Tag Archives: 500 greatest albums of all time

The Jam: Sound Affects

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On November 28, 1980, “Polydor” label released “Sound Affects”, the fifth Jam studio album. It was recorded June – October 1980, and was produced by Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, Rick Buckler and Vic Coppersmith-Heaven. The album cover art is a pastiche of the artwork used on various Sound Effects records produced by the BBC during the 1970s. “NME” magazine ranked the album at number 487 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Paul Weller – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Bruce Foxton – vocals, bass
  • Rick Buckler – drums
  • Martyn Goddard – cover art, photography
  • Bill Smith – design
  • Pennie Smith – photography
  • Paul Cox – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Paul Weller except where noted.

  1. Pretty Green
  2. Monday
  3. But I’m Different Now
  4. Set the House Ablaze
  5. Start!
  6. That’s Entertainment
  7. Dream Time
  8. Man in the Corner Shop
  9. Music for the Last Couple – Rick Buckler, Bruce Foxton, Paul Weller
  10. Boy About Town
  11. Scrape Away

Beck: Midnite Vultures

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On November 23, 1999, “DGC Records” label released “Midnite Vultures”, the fourth Beck studio album. It was recorded July 1998 – June 1999, at “Soft Studio”, and was produced by Beck Hansen, The Dust Brothers, Tony Hoffer and Mickey Petralia. in 2013, “NME” magazine ranked the album at number 307 in its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Beck– vocals, synthesizer, guitar, piano, keyboards, choir, chorus, vocoder, horn arrangements, programming, mixing
  • Tony Hoffer – guitar, wah wah guitar, programming, engineer, editing, mixing, sound design
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr.– organ, synthesizer, piano, tambourine, choir, chorus, clavinet, percussion, shaker, vocoder, backing vocals
  • Justin Meldal-Johnsen– synthesizer, bass, guitar, percussion, backing vocals, handclapping, shaker, upright bass
  • David Campbell– viola, string arrangements, string conductor
  • Larry Corbett – cello
  • Joel Derouin – violin
  • Greg Leisz– pedal steel
  • Jay Dee Maness – pedal steel
  • Johnny Marr– electric guitar
  • Michael Patterson– mixing
  • Herb Pedersen– banjo
  • Fernando Pullum – horn
  • David Ralicke – trombone
  • Joe Turano – horn, backing vocals
  • Smokey Hormel – guitar
  • Eve Butler – violin
  • David Arthur Brown– tenor saxophone
  • Jon Birdsong – trumpet
  • Joey Waronker– percussion, drums
  • Beth Orton– backing vocals
  • Arnold McCuller – backing vocals
  • Valerie Pinkston – backing vocals
  • Arroyo Bombers – choir, chorus
  • Arroyo Tabernacle Men’s Chorale – choir, chorus
  • The Dust Brothers– scratching, programming, engineer
  • Steve Baxter – horn, backing vocals
  • Robert Carranza – string engineer
  • Steve Mixdorf – second engineer
  • Mickey Petralia – programming, engineer, mixing
  • DJ Swamp – scratching
  • Derek Carlson – second engineer
  • Chris Bellman – mastering
  • Brian Gardner – mastering
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Eye– artwork, art direction, design, collage
  • Gimbop – layout direction
  • Michel Gondry– collage
  • Charlie Gross – photography
  • Shauna O’Brien – project manager

Track listing:

All tracks by Beck Hansen, except where noted.

  1. Sexx Laws
  2. Nicotine & Gravy
  3. Mixed Bizness
  4. Get Real Paid
  5. Hollywood Freaks – Beck Hansen, John King, Michael Simpson
  6. Peaches & Cream
  7. Broken Train
  8. Milk & Honey – Beck Hansen, Buzz Clifford
  9. Beautiful Day
  10. Pressure Zone
  11. Debra

Beastie Boys: Licensed To ill

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On November 15, 1986, “Def Jam” label released “Licensed to ill”, the debut Beastie Boys studio album. It was recorded in 1986, and was produced by Rick Rubin, Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 217 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and in 2013 the same magazine named it the best debut album of all time. “Licensed to Ill” was the first rap album to top the Billboard album chart. In February 1987, the album was certified Platinum in the US by “RIIA’.

Personnel:

  • Mike D (Michael Louis Diamond) – vocals, drums
  • MCA (Adam Nathaniel Yauch) – vocals, bass
  • Ad – Rock (Adam Keefe Horovitz) – vocals, guitar, programing
  • Kerry King– lead guitar
  • Keene Carse – trombone
  • Danny Lipman – trumpet
  • Tony Orbach – tenor saxophone
  • Steven Ett – engineer
  • Joe Blaney – mixing
  • Steve Byram – art direction
  • World B. Omes (David Gambale) – cover art
  • Sunny Bak– photography

Track listing:

All tracks by  Mike D, MCA, Ad-Rock and Rick Rubin, except where noted.

