Hi kids!
I usually do a year-end Classic Rock themed suggested list of Christmas presents on these pages, but it occurred to me that what I feel really the most passionate about is the music itself. So this year, I want to encourage you to give the gift of music. Trying to avoid the cliché here, but indeed, it is a gift that keeps on giving.
So, I am going to suggest some of this-years best titles you can by for yourself or a loved one to enjoy for years to come. These will be in no particular order as everyone has their own favorite genre of music.
1.) “Privateering” by Mark Knopfler—This is simply one of the best sounding albums of the year. A double disc brings you a number of different styles of music performed by a band that Knopfler calls his “dream band.” It features Kim Wilson (from The Fabulous Thunderbirds) on harp and he just smokes! Plus Knopfler is choosy about each of his guitars he uses on on the individual tracks and the result is a depth and flavor of sound that will make you feel warm and fuzzy all over.
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
2.) “Rhythm & Blues” by Buddy Guy —OMG! This is the best Buddy Guy (or any other blues album for that matter) in years!! Each song has been carefully arranged and thought out and there are many different styles of rhythm and blues offered. This package is also a double disc–the first disc titled “Rhythm” and the second“Blues.” Track for track EVERY song is KILLER!! Yup, this album literally blew minds all around the world when it was released this year—it’s that damn good!!
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
3.) “Lightning Bolt” by Pearl Jam —back to form PJ delivers big time! The song “Sirens” is worth buying the whole album for itself! But beyond that, this band consistently makes albums with depth tracks that matter—no filler here. This is a real band with a real work ethic and one that cares about it’s fans.
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
4.) “SHOUT!” by Gov’t Mule is outstanding! Again, another double disc and again, another double disc worth owning. Tons of great music here. And a very clever idea. The first disc is pure Mule, and the second is comprised of the same songs but sung by a wide range of guest artists doing their interpretations of these same songs, including Elvis Costello, Jim James, Myles Kennedy, Grace Potter, and more. The piece de resistance in my opinion, is a song called “When The World Gets Small” with Steve Winwood on vocals—Wow folks, this one is a treasure all on its own.
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
5.) “13” by Black Sabbath —Holy smokes!! These guys came back after all these years and made a REAL AUTHENTIC, no frills attached, Black Sabbath album! Credit producer Rick Rubin with his direction of eschewing a more modern sound an having the band return to their roots to make THE SOUND that they are known for and that all Black Sabbath fans recognize and LOVE! This is a must for any serious hard rock and/or heavy metal fan out there.
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
6.) “The Next Day” by David Bowie is clearly one of this year’s treasures! In an age when so many artists sound the same while using the same ideas and gear, Bowie once again pushes all the boundaries and offers such a depth of sounds and ideas that listening to The Next Day is a positively extraordinary experience! Imagine looking at a brilliant De Kooning painting while sipping the finest Chateau Latour, and perhaps having a little residual Mescaline in your system–that may give you the idea of what it’s like listening to this album. Feel free to buy it sight unseen—I guarantee there is no way you will be disappointed—just euphoric!
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
7.) “The Calling” by Neal Schon (famed Journey guitarist) is a completely instrumental album but has such a wide range of songs and production that it is a joy to listen to in its entirety. This guy has continuing talent oozing through his veins and sometimes it’s hard to believe that all of the varied sounds and textures are coming from one guitar player! Steve Smith on drums and also playing a crucial part in the arrangements insures a very worthwhile package indeed. A must for any guitar player you may know!
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
8.) “Thom Chacon” by Thom Chacon. This is not a classic rock project but well worth mentioning here as many who buy classic rock music also have a bent for authentic singer-songwriters. The thing is, there aren’t many of those who have arrived on the scene in a long while. Think of an early Kris Kristofferson or dare I even say Bob Dylan (I’m not making this up folks—that’s what some of the press are saying). This is a young man out of Durango, Colorado who released an amazing album earlier this year and is so good that Bob Dylan’s rhythm section asked to back him up on this recording! If you like the real deal, real story telling with an album that has the sound quality of “Blood On The Tracks” (again, I didn’t say this, a very famous disc jockey did), buy this album and don’t look back.
[ Amazon ] [ iTunes ]
9.) “Clockwork Angels Tour” – DVD – by Rush. For Rush fans this is a no brainer. But if you are adventurous and like to get turned on to new music and new experiences this may something you would want to look into. During this performance the band is joined by a nine-piece string ensemble, which helps round out the already large sound somehow made by only three musicians. Of course, they are three of the most talented musicians in the world! With lush sound and great stage effects, which help draw you ever deeper into the music, this is true art and should be appreciated as such.
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10.) Rounding out the top 10, I want to encourage you to go out and purchase ANYTHING buy Lou Reed. There are a number of albums, box sets, and special packages available. For me the Velvet Underground stuff will always be my favorite. Songs like “White Light/White Heat,” “Heroin,” and “I’m Waiting For The Man,” etc., still bring shivers to my spine to this day and stand out as some of the greatest music ever made or recorded. Again, this is fine art, modern art at its pinnacle and Lou’s voice is so wonderful and unique it grabs you, penetrates you, and owns you in way like no other. We lost one of the world’s great artists this year, but the magic of his music and recordings will live on forever.
[ Amazon
Well kids, that does it for this year. Thanks to all for reading these pages and in the New Year I will finish the tale about the now legendary Pink Floyd Airship. Did I mention that I “parked” it once (just floating in the air) next to the Capital Records Towers in Hollywood just to get a rise out of my friend who was working there? The damn blimp was just as big as their thirteen story building!—caused quite a panic.
Ah, those were the days!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!
~Rap
© Paul Rappaport 2013
