Listmania!
Albums you must hear before you.... buy any other albums
Music in a Doll's House/Family EntertainmentMusic in a Doll's House/Family Entertainment by Family
Buy used from: £30.00
The two perfect Family albums in one package, excellent stuff.
The Very Best of Jake ThackrayThe Very Best of Jake Thackray by Jake Thackray
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £2.79
On Again, On Again is really the album you need but it is not available but this compilation is pretty good. An under appreciated genius.
Keep on DoingKeep on Doing by The Roches
Buy used from: £5.57
For the three part harmony Hallelujah Chorus alone what an album.
ExposureExposure by Robert Fripp
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £9.99
This is another much under rated album by the Crimson King. The Daryl Hall versions of several tracks are great although the original album version of Mary can't be beaten. Breathless is pure Crimson
Made in EnglandMade in England by Bulldog Breed
Buy used from: £58.63
This band should have been huge but were not. This is an excellent snap shot of the promise that was never fulfilled.
King Crimson Songbook Vol.1King Crimson Songbook Vol.1 by The Crimson Jazz Trio
Buy used from: £70.18
Jazz trio versions of Crimson classics. It is much much better than that sounds
Atom Heart MotherAtom Heart Mother by Pink Floyd
Buy new: £10.38 / Used from: £5.84
Iconic cover but less well liked than almost all their other albums. The orchestration puts some off I guess, but why is this derided and the terrible The Wall loved? A mystery to me.
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo/Devo LiveQ: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo/Devo Live by Devo
Buy new: £6.48 / Used from: £1.99
Well tracks 1-12 (i.e. the first album) I listened to this once and put on TV just as Space Junk started and there was news of a falling satelite narrowly missing hitting people, spooky
NowNow by The Tubes
Buy used from: £34.99
Great band, great album and a brilliant cover of My Head Is My Only House.
Do It Yourself [2CD Deluxe Edition]Do It Yourself [2CD Deluxe Edition] by Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £5.80
A real album from an era of singles and preoccupation with individual songs. The bonus material here is a true bonus with alternate/live versions and demos of undeveloped songs, a treat for Dury fans.
My Aim Is TrueMy Aim Is True by Elvis Costello
Buy used from: £9.00
I instantly loved this album, This was obviously the begining of a long career
Wreckless EricWreckless Eric by Wreckless Eric
Buy new: £27.46
The one true Punk, shamblolic but wonderful.
Joy Of A ToyJoy Of A Toy by Kevin Ayers
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £3.57
What an natural brilliant talent
Orchestral FavoritesOrchestral Favorites by Frank Zappa
Buy new: £7.68
There is no end to this man's talent
Trout Mask ReplicaTrout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £2.95
If you can cope with this then you can manage the most difficult music of any genre. It still amazes me that this album was released at all.
Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller)Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) by Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £5.49
I saw this in the Children's section of John Menzies in Dundee. I imagined some poor kid emerging from his room having sprouted horns and a forked tail after listening to it.
On the CornerOn the Corner by Miles Davis
Buy used from: £3.98
Is it Jazz? Who cares, it is wonderful and funky
My Favorite ThingsMy Favorite Things by John Coltrane
Buy new: £6.18 / Used from: £4.00
One of my favourite things for sure. Proof that you do not need to start with a cool tune to make very cool jazz
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor ElevatorsThe Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators by The 13Th Floor Elevators
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £10.52
Psychedelia!
ShamalShamal by Gong
Buy new: £6.68
A serious jazz sound from the band who were often thought of as less than serious
The Very Best of Bernard CribbinsThe Very Best of Bernard Cribbins by Bernard Cribbins
Buy new: £3.48
Not so serious but a bit good. Hole in the Ground and Right Said Fred are part of my childhood
That Was The Year That WasThat Was The Year That Was by Tom Lehrer
Buy new: £14.49 / Used from: £6.03
Topical satire that is relevant 30 years later. Listen to Send the Marines, you'll laugh and shudder at the same time
Parlophone Recordings Vol 1; 1960-1962Parlophone Recordings Vol 1; 1960-1962 by The Temperance Seven
Silly but wonderful. Hard Hearted Hannah is a classic, brilliantly delivered
ArgusArgus by Wishbone Ash
Buy new: £6.28 / Used from: £3.00
I still love this album
PiledriverPiledriver by Status Quo
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £5.00
You can always pretend that you are listening to them in a post modern ironic way.