Help Me!

The Who-Who's Better Who's Best and Meaty, Beaty Big & Bouncy are the 2 hits comps by the Who that Luke P., our resident Who expert recommends and BTW, I do like the sound of WBWB generally speaking.

 

The Who- Ultimate Collection is a great comp. Way better then Who's Better.. & Meaty Big.. I know a bunch of people are audiophiles here but the Ultimate Collection is a great start with the Who.

 

Some of those albums sound very unintresting.... Matter of fact, in my old post, I pointed out that I want rock/pop, jazz, and maybe some (good) country from the 50's-80's. I'm aware of Nirvana, Radiohead, and others; my whole point was to discover older music. I mean I know the artists names-The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Who, etc...; but I want to hear their material along with others. Anyway, they used Britney Spears to help pick the albums!

I'd rather trust you guys!

New additions to list!:

The Clash-London Calling (funny, I was just about to ask about this band)
Aerosmith-Toys In The Attic
AC/DC-Back In Black
U2-The Joshua Tree
Bad Company-Bad Company
Led Zeppelin-1-4
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
Kiss-Alive!
Eagles-Hotel California
Prince-Purple Rain (maybe )
Frank Sinatra-The Capitol Collector Series
Earth Wind and Fire-Best of, Vol. 1
Jean-Luc Ponty-Cosmic Messenger
Hank Williams-40 Greatest Hits
Gordon Lightfoot-Gord's Gold
The Police-Message In A Box
since there seems to be a lot of talk about the SH mastered Who discs, I will go ahead and add:
The Who-Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
The Who-Who's Better Who's Best


YAY! I've got even more albums. This is going to take me at least a year to get it halfway done.

BTW, I forgot to mention The Motown Boxed Set that someone had mentioned earliear!

 

Who's Better, Who's Best wasn't mastered by Steve but it does have acceptable sound and does include several of the singles not included on the Steve mastered Meaty, Beaty Big & Bouncy. If you need to have the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot later on, go for Summertime Dream and of course no Lightfoot collection can be without his UA catalog (available as a 3 CD set called Original Lightfoot in Canada, as a 2 CD set as the United Artists Collection in the US and there are import versions on Bear Family and BGO).

 

SPIN magazine current issue - pick it up.

The current issue of Spin has a listing of (by their reckoning) the 15 most influential rock/r'n'b albums of all time. You could do worse than use that list as a starting point. I'd repeat it here, except that I do not have a copy handy.

BTW, I owned copies of all but one lp on their list, so naturally I was impressed.

 

Anything by Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash are essential. The 2 CD Lonesome Fugitive or the 4 CD Down Every Road comp are great Merle comps for starters, but these are hard to compile

John Denver-either the 3 volumes of Greatest Hits, the 2 CD Rocky Mountain Collection or the 4 CD Country Roads Collection

Dusty Springfield-Dusty In Memphis and a greatest hits collection

Elvis Presley-outside of the DCCs, go for the boxed sets and/or compilations to start with, but The Sun Sessions CD or Sunrise are truly essential

Beach Boys-Pet Sounds and greatest hits compilations (Steve mastered Endless Summer and Spirit of America for DCC and a 2 CD Greatest Hits set for Razor & Tie. He also mastered a gold disc of Pet Sounds as well)

Dave Brubeck-Time Out

The Beatles-everything

Bing Crosby-a collection of his Decca recordings (the one I have is a 3 CD budget comp on Disky called Golden Greats)

Andrews Sisters-a compilation of their Decca recordings.

Kingston Trio-Capitol Collectors Series or the twofers of their catalog or the Bear Family boxes, but I'd go for either Capitol Collectors Series or 10 Best to start with based on your budget, if you want more than just the 10 basics, go for Capitol Collectors Series

The Best of Johnny Rivers on EMI or the Johnny Rivers 2 CD set on Rhino

The Weavers-The Best of The Decca Years

 

Jimmy Buffett-either the Songs You Know By Heart greatest hits compilation or the Boats Beaches Bars & Ballads 4 CD boxed set to start with

 

The listening stations at CD stores can help you introduce you to music you'd like and the same with the public library.

