [1982]
Nominated by Rob of Chocolate Cake and Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms.
Rob says: While other synth-pop acts were using early samplers to emulate guitars and horn sections, Gabriel got his samples at the junk yard. Combining the high-tech of the time with old school hand made elements created a unique sonic pallet.
Richard says: His first 4 albums were self-titled––this is the 4th and is filled with stunning music and sounds.
173. Tower of Power – Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (Live On The Air & In The Studio 1974) [2013]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics who says: A late release of an early live recording, this is Tower of Power at their incredibly hip best. If you don’t dance while listening to these tracks, you have no soul.
174. Johnny Cash – American Recordings [1994]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!) and Bill Revill of Acoustic Blender.
Bill Revill says: Johnny Cash mostly unplugged and doing what he wanted to do. No choral groups, no string, pure unadulterated Cash. His best work, as were the releases that came after this.
175. Le Orme – Collage [1971]
Nominated by Francesco Fiumara of Caffè Italia who says: and Italian Progressive begins to stick.
176. The Eagles – Hotel California [1977]
Nominated by DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s and Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics.
Johnny Ganache says: I don’t love this band, but this album is classic.
177. Laurie Anderson – Big Science [1982]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!) and DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland.
DJ Cheshire Cat says: This distillation of Anderson’s epic United States Live is a gateway drug into the endlessly fascinating and fertile creativity of an unrivaled artist. In the span of 38 minutes and 19 seconds, Anderson challenges logical and musical conventions with absurdity, menace, and innovation. I am continuously grateful for her perspective and performance.
178. Ahmad Jamal – Intervals [1980]
Nominated by Michael Benson of 75% Folks who says: Great artistry and performed with just enough playfulness to make it unique.
179. The Monkees – Headquarters [1967]
Nominated by DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland who says: After feuding with their manager, Don Kirschner, The Monkees seized more control of their record process. While still utilizing pop-songwriting geniuses like Boyce and Hart, the band introduced more originals by Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, and Peter Tork. Headquarters maintains the band’s playful prankster attitude, but the joviality is more sincere than ever before. And jeebus, Nesmith knocks it out of the park with all three of his songs (“You Told Me”, “You Just May Be the One”, and “Sunny Girlfriend.”)
180. Bill Withers – Still Bill [1972]
Nominated by DJ Livor Mortis of Word on the Street.
The album was recorded and produced by Withers with musicians from the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. The rhythmic music produced for the record features soul, funk, and blues sounds, and lyrics that explore human nature, emotion, and sex from a middle-class male perspective. It also features some of Withers’ most popular songs, including the hit singles “Lean on Me” and “Use Me”. A commercial and critical success at the time of its release, Still Bill has since been regarded by music journalists as a highlight of the singer’s recording career and a classic of 1970s R&B. (wikipedia.org)
