1001 Albums (326-340): Goodbye and Hello - Groovin'

Note: All those that have been nervously waiting the return of this feature, it’s back. I intended to break these down as I have in the past, but I found that pretty much all these albums were on a equal footing. They are all good, not great, but probably all belong on this list. I decided to list them chronologically because I like seeing how things break down by decade.

1960s

Green Onions (1962) by Booker T. And The M.G.s

While most people don’t recognize “Green Onions” the name, once the tune plays the hook, the smooth guitar and steady percussion it’s like OK I know that. A fusion of rock and soul that inspired a lot future Southern blues rockers.

Goodbye and Hello (1967) by Tim Buckley

A bit of a cult legend, Buckley tried to leave the folk scene behind after being inspired by Sgt. Peppers. The album was critically acclaimed, but peaked at 171 on the U.S. Chart. He released a few more albums before dying of a drug overdose in 1975 at 28.

Groovin’ (1967) by The Young Rascals

The title track is a classic track to sit back and listen to in the summer sun. On the whole, The Young Rascals were a singles band leaving albums seeming more like greatest hits rather than cohesive albums. But, hell if write songs as good as this why does that matter.

Gris-Gris (1968) by Dr. John, The Night Tripper

Using studio time donated by Sonny and Cher, Dr. John set out to expose the dark underbelly of New Orleans via a concept album about a real voodoo preacher. This seems like it might be a real trip to listen to.

Green River (1969) by Creedence Clearwater Revival

This album feature “Lodi” which is one of my favorite CCR tunes. It also features “Bad Moon Rising,” that is probably the bands most recognizable song next to “Proud Mary.”

1970s

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) by Elton John

This is John’s most recognizable albums, if not his best. He hit it big with “Candle in the Wind” and “Bennie and the Jets,” two hits with very different pacing and sounds. Throw in a quick rocker like “Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting,” and John proved he could play at any speed.

Greetings from L.A. (1972) by Tim Buckley

The clips from that I’ve been able find from this album seem to be more funky and sexually charge than his other works. All together, I haven’t heard enough to form a solid opinion on the elder Buckley.

Good Old Boys (1974) by Randy Newman

Before Newman started writing songs for every feel-good movie released in the last 20 years, he was a bold songwriter. This is a satirical album thumbing a noise at his perceived snobbery of northern people over the south. There’s some funny lyrics and the usual Newman hook and voice.

The Grand Tour (1974) by George Jones

The quintessential country album by an elder statesman of the genre, it is only apropos that Jones was writing about his failing marriage to Tammy Wynette.

Grievous Angel (1974) by Gram Parsons

Released after his death, Parsons put down the blueprint for country rock that the Eagles would repeat about a dozen times. He had a super group going here with Emmylou Harris on backing vocals and parts of Elvis’ backing band playing along.

1980s

Graceland (1986) by Paul Simon

Simon went to South Africa against United Nations sanctions and recorded an album. It was good enough that he didn’t get prosecuted. Talk about taking a chance on your talent.

Green (1988) by R.E.M.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the political intentions of Michael Stipe, if you listen to the hit single from this album – “Stand” – he’s really only trying to write songs that will sell albums. This one did that.

1990s

Grace (1994) by Jeff Buckley

Outside of his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” which is remarkable and a must hear, I have not really been able to get into any of the younger Buckley’s songs. Maybe they’ll grow on me. Like his father, he died young. He drowned at the age of 30 in 1997. I vaguely remember hearing about this.

2000s

Gorillaz (2001) by Gorillaz

A creation of Blur’s Damon Albarn, Gorillaz caught peoples’ attention with their mixture of pop, rock, funk and rap. Oh, the carton characters that starred in the videos seemed to send this overtop. “Clint Eastwood” may have been the best song of 2001.

A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004) by The Streets

Mike Skinner takes keeping it real in rap to a new level. He spins tracks about ATM withdrawals, cell phone batteries and trying to return a DVD. For real.