Our Favorites Album (241 – 250)
241. Cedric Im Brooks -The Light of Saba [1974]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow who says: Again another Record Express suggestion – rereleased in 2003 – this is just as sublime as it gets. One of roots reggae’s best entries.
242. Tom Waits – The Heart of Saturday Night [1974]
Nominated by Michael Benson of 75% Folk who says: Some of the best lyrics I have ever heard. Painting with words.
243. Joan Baez – Ring Them Bells [1995]
Nominated by Bill Revill of Acoustic Blender who says: Baez and a slew of singer/songwriters. The voice…
244. A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders [1993]
Nominated by Rick Reaction.
Recording sessions for the album occurred at Battery Studios, Platinum Island Studios and Scorcerer Sound in New York City. Its production was mainly handled by Q-Tip, with contributions from Skeff Anselm, Large Professor and the group’s DJ, Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A culmination of the group’s two previous albums, it features an eclectic, gritty sound based on jazz, funk, soul and R&B samples, in addition to socially conscious, positively-minded, and humorous lyrics. (wikipedia.org)
245. Jethro Tull – Stand Up [1969]
Nominated by Michael Benson of 75% Folk and DJ Cheshire Cat of Wonderland.
DJ Cheshire Cat says: After the jazz and blues influences of Tull’s debut album, This Was, Ian Anderson feuded with founding guitarist Mick Abrahams. Abraham departed the band acrimoniously, leaving Anderson free to begin the long dalliance with folk and progressive influences that would define Jethro Tull for decades. Stand Up reflects a band in transition with the bluesy “A New Day Yesterday” followed shortly by a jazzy arrangement of Bach’s “Bourrée”. Side two begins with the straightforward rocker “Nothing Is Easy”, but then dips into jangly folk sardonicism with “Fat Man”. Next come the melodic contemplative reflection of “We Used to Know” and “Reasons for Waiting” before the record ends with the hard rock I-told-you-so of “For a Thousand Mothers”. Lacking stylistic consistency, Stand Up may not be a great album, but every song is a strong statement onto itself.
246. Renaissance – Scheherazade and Other Stories [1975]
Nominated by Leith of The Light Fandango.
This is the first album in which Renaissance did not use quotes from actual classical pieces and the first not to feature any songwriting credits from the original members. Contrary to popular belief, “Song of Scheherazade” is not based on Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, but does have a recurring six-note motif that alludes to that work. (wikipedia.org)
247. Björk – Vespertine [2001]
Nominated by Rick Reaction.
Björk wanted to make an album with an intimate, domestic sound, deviating from the sonority of her previous studio album Homogenic (1997). With the rising popularity of Napster and music downloads, she decided to use instruments whose sounds would not be compromised when downloaded and played on a computer, including the harp, the celesta, clavichord, strings, and custom music boxes. Assisted by the duo Matmos, Björk created “microbeats” from various household sounds, such as that of shuffling cards and ice being cracked. Lyrically, the album revolves around sex and love – sometimes explicitly – inspired by her at the time new relationship with Matthew Barney; other lyrical sources include a poem by E. E. Cummings, Sarah Kane’s play Crave, and dialogues written by Harmony Korine. (wikipedia.org)
248. Humble Pie – Performance Rockin’ the Fillmore [1971]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics who says: Live recordings are a huge draw for me. This one is Marriott and Frampton at their loud best.
249. Jackson Browne – Running on Empty [1977]
Nominated by Francesco Fiumara of Caffè Italia.
Running on Empty is the fifth album by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. Featuring songs themed around life on the road, the entire album was recorded on tour, either live on stage, or in locations associated with touring, such as backstage, on tour buses, or in hotel rooms. (wikipedia.org)
250. Curtis Mayfield – There’s No Place Like America Today [1975]
Nominated by Big Bent of Dub Revolution (and many more!) who says: The sweetest voice and soul – so much love for the world.
