270. The Rolling Stones | Exile on Main St. (1972)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Rocks Off
2. Rip This Joint
3. Shake Your Hips
4. Casino Boogie
5. Tumbling Dice
6. Sweet Virginia
7. Torn and Frayed
8. Sweet Black Angel
9. Loving Cup
10. Happy
11. Turd on the Run
12. Ventilator Blues
13. I Just Want to See His Face
14. Let It Loose
15. All Down the Line
16. Stop Breaking Down
17. Shine a Light
18. Soul Survivor

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Exile on Main St. is a singular album. The music is rock and roll with songs that extend to its roots, country and blues. While the album reaches back to the beginning, it extends forward with use of backing singers and horns. It's impressive to have so much going on while maintaing so much clarity. And it's not that backing singers and horns haven't been used before, I just haven't heard it with straight up rock and roll.

I think this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. The Rolling Stones have always been plagued by inconsistency. Despite having many good albums, their catalogue is not unblemished. And even among the good albums, there are many songs that just don't resonate.

This album is different. Every song belongs and works to improve the others. It's true that this album doesn't have very many big hits on it as other of their albums do and it's true that it takes a while to warm up to the album. But it's worth the effort because these songs are some of their strongest. So, it's certainly worth listening and does belong in every serious album collection. It also deserves to be on the 1001 Albums list for being the gold standard of modern rock and roll albums.

All the songs are excellent. The stand-outs are: Rocks Off, Rip This Joing, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel, Loving Cup, Happy, Turd on the Run, Ventilator Blues, I Just Want to See His Face, Let It Loose, All Down the Line, Stop Breaking Down, Shine a Light and Soul Survivor. Yep, that's all of them!

★★★★★★★★★★

227. Rod Stewart | Every Picture Tells a Story (1971)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Every Picture Tells a Story
2. Seems Like a Long Time
3. That's All Right
4. Tomorrow Is a Long Time
5. Henry
6. Maggie May
7. Mandolin Wind
8. (I Know) I'm Losing You
9. Reason to Believe

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Every Picture Tells a Story is a rowdy album. The music is rock and roll. There are other styles, but its heart never strays from rock and roll.

This album is no nonsense. There isn't a vapid, vacuous or insipid song on it. There is no flash or showing off. That's the idealized kind of rock and roll realized primarily by Rod Stewart and the Who and sometimes by Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.

I think this is a great album. It's not a great as Gasoline Alley, but it's worth listening to and worth owning, just for (I Know) I'm Losing You. It probably shouldn't belong on the 1001 Albums list. It's too similar in style and quality to Gasoline Alley. But then again, if not this, then what?

All the songs sound great. Every Picture Tells a Story, Seems Like a Long Time, That's All Right, Maggie May, (I Know) I'm Losing You and Reason to Believe are the real stand outs. 

★★★★★★★★★★

195. Rod Stewart | Gasoline Alley (1970)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Gasoline Alley
2. It's All Over Now
3. Only a Hobo
4. My Way of Giving
5. Country Comfort
6. Cut Across Shorty
7. Lady Day
8. Jo's Lament
9. You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Discuss It)

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Gasoline Alley is a smart album. The music is rock and roll, but it's not a retrospective. This is a contemporary incarnation of rock and roll. Other rock bands since the early Beatles' albums have been heavily influenced by the blues. While this album is informed by the blues, it doesn't draw too directly from the source, unlike the blues rock and psychedelic rock bands.

This album is really strong throughout. The first two songs are really catchy and energetic. Only a Hobo is a great cover of a Dylan song and it slows the pace right down for the next two songs which are slow but really great songs. Country Comfort is one of my favorite songs. It really gets going when Ronnie Lane joins Rod Stewart on vocals. From Cut Across Shorty to the end, the album begins to rock harder and harder which is a perfect way to end an album.

I think this is one of the best albums I've ever heard. I like how it strips away all the ostentation of the past decade to return to a clean rock and roll sound. This is certainly an album worth listening to frequently. It's certainly an album that any seriously collector should have. I do believe it should be on the 1001 Albums list. It may not be the album responsible for the backlash toward psychedelic rock and prog rock, but it's certainly demonstrative of a desire to make things simpler.

There's not a bad song on this album. My favorites are: Gasoline Alley, Only a Hobo, Country Comfort, Cut Across Shorty and You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Discuss It).

