... with explanation and -regrettably- too little Joni content (due to
rules: one disk per artist)
Thanks everyone on-list and off-list for all the birthday wishes. What can I
say ...
OK, my desert island top 10.
1. Joni Mitchell - Hejira
The undisputed Number One is my collection. I postponed buying a CD player
in the late eighties until this album was released on CD. It's been the
soundtrack of my life. This is probably the only place on the planet where
I do not have to explain why.
2. John Martyn - Solid Air
This one I share with Master Les and Jody "Wonder Eyes" Johnson. Released
almost simultaneously with Hejira, just as timeless and eternal, just as
deep, disturbing and soothing at the same time. Like all really good albums,
it has to grow on you. Also it is shamefully unknown in the US. DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THIS!
3. Tom Waits - Blue Valentines
Also from the same period. Long, long ago, when I was a teacher of English,
my students asked me what music I reallyreallyreally liked. I took along
this album, printed (stencilled, it's that long ago!) some of the lyrics and
caused a total shock among kids who were into the Police and Olivia
Newton-John. I still play the album regularly and continue to think: sooo
good.
4. Pat Metheny - Secret Story
Considered one of his lesser albums by many PM fans. For me it is the
ultimate trip in the bath: hot water, nice scented bath soap, Secret Story
in the CD walkman, headphones, volume to loud and .... a real source for
extra bubbles in the bath.
5. Barbara - her works from 1963-1966
The French chansonniere who, to me, is at Joni level. Music-wise, text-wise.
Especially in this period she shines with pearls, one masterpiece after
another (Pierre, Nantes, Ce Matin-l`, Quand Ceux Qui Vont, etc.). Even if
you don't understand French, you will immediately recognize the depth.
6. Eva Cassidy - Songbird
I review albums for a Dutch music magazine. This was sent to me way before
she was as popular as she was now. I remember doing what I always did. I put
the album in the tray, pushed the Play button and walked back to my chair to
listen. I stopped in mid-stride. What the hell was this? Eva singing Fields
of Gold. I went back, totally stunned, pushed Stop, walked to my chair, took
the remote and pushed Play again ... Since then I must have given at least
30 copies as presents to people.
7. Crosby Stills Nash - first album
Always liked it better than Dij` Vu. I've always remained very partial to
the CSNY stuff - Neil's early work, CPR is great, the boxed set has many
gems. This is my number 7 on the even days of the month. On the odd days it
will be the Beatles' White Album. Wheras on Mondays I would put in Bruce
Springsteen's Ghost of Tom Joad. And after 19.00 hrs it would be Mathilde
Santing's To Others To One.
8. His Royal Bobness - Highway 61 Revisited
Do you, Mr. Jones? He was my highschool hero. He remained my hero in my
student days. I once saw him live and thought that he was full of shit. ("Do
you, Mr. van Tiel?") I never visited this particular highway. Is it worth a
revisit?
9. Kelly Joe Phelps - Sky like a broken clock
I know, it's ridiculous to put an album on a desert island disk list that's
hardly been out for more than 2 months, but ever since I received the
pre-release in June for review, it has hardly been out of my CD player. It
had the same effect on me as John Martyn's and Tom Waits' early work - when
I heard that, I just knew that I would be playing it for the rest of my
life. Brilliant playing, fantastic lyrics, perfect production.
10. Boubacar Traori - Mariama
West African (Mali) griotte singer. I have no idea what he is singing about
(except when he sings in French) but his guitar is spell-bindingly hypnotic
and so is his voice. I keep playing this album and it always soothes me.
My first 45: The Animals - House of the Rising Sun
My first album: The Beatles Greatest Hits (a Dutch compilation from 1966)
My first classical album: JS Bach - Brandenburger Concertos
My first concert ... now here's a unique one: I was 13 (in 1967) and went to
a concert of The Fortunes, a British band that was very popular in Holland
in 1965-1967. I was only allowed by my parents because it was up the road in
a big barn-turned-theatre and because it was on Sunday afternoon. The
support act was a bunch of weirdos I had never heard of before. All kinds of
slide projections with coloured water to strange psychodelic sounds,
shouting on the stage (unlike The Fortunes who sang very much in tune - on
their records, that is). And these freaks were about to release their first
record in the Netherlands, a song called Arnold Layne. I was 13, I was
watching the legendary Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett (support act to The
Fortunes), and I had no clue!
But then, I also saw Van Morrison with the Dutch band Cuby & The Blizzards
and I loved every second that he shut up - Van, whose Astral Weeks and
Beautiful Vision painfully did not make it to the top 10 (certainly top 20
material).
Oops, this got a bit out of hand. Oh well, for a lurker ...
John (still in the US, but about to fly to Holland again)
NP Gillian Welch, The Revelator (Great Album - Would certainly make it to
the residential island top 10)
