The 50 Greatest Albums

not to make the Greatest Albums Lists

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20. Deep Purple - Made in Japan (1972)
The kings of arena rock, Deep Purple seem to always be skipped over for the like of Led Zeppelin and the Who. But make no mistake Made in Japan is one of the greatest live albums made by a rock group. Covering their now classic songs like, "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star" and adding in 5 minute drum solos as well as other extended length tracks (the album has 7 songs that last in total well over an hour) this album shows the great side to a much maligned area of rock. Other great albums by the band are: In Rock (1970), Fireball (1971) and Machine Head (1972).

19. Leonard Cohen - Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)
Out of all the Canadians who are overlooked when speaking of top 100 lists, Cohen's absence is the most unjust. Everyone who knows great lyrical writing knows of Cohen. This is his first album and contains the classics, "Suzanne" and "Sisters of Mercy" as well as others. He has a strong international following that is still vibrant over 35 years after his first recordings. Other classic albums that are a must are: Songs from a Room (1969), Songs of Love and Hate (1971) and I'm Your Man (1988).

18. Count Basie - April in Paris (1955)
The Count is another great of the Big Band/Swing era who released great albums in the '50s when the LP came to prominence. This is a staple Jazz record and is always overlooked in the greatest albums of all time top 100 lists. Although this doesn't foray into swing it does show Basie's ability to keep the orchestra vital in the progression of Jazz in the '50s and '60s. Other albums to check out by Basie are: Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings (1955), At Newport (1957) and Atomic Mr. Basie (1957).

17. Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey (1975)
Although Marley and Tosh seem to make the lists, Burning Spear tends to be overlooked when delving in the genre of Reggae. This album is Spear's best. Having Marcus Garvey as its main theme, the man who started the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) and became one of the most well known black leaders in world history, was a boon. Other albums to check out by the artist are: Man in the Hills (1976), Dry & Heavy (1977), Social Living (1980), and Hail H.I.M. (1980).

16. Duke Ellington - Masterpieces by Ellington (1951)
Big band and Swing are sorely lacking on all top 100 album lists even though, like this one by the Duke, came out after 78s (the staple of big band era music) were competing with full length LPs. This along with his live recording is the best to get with Ellington not collaborating with any other big name in Jazz such as (Louis Armstrong in '61). This includes four classic Ellington songs, "Mood Indigo," "Sophisticated Lady," "Solitude" and "The Tattooed Bride." Other full length albums worth listening to are: Ellington Uptown (1953) and At Newport (1956).

15. Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
With this album, Trent Reznor brought Industrial music to the mainstream, although it took a while to catch on. Taking the angst and dehumanizing sounds from the likes of Throbbing Gristle and Skinny Puppy, and mixing it with the pop sensibilities of '80s synth, Trent made industrial music listenable. When it finally caught on through mostly word of mouth, songs like "Head like a Hole" and "Terrible Lie" hit MTV and the rest was history. For its importance, it should be on more top 100 lists and with the great sound and pissed off lyrics it should be in everyone's musical library. The Downward Spiral (1994) is also worth checking out.

14. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (1971)
Although Hendrix and Sly & the Family Stone make all the top 100 lists (and deservedly so) George Clinton's two famous entourages (Parliament and Funkadelic) seem to always escape notice. "Maggot Brain" and "Wars of Armageddon" are two long pieces that are some of the best funked up guitar playing Rock & Roll ever put to vinyl. Eddie Hazel is one of the greats of guitar wizardry and he shines on this albums. The best albums by the group (with this one) are: Free Your Mind...And Your Ass Will Follow (1970), Funkadelic (1970) and One Nation Under a Groove (1978).

13. Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)
All of the great lists think that Rock and Roll started with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the mid-sixties. When there is a mention of anything previous it is Elvis Presley's Sun Sessions compilation (released in '76) of his 50s stuff before he became a household name. Little Richard was one of the biggest in R&B and early Rock & Roll but never gets any mention on the top 100 lists. It's a joke. This album was released at a time when the LP was just starting to take over the single as the most popular purchase for record buyers. Specialty Records were late in releasing an album by Richard (this being the first). It is a greatest hits album of a sort since it includes many of his previous smashes (including his first "Tutti Frutti") released as singles. Other albums worth finding are: Little Richard (1959) and The Fabulous Little Richard (1959).

12. Charles Mingus - Blues & Roots (1960)
This is Charles Mingus' answer to critic's (especially Amiri Baraka the Greenwich Village poet and playwright) condemnation of his work. Calling Mingus out by stating that his music was too European (or white) and had no swing, the bassist and composer shut them up with this brilliant album. Recorded on Feb. 4th, 1959 and released in April (4th) of 1960, Mingus moved through all the traditional music played by African Americans through the ages. Mingus is one of the greats in Jazz, but Miles Davis and John Coltrane get on all the top 100 lists. Other albums of note are: Mingus Ah Um (1959) Mingus at Antibes (1960), Oh Yeah (1961) and The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963).

11. Nina Simone - Jazz As Played In an Exclusive Side Street Club (1958)
One of the great female Jazz musicians and singers, Nina Simone always seems to lag behind her male counterparts (and her rival female singers who don't play instruments as she does). This is Simone's best album. It was early in her career when she was with Bethlehem (record label). This is an interpretation album (except for the original "Central Park Blues") and is mostly a slow smoky jazz room affair that the album title would indicate. When you want the best in vocal Jazz, this album tops the list. Other albums that beg to be heard are: Nina Simone at Town Hall (1959), Nina Simone at Newport (1960), Nina Simone at the Village Gate (1962) and Nina Simone Sings the Blues (1966).

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