★★★★★★★★★★

149. The Rolling Stones | Let It Bleed (1969)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Gimme Shelter
2. Love in Vain
3. Country Honk
4. Live with Me
5. Let It Bleed
6. Midnight Rambler
7. You Got the Silver
8. Monkey Man
9. You Can't Always Get What You Want

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Let It Bleed is an insensitive album. Or is it a dehumanizing album? No matter, the themes aren't at all positive. Sexual relationships are impersonal, demeaning and violent—Country Honk, Live With Me and Gimme Shelter. Non-sexual relationships are the same—You Can't Always Get What You Want, Monkey Man and Midnight Rambler. Aside from that, the music is quite good. It's the best Rolling Stones album so far.

The only problem I had with it, is that I don't get that album feeling when I listen to this album. It seems like a collection of songs. That's the way all Rolling Stones albums have felt. It just seems they go in to the studio, write a bunch of songs, and put them on the album without care to how they are ordered or how they relate to each other. Despite indicating there are themes on this album, I don't think that was intentional at all. This isn't a big problem, but I think their albums could have been better if they were more focused.

This is a nice collection of great songs, but not a great album, so I don't see why it's on the 1001 Albums list. The stand out songs are Gimme Shelter, Love in Vain, Country Honk (I like this version of Honky Tonk Women better), Let It Bleed, Midnight Rambler and You Can't Always Get What You Want.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

138. Creedence Clearwater Revival | Bayou Country (1969)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Born on the Bayou
2. Bootleg
3. Graveyard Train
4. Good Golly Miss Molly
5. Penthouse Pauper
6. Proud Mary
7. Keep on Chooglin'

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Bayou Country is a heavy album. Most of the songs are a mix of blues and country with a lyrics that conjure images of life in the bayou. Hence, the apt album title. The music cuts a deep groove from slow, walking bass which gives many of the songs a haunting quality.

Creedence Clearwater Revival is another band to have decided to return to a simpler, more traditional form of rock and roll, although there are some psychedelic influences present. No matter, the band has done a wonderful job updating the rock and roll sound.

I didn't expect to enjoy this album that much. I was expecting vapid and superficial classic rock. (It's not their fault that subsequent bands would be inspired to produce that kind of music.) This album is far from it. It is some of purest and most honest rock and roll you'll ever hear. This album is worth listening to and is a must for any serious music collector.

I don't think there are any songs that are better than any other. All the songs are exceptional.

★★★★★★★★★★

115. Johnny Cash | At Folsom Prison (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

Original release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Dark as a Dungeon
3. I Still Miss Someone
4. Cocaine Blues
5. 25 Minutes to Go
6. Orange Blossom Special
7. The Long Black Veil
8. Send a Picture of Mother
9. The Wall
10. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
11. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
12. Jackson
13. Give My Love to Rose
14. I Got Stripes
15. Green, Green Grass of Home
16. Greystone Chapel

Re-release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Busted
3. Dark as a Dungeon
4. I Still Miss Someone
5. Cocaine Blues
6. 25 Minutes to Go
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. The Long Black Veil
9. Send a Picture of Mother
10. The Wall
11. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
12. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
13. Joe Bean
14. Jackson
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. I Got Stripes
17. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
18. Green, Green Grass of Home
19. Greystone Chapel

Legacy Edition

First Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. This Ole House
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
4. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
5. Folsom Prison Blues
6. Busted
7. Dark as a Dungeon
8. I Still Miss Someone
9. Cocaine Blues
10. 25 Minutes to Go
11. I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail
12. Orange Blossom Special
13. The Long Black Veil
14. Send a Picture of Mother
15. The Wall
16. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. I Got a Woman
21. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
22. June's Poem
23. Green, Green Grass of Home
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Closing announcements
26. The Old Spinning Wheel

Second Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Matchbox
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
4. You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith, Too
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
5. Flowers on the Wall
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
6. How Great Thou Art
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
7. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
8. Folsom Prison Blues
9. Busted
10. Dark as a Dungeon
11. Cocaine Blues
12. 25 Minutes To Go
13. Orange Blossom Special
14. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man
21. I Got Stripes
22. Green, Green Grass Of Home
23. Greystone Chapel
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Hugh Cherry Introduces Johnny's father, Ray Cash, Associate Warden Walter E. Craven and Floyd Gressett, and closing announcements

