Top 40 Greatest Music Albums
by kvaughn

"Live In London" is the only live recording I have of Leonard Cohens'. Is there another you'd recommend? I have all his studio albums and couldn't decide which one to put on the list, so I chose the most recent release.

Unfortunately "It's Time For (Jonathan Richman)" is out of print. It came out in 1986, two years after I graduated from college. At first I thought it was way too corny, but I came around. Richman tours a lot. If you catch a show, ask him to play "Neon Sign," "Corner Store," or "When I Dance."

I chose a lot of albums that aren't that familiar. I like the typical greatest hits albums, and I'd certainly recommend buying "Kid A" before "It's Time For (Jonathan Richman)," but there are enough people touting the popular groups. I tried to make a chart with several lesser known, but amazing, albums.

From radiofreespike 05/22/2010 11:15 | #11974

Columbia issued three earlier ones: Live Songs in '73, Field Commander Cohen from 1979, and Cohen Live in 1994. I find the last one more "accessible." A plus: material from "I'm Your Man" and a gorgeous rendition of "Joan of Arc." I delve into the other two when I'm feeling more adventurous.

As far as Jonathan Richman, years ago on an extended road trip I bought a tape of "Jonathan Sings." I listened to it, couldn't stand it, and chucked it into the pit of my backpack. A month later, I fished it out, played it, and have become a fan ever since. I've seen him several times performing, although not in the last few years. He is an absolutely joyful, playful, naive, and wise performer. One cannot leave a JR performance in a bad mood.
JR and Radiohead are mangoes and grapefruits. If my music loving friend seemed depressed, I'd recommend Jonathan Richman first (followed by some Junior Walker...)

I totally agree about Jonathan Richman shows. I've seen him a few times at the Starry Plough in Berkeley. At first I thought his complete lack of angst was a weakness, then I realized my feelings of angst are my weakness, and Jonathan Richman is just fine. I haven't seen him for several years, his last album I bought was "Surrender To Jonathan" in '96. It's time to find him again, and I see he'll be in SF in July, excellent.

One of the great things about JR is he'll always be a small club performer, and I'm tired of large arena shows. At my perfect show, I'm sitting at a small round table with a cocktail, and JR's on the bandstand playing a ukulele.

Are 43 of those from "Double Nickles On A Dime?"

Just trying to guess your interests. We have different taste in some ways, but you picked a lot of great albums. You reminded me of some I haven't heard for a long time. I listened to J.J.Cale's "Naturally" today, what a great album. In contrast, I listened to some of the Moody Blues "In Search Of...," and it doesn't move me. Which albums from my list interest you?