Since this is a top twenty list, I need all the space I got to write a short note about each choice. so no introductions. no spiel.
ladies and gentlemen. in no particular order.
Seed - AFROCELTS
- buy this one for the brilliant’Ayubs Song’. The whole album kicks. I’m a big fan of world music and this one is one of my all time favourites. I want someone to play Ayubs Song at my funeral. Formerly known as AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM.
FACT: did you know that the hindi song KAMBAKT ISHQ is taken straight from an Afro Celt song from their second record Volume 2: Release? The song is called’Urban Aire’
Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin
- This has to be Led Zeppelin’s finest work in terms of musical explorations and sheer variety. Some of the brilliant tracks on this record include’Custard Pie’, ’Ten Years Gone’, ’In my time of dying’ and the incredible’KASHMIR’
Back in Black - AC/DC
- When Bon Scott, the AC/DC vocalist died from hypothermia(caused by drinking and falling asleep in his car during a snowing winter day) the band recruited the services of Brian Johnson and recorded this classic. It is rumoured that this record has the BEST Side A in heavy metal. I tend to agree.
Rust In Peace - Megadeth
- An aural assault that is unmatched. From’Holy Wars’ to’Hangar 18’ to the title track, your head wont stop banging.
Joshua Tree - U2
- Lets just look at the list of songs on this record -’Where the streets have no name’, ’Still havent found what I’m looking for’, ’Running to stand still’, ’With or Without You’, ’Bullet the blue sky’. need I say more? My personal favourite is an little gem called’Mothers of the Disappeared’. it tugs you within
Nevermind - Nirvana
’Smells like teen spirit’ made it to number 1 on several lists across the globe. End to end this is a great album written by a genius
Ten - Pearl Jam
- Eddie Vedder has a great voice! And Ten is an awesome debut album for a band that changed directions after churning out two great albums. My personal favourites on this record are’Even Flow’, ’Alive’, ’Garden’, ’Release Me’ and’Jeremy’
Purpendicular - Deep Purple
- Wondering why I picked this one and not Deep Purple In rock or something else? For one reason, Steve Morse and his brilliant song’The Aviator’. Every song on his record is worth listening to. This includes the blistering’Vavoom. Ted the mechanic’ and’Sometimes I feel like screaming’
Faith - George Michael
- In another article I wrote on this site, I put father figure as one of my favourite songs. Its from Faith after all. Priceless work, this one.
The Wall - Pink Floyd
- I wont insult your intelligence on writing about this one. Its already too well known. Personal picks’Run like hell’, ’Comfortably Numb’, ’Another Brick in the wall’, ’In the Flesh’. forget it. personal pick= Entire record
The very best of Cat Stevens - Cat Stevens
- 20 great works by this great singer and musician. Gems include’Father and son’, ’Where will the children play?’, ’Moonshadow’, ’Morning has broken’, ’The wind’. easy on the ears and great songs for the guitar. you’ll love this one.
PS: The Harry Chapin classic’Cats in the cradle’ which Cat Stevens and many others covered is missing from this one.
Synchronicity - The Police
- A power pack from a great band. The songs include’Every Breath You Take’, ’King Of Pain’ and the title track. Personal Favourite:’Tea In The Sahara’
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
- It was either this or the White Album. This one won because I love’Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’
Troubadour - J J Cale
- This ones dedicated to a special Scottish friend of mine whom I havent seen in ages. The blues rocker dishes out some beautiful songs on this one. Personal Pick:’Cherry’
Elvis 30 #1 hits - Elvis Presley
- Its the KING after all. It even churned out a number one hit after all these years. Elvis must be smiling up there on a cloud.
’Well since my baby left me. I found a new place to dwell.’
The Singles 81 - 85 - Depeche Mode
- Four dudes who play synthesizers and create dark songs that kicked @$ cant be wrong;) Personal Pick:’Shake the disease’
Salisbury - Uriah Heep
- This record was released a month before I was born. The title track is LONGGG(around 16 minutes or so). Contains gems like’Lady in black’ and’High Priestess’, Personal Pick:’The Park’
Exit. Stage Left - Rush
- Contains classic prog rock tracks such as’Red Barchetta’, ’The Spirit of Radio’, ’The trees’, ’Xanadu’, ’Closer to the Heart’. Rush is still going strong after all these years. Personal Pick:’TOM SAWYER’
And Justice For All - Metallica
- Everyone picks the black album. I like this one better. Its got the incredible’ONE’ in it. Flip side - the recording wasnt done well. But this ones the essence of Metallica
Saved the best for the last:
Paint the sky with stars(the best of Enya) - Enya
- Enya is my all time favourite female vocalist. I suggested a BEST OF ENYA because if I didnt, I might have put 5 Enya records in this twenty best list. Songs to listen to are the haunting title track’Paint the sky with stars’, the awesome’Orinoco Flow(sail away)’ and’Anywhere Is’
Thats it!
SPECIAL MENTION:
A list of musicians/singers who would definitely find an entry or two in my record collection:
too many to list.
I have had to omit lots of others because of the 20 record limit. Forgive me for not including something you might have expected or liked to see but. whats the fun in writing a review if you got to conform:)
happy listening:)