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Note: As the track listing indicates, there are three different versions of At Folsom Prison: the original release, an extended release and a so-called legacy version. The extended release adds three songs not included on the original release. The legacy version a complete uncut recording of the two shows Johnny Cash performed at Folsom Prison for the recording. The legacy version includes several songs not found on the original release, as well as opening songs performed by Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers. It also includes a poem recited by June Carter.
The legacy version is important as a historical record and perfect for die-hard fans, but the original or extended releases are sufficient enough. I think the extended release is the best because of its inclusion of The Legend of John Henry's Hammer.

At Folsom Prison is an entertaining album. Most songs are country. Many of the songs deal with prison life or criminal acts. The songs are full of black humor. I suppose the choice of songs are apt for Johnny's reputation and because they are performing at a prison, but perhaps the prisoners might have liked something more upbeat.

No matter, the prisoners seemed to enjoy the performance and Johnny Cash is a great showman who easily connects with his audience. I think it's great that he performed for prisoners. I wonder how many entertainers perform for prisoners these days.

This is certainly an album worth owning. Johnny Cash and his supporting musicians—June Carter, The Tennessee Three, The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins—sound excellent live. The songs are great. Johnny Cash's strength and appeal lie in his lyrics and his voice; he sure knows how to convincingly tell a compelling story. The stand out songs are Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, The Wall, Jackson, Green, Green Grass of Home and Greystone Chapel.

★★★★★★★★★★

69. The Mothers of Invention | Freak Out! (1966)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Hungry Freaks, Daddy
2. I Ain't Got No Heart
3. Who Are the Brain Police?
4. Go Cry on Somebody Else's Shoulder
5. Motherly Love
6. How Could I Be Such a Fool?
7. Wowie Zowie
8. You Didn't Try to Call Me
9. Any Way the Wind Blows
10. I'm Not Satisfied
11. You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here
12. Trouble Every Day
13. Help, I'm a Rock
14. The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet in Two Tableaux)

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Freak Out! is an ambitious album. The songs are heavy, high-energy and epic. The lyrics are sarcastic, mocking, flippant, silly and brutally honest. There's some extended lead guitar playing which has only made brief appearances so far on the 1001 Albums list.

This is a serious album that doesn't take itself seriously at all. That it's extremely cerebral and attacks American popular culture so viciously, I can't imagine anybody thinking this album would sell.

It's also sonically rich album. There is so much depth to each song. There's always something new I hear each time I listen to it.

I like this album a lot, but since it takes a lot of effort to listen to it, it's not ideal for casual listening. This is clearly a good example of something that is so avant-garde that it has little impact.

Hungry Freaks, Daddy, Motherly Love and Trouble Every Day are the clear stand outs, but the album is full of great songs. I'm still not sure about The Return of the Son of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet in Two Tableaux). It's interesting, but with diminishing returns.

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★★★★★★★★★ ☆

48. Jerry Lee Lewis | Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1965)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Mean Woman Blues
2. High School Confidential
3. Money (That's What I Want)
4. Matchbox
5. What'd I Say, Part 1
6. What'd I Say, Part 2
7. Great Balls of Fire
8. Good Golly, Miss Molly
9. Lewis' Boogie
10. Your Cheatin' Heart
11. Hound Dog
12. Long Tall Sally
13. Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

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Live at the Star Club, Hamburg is an explosive album. It's one loud, raucous song after another for the first twenty or so minutes. Then, there's a slow three-minute song and, a final burst of energy for the final ten minutes. If Jerry Lee Lewis were a celestial star, this was a supernova of a performance. He is a madman who is so intense and who plays so fast that he leaves your head spinning and your jaw hanging open in awe and wondering what in the hell is going on.

In just over 30 minutes he's put more energy and intensity into one album than every other band and performer has on this whole 1001 Albums list combined. Jerry Lee Lewis put on one of the finest and most exciting performances I've ever heard. His energy and excitement is infectious.

