Tag Archives: 500 greatest albums of all time

Patti Smith: Gung Ho

Gung_Ho

On March 21, 2000, “Arista” label released “Gung Ho” album by Patti Smith. It was recorded in 2000, at “Sear Sound” in New York City, and was produced by Gil Norton. Magazine “Rolling Stone” included “Gung Ho” in its list of “Top 50 Albums of 2000”. The album cover includes picture of Smiths’s father, Grant Smith.

Personnel:

  • Patti Smith– vocals, guitar, photography
  • Tom Verlaine– guitar
  • Lenny Kaye– guitar
  • Jackson Smith – guitar
  • Oliver Ray– guitar
  • Ben E. Franklin – mandolin
  • Penny Whistle – mandolin
  • Kimberly Smith – mandolin
  • Grant Hart– piano, farfisa
  • Tony Shanahan– bass, keyboards
  • Jay Dee Daugherty– drums
  • Rebecca Weiner – violin
  • Skaila Kanga– harp
  • Michael Stipe– backing vocals
  • Wade Raley – backing vocals
  • Danton Supple – engineer, mixing
  • Jake Davies – engineer
  • Mark Phythers – engineer
  • Todd Parker – engineer assistant
  • Gil Norton– mixing
  • Paul Angelli – mastering
  • Ted Jensen– mastering
  • Margery Greenspan – art direction
  • Steven Sebring– photography

Track listing:

  1. One Voice – Patti Smith, Jay Dee Daugherty
  2. Lo and Beholden – Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith
  3. Boy Cried Wolf – Patti Smith
  4. Persuasion – Patti Smith, Fred “Sonic” Smith
  5. Gone Pie – Patti Smith, Tony Shanahan
  6. China Bird – Oliver Ray, Patti Smith
  7. Glitter in Their Eyes – Oliver Ray, Patti Smith
  8. Strange Messenger – Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith
  9. Grateful – Patti Smith
  10. Upright Come – Oliver Ray, Patti Smith
  11. New Party – Patti Smith, Tony Shanahan
  12. Libbie’s Song – Patti Smith
  13. Gung Ho – Jay Dee Daugherty, Lenny Kaye, Oliver Ray , Patti Smith, Tony Shanahan

Depeche Mode: Violator

Depeche_Mode_-_Violator

On March 19, 1990, “Mute” label released “Violator”, the seventh Depeche Mode studio album. It was recorded May 1989 – January 1990, at “Logic Studios” in Milan, “Pukrecording Studios” in Gjerlev (Denmark), “The Church” and “Master Rock Studios” in London, “Axis” in New York, and was produced by Flood, Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder and Martin Gore. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 342 on its list of the “500 greatest albums of all time” and on number 57 on its list of “100 best albums of the nineties”.

Personnel:

  • Dave Gahan – vocals
  • Martin Gore – keyboards, synthesizers
  • Alan Wilder – synthesizers
  • Alan Gregorie – engineer
  • Goh Hotoda – engineer
  • Peter Iversen – engineer
  • Dennis Mitchell – engineer
  • Pino Pischetola – engineer
  • Phil Legg – engineer
  • Steve Lyon – engineer
  • Dick Meaney – engineer assistant
  • Daryl Bamonte – engineer assistant
  • David Browne – engineer assistant
  • Mark Flannery – engineer assistant
  • Flood– mixing
  • François Kevorkian– mixing
  • Daniel Miller– mixing
  • Area – sleeve
  • Anton Corbijn– sleeve

Track listing:

All tracks by Martin Gore.

  1. World in My Eyes
  2. Sweetest Perfection
  3. Personal Jesus
  4. Halo
  5. Waiting for the Night
  6. Enjoy the Silence / Interlude Crucified
  7. Policy of Truth
  8. Blue Dress / Interlude
  9. Clean

Elvis Costello: This Year’s Model

This Years Model

On March 17, 1978, “Radar” label released “This Year’s Model”, the second Elvis Costello album and the first one with the Attractions. It was recorded in 1978, at “Eden Studios” in London, and was produced by Nick Lowe. “This Year’s Model” was voted the “Best album of the year” in the “Village Voice Pazz & Jop”critics poll. In 2000, magazine “Q” rated the album at number 82 in its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”. In 2003, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked the album at number 98 on it’s list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello– vocals, guitar
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar
  • Steve Nieve– piano, organ
  • Bruce Thomas– bass
  • Pete Thomas– drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello.

