Sure its cliche, but I was thinking about this today on the drive into school–the ole “what ten albums would you take to a desert island?” question. Here’s what I’m packing, in chronological order.
- Miles Davis, Kind of Blue, 1959
- I never claim to be a die-hard jazz fan, my jazz collection is about ten albums. I love writing to this album (along with Coltrain and Monk).
- Jimi Hendrix, Radio One, 1967-8 [recorded]
- Well mastered, live in studio tracks; the version of “Burning” on this disc is my probably my favorite Hendrix recording. I know they have re-released the complete BBC recordings, but this was the 3rd CD I ever bought–sentimental value runs deep
- Jimi Hendrix, Electric Ladyland, 1968
- This was the last album I put on the list–because there’s some tracks on this album that I really dislike… but as a whole, this is the most sublime album in the history of guitar playing. From the jam of Voodoo Child to the “oh-my-fucking-God-that’s-just-ridiculous” licks of the final three tracks (all competing in my top ten all-time tracks), EL is a master virtuoso performance. Though, if I brought this album to the island, I’d have to bring a guitar–I can’t listen to this album and not pick up a guitar
- Allman Bros, Beginnings, 1973
- O.k., its a double album. And a re-release. Chill out. Eat a peach.
- Guns ‘n’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction, 1987
- I have to keep reminding myself that this is twenty years old. Many of my students weren’t born when this album came out.
- Pixies, Doolittle, 1989
- Again, a college disc. But its hard to fathom how many other bands were influenced by the Pixies. My wife’s a bigger fan of the earlier albums; I like them all but consider Doolittle a nice mix of polish and ferocity
- Sublime, 40oz. to Freedom, 1992
- This album reminds of college–and the sheer range of musical stylings and influences on this disc makes it still worth a listen. “Ball and Chain” ranks up high on my favorite all-time tracks, but I’ll save that list for another day
- Soul Coughing, Ruby Vroom, 1994
- Few albums can claim to be unique. This album is one of them. I never felt any of their follow-ups captured the sophistication and energy of this CD. “True Dreams of Witcha” is the hightlight–smart, profound, and carefully crafted (without being “sound-painting”)
- Pearl Jam, Vs, 1995
- I love Ten, too–but its too polished. There’s a certain “rough-around-the-edges” violence to the mixing of this album; I’d rather be with an animal.
- Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds Five, 1995
- I’m a big fan of all Ben Folds’s work, but this first CD remains my favorite. But that’s just my philosophy.
Looking at the list, I feel a bit old. Nothing from this century (sigh). Number 11 would have been Lucky Boys Confusion–terrible name for a band, but a very tight sound with pretty incredible harmonies. Also kind of surprising that Metallica didn’t make the list–despite the 25 or so CD’s in my collection. I really like Metallica, but I guess there’s no one CD that I couldn’t live without.
Of course, I’ll probably look back at this list in a day or two and realize I’m forgetting some other album “I couldn’t live without.”