This is undoubtedly one of the best albums ever made. There isn't a blemish on this album. It is an album everyone should own. I can't believe it isn't more popular.
★★★★★★★★★★

46. The Rolling Stones | The Rolling Stones (1964)

Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Route 66
2. I Just Want to Make Love to You
3. Honest I Do
4. Mona (I Need You Baby)
5. Now I've Got a Witness
6. Little by Little
7. I'm a King Bee
8. Carol
9. Tell Me
10. Can I Get a Witness
11. You Can Make It If You Try
12. Walking the Dog

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The Rolling Stones is quite good. It's energetic, but not exciting. The songs consist mostly blues covers, but they have been given a rock and roll treatment that has a much harder edge than anything that has come before.

This album didn't appeal to me the first time I heard it, but I've come to appreciate it. It's not just unpolished, it's raw. The role of the lead guitar is a novel one on Mona (I Need You Baby), Tell Me and Walking the Dog and that's what makes this album worth listening to. Besides those three songs, the other stand outs are: I Just Want to Make Love to You, Honest I Do, Little by Little and King Bee. 
★★★★★★★★☆☆

35. The Beatles | With The Beatles (1963)

Wikipedia entry

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Tracks

1. It Won't Be Long
2. All I've Got to Do
3. All My Loving
4. Don't Bother Me
5. Little Child
6. Till There Was You
7. Please Mister Postman
8. Roll Over Beethoven
9. Hold Me Tight
10. You Really Got a Hold on Me
11. I Wanna Be Your Man
12. Devil in Her Heart
13. Not a Second Time
14. Money (That's What I Want)

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With The Beatles is a superb album. It's a rush of energy from the beginning to the end and the intensity just builds upon itself, ending in the cloudburst that is Money (That's What I Want). Not only does the album build in intensity, but most of the songs do to. John Lennon also adds another level of excitement when he is singing.

The album is very consistent even with the variety of genres featured. The rock and roll songs have the typical teenage girl themes that were common to the The Everly Brothers' A Date with the Everly Brothers and common to Elvis' Elvis Is Back! If there's any drawback it's that.

This is certainly an album that must be listened to. In the context of the 1001 albums list, it's a game changer like Miles Davis' Kind of Blues would have been if the Beatles never came on the scene. All of the songs are excellent, which makes it hard for them to stand out from one another, so here are the exceptional songs: It Won't Be Long, All My Loving, Don't Bother Me, Little Child, Please Mister Postman, Roll Over Beethoven, You Really Got a Hold on Me, I Wanna Be Your Man and Money (That's What I Want). As for Money, it's simply an amazing version of the song. In fact, its intensity is more overwhelming than the previous songs combined.

The Beatles are also the first true band on the 1001 Albums list in the sense that no member is featured over the others.
★★★★★★★★★★

27. The Everly Brothers | A Date with the Everly Brothers (1960)

Wikipedia entry

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Tracks

1. Made to Love
2. That's Just Too Much
3. Stick With Me Baby
4. Baby What You Want Me to Do
5. Sigh, Cry, Almost Die
6. Always It's You
7. Love Hurts
8. Lucille
9. So How Come (No One Loves Me)
10. Donna, Donna
11. A Change of Heart
12. Cathy's Clown

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A Date with the Everly Brothers is a very good album. I didn't expect to like this album. In fact, from the album cover and title, I figured it would be a sappy, love song-heavy album by two effeminate singers. This album certainly is filled with sappy love songs, and their brand of rock and roll certainly doesn't have an edge to it, except for Lucille, but the album is also enchanting, beautiful and fun. It's just not the kind of rock and roll played by the likes of Elvis, Little Richard or Buddy Holly.

The Everly Brothers have wonderful voices and I do enjoy close harmony singing, but they lack an emotional connection to the lyrics or perhaps the lyrics are too trite to make a connection with. However, Elvis was able to accomplish it with similar songs on Elvis Is Back!.

Nevertheless, the album is very solid and consistent. The song that stand out are: Made to Love, That's Just Too Much, Always It's You, Love Hurts, Lucille, Donna, Donna, A Change of Heart and Cathy's Clown.

★★★★★★★★★☆

25. Elvis Presley | Elvis Is Back! (1960)

Wikipedia entry

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Tracks

1. Make Me Know It
2. Fever
3. The Girl of My Best Friend
4. I Will Be Home Again
5. Dirty, Dirty Feeling
6. Thrill of Your Love
7. Soldier Boy
8. Such A Night
9. It Feels So Right
10. Girl Next Door Went a'Walking
11. Like A Baby
12. Reconsider Baby

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Elvis Is Back! is a solid album.The album starts off well, but trips up a bit. It gets its legs with the last half of songs. And the final song ends the album with a bang.