  1. No Action
  2. This Year’s Girl
  3. The Beat
  4. Pump It Up
  5. Little Triggers
  6. You Belong to Me
  7. Hand in Hand
  8. (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea
  9. Lip Service
  10. Living in Paradise
  11. Lipstick Vogue
  12. Night Rally

Earth, Wind & Fire: That’s The Way Of The World

TTWOTWL

On March 15, 1975, “Columbia” label released “That’s the Way of the World”, the sixth Earth, Wind & Fire studio album. It was recorded September – October 1974, at “Caribou Ranch” in Nederland, Colorado, and was produced by Maurice White and Charles Stepney. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 486 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Maurice White – vocals, drums, percussion, kalimba
  • Al McKay – guitar, percussion
  • Johnny Graham – guitar
  • Richard Tee– electric piano
  • Larry Dunn – piano, organ, Moog synthesizer
  • Verdine White – vocals, bass, percussion
  • Fred White – drums, percussion
  • Ralph Johnson – drums, percussion
  • Philip Bailey – vocals, percussion
  • Andrew P. Woolfolk – flute, saxophone

Track listing:

  1. Shining Star – Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Maurice White
  2. That’s the Way of the World – Charles Stepney, Maurice White, Verdine White
  3. Happy Feelin’ – Verdine White, Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn
  4. All About Love – Larry Dunn and Maurice White
  5. Yearnin’ learnin – Philip Bailey, Charles Stepney, Maurice White
  6. Reasons – Philip bailey, Charles Stepney, Maurice White
  7. Africano – Larry Dunn, Maurice White
  8. See the Light – Louise Anglin, Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn

Crosby, Stills & Nash: Déjà Vu

Crosby,_Stills,_Nash_&_Young_-_Deja_Vu

On March 11, 1970, “Atlantic” label released “Déjà Vu”, the second Crosby, Stills & Nash album and the first in the quartet configuration of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It was recorded July – December 1969, at “Wally Heider’s Studio C” in San Francisco and “Wally Heider’s Studio III” in Los Angeles, and was produced by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and  Neil Young. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Déjà Vu” at number 147 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”. The album was certified 7 x Platinum in US by “RIIA”.

Personnel

  • David Crosby— vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Stephen Stills— vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, percussion
  • Graham Nash— vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar, percussion
  • Neil Young— vocals, guitars, keyboards, harmonica
  • Dallas Taylor— drums
  • Greg Reeves— bass
  • Jerry Garcia— pedal steel guitar
  • John Sebastian— harmonica

Track listing

  1. Carry On – Stephen Stills
  2. Teach Your Children – Graham Nash
  3. Almost Cut Your Hair – David Crosby
  4. Helpless – Neil Young
  5. Woodstock – Joni Mitchell
  6. Déjà vu – David Crosby
  7. Our House – Graham Nash
  8. 4 + 20 – Stephen Stills
  9. Country Girl – Neil Young
  10. Everybody I Love You – Stephen Stills, Neil Young

Aretha Franklin: I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

Aretha_Franklin_–_I_Never_Loved_a_Man_the_Way_I_Love_You

On March 10, 1967, “Atlantic” label released “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You”, the eleventh Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in January and February, 1967 at “Fame Studio”, “Muscle Shoals” and “Atlantic Recording Studios”, in New York, and was produced by Jerry Wexler.  In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 83 ranking on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – vocals, piano
  • Jimmy Johnson– guitar
  • Chips Moman– guitar
  • Dewey Oldham– keyboards
  • Tommy Cogbill– bass
  • Gene Chrisman – drums
  • Charles Chalmers– tenor saxophone
  • King Curtis– tenor saxophone
  • Charles Chalmers– tenor saxophone
  • Willie Bridges – baritone saxophone
  • Melvin Lastie – trumpet, cornet
  • Carolyn Franklin– backing vocals
  • Erma Franklin- backing vocals
  • Cissy Houston– backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Respect – Otis Redding
  2. Drown in My Own Tears – Henry Glover
  3. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Ronnie Shannon
  4. Soul Serenade – Curtis Ousley, Luther Dixon
  5. Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  6. Baby, Baby, Baby – Aretha Franklin, Carolyn Franklin
  7. Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  8. Good Times – Sam Cooke
  9. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – Dan Penn, Chips Moman
  10. Save Me – Curtis Ousley, Aretha Franklin, Carolyn Franklin
  11. A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke

 

Soundgarden: Superunknown

Superunknown

On March 8, 1994, “A&M” label released “Superunknown”, the fourth Soundgarden album. It was recorded July – September 1993, at “Bad Animals Studio” in Seattle, and was produced by Michael Beinhorn, Chris Cornell, Kim Thayll, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron.  “Superunknown” was certified 5 x Platinum in US by the “RIAA”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked it at number 336 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time” and at number 38 on magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Albums of the Nineties”. “Kerrang” magazine listed “Superunknown” in its list of “100 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”.

Personnel:

  • Chris Cornell– vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Kim Thayil– lead guitar
  • Ben Shepherd– lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, guitar, drums, percussion
  • Matt Cameron– drums, percussion, mellotron, pots, pans
  • Michael Beinhorn– piano
  • April Acevez –viola
  • Artis the Spoonman – spoons
  • Fred Chalenor– harmonic guidance
  • Justine Foy –cello
  • Natasha Shneider– clavinet
  • Gregg Keplinger– drums, percussion
  • Kelk – front cover design
  • Reyzart –layout
  • Kevin Westenberg –band photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Cornell, except where noted.