  1. Rhymin & Stealin
  2. The New Style
  3. She’s Crafty
  4. Posse in Effect
  5. Slow Ride
  6. Girls
  7. (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)
  8. No Sleep till Brooklyn
  9. Paul Revere – Adam Horovitz,Darryl McDaniels, Rick Rubin, Joseph Simmons
  10. Hold It Now, Hit It
  11. Brass Monkey
  12. Slow and Low – Darryl McDaniels, Rick Rubin, Joseph Simmons
  13. Time to Get Ill

Roxy Music: Country Life

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On November 15, 1974, “Island” label released “Country Life”, the fourth Roxy Music album. It was recorded July – August 1974, at “Air Studios” in London, and was produced by Chris Thomas, John Punter, Brian Ferry, John Gustafson, Eddie Jobson, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson. The album cover photo was shot by Eric Boman. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Country Life” at number 387 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Bryan Ferry– vocals, keyboards, harmonica
  • Phil Manzanera– guitar
  • Eddie Jobson– synthesizer, keyboards, strings
  • Andy Mackay– oboe, saxophone
  • John Gustafson– bass
  • Paul Thompson– drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Bryan Ferry except where noted.

  1. The Thrill of It All
  2. Three and Nine – Brian Ferry, Andy Mackay
  3. All I Want Is You
  4. Out of the Blue – Brian Ferry, Phil Manzanera
  5. If It Takes All Night
  6. Bitter-Sweet – Brian Ferry, Andy Mackay
  7. Triptych
  8. Casanova
  9. A Really Good Time
  10. Prairie Rose – Brian Ferry, Phil Manzanera

The Velvet Underground: Loaded

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On November 15, 1970, “Atlantic” label released “Loaded”, the fourth Velvet Underground (The) studio album. It was recorded April–August 1970, at “Atlantic Recording Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Geoff Haslam, Shel Kagan, Lou Reed, Doug Yule, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker and Adrian Barber. In 2012,  “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Loaded” at number 110 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Lou Reed – vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Doug Yule – lead and backing vocals, bass, piano, keyboards, lead guitar, fuzz bass, drums, percussion
  • Sterling Morrison– lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Maureen Tucker– vocals, drums
  • Adrian Barber– drums
  • Tommy Castagnaro – drums
  • Billy Yule– drums
  • Adrian Barber – engineer

Track listing:

All tracks by Lou Reed except where noted.

  1. Who Loves the Sun – Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Doug Yule
  2. Sweet Jane
  3. Rock & Roll – Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Doug Yule
  4. Cool It Down – Lou Reed, Doug Yule
  5. New Age
  6. Head Held High
  7. Lonesome Cowboy Bill – Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Doug Yule
  8. I Found a Reason
  9. Train Round the Bend
  10. Oh! Sweet Nuthin – Lou Reed, Doug Yule

Eurythmics: Touch

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eurythmics_-_touch

On November 14, 1983, “RCA” label released “Touch”, the third Eurythmics studio album. It was recorded in 1983. at “The Church” in London, and was produced by David A. Stewart. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 493 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and Platinum in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Annie Lennox- vocals, flute, percussion, keyboard, arrangements
  • Dave Stewart- vocals, dulcimer, bass, guitar, drum programming, keyboard, xylophone, sequencing, arrangements
  • Dean Garcia – bass
  • Martin Dobson -baritone saxophone
  • Dick Cuthell- trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn
  • British Philharmonic– strings
  • Michael Kamen – string arrangements
  • Michael Kamen- conductor
  • Jon Bavin – engineer
  • Laurence Stevens – art direction, design
  • Andrew Christian – design
  • Brian Aris, Pete Ashworth – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart.

  1. Here Comes the Rain Again
  2. Regrets
  3. Right By Your Side
  4. Cool Blue
  5. Who’s That Girl
  6. The First Cut
  7. Aqua
  8. No Fear, No Hate, No Pain (No Broken Hearts)
  9. Paint a Rumour

Ramones: Rocket To Russia

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On November 4, 1977, “Sire” label released “Rocket to Russia”, the third Ramones studio album. It was recorded August – September 1977, at “Media Sound Studios” in Midtown Manhattan, and was produced by Tony Bongiovi and Tommy Ramone. The album’s cover art concept was by John Gillespie, with John Holmstrom and Johnny Ramone work on the illustration. In 2012, “rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Rocket to Russia” at number 106 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Joey Ramone– lead vocals
  • Johnny Ramone– lead guitar
  • Dee Dee Ramone– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Tommy Ramone– drums
  • Ed Stasium– engineer
  • Don Berman – engineer assistant
  • Greg Calbi – mastering
  • John Gillespie – art direction
  • Danny Fields– photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Ramones, except where noted.