 

Chuck Berry-Anthology, Best of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 or the Great 28
Lesley Gore-Golden Hits Of...
Connie Francis-Very Best Of... and Very Best Of... Volume 2
Patsy Cline-Patsy Cline Story or the Patsy Cline Collection boxed set
Brenda Lee-either Brenda Lee Story or Brenda Lee Anthology
The Monkees-either Greatest Hits, Anthology (2 CD set), Music Box (4 CD set) or each of the individual albums, you can't go wrong with them at all

 

Mason Williams Phonograph Record
Amazing Rhythm Aces-Stacked Deck/Too Stuffed To Jump

 

I suggest Earth Wind & Fire- Greatest Hits. It has Let's Groove & Boogie Wonderland on it. Best Of Vol 1 is sort of incomplete. I would suggest joining a record club or get some used so you aren't spending a million dollars on these essential CD's.

 

Merle Haggard-Down Every Road (4 disc set)
Which Cash, Willie, Kris, and Waylon discs to get, cbolson?
John Denver-Rocky Moutain Collection
Dusty Springfield-Dusty In Memphis
Elvis Presley-50's Masters (???)
Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
Dave Brubeck-Time Out
Bing Crosby-Golden Greats
Andrews Sisters-???
Kingston Trio-Bear Family Boxes
Johnny Rivers-Best of
The Weavers-The Best of the Decca Years
Jimmy Buffet-Boats Beaches Bars & Ballds
Chuck Berry-Anthology
Lesley Gore-Golden Hits of...
Connie Frances-Best of
Brenda Lee-Story
The Monkees-Anthology
Mason Williams-Phonograph Record
Amazing Rhythm Aces-Stacked Deck/Too Stuffed To Jump

Oh dear, there goes my wallet.

Which club is better, BMG or Columbia House? I need to buy SOME of these Cee dee's!

...

 

There are lots of compilations of the Andrews Sisters recordings on Decca but the CD I have is "Greatest Hits-60th Anniversary Collection."

With Waylon Jennings, a great introduction might be the RCA Country Legends collection, Willie has recorded for so many labels including Liberty, RCA, Monument, Columbia, etc. and a compilation doesn't serve him justice, so buy everything, Johnny Cash-a compilation of his Sun recordings, At Folsom Prison, At San Quentin are fine to start with but buy everything or simply get the Bear Family boxes, At Folsom Prison, and At San Quentin, Kris Kristofferson-Songs Of... Elvis Presley's boxed set of the 50s masters is "King of Rock and Roll: The Complete 50s Masters."

 

Although Columbia House seems to have the better sales lately, BMG has the better selection and they seem to carry lots of OOP oldies discs, plus one club may have one title another club doesn't have.

 

Matter of fact, while I'm still awake, let me post the ENTIRE collection so far! eek!


The Who-Who's Next (Canadian SH version)
Crosby Stills Nash & Young-Deja Vu
Deep Purple-Made In Japan (DCC)
Jethro Tull-Aqualung (DCC)
Paul McCartney-McCartney (DCC)
Buddy Holly-From The Original Master Tapes
Bill Haley-From The Original Master Tapes
Ella Fitzgerald-Sings
Cole Porter-The Cole Porter Songbook
The Beatles-Seargent Pepper
Joni Mitchell-Blue
King Crimson-In The Court of The Crimson King
Carmen Macrae-For Lady Day Vol 1 & 2
Pink Floyd-Dark Side of The Moon
Rolling Stones-Let It Bleed
Allman Brothers Band-Eat a Peach
Grateful Dead-American Beauty
Jimi Hendrix-Electric Ladyland
Eric Clapton-Slowhand
Neil Young-Harvest
Van Morrison-Moondance
Bob Marley and the Wailers-Catch a Fire
Glenn Miller-Unforgettable Glenn Miller (1985)
Burt Bacharach-Boxed set
Joe Jackson-Look Sharp
Getz/Gilberto
Steely Dan-Aja
Genesis-not sure....
Peter Gabriel-Peter Gabriel 1-4
The Clash-London Calling
Aerosmith-Toys In The Attic
AC/DC-Back In Black
U2-The Joshua Tree
Bad Company-Bad Company
Led Zeppelin-1-4
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
Kiss-Alive!
Eagles-Hotel California
Prince-Purple Rain
Frank Sinatra-The Capitol Collector Series
Earth Wind and Fire-Best of, Vol. 1
Jean-Luc Ponty-Cosmic Messenger
Hank Williams-40 Greatest Hits
Gordon Lightfoot-Gord's Gold
The Police-Message In A Box
The Who-Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
The Who-Who's Better Who's Best
Merle Haggard-Down Every Road (4 disc set)
John Denver-Rocky Moutain Collection
Dusty Springfield-Dusty In Memphis
Elvis Presley-50's Masters
Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
Dave Brubeck-Time Out
Bing Crosby-Golden Greats
Andrews Sisters-Greatest Hits (60th Anniversary)
Kingston Trio-Bear Family Boxes
Johnny Rivers-Best of
The Weavers-The Best of the Decca Years
Jimmy Buffet-Boats Beaches Bars & Ballds
Chuck Berry-Anthology
Lesley Gore-Golden Hits of...
Connie Frances-Best of
Brenda Lee-Story
The Monkees-Anthology
Mason Williams-Phonograph Record
Amazing Rhythm Aces-Stacked Deck/Too Stuffed To Jump

