“6 and 12 string guitar” by Leo Kottke was a favorite of a few of my friends in college where I first heard it. I didn’t think anyone could play guitar like this. It sounded so massive. However in one sense I was right, he had to change his style significantly due to RSI brought on by the aggressive way of playing he had taught himself. I’ve kept up with him over the years.
If you get a chance to see him in concert, take it. If he’s on his game, it’s worth it.
I even like his singing voice.
Saw “Glensheen” at the Minnesota History Theatre in St. Paul this evening. I liked the play and the venue. First time there.
Album 7 of 10. “Bach - Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin - Shlomo Mintz” 🎵
1985 was the tricentennial of the births of both Bach and Handel. That summer I spent ten weeks in classes at the IBM Systems Research Institute in mid-town Manhattan.
Ten weeks is a long time to be away from home, family, and my music and books. After about 3 weeks I broke down and bought a Sony Walkman and four cassette tapes: Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suites, Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, and a collection of Sousa marches. I would play these on walks through Central Park through tinny little earbuds.
My favorites were the two Bach collections, particularly this one. I loved the fire of this violin. I’ve not been able to find it streaming and may have to go with another artist. Any links/pointers are appreciated.
My love for David Bowie lasted for three albums. “Ziggy Stardust was the first one I bought. The other two were “Hunky Dory” and “Young Americans”. The man changed so fast and so much I could not keep up. Though I would only sample later work here and there, I never lost respect for him as an artist. This album directly influenced much of the stuff I bought later. 🎵
Album 6 of 10. “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” 🎵
One listen to “Can’t Buy A Thrill” and I was hooked on Steely Dan for the first 6 albums. Every song on this is good. Every song on “Countdown to Ecstacy” is good. Every song on “Pretzel Logic” is good. Every song on “Katy Lied” is … You get the picture. Maybe it’s because they are a cut above in composition. Maybe it’s their sardonic wit. Maybe it’s the incredibly ugly covers. Maybe it’s Donald Fagen’s teeth. I don’t know. I just like them a lot.
Album 5 of 10. “Can’t Buy A Thrill”
“Songs of the American Land” has long been out of print and was never officially issued as a CD. My dad bought this record some time in the early ’60s. I suspect many of us had it in our homes. I wish I still had it. I guess you would call it “americana” now. I’m not an obsessive collector of traditional tunes but I love hearing versions of these songs from just about anyone.
Salli Terri had a huge discography beginning in the ’50s as an interpreter of folk songs from both North and South America as well as Europe. See salliterri.org. “Songs of the American Land” has my favorite versions of “Shenandoah,” “Erie Canal,” “Dixie,” “The Lone Prairie,” and “America”. You can listen to this album’s version “America” here: bit.ly/2JXn4xt. It’s too bad that the Vimeo recording doesn’t also include the intro “Geography Lesson” which was all kinds of fun hearing it as a kid.
Album 4 of 10. “Songs of the American Land”
Jefferson Airplane was a force of nature at their best. They were unlistenable at their worst. “Bless Its Pointed Little Head” was the first JA and first live album I ever bought. The version of “Somebody to Love” on this record is still my favorite. Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady are on fire here. I’ll sometimes just listen to Jack’s bass intro to “The Other Side of This Life” on its own. This is the album that started my JA fetish which ended when the follow-on band, Jefferson Starship, released “Red Octopus” and I swore them off forever.
Album 3 of 10. “Bless Its Pointed Little Head”
For some it was “Blue,” for me it was “For the Roses”. The first chords of “Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire” still bring a chill. Favorites also include “Woman of Heart and Mind” and the quirky “Barangrill”. This album, more than any, foreshadows her later work.
Album 2 of 10. “For The Roses”
Disraeli Gears was the first album I remember buying with money I had earned. It think it was at Penney’s (?) in Westgate in Madison WI. The hook was “Sunshine of Your Love”, but my favorites were “We’re Going Wrong” and “Tales of Brave Ulysses”. Eric Clapton’s fun with the wah-wah pedal shines through.
Album 1 of 10. “Disraeli Gears”
My good friend, Craig Huegel, accepted a Facebook challenge from his friend, Jeff Klinkenberg: Post just the covers of the 10 albums which have been most influential in your life. Craig has finished his list and passed the challenge to me. This proved to be more difficult (and more fun) than I expected. I had to throw a bunch into “honorable mentions” and I know I will still miss a few. I’ll have to post the honorable mentions at some point.
These albums are starting points. These are all good, some even great. They are in no particular order. Your opinions will undoubtedly vary from mine. 😎
I’m augmenting the Facebook posts on my micro.blog. You’ll see one each day for 10 days along with its rationale. The honorable mentions will follow sporadically.
After about three weeks, I’ve decided to go back to WordPress from @blot. I really liked blot, but also like the flexibility of WordPress. I’ll keep blot, just not sure what I’ll use it for just yet. I’ll gladly take suggestions. 😎
I have one year to get in good enough shape to tackle Isle Royale for the third time. I was significantly younger the first two times. This is going to take some effort.
It seems like you can’t even buy a cup of coffee these days without getting a customer satisfaction survey.