UPDATED DRAFT FROM 2019
As I move toward trying to again become more consistent in my writings, something I've tried my hand at many times now, I am cleaning up some old drafts from my previous attempt at blogging.
With that in mind, here is a draft from 2019, about 3 years ago now, of a post that I put together as verbatim cut and paste jobs from the social network that shall not be named (no, you will not find me there these days, but alas I have a face, and many books that need be read)
The 'challenge' (as was vogue at the time, these assignments that resulted mostly as wall-hanging ornaments for wasting time) was to name the 10 most influential albums of my musical journey. I figured this was Crow-worthy material, although I would argue that there are at least a couple new additions to amend this list in the few years its been since this was compiled. At any rate; here's my list.
#1: Greatest Hits Vol. II - George Strait
I've been nominated by Tom Holmes to list 10 albums that have had a major impact on me. I don’t usually participate in this kind of FB activity, but I’ve never actually sat down to think about which albums have helped develop my immense love of music. I am going to do this chronologically, from early childhood to adulthood. So, I will post a cover each day with SOME explanation; and to save others from the time-waste, will not be nominating anyone else to do so. 😉
I was raised right, by any God-fearing Texan’s standard. This album was the soundtrack to every road trip to East/West Texas and Colorado in the family Astro van [I THINK this was a cassette tape(?)]. While I contend that George Jones is the original “King George,” these tracks will forever be my favorite country songs; and he, forever my favorite country artist.
#2: Graceland - Paul Simon
In the same vein as yesterday’s post, this album was the soundtrack to many family adventures. It only came later in my musical journey that I realized the pioneering genius of this record with its cultural fusion and worldly percussive elements. And for that, this is likely the most listened-to album in my catalog. It always puts me in a good mood, and contains what is probably the first song I memorized word for word, “You Can Call Me Al.
#3: Boston - Boston
As odd and off the wall as it may seem, this one sent my musical passion into hyperdrive. The dawn of the age of “classic rock” in my musical journey (which is widely represented therein).
I essentially learned how to play drums by mimicking the simple rock rhythms and fills on every one of these songs. But along with being my testament to keeping time; this record unlocked the wonder of the electric guitar. I will always champion Tom Scholz’s playing as some of the best laid down on tape, and his playing made me grow to respect guitarists and non-drumming instrumentalists in their vital roles as band leaders/members.
#4: Jesus Freak - dc Talk
I discovered this album at a most impressionable adolescent age. It was this record that showed me the true power of music and how it can evoke some of the strongest emotion one can experience. No message is so mighty that it can not be brought to the foreground of a person’s conscience through music; and the light bulb came on and burned white hot with this one.
#5: Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95 - Dave Matthews Band
And now, for a great awakening in my musical journey. I remember receiving this live album on Christmas morning of my freshman year in high school. This recording seemed to be, at the time, the culmination of every musical bone in my body. A songwriting prowess, incredible instrumentation, wonderfully unorthodox vocals, and much much more. This was the first time I had recognized music as a true art form, and it is not coincidental that it was the first live recording I recall possessing. The live setting is where music takes its purest shape; art in its most creative medium and passion in its most primal form.
#6: Burning/Trading Live Show CDs - Various Artists
This “album cover” isn’t really an album cover at all. I’m in that weird age of millennial ambiguity. Am I or aren’t I? And those of us in that age range got to experience the full power of CD burners. Throw a label maker into the fray and you could really do some damage. I remember curating my own collection of John Williams movie scores from every major blockbuster of the 20th century. I will never get rid of my original copy of the “elusive” Lillywhite Sessions.
BUT... the biggest reason for me including this in my list, is because of my aforementioned and, at the time, newfound love for live music. The show trading circuit was available and unavailable at the same time; from the older tape trading standards to the new standard in internet streaming. This was music currency, and I still have my CD binder full of Sharpie-scribbled shows.
#7: Live at the Quick - Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Every now and then a crazy, off the wall piece of music will grab your attention. But this goes well beyond that. This live album, oddly, was my de facto intro to jazz, along with a whole world of musical creativity, literally. I owned both mediums of this release, and at one point would watch the DVD weekly, it seemed. Everything about this makes no sense at all, but makes perfect sense at the same time. From Béla Fleck’s banjo to Futureman’s SynthAxe invention; from steel drums to tablas; oboes to Tuvan throat-singers and everything in between. The DVD release is something that should be shown to every music theory classroom, because witnessing music is just as inspiring as hearing it.
#8: Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket
I am constantly amazed as to how this band eluded me over the years. After hearing this record I set out to catch up from the time lost. Now, these guys are the soundtrack to so many of our memories together. Our first date night two weeks after Emma was born was seeing these guys from down in front, with momma standing and grooving the whole time up against the rail of the pit. This band can just bring out the fiercest of spirits in a person.
#9: Europe '72 - The Grateful Dead
There comes a time when, after many years of fine-tuning your tastes, you think there is nothing else musically to discover. But that is never the case. I had always loved laid-back guitar work, and had a hard time putting my ear on the availability of a certain sound I had always searched for; until I heard this recording of “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider” from the Europe ‘72 tour compilation release. This was the sound my soul needed; that eyes-closed, head-back, lose yourself to the music kind of sound.
Jerry Garcia’s guitar work is an altogether integral part of my music experience; and his writing along with lyricist Robert Hunter will always remain unmatched. I was late to the party on the Dead, but then again, at my age I would’ve never had the chance to see Jerry live anyway. It lends more credence to the idea that I might have been born in the wrong decade and musical era. I’m just a product of a band whose legacy lasts for multiple generations, and I intend to ensure that it continues to do so.
#10: Earth - Neil Young & The Promise of the Real
I’m not even sure where to begin with this one. In September 2014, Abby and I had a once in a lifetime experience at Farm Aid in Raleigh, NC. At the time, I had a vague understanding of what it was all about, but by the end of the day my consciousness for the plight of the American farmer (and on a larger scale, the earth as a whole) had grown exponentially.
At the time, we were attending thanks to the efforts of Neil Young and a separate venture of his that I had found myself a part of, and we were his guests backstage, where we witnessed a series of events that lead to a relationship taking shape between himself and Lukas Nelson. Neil was side-stage totally engrossed in Lukas’ performance on the early billing. Weeks later, the two were plotting a collective effort on a new studio record where Luka and his band would support Neil’s songs about the growing tragedy that our planet can not overcome, and a larger commentary on a society and the unassuming public.
Later, this evolved into a touring act between Neil and Lukas’s Promise of the Real, and the resulting liv[ing] album found its place as yet another anthem to Neil’s lifelong fight against those that threaten what we take for granted. The album represents my awakening to many values that I now hold dear, and yet another example of the power music can wield when given a distinct purpose.
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