This album features a lot of different kinds of music, from rock and roll to country to blues to doo wop, but they all work well together. There's also an intensity on this album that was lacking on his debut album. Elvis put more effort and emotion into his singing, so the songs are more authentic and convincing.

Many of the songs are sappy love songs and would be easily dismissed if they didn't have the support of good song writing and Elvis' vocal efforts. The outstanding ones are: Make Me Know It, Fever (which may be one of the best songs ever), Dirty, Dirty Feeling, Such a Night, It Feels So Right, Like a Baby and Reconsider Baby.

★★★★★★★★★☆

14. Little Richard | Here's Little Richard (1957)

Wikipedia entry

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Tracks

1. Tutti Frutti
2. True Fine Mama
3. Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
4. Ready Teddy
5. Baby
6. Slippin' and Slidin' (Peepin' and Hidin')
7. Long Tall Sally
8. Miss Ann
9. Oh Why?
10. Rip It Up
11. Jenny, Jenny
12. She's Got It

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Here's Little Richard is one of the finest albums I've ever heard. Little Richard is a very charismatic singer and he breathes life into all of the songs. He is always fun and never boring. Compare his version of Tutti Frutti with Elvis'.

The music is infectious, but the lyrics aren't memorable, except perhaps for Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally. The songs on the album are too short, and in the hands of a less skilled craftsman, their similar structures would be revealed. But Little Richard is so talented that one is awed by all his unique exteriors.
 
All the songs on this album are gems, but the best of the best are: Tutti Frutti, Ready Teddy, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up and Jenny, Jenny.

★★★★★★★★★★

8. The Crickets | The "Chirping" Crickets (1957)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Oh, Boy!
2. Not Fade Away
3. You've Got Love
4. Maybe Baby
5. It's Too Late
6. Tell Me How
7. That'll Be the Day
8. I'm Looking for Someone to Love
9. An Empty Cup (And a Broken Date)
10. Send Me Some Lovin'
11. Last Night
12. Rock Me My Baby

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Rock and roll has the blues as its roots as can be heard on This Is Fats Domino!. But, it also has country and western roots as The "Chirping" Crickets makes quite clear.

The rock and roll songs on this album are about as close as one can get to hearing pure rock and roll. As can be heard on this album, Buddy Holly and the Crickets set the bar really high from the start and only a few bands since have been album to reach so high and even fewer have been able to set the bar higher. It's a shame the Buddy Holly wasn't able to have a longer career. With a longer career, he could have had a greater influence on the course of rock and roll history.

As an album, it is very consistent and even. The songs don't sound the same and they don't all follow the same theme like Sinatra's two, but the songs on this album share a similar style. More to the point, the songs belong together and that makes it a very good example of a proper album.

Listening to this The "Chirping" Crickets is such a joy that I don't think I could ever get sick of hearing it. There isn't a bad song on the album, however the songs that especially stand out are: Oh Boy!, Not Fade Away, Maybe Baby, It's Too Late, That'll Be the Day, I'm Looking For Someone To Love and Rock Me My Baby.

★★★★★★★★★★

2. Elvis Presley | Elvis Presley (1956)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. I'm Counting on You
3. I Got a Woman
4. One-Sided Love Affair
5. I Love You Because
6. Just Because
7. Tutti Frutti
8. Trying to Get to You
9. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)
10. I'll Never Let You Go (Lil' Darlin')
11. Blue Moon
12. Money Honey

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This is Elvis Presley's first studio album. It's a combination of recordings done for Sun Records and RCA Records. The Sun recordings are country songs and the RCA recordings are rhythm and blues. Because of this, the album is uneven.

Elvis generally does a better job with the rhythm and blues songs. Blue Suede Shoes, Tutti Frutti, Money Honey are the better tracks on the album. However, even these tracks lack energy and excitement. Little Richard's Tutti Frutti is far superior to Elvis'. Ironically, the song that demonstrates Elvis' true rhythm and blues potential is the country song, Trying to Get to You.

This album is enjoyable and worth listening to more than once, but it's uneven and some of the songs aren't performed to their full potential.

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