1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die (part 10)
by
EyeKanFly 
Part 8: Ritchie Valens through ZZ Top
Published in 2008 by author and critic Tom Moon, "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List" presents essential musical recordings alphabetically (by last name). For the most part the artist is credited for modern works, and the composer is credited for classical works (with some exceptions where the performer of the classical work is listed, for some works with a featured solo performer). For example, the entries for The Beatles are followed by The Beau Brummels, (Sidney) Bechet, Beck, (Ludwig van) Beethoven, (Bix) Beiderbecke, (Harry) Belafonte, etc.
These recordings can be very diverse in genre, medium, and accessibility. Included are not just albums, but operas (some of which are only available on video), collections of classical pieces, "two-fer" albums, lots of compilations, and some individual songs.
Moon indicated that he tried to give preference to recordings that are widely available, but CDs (or DVDs in some cases) that were easily accessible in 2008 may no longer be so today as streaming has come to be the dominant medium for music listening.
For these reasons, not every "recording" can be presented here on BEA as they are in the book. I've decided that if a compilation is already in BEA's database, I've included it here. If not, I've included another work by the artist. For individual songs, I try to include the album they were released on. For operas or musicals released on video with no audio-only soundtrack available, I've included an alternate option. For some recordings that I know EXIST but for some reason I just can't get my hands (or ears) on, I've included what I believe to be an appropriate alternate option by the same artist.
Please enjoy!
- Chart updated: 04/13/2022 21:45
- (Created: 04/13/2022 21:26).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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Included for the song "La Bamba"
Included instead of a two-fer compilation which includes this album and Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger. Both were recorded in the same session.
Tom Moon credits Los Van Van
5. 

Tom Moon credits composer Edgard Varèse
Tom Moon credits Various Artists, edited by Harry Smith
Tom Moon credits this to Various Artists
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,567
Rank in 1997:
Rank in 1990s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1
Rank in 2005:
Rank in 2000s:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Tom Moon credits this to Various Artists
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
451
Rank in 1971:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die (part 10) composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 8 | 8% | |
| 1960s | 14 | 14% | |
| 1970s | 26 | 26% | |
| 1980s | 10 | 10% | |
| 1990s | 25 | 25% | |
| 2000s | 15 | 15% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
| Various Artists | 20 | 20% | |
| The Who | 2 | 2% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 2% | |
| Heitor Villa-Lobos / Orchestre National De La Radiodiffusion Française / Victoria De Los Angeles | 1 | 1% | |
| Marion Williams | 1 | 1% | |
| Clara Ward | 1 | 1% | |
| Tammy Wynette | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
48 | 48% | |
|
25 | 25% | |
|
9 | 9% | |
|
5 | 5% | |
|
3 | 3% | |
|
2 | 2% | |
|
2 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
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| Best Artists of the 1990s | |
|---|---|
| 1. Radiohead | |
| 2. Nirvana | |
| 3. The Smashing Pumpkins | |
| 4. Neutral Milk Hotel | |
| 5. Oasis | |
| 6. My Bloody Valentine | |
| 7. Pearl Jam | |
| 8. R.E.M. | |
| 9. Nick Cave | |
| 10. Björk | |
| 11. Weezer | |
| 12. Richard David James | |
| 13. Pavement | |
| 14. Portishead | |
| 15. Jeff Buckley | |
| 16. Blur | |
| 17. Elliott Smith | |
| 18. Nas | |
| 19. Red Hot Chili Peppers | |
| 20. Massive Attack |
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