1001 Albums Summary

A great album even if you aren’t a jazz fan.

I only knew War from the singles released when I was in high school. I never fully appreciated their musicianship

The Stones emerge from the cocoon…

This genre, with screeching inaudible lyrics and thrash metal sound, is not really my cup of tea. Some songs ok, but not something I would choose to revisit.

Been years since I listened to this straight through. Great rocking, and Slash can really bring it. Too bad Axl couldn’t keep it together long enough to have a longer career with these guys.

All I knew about Leonard Cohen was the gravelly voice, the fedora and “Hallelujah”, I couldn’t understand why he was such a cult figure so I was looking forward to listening to this album. It did not disappoint. The clever lyrics and the backing music, brought his deep jazzy voice to life. It was a pleasure to learn what all the fuss was about. I’m sure he would’ve been fun to see in some smoky cabaret. Like a male version of Rickie Lee Jones…

Solid R&B guitar work by Nile Rodgers, although the songs are internally repetitive.

Quincy Jones, along with Phil Spector, is one of the very few non-musician, non-vocalist producers who deserve top credit for an album’s success…and he earns it here, taking Jackson’s talent and drive and turning him into an adult (at least musically). It’s a masterpiece of pop production.

After wearing this album out as a young teen, I hadn’t listened to it straight through in decades. Happy to learn that it still holds up. The Beatles at their groundbreaking best. The second side is a classic combo of songs they couldn’t complete, but still utilized in brilliant fashion. The album reminded me of all the supposed clues to the “Paul is dead” hoax.

I HAD to listen to this before I die?! Maybe it’s ok if it was background music while I was eating in an Indian restaurant, but I can’t imagine ever wanting to put this on to listen. I’m sure the musicians are/were top notch, but I still don’t want to hear it. This must’ve been the 1001st album on the list.