Notes: I know I was truant last week. Well I had good reason, an infection was slowly and painfully killing a nerve in one of my molars. Enough about me. This was about as painful as the tooth as you're soon to find out. Halfway through, I started name-dropping and making connections between albums and bands, so pay attention. Cheers.
1950s
Here’s Little Richard (1957) by Little Richard
The full blast young spirit of rock and soul was alive and well as Richard Penniman went into the studio for the first time. He was never better than here. “Tutti Frutti” is a right of passage and “Long Tall Sally” is a rock standard. The rest is energy recorded and copyrighted.
1960s
Here Are The Sonics (1965) by The Sonics
You know what I hear here – a 1960s version of “Queens of the Stoneage.” There’s something mystical and raw about the Sonics sound. “The Witch” was a hit in the northwest. “Pshyco a Go-Go” has been my favorite that I’ve found so far.
1970s
Here Come The Warm Jets (1974) by Eno
Robert Fripp plays on this album. Just in case you’re looking for someone else to rant about with this selection.
Hejira (1976) by Joni Mitchell
I think we’ve talked about Joni Mitchell enough on this endeavor already. I will educate now – the name Hejira stems from the prophet Muhammad’s journey of exile from Mecca to Medina.
Heavy Weather (1977) by Weather Report
Bassist Jaco Pastrorius was dating and played on most of Joni Mitchell’s Hejira album before making this album with Weather Report, a fusion band, that struck it big here by reaching No. 30 on Billboard.
“Heroes” (1977) by David Bowie
The ties betweens albums this week continues. Yes, Brian Eno collaborated on this album most notably on the title trick, which Robert Fripp also played on. Also, Bowie was living in Berlin during this album with Iggy Pop and like Pop’s “The Idiot,” this album explores the seedy nightlife of Berlin. Side note, both Bowie and Pop were completely drug free during this time. Amazing.
Here My Dear (1978) by Marvin Gaye
Nobody liked this album, especially Gaye’s ex-wife who stood to receive part of the earnings and the advance of this album after an ugly divorce trial (his ex-wife was Anna Gordy, daughter of Mo-Town boss Berry Gordy). So Gaye wrote an album about the misfortunes of relationships.
1980s
Heartattack and Vine (1980) by Tom Waits
There are only two Waits songs that I’ve really been able to get into. “Hold On” released in the late 90s is a haunting tune that I need to get a version of sometime and “Downtown Train,” which Rod Stewart covered. Neither of these are on here, but that doesn’t mean this songs aren’t good. There’s something very spiritual and sad about Waits’ music.
Hearts and Bones (1983) by Paul Simon
This was originally supposed to be a Simon & Garfunkel reunion album after the successful concert in Central Park. Well, the boys couldn’t get along, Simon, who was battling writer’s block with therapy released this set which was critically and commercially panned. He fled to Africa after this. That turned out well.
The Healer (1989) by John Lee Hooker
Classic bluesman has a rebirth here after decades away. The title track is a collobration featuring Carlos Santana. Guitar mastery ensues, I am sure.
1990s
Heaven Or Las Vegas (1990) by Cocteau Twins
Early 90s British pop. I’ve never heard this band, but I heard a lot of songs that sounded like this on radio growing up.
Henry’s Dream (1992) by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
This book loves this guy too. I’ve listened a little and still haven’t been sold. Maybe I need to listen more.
2000s
Heartbreaker (2000) by Ryan Adams
Adams first solo album after the breakup of his alt. country band Whiskeytown (how a band with that name didn’t make it, I don’t know) and the breakup with a longtime girlfriend. This sort of set him on the path of being critics favorite. In keeping with the namedropping theme, Emmylou Harris did a duet with Adams here on the song “Oh My Sweet Carolina.”
Highly Evolved (2002) by The Vines
They were hailed as the second-coming of Nirvana. While I don’t think they had quite that much impact, they had some good tunes. I know Snake has this album and turned me onto tunes like “In The Jungle” and “Factory.”
Heroes to Zeros (2004) by The Beta Band
The band broke up after this album. Apparently being able to sell albums is important also. Goodnight, and stay classy San Diego.
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4 comments:
In some cases such as this late is not better than never. This list is a steaming pile of crap. There are maybe 3 relavent albums. Did I miss understand the title of this book? "1,001 albums that will make you wanna die" Even the album I have isn't what I would call 'great' or even that relavent at the time it came out. For a list of this title, I would think there would be a little more epicness to these albums. Although in some weird dialectual/alphabetical anomoly these groups seem to bunch on the ends of the specturm. So that just keeps my hopes up that that one awesome group of 15 is out there somewhere. Then we probably wouldn't know what to talk about because we would be overwhelmed.
I think the only one that'd I'd keep for sure from here is the Little Richard album, just because he at least had some music importance. Although, pretty much all his greats were on this album, leading me to believe he may be the most well known one-trick pony of all time.
Next week will be better. Not 15 greats better, but there are 3 or 4 solid albums that I recognized by title right away.
Will that be this week yet? I am sure the Encore will be riveting for you :) at least I can stretch to a few Snubs this week.
Umm, I don't think I'll get to it till early next week unless I feel like doing it Thursday, but I doubt that.
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