I went ahead and updated the Andrews Sisters listing...

Additons: (thanks cbolson!)
Waylon Jennings-RCA County Legends
Willie Nelson-whatever comp I find
Johnny Cash-Sun comp
Kris Kristofferson-Songs of

I'll search for some of those albums on BMG...

...however, I will be going to Best Buy tomorrow! I may go out and buy something, but I can't figure out what. No boxes now, just a few albums.

BTW, what's all this about Mobile Fidelity? Oh no, I think I just started something

 

BTW, in the case of Rocky Mountain Collection, it has the highlights of all 3 volumes of the original hits collections in 1 package and a lot of the key album tracks. 2 CDs, 50 songs.

 

Neil Diamond-In My Lifetime (this is a 3 CD boxed set, but the only comp to span his career in their original recordings)

 

Doesn't Neil Diamond- The Essential boast the original recordings as well or am I way off base?

 

There are some live recordings rather than all originals on The Essential and the same with 1966-1992.

 

Gotcha. It's a pretty good comp though. Most of the live stuff is non-essential so it doesn't hurt the comp much if you don't want to spring for a box set.

 

Let's see...
The Beatles- Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, and Abbey Road
McCartney- Band on the Run is my fav, but you could get a Wings greatest hits.
John Lennon- This is a hard one for me, so just pick Imagine, Plastic Ono Band, or Mind Games. I think you would like Imagine the best to start with.
Eric Clapton- From The Cradle- This is an all blues covers album, but it is great. Timepieces and EC Blues are also good.
Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here is as good as DSOTM
George Harrison- All Things Must Pass
Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced? This is the best one to get as it has almost all the hits. If you like it, you can get the purple box set.
Phish- Round Room or Slip, Stitch, and Pass. Great Jam Band fun. YOu cant go wrong with either of these.
Genesis- Just pick one of the Peter Gabriel albums. I dont care for Gabriel myself, but most of the albums are good. As for Phil Collins Genesis, Duke and Abacab are good.
James Taylor- Pick up his greatest hits volume 1 or 2 or the live double album.
Rolling Stones- Beggar's Banquet- Get the remaster.
Stevie Ray Vaughan- Get Texas Flood. Great guitar bluesy/Hendrix like rock.
Ben Harper- The new one is good as is the one with always have to still my kisses from you on it. The new album, Diamonds on The Inside is good and features some Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and George Clinton type music on it
Miles Davis- Bitches Brew, Kind Of Blue, or Relaxin' with The Miles Davis Quartet to start you off.
Tom Petty- Greatest Hits or Wildflowers.
Simon and Garfunkel- Pick up a Greatest Hits comp, but dont ask me which one to get.

This should get you started in a big way.

 

Crap, I forgot about Dylan. Highway 61 revisited, Blonde on Blonde, Bringing It All Back Home, and The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan are all good.

