Top Five CDs Everyone Should Own...

[curtis]

not really what you asked for, but here are the CDs I currently carry with me when listening to auditioning speakers (in no particular order):

Bill Evans - A Waltz for Debbie
Eddie Palmieri - Listen Here!
Dean Peer - Ucross
Ray Lamontagne - Till The Sun Turns Black
Chesky's Audiophile Vocal Recordings
The Best of Groovenote
K.D. Lang - Hymns of the 49th Parallel
Bela Fleck - Flight of the Cosmic Hippo
Ray Montford - Shed Your Skin
Fairfield Four - Standing in the Safety Zone
Chesky's 10 Best HE Editors Picks
Chesky's Ultimate Demo Disc
Dave Matthews Band - Crash
Patricia Barber - Nightclub

[BradJudy]

I discussed the country genre with my wife some (she largely listens to modern country) and we came up with a possible lineup for five here:

Johnny Cash Probably something like The Legend of Johnny Cash - classic singer that appeals to a lot of people. His newer "American" series is great stuff, but less country. (a Merle Haggard greatest hits album is probably more classic country than Cash and is another option).

Reba McEntire - she has three different Greatest hits albums and a 2-disc "#1's" set. If you can count "#1 Hits" as one album, it's probably the best choice

Garth Brooks - The Hits - requirement since he led a revival in interest in country music

Kenny Rogers - I grew up hearing a lot of Kenny Rogers, so I consider it a must have, but it can be pretty cheesy. Despite many greatest hits albums, few have all of the songs I consider key. "20 Great Years" looks like a decent set.

Martina McBride - Greatest hits A great singer with some good stuff, probably deserving of the list.

As with all of these, there are probably better options or alternate lists.

BTW: With the jazz list and this list, many of these CDs can be had on the cheap via Amazon used section or yourmusic.com.

[clarke68]

Another day, another five:

Charles Mingus - Ah Hum
Mingus was many things: great bass player, great composer, great band leader, great pain in the neck...and no single album exists that shows all of that. Okay, maybe Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus, but this has all the hits, and really good performances of them at that.

Led Zepplin - Led Zepplin II
Zep1 probably deserves a nod just for "Stairway...", but this has "Heartbreaker", which features the greatest rock bass line in history.

Grandmaster Flash - Rhino Hi-Five: Grandmaster Flash
This is a compilation, rather than on original document, but it's the only place I know where you can get both "The Message" and "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" on the same disc, which pretty much laid the foundation for all rap/hip-hop ("Message" for the MCs, and "Adventures" for DJs).

Bob Marley - Legend
Yet another compilation, but this one is so ubiquitous that if you don't know it you risk falling at least 10 points behind on any cultural literacy exam.

Dave Holland Quintet - Extended Play: Live at Birdland
Another modern classic - Holland's band had been together around 10 years when this was recorded (which is rare enough in itself these days), so these guys were (are) tight beyond tight. Great compositions, great grooves, and great performances with lots of telepathic improvisation.

[muzz]

Off the top of myhead-

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime- VGalbum- every song is good IMO,epic type album- every song is part of a longer story

PF Dark side of the moon- Unquestioned Dynamics

Pearl Jam- TEN- every song is a hit

Supertramp classics- Great tunes, maybe not the best remaster, but great dynamics for sure- Underrated IMO

Steely Dan- A decade of Steely Dan- all great tunes

[jvillas]

I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks now, and still don't how to respond. This is really difficult.

[jvillas]

OK here it goes.

The Beatles- Revolver
I could have gone with Zappa, Hendrix, Dylan and others.

Miles Davis- Bitches Brew, Complete Set
The most difficult catagory for me There is just so much good stuff out there.

J.S.Bach -The 6 cello Sonatas
Pablo Casals 1959 recording an extraordinary interpretation. I believe this was his third recording of these Sonatas

Lee Sratch Perry-Black Ark Experryments
The legenddary producer/performer of Reggae and Dub

Billie Holiday- Lady in Satin
This is Billie with an orchestra in 1959. A very personal favorite of mine. Every song that she sings on this album just rips at my heart. Her voice Crackles and breaks every now and then,and she will slur some of her words. Even with these technical difficulties her interpretive skill is at its best. This is one album I will never be without.

[metalaaron]

gota say that over time i lean towards compilation cd's for something like this. here's a great album... one that, even if you don't know who some of the artists are, you can put it on and leave it playing for hours. i dabble in the realm of fingerstyle, but when i hear or see these guys ... i'm blown away.

masters of acoustic guitar

[Jonnyozero3]

Thanks guys! I've got a *ton* of stuff picked from these lists so far. I'm just peeved that I'm out of the states again for a few months (already), and I won't get to buy the discs and listen to my Sierras for a while. Arrgh! It sucks!

[jsotelo]

5 for “everybody” huh

Well these aren’t my necessarily my favorite CD’s but my favorite for parties and mixed company.

Flim & The BB’s – Further Adventures

Bob Marley – Legend

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Chronicles

Ella Fitzgerald – The Best of the Song Books

Queen - Greatest hits volume 1 and 2 "boxset"

[davef]

Off the top of myhead-

Queensryche- Operation Mindcrime- VGalbum- every song is good IMO,epic type album- every song is part of a longer story

PF Dark side of the moon- Unquestioned Dynamics

Pearl Jam- TEN- every song is a hit

Supertramp classics- Great tunes, maybe not the best remaster, but great dynamics for sure- Underrated IMO

Steely Dan- A decade of Steely Dan- all great tunes

Muzz,

That Queensryche CD is one of my all time favorites... Haven't listened to it in years but I was addicted to it back in the late 80's... Also, same with Supertramp. I think I am going to dig up some old Cd's tonight

Upon the recommendation of forum members, I picked up the Damien Rice CD, 9 Crimes.. It is fantastic, worthy of everyone's collection.

Nils Lofgren, "Acoustic Live" is another one, fantastic acoustic guitar work!