Listmania!
Peerless Class: Rock's Finest Still Going Strong in 2000-02
Sailing To PhiladelphiaSailing To Philadelphia by Mark Knopfler
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.88
The album of the year 2000, bar none. (And that's saying a lot here!) Lyrics and guitar solos that sail right into your soul. And the British version is the only one with all 14 tracks!
The Ragpicker's DreamThe Ragpicker's Dream by Mark Knopfler
Buy used from: £3.34
His followup album, only 2 years later, is a diamond in the rough; a rootsy, earthbound, stripped down affair. Just a guy and his guitar: that's what it's still all about for MK at heart. Why Aye Man!
Inside JobInside Job by Don Henley
Buy new: £10.88 / Used from: £2.39
It took him 11 years to release this, but it's more than well worth the wait. He's a family man now, but that doesn't mean he has lost his edge. Secret gem: "Miss Ghost" (Jimmie Vaughan on guitar!)
Trouble in Shangri-LaTrouble in Shangri-La by Stevie Nicks
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £5.39
The self-proclaimed Welsh witch is back in fine shape, too; imho her best since "Bella Donna." Every single song touches a chord with me.
All That You Can't Leave BehindAll That You Can't Leave Behind by U2
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.01
They left behind their mid-90s' experiments and returned to what they do best. Lyrics are a forte, as always, and they don't call the guy on guitars the Edge for nothing (but great ballads, too).
Bruce Springsteen Live In New York CityBruce Springsteen Live In New York City by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £3.60
The NYPD went blue in the face over "41Shots," but 1000s came to see a reunited E-Street Band. Not to be missed, even if you weren't there in person, too. The live album of the year 2001!
The RisingThe Rising by Bruce Springsteen
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.96
Only the Boss could have captured 9-11 like this: resonant, defiant, oh-so all-American, and undeniably Springsteen & Co. And it's a damned fine rock album, too!
...All This Time...All This Time by Sting
Buy used from: £2.98
But all the world suffered. Recording live in Tuscany on the night of 9-11, Sting & band were struck by the news and played an improvised set list; paying dignified tribute to the suffering of 1000s.
ReptileReptile by Eric Clapton
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £0.94
Clapton revisited all things Ripley (where he's from), and this was the result. Nice to have some free studio time & great musicians to boot! Not all straightforward blues, but damned good throughout.
Riding with the KingRiding with the King by Eric Clapton
Buy new: £10.88 / Used from: £2.36
A jam session that didn't even take a month to record. (Hence "Reptile," see above.) They'd long wanted to do this, and you can tell they were having the time of their lives when they finally did.
One More Car, One More RiderOne More Car, One More Rider by Eric Clapton
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £4.90
Should the "Reptile" tour really have been his last one?! Eric, say it ain't so! But at least I'll have this memento of the L.A. concert where I last saw him. A reluctant god's worthy farewell!
Selected Works: 1972-1999Selected Works: 1972-1999 by Eagles
Buy new: £42.98 / Used from: £23.91
Another show I'll never forget: I spent NYE2000 with them, so this was a must for CD4 alone. But it's a great career retrospective, too. And it seems that Hell Froze Over for good...who'd have thunk?!
SkinSkin by Melissa Etheridge
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £1.94
She's heartbroken and gets under your skin with some of the most personal & intense lyrics she's ever written, and guitar work to match. Favorites? Ask me again in 5 years; right now, every one.
Silver LiningSilver Lining by Bonnie Raitt
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £2.70
The queen of blues rediscovered her Fundamental Things 4 years ago and now returns with a big helping of what her fans love most: stellar slide guitar, wistful lyrics and first rate collaborations.
Love and TheftLove and Theft by Bob Dylan
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.97
The bard's done it again: his voice shot, he delivers poignant lyrics and songs drawing on past albums & new things alike, and shows us how you put together an album others will have trouble matching.
Are You Passionate?Are You Passionate? by Neil Young
Buy new: £10.08 / Used from: £2.80
Passionate? You bet he still is. (Seen him live lately? As if proof were needed ...) And his latetest offering is a soulful affair plucked right from the shadow of Harvest Moon. Just beautiful.
The Last DJThe Last DJ by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Buy new: £10.88 / Used from: £3.50
Another guy who has a bone to pick with the recording industry, and with corporate culture in general. (Surprised he & Henley are friends?) And boy, he still rocks - not a last hurray by a long shot!
Feed the FireFeed the Fire by Timothy B. Schmit
Buy used from: £55.04
Released 11 years after his last solo album (like Henley's latest), and his best by far. Shows off all sides of the multitalent that he is. What took you so long, Timothy?!
The Naked Ride HomeThe Naked Ride Home by Jackson Browne
Buy new: £4.78 / Used from: £1.87
He took his time to release a new album too (all of 6 years!), but it's one of his best yet. Flowing melodies; semiautobiographical, introspective as always, and at times...happy?! Now here's a twist!
October RoadOctober Road by James Taylor
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.74
And another one of the great songwriters is back with an album that proves he is still far from the autumn of his many gifts. Comfort food for his fans, spiced up with flavors from Belfast to Brazil.
RevealReveal by R.E.M.
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £0.19
This, on the other hand, is a far cry from R.E.M.s rocker "Monster;" but it quickly grew on me, too. Which wasn't entirely unpredictable, though...heck, I even like "Up" (1998), and this one's better!
UpUp by Peter Gabriel
Buy new: £11.98 / Used from: £1.99
Speaking of "Up"... don't ya' think this is getting a tad repetitive, guys? Title aside, though, this is a strong entry in Peter Gabriel's canon, reminiscent of the best of his post-Genesis solo work.
Down the RoadDown the Road by Van Morrison
Buy used from: £6.48
Meanwhile, Van the Man takes a stroll Down the blue(s) Road. Another veteran going back to his musical roots, and he hasn't sounded this good in a long time!