Songs that changed how I looked at music (or the world). Let's narrow it down to a dozen:
1. Baba O'Riley - The Who. The opening synthesizer loop is my ringtone. (It's NOT going to be here?)
2. Shangri-La - The Kinks. Closing track of Arthur, their concept album about "The Decline of the British Empire." Powerful finish to their classic era.
3. Tale of Hard Time - Fairport Convention. I could put a million Fairport songs here, but this was the first time I heard a Richard Thompson solo. (I still hear it in my head.)
4. Concierto de Aranjuez - Miles Davis and Gil Evans. The most beautiful jazz track ever recorded. Never fails to calm me down when I'm stressed.
5. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin. An unearthly performance by John Bonham. I was so obsessed with this track, I had to learn exactly how his drums were recorded.
6. We - The Roches. Album 1, Side 1, Track 1. I fell in love.
7. 21st Century Schizoid Man - King Crimson. Prog rock is born. (Never topped.)
8. Powerhouse - Raymond Scott. The "clockwork" middle section is the soundtrack to a million cartoons.
9. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty. My favorite single of the 1970s.
10. Blue Rondo a la Turk - Dave Brubeck. A turkish delight in 9/8 time.
11. Fantasy - Earth, Wind and Fire. Those percolating rhythms. Philip Bailey's heavenly falsetto. Pure joy.
12. Umbrella - Rihanna. Hey, maybe 21st century pop isn't so bad after all!
Songs to Know Me By
Songs that changed how I looked at music (or the world). Let's narrow it down to a dozen:
1. Baba O'Riley - The Who. The opening synthesizer loop is my ringtone. (It's NOT going to be here?)
2. Shangri-La - The Kinks. Closing track of Arthur, their concept album about "The Decline of the British Empire." Powerful finish to their classic era.
3. Tale of Hard Time - Fairport Convention. I could put a million Fairport songs here, but this was the first time I heard a Richard Thompson solo. (I still hear it in my head.)
4. Concierto de Aranjuez - Miles Davis and Gil Evans. The most beautiful jazz track ever recorded. Never fails to calm me down when I'm stressed.
5. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin. An unearthly performance by John Bonham. I was so obsessed with this track, I had to learn exactly how his drums were recorded.
6. We - The Roches. Album 1, Side 1, Track 1. I fell in love.
7. 21st Century Schizoid Man - King Crimson. Prog rock is born. (Never topped.)
8. Powerhouse - Raymond Scott. The "clockwork" middle section is the soundtrack to a million cartoons.
9. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty. My favorite single of the 1970s.
10. Blue Rondo a la Turk - Dave Brubeck. A turkish delight in 9/8 time.
11. Fantasy - Earth, Wind and Fire. Those percolating rhythms. Philip Bailey's heavenly falsetto. Pure joy.
12. Umbrella - Rihanna. Hey, maybe 21st century pop isn't so bad after all!