  1. Let Me Drown
  2. My Wave
  3. Fell on Black Days
  4. Mailman
  5. Superunknown
  6. Head Down
  7. Black Hole Sun
  8. Spoonman
  9. Limo Wreck
  10. The Day I Tried To Live
  11. Kickstand
  12. Fresh Tendrils
  13. 4th of July
  14. Half
  15. Like Suicide

Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral

The_Downward_Spiral

On March 9, 1994, “Interscope” label released “The Downward Spiral”, the second Nine Inch Nails studio album. It  was recorded 1992 – 1993, at “Le Pig” in Beverly Hills;” Record Plant Studios” and “A&M Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Trent Reznor and Mark Flood Ellis. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 201 on its list of the “500 greatest albums of all time”. The album was placed 10th on magazine “Spin” list of “125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years” In 2001, “Q” magazine named  “The Downward Spiral” as one of the “50 Heaviest Albums of All Time” and in 2010, the album was ranked number 102 on their “250 Best Albums of Q’s Lifetime”.

Personnel:

  • Trent Reznor– vocals, drums, arranger
  • Mark “Flood” Ellis– hi-hat, ARP 2600 synthesizer
  • Chris Vrenna– drums, programming, sampling
  • Adrian Belew– texture generating guitar, ring mod guitar
  • Danny Lohner– guitar
  • Andy Kubiszewski– drums
  • Stephen Perkins– drum loops
  • Charlie Clouser– programming
  • Russell Mills– paintings
  • David Buckland – photography
  • Gary Talpas– package

Track listing:

All tracks by Trent Reznor.

  1. Self Destruct
  2. Piggy
  3. Heresy
  4. March of the Pigs
  5. Closer
  6. Ruiner
  7. The Becoming
  8. I Do Not Want This
  9. Big Man With a Gun
  10. A Warm Place
  11. Eraser
  12. Reptile
  13. The Downward Spiral
  14. Hurt

Metallica: Master Of Puppets

Metallica_-_Master_of_Puppets

On March 3, 1986, “Elektra” label released “Master of Puppets”, the third Metallica studio album. It was recorded September – December 1985, at “Sweet Silence Studios” in Copenhagen, and was produced by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, Lars Ulrich and Flemming Rasmussen. “Master of Puppets” was the band’s last album to feature bassist Cliff Burton, who died in a bus crash in Sweden during the album’s promotional tour. In 2003, “Master of Puppets” was certified 6× Platinum in the US by the “RIAA”, 6× Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada”. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Master of Puppets” at number 167 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; “Time” included the album in its list of the “100 Best Albums of All Time”; magazine “Guitar World” voted “Master of Puppets” the fourth greatest guitar album of all time.

Personnel:

  • James Hetfield– lead vocals, rhythm guitar, cover concept
  • Kirk Hammett– lead guitar, cover concept
  • Cliff Burton– bass guitar, backing vocals, cover concept
  • Lars Ulrich – drums, cover concept
  • Peter Mensch– cover concept
  • Don Brautigam – cover illustration
  • Ross Halfin, Rich Likong, Rob Ellsi – photography

Track listing:

All lyrics written by James Hetfield.

  1. Battery – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
  2. Master of Puppets – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett
  3. The Thing That Should Not Be – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
  4. Welcome Home (Sanitarium) – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
  5. Disposable Heroes – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett
  6. Leper Messiah – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich
  7. Orion – James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton
  8. Damage Inc. – James Hetfield, lars Ulrich, Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett

 

Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

Dark_Side_of_the_Moon

On March 1, 1973, “Harvest” label released “The Dark Side of the Moon”, the eighth Pink Floyd studio album. It was recorded June 1972 – January 1973, at “Abbey Road Studios” in London,  engineered by Alan Parsons and produced by David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and Roger Waters. The album topped the “Billboard  Top LPs & Tapes” chart for one week and remained in the charts for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988. With an estimated of more than 50 million copies sold, it is Pink Floyd’s most commercially successful album and one of the best-selling albums in the history of modern music. In 2012, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “The Dark Side of the Moon” at number 43 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2006,NME” magazine readers ranked the album at number 8 in their “Best Album of All Time” online poll. “The Dark Side of the Moon” was rated at number 29 in “The Observer’s” 2006 list of “The 50 Albums That Changed Music” and 37th in “The Guardian’s” 1997 list of the “100 Best Albums Ever”.

Personnel

  • David Gilmour– vocals, guitars, VCS 3
  • Richard Wright– vocals, keyboards, VCS 3
  • Roger Waters– vocals, bass guitar, VCS 3, tape effects
  • Nick Mason– percussion, tape effects
  • Dick Parry– saxophone
  • Clare Torry– vocals
  • Doris Troy– backing vocals
  • Lesley Duncan– backing vocals
  • Liza Strike – backing vocals
  • Barry St. John – backing vocals
  • Storm Thorgerson – design

Track listing

  1. Speak to Me – Nick Mason, Roger Waters
  2. Breathe – Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright
  3. On the Run – David Gilmour and Roger Waters
  4. Time – Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, David Gilmour
  5. The Great Gig in the Sky – Richard Wright, Clare Torry
  6. Money – Roger Waters
  7. Us and Them – Roger Waters, Richard Wright
  8. Any Colour you Like – David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wight
  9. Brain Damage – Roger Waters
  10. Eclipse – Roger Waters