Rocket to Russia

Rolling Stone Rank: 105

Fun album to listen to, RS had a great line calling their tour the "Gospel of Three Chords", not a lot of substantial music, but another giant leap for the development of punk music. One of the first albums that was able to bottle the energy you felt inside CBGB's, and gave listeners all over the county a feeling for what was going on in the New York. The countdown has begun, as far as Justin's last days in the apartment. I wish him well on his journey up north.

Stats

Album: Rocket to Russia
Artist: The Ramones
Year: 1977
My Favorite Song: Love their cover of Do You Wanna Dance?
Next Up: Sam Cooke

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Rolling Stone Rank: 104

Why doesn't this get easier? My friends give me lousy advice, y'know? Or at least it feels like they do. Still up at 3:30, ugh. Anyway, I listened to this album earlier in the week, it's great. Charles has this fantastic and beautiful ability to communicate so much emotion in his voice, it really is an experience, and one that I wish I could have seen live in my life. Not sure that seeing the movie Ray really did it justice.
Well, Goodnight.

Stats

Album: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Artist: Ray Charles
Year: 1962
My Favorite Song: Half as Much
Next Up: Ramones

Sweet Baby James

Rolling Stone Rank: 103

Surprising album, at first listen. I was expecting a nonstop assault of acoustic guitar, singer-songwriter, soft singing, boring songs. Totally the opposite, and totally surprising.

btw, Food Network just went off-air for the night, I had no idea they weren't 24 hours. When they go off, they have this pretty neat graphic that says "good night". That was cool.

Ok, anyways, Fire and Rain, is so awesomely powerful, that it really sets the tone for the entire album. Taylor also plays a fair amount of blues, and even sings to an electric guitar on Steamroller blues. You can tell he's still looking for his voice though, he did a lot of experimenting with style and color throughout the album, like his arrangement of the Stephen Foster classic Oh Susanna.

Neat story about the final song, Suite for 20 G. Taylor didn't have enough songs to finish the album, but the record company had paid him twenty thousand dollars for the album, so he strung a few unfinished songs together, and gave it the appropriate title.

Stats

Album: Sweet Baby James
Artist: James Taylor
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Fire and rain
Next Up: Ray Charles

Giant Steps

Rolling Stone Rank: 102

Great listening, and a huge step in the jazz movement of the late 50s. I listened to this one on my way to and from golfing this afternoon, which got me thinking about how much I love the weather we had today. It was a perfect overcast day today. Not cold enough to force long sleeves or pants, but I didn't break out a sweat once today. This is kind of weather that you think of when you're thinking about fall. The kind of weather where at night, you can put on a long sleeve shirt or a sweatshirt, but you're not going to be shivering throughout the night. It's the kind of cold where you can sit hugged to your significant other, without it getting too hot or uncomfortable. Know what I mean? Maybe not, but that's what I think of when it's like this. can't believe that we're getting this in August though...

Stats

Album: Giant Steps
Artist: John Coltrane
Year: 1960
My Favorite Song: Spiral
Next Up: James Taylor

Fresh Cream

Rolling Stone Rank: 101

A great album from an awesome power trio. To be fair, Clapton could take any group to unbelievable heights, but combined with the jazzy drumming of Ginger Baker, and the melodic bass and voice of Jack Bruce. Clapton's playing shines through, he is the focal point of the group. A completely different sound than his big band sound he would conquer later. A wonderful start to the next 100, I Feel Free being a perfect song to start the 100.

Stats

Album: Fresh Cream
Artist: Cream
Year: 1967
My Favorite Song: I Feel Free
Next Up: Coltrane

In The Wee Small Hours

Rolling Stone Rank: 100

Man was this a great album. From beginning to end, this album stays with it's theme. A collection of melancholy anthems, said to be sung by Frank after his breakup from Ava Gardner. But, y'know have you seen Ava Gardner? She's definitely worth an album. Well, Mr. Sinatra, I feel for ya. Actually when you think about the background behind their relationship, you might not be all that empathetic towards the power couple. Ava had come from two previous marriages, and Frank left his famous wife Nancy for their 6 year relationship. I understand that Hollywood relationships are different from normal ones, but it's always a little bit harder to swallow for me. On the other hand, neither married again, so maybe their love was a bit more romantic

Musically, there's a lot to like, a lot to enjoy on this album. If I had a complaint, it would be that there's a bit too much Celeste. It's not my favorite instrument, and I like percussion.

Anyway, I loved it and 100 albums. Too many compilations, but I doubt I could have put together a better list. Could you?

Stats

Album: In The Wee Small Hours
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Year: 1955
My Favorite Song: Glad to Be Unhappy
Next Up: The Next 100

Not Quite 100

Hey all,

No, I'm not through Sinatra yet. I tried three times this weekend. But, well the weekend didn't go the way I thought I would. Anyway the album is emotional, to say the least, and I just haven't been in the mood to get all the way to the end. With school starting though, I know my mind will float back into order. Hey, have a great week.

