Ok, so its a conversation starter. Subjective as hell, but such is the magic of community websites.
So here, without any ado at all, are five albums (that’s CDs for you younguns) that I would want with me on a desert island.
- Live: Mental Jewelry - The first band I fell in love with. Mental Jewelry is raw, powerful, and generally kick ass in a cerebral way.
- Harry Chapin: Greatest Stories Live – I grew up with my dad’s vinyl copy of this one and if I had druthers, I’d take the vinyl version to the island with me since it has two tracks that the CD doesn’t. Chapin is the best storytelling artist I’ve heard. This live album captures the best of his craft.
- Stuart Davis: Nomen Est Numen – Lots of good Stuart discs out there, but this one is my favorite. Not as spiritual as a lot of his other work, but great just the same. Every track is listenable and they all can be taken for shallow humor or deep seeded social commentary.
- Pearl Jam: Ten – Tough call between Ten and Vs. but the debut album is the best of the Seattle grunge sound. Even now, the songs are fresh sounding and emotionally charged.
- Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose – There could be any one of a dozen albums here. But the smooth stylings of Don Cornelius and crew make the cut. Treat her like a lady is a classic and every other song here has the same groove to it.
Just missing the cut:
- Tori Amos: Little Eathquakes
- 4 Non Blondes: Bigger Better Faster More
- Concrete Blonde: Mexican Moon
- Marvin Gaye: What’s Goin On
- Shannon Campbell: Stuff from her website
- Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: Live at Luther College
So lets hear it. What music can’t you live without?
