Our Favorite Albums (81 – 90)
81. The Band – The Band [1969]
Nominated by Richard Kamins of River Valley Rhythms and DJ MTSPEN of Storytime/Motivation Nation.
Richard Kamins says: A classic from start to finish!
DJ MTSPEN says: Growing up, my parents introduced me to lots of music listening in the car with them, but I think The Band is one artist that more than others I listen to just as much as my mom does.
82. The Beatles – Let it Be [1970]
Nominated by DJ Jagged Little Thrill of What the Funk & Word on the Street, DJ McKenzie of Splitting Hairs & The Beatles: A Week in the Life, and DJ Deni of Lovin’ the 70’s.
It was released on 8 May 1970, almost a month after the group’s break-up, in tandem with the motion picture of the same name. Rehearsals began at Twickenham Film Studios in January 1969 as part of a planned documentary showing the Beatles’ return to live performance. Paul McCartney conceived the project as an attempt to reinvigorate the band by returning to simpler rock and roll configurations. The filmed rehearsals were marked by ill feeling, leading to George Harrison’s temporary departure from the group. As a condition of his return, the members reconvened at their own Apple Studio with guest keyboardist Billy Preston. The project then yielded a single public concert held impromptu on the studio’s rooftop on 30 January, from which three of the album’s tracks were drawn. (wikipedia.org)
83. AC/DC – High Voltage [1976]
Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint O’ Comics.
Sir Jon says: The pinnacle of why early AC/DC is so good, with a wild selection of songs that run the gamut of sound level and structure.
84. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill [1998]
Nominated by DJ Lukey G of The Guest List and DJ Livor Mortis of Word on the Street.
In 1996, Lauryn Hill met Rohan Marley while touring as a member of the Fugees. The two gradually formed a close relationship, and while on tour, Hill became pregnant with his child. The pregnancy and other circumstances in her life inspired her to record a solo album. After contributing to fellow Fugees member Wyclef Jean’s 1997 solo record The Carnival, Hill took time off from touring and recording due to her pregnancy and cases of writer’s block. This pregnancy, however, renewed Hill’s creativity, as she recalled in an interview several years later: “When some women are pregnant, their hair and their nails grow, but for me it was my mind and ability to create. I had the desire to write in a capacity that I hadn’t done in a while. I don’t know if it’s a hormonal or emotional thing … I was very in touch with my feelings at the time.” (wikipedia.org)
85. Harry Nilsson – The Point! [1970]
Nominated by Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.
The Point! is a fable that tells the story of a boy named Oblio, the only round-headed person in the Pointed Village, where by law everyone and everything must have a point. Nilsson explained his inspiration for The Point!: “I was on acid and I looked at the trees and I realized that they all came to points, and the little branches came to points, and the houses came to point. I thought, ‘Oh! Everything has a point, and if it doesn’t, then there’s no point to it.’ (wikipedia.org)
86. Wings – Wings at the Speed of Sound [1976]
Nominated by DJ Livor Mortis of Word on the Street.
As a reaction to critics who believed Wings was merely a vehicle for Paul McCartney, the album featured every member of the band taking lead vocals on at least one song, and two songs from the album are written or co-written by band members other than the McCartneys. (wikipedia.org)
87. Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda [1971]
Nominated by Fluccs Capacitor of Time Moves Slow who says: I first heard this in ’96 by a friend who worked at Record Express (long time Middletown record store) Absolutely sublime.
88. Roger C. Reale & Rue Morgue – The Collection [2019]
Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.
89. Legowelt – Reports From The Backseat Pimp [2003]
Nominated by Rick Reaction.
90. Phish – Junta [1989]
Nominated by Andy Chatfield of Center for the Arts Radio Hour.
The album was independently recorded at Euphoria Sound Studio, now known as Sound & Vision Media, in Revere, MA by engineer Gordon Hookailo. (wikipedia.org)