There's a Riot Goin' On

Rolling Stone Rank: 99

I'm actually pretty nervous about getting to 100. It's hard for me to believe that I'm actually going to finish this first 100. To be honest, I never thought I would get through these. And when I think about it, these albums have been the constant in my life this past year. But more on that when i actually get through 'em.

This is a great groove album. There's a lot of passion in the lyrics and in the music, but what Sly and family do best is laying down that funky R&B. Not only are there some great songs on here, there's a few really good instrumental jams. It's a sound that defined the decade they were written in, and locked Sly and family in with the heart of many music fans.

Interesting fact about the title of the album. The record was originally going to be titled Africa Talks To You, but after the release of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On? the album was retitled There's a Riot Goin' On. The album was billed, and written as a response to Marvin's question.

Stats

Album: There's a Riot Goin' On
Artist: Sly and Family Stone
Year: 1971
My Favorite Song: Family Affair
Next Up: Perfect way to end the top 100- Old Blue Eyes

This Year's Model

Rolling Stone Rank: 98

I like the phrase RS used to describe this album, emotionally explosive. It says a lot about the writing, and the background music for his personal lyrics. This is his first album with the attractions, and their punk rock style shines through on this recording. Personally, I enjoyed the drum fills to songs like Chelsea. A really great album, through and through.

Stats

Album: This Year's Model
Artist: Elvis Costello
Year: 1978
My Favorite Song: No Action
Next Up: Sly and the Family Stone

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Rolling Stone Rank: 97

Back to the old Dylan for this album, back to the folk sound. The weird thing about listening to albums on a ranked list, is that I'm missing the progression of the albums. So that when I hear an album like this, all I can do is keep comparing to the earlier albums I heard, which in fact were later albums in Dylan's career. Which might not be such a big deal, except that Dylan changed his sound and his style so much over the years, he almost sounds like a different artist. Anyways, this album is great, it's classic Dylan. Tell me what you think

Stats

Album: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Artist: Bob Dylan
Year: 1963
My Favorite Song: Pinball Wizard
Next Up: Elvis Costello

Tommy

Rolling Stone Rank: 96

Ummm, wow. I can't believe this album slid all the way down to 96. It's perfect for what an album is, one of the first great concept albums. It most definitely defines what an album is, and what an album should be. My only thought is that the movie, which is not great, weighed pretty heavily on the thoughts of those RS voters. I don't agree though, the album is fantastic, the songs are great, hell there's even an overture.

Stats

Album: Tommy
Artist: The Who
Year: 1969
My Favorite Song: Pinball Wizard
Next Up: Bob Dylan

Green River

Rolling Stone Rank: 95

There's one thing that I always found interesting about CCR sound. Now, when you listen to them, try and picture where this music should be taking place. To me, it's a back country sound. It's a downsouth, homegrown, twangy sound. So guess what? John Fogerty and CCR are California surfers boys. Never spent a day outside of California. Probably doesn't mean much to people who were alive when listening to the albums, because they knew the band. But for people in my generation, well I just think it's pretty impressive that they nailed that sound to a T. What do you think?

Stats

Album: Green River
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Year: 1960
My Favorite Song: Bad Moon
Next Up: The Who

Bitches Brew

Rolling Stone Rank: 94

wow, this was a great album. I'm surprised it's this far down the list, given its unique sound. Take a listen to it and let me know what you think. The blend of jazz and rock, electric and acoustic is beautiful.

Stats

Album: Bitches Brew
Artist: Miles David
Year: 1970
My Favorite Song: Bitches Brew
Next Up: CCR

Sign 'o' the Times

Rolling Stone Rank: 93

What hurt this album for me, is that I listened to Purple Rain not that long ago. I really like Purple Rain, and I don't really think this album compares. What is very evident is that Prince was all alone in this venture. It lacks the collaborative sound of his previous albums. That being said, what he excels at in this recording is the new age, funky sound. Again, there is a drum machine throughout the album, which I don't like, but it defines and characterises Prince's sound.

Stats

Album: Sign 'o' the Times
Artist: Prince
Year: 1987
My Favorite Song: If I Was Your Girlfriend
Next Up: Bitches Brew

20 Golden Greats

Rolling Stone Rank: 92

I guess it was good they got Buddy Holly on this list, although the album is a compilation of his early works, and not a single representation of a recording session, or a singular point in his career. It kind of spans his entire career, which if you had never heard Buddy Holly before, would be a great introduction to the beginnings of Rock and Roll. Still, compilation-not an album. lame.

Stats

Album: 20 Golden Greats
Artist: Buddy Holly
Year: 1978
My Favorite Song: Peggy Sue
Next Up: Prince