1001 Albums (236-250): L'Eau Rouge - Elvis is Back!

Note: Well I am getting a little ahead of Snake, but that's OK. This group ended up better than I originally thought when I scanned over the album titles. We're 1/4 of the way through the book. We'll see if I make it the whole way.

In Red’s Collection

Elephant (2003) by The White Stripes

I’ll admit that until this album, I had more or less ignored the White Stripes. I had generally liked what I had heard of them, but never felt the impulse to really go after there music. Elephant changed that. From the opening supersonic beats of “Seven Nation Army,” there was no going back. Jack and Meg were at the top every must listen list.

The Controversy Continues

Ellington at Newport (1956) by Duke Ellington

Well this will make Snake fume some more about Alive! The original release of this album was a heavily doctored version of Ellington's performance at Newport mixed with studio work after the concert tapes were flawed. Some 40 years later, some recording whizzes finally pieced together the magical concert recordings.

The Good

Electric Ladyland (1968) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Everything rings of awesome on this album even the original cover art featuring a bunch of nude women. Hendrix owned in his cover of “All Along The Watchtower.” He hit it out of the park with “Voodoo Chile” and “Voodoo Child.” Add a song like “Crosstown Traffic” and you have an album most artists can only dream of making.

Eliminator (1983) by ZZ Top

The long beards, the cars, the girls, the snappy videos and good music made this Texas trio and this album iconic during the New Wave Era. “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs” still receive heavy rotation on classic rock radio stations.

Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Gerschwin Song Book (1959) by Ella Fitzgerald

I can’t leave the queen jazz off the top of this group especially singing the standards of George Gerschwin.

Elvis Is Back! (1960) by Elvis Presley

This is Elvis’ return album after a 2-year stint in the army. As expected it’s dripping with sex appeal and early 60s standards for lewdness. I am not super familiar with all these tunes, but I can imagine what they sound like.

The Middle

Electric Warrior (1971) by T.Rex

I think this is the first time I’ve seen the cover art for this album. I think it’s pretty awesome. Check it out if you get a chance. Marc Bolan tried to make T.Rex international stars with this album and he nearly did behind hit “Bang A Gong (Get It On).”

Remember That One Time

Electric Music From The Mind And Body (1967) by Country Joe and the Fish

Joe McDonald and his group (the band name is a subtle reference to Stalin and Mao) turned a little electric. In a bizarre decision, the label pushed for the band’s hit “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag,” be left off this album.

The Best of the Rest

Either/Or (1997) by Elliott Smith

Here seems to be a pretty good songwriter that left his recordings with a subtly rough, home recording quality.

The Rest

L’Eau Rouge (1989) by The Young Gods

Industrial rock from the great land of Switzerland? I always thought they were neutral.

808:90 (1989) by 808 State

British dance music. If that doesn’t excite you, nothing will.

Elastica (1995) by Elastica

Here’s a female led British band from the mid 90s. What you don’t remember them? Me neither.

Electric (1987) by The Cult

Rick Rubin did his best to turn this indie-goth rock band into a stadium power rock band. If he couldn’t do, then no one could.

Elephant Mountain (1969) by The Youngbloods

This is another, “I think I know this band moment”, but I don’t know why. They mix their folk sound with jazz here.

Eli and The Thirteenth Confession (1968) by Laura Nyro

Nyro was booed off the stage at the Monterey Pop Festival. But, Three Dog Night did cover her song “Eli’s Comin’” from this album. Consolation prize, I guess.