  1. Cretin Hop
  2. Rockaway Beach
  3. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
  4. Locket Love
  5. I Don’t Care
  6. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
  7. We’re a Happy Family
  8. Teenage Lobotomy
  9. Do You Wanna Dance? – Bobby Freeman
  10. I Wanna Be Well
  11. I Can’t Give you Anything
  12. Ramona
  13. Surfin’ Bird – Carl White, Alfred Frazier, John Harris, Turner Wilson
  14. Why Is It Always This Way?

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Willy And The Poor Boys

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On November 2, 1969, “Fantasy” label released “Willy and the Poor Boys”, the fourth Creedence Clearwater Revival studio album. It was recorded in 1969, at “Fantasy Studios” in Berkeley, California, and was produced by John Fogerty. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 392 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time.

Personnel:

  • John Fogerty– vocals, lead guitar, piano, harmonica, arranger
  • Tom Fogerty– rhythm guitar
  • Stu Cook– bass, washtub bass
  • Doug Clifford– drums, washboard
  • Steve Cropper– guitar
  • Booker T. Jones– organ
  • Donald “Duck” Dunn– bass
  • Al Jackson, Jr.– drums
  • Basul Parik – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John Fogerty, except where noted.

  1. Down on the Corner
  2. It came Out of the Sky
  3. Cotton Fields -Huddie Ledbetter
  4. Poorboy Shufle
  5. Feelin’ Blue
  6. Fortunate Son
  7. Don’t Look Now (It Ain’t You or Me)
  8. The Midnight Special – traditional arr. John Fogerty
  9. Side o’ the Road
  10. Effigy

Lou Reed

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On October 27, 2013, Lewis Allan “Lou” Reed died aged 71. He was  musician (guitar), singer, and songwriter, both as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of the Velvet Underground, and with his solo career, he is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential artists in the history of rock music. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “The Velvet Underground & Nico”, the debut Velvet Underground album at number 13 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; and in 2013, the same magazine included “Transformer” and “Berlin”, two Reed’s albums on the same list.  In 2015, Reed was posthumously inducted in the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.

The Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness

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On October 24, 1995, “Virgin” label released “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”, the third Smashing Pumpkins (The) studio album. It was recorded March – August 1995, at “Pumpkinland”;  “Sadlands & Bugg Studios”; “Chicago Recording Company” and “The Village Recorder”, and was produced by Alan Moulder, Billy Corgan and Flood.”Rolling Stones” magazine ranked the album at number 487 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” was certified 4 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Belgium by “BEA”; Diamond in Canada by “CRIA”; Platinum in France by “SNEP”; 2 x Platinum in Ireland by “IRMA”; Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 2 x Platinum in Portugal by “AFP”; Platinum in UK by “BPI”, and Diamond in the US by “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Billy Corgan– lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, piano, mellotron, production, mixing, string arrangement, art direction, design
  • James Iha – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, mixing
  • D’arcy Wretzk– vocals, bass guitar
  • Jimmy Chamberlin – vocals, drums
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • Greg Leisz– pedal and lap steel guitar
  • Audrey Riley– string arrangement
  • Chris Shepard– recording
  • Barry Goldberg – additional vocal recording, mixing assistant
  • Dave Kresl – string recording assistance
  • Flood– mixing
  • Alan Moulder– mixing
  • Howie Weinberg– mastering
  • Frank Olinsky – art direction, design
  • Claudine Pontier – recording assistance
  • Russ Spice – technical assistance
  • John Craig – illustration
  • Andrea Giacobbe – photography
  • Roger Carpenter – technical assistance
  • Adam Green – technical assistance
  • Tim “Gooch” Lougee – technical assistance
  • Guitar Dave Mannet – technical assistance
  • Jeff Moleski – technical assistance

Track listing:

  1. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
  2. Tonight, Tonight
  3. Jellybelly
  4. Zero
  5. Here Is No Why
  6. Bullet with Butterfly Wings
  7. To Forgive
  8. Fuck You (An Ode to No One)
  9. Love
  10. Cupid de Locke
  11. Galapagos
  12. Muzzle
  13. Porcelina of the Vast Oceans
  14. Take Me Down
  15. Where Boys Fear to Tread
  16. Bodies
  17. Thirty – Three
  18. In the Arms of Sleep
  19. 1979
  20. Tales of a Scorched Earth
  21. Thru the Eyes of Ruby
  22. Stumbleine
  23. Y.U.
  24. We Only Come Out at Night
  25. Beautiful
  26. Lily (My One and Only)
  27. By Starlight
  28. Farewell and Goodnight