 

Well, I didn't go to Best Buy, but I did go to a used book store and found a great book, in my opinion, that has some of the albums already mentioned, plus a few others. It's named "The Rolling Stone Album Guide" and it's the 3rd edition from 1992. Judging from the 5-star rated albums from the 50's through the 80's (I know it's only opininons, but I think it should somewhat help me...), these will mostly be ones that I will buy. The good thing is that most of them have already been mentioned! Here is the list, in the artists' alphabitical order:

Afrika Bambaattaa-Planet Rock-The Album
Allman Brothers-Beginnings
The Animals-The Best of The Animals
The Band-self-titled
The Beach Boys-Today/Summer Days (and Summer Nights)
The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys-Endless Summer
The Beach Boys-California Girls
The Beatles-pretty much every album except for The Beatles' Story, Something New, Beatles VI, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, Hey Jude, Love Songs, Live At The Hollywood Bowl, Live! At The Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, Rarities, Reel Music, and The Early Tapes!
Chuck Berry-From St. Louis to Liverpool
Chuck Berry-The Great Twenty-Eight
Chuck Berry-The Chess Box
Black Uhuru-Red
Bobby "Blue" Bland-The Best of Bobby Bland
Bobby "Blue" Bland-The Best of Bobby Bland Vol. 2
James Brown-Live at The Apollo
James Brown-Live at The Apollo Vol. II
James Brown-Solid Gold
James Brown-Doing It to Death
James Brown-Star Time
James Brown-20 All-Time Greatest Hits!
Jackson Browne-Running on Empty
Buffalo Springfield-Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield-self-titled (1973)
Jerry Butler-Only The Strong Survive (The Legendary Philidelphia Hits)
The Buzzcocks-Singles Going Steady
The Byrds-Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds-Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds-Greatest Hits
The Byrds-The Best of The Byrds (Greatest Hits Volume 2)
The Byrds-The Original Singles 1965-1967
The Byrds-self-titled (1990)
Ray Charles-Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles-Greatest Hits
Ray Charles-Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Vol. 2
Ray Charles-25th Anniversary in Show Buisness Salute
Ray Charles-Greatest County and Western Hits
Ray Charles-Anthology
Ray Charles-Ray Charles 1954-1966
Ray Charles-The Birth of Soul (1952-59)
Ray Charles w/ Cleo Laine-Porgy & Bess
Chic-Les Plus Grands Succes de Chic (Chic's Greatest Hits)
Eric Clapton-461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton-Slowhand
Eric Clapton-Crossroads
The Clash-The Clash
The Clash-London Calling
The Coasters-50 Coastin' Classics: The Coasters Anthology
Elvis Costello-My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello-This Year's Model
Creedence Clearwater Revival-Green River
CCR-Willy and the Poor Boys
CCR-Chronicle
CCR-Creedence 1969
CCR-Creedence 1970


OK, it's not the best list, I will admit. But, I won't exactly abandon your ideas, just use the ones that have not been mentioned yet. To conserve space, I will just split the entire list up...

 

Actually, Magical Mystery Tour is essential and the same with Help!

 

More albums from the guide!:


Def Leppard-Hysteria
Delany and Bonnie-On Tour (With Eric Clapton)
Derek and the Dominoes-Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Donovan-Donovan's Greatest Hits
The Doors-Morrison Hotel
The Doors-Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine
Bob Dylan-Another Side of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan-Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan-Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan-Blonde on Blonde
Bob Dylan-Greatest Hits
Bob Dylan-John Wesley Harding
Bob Dylan-The Basement Tapes
Bob Dylan-Blood on The Tracks
Bob Dylan-Biograph
Bob Dylan-The Bootleg Series
Fairport Convention-Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention-Unfhalfbricking
Fairport Covention-Fairport Chronicles
Fleetwood Mac-Rumors
Flying Burrito Brothers-The Gilded Palace of Sin
Aretha Franklin-I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)
Aretha Franklin-Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin-Amazing Grace
Aretha Franklin-30 Greatest Hits
Aretha Franklin-The Queen of Soul

Look, I'm just listing the 5-star albums! That dosen't mean I am not going to listen to the others...