Tag Archives: 500 greatest albums of all time

Coldplay: A Rush Of Blood To The Head

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A_Rush_of_Blood_to_the_Head

On August 26, 2002, “Parlaphone” label released “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, the second Coldplay studio album. It was recorded September 2001 – May 2002, and was produced by Ken Nelson, Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman  and Will Cha,pion. In 2002, at the “Q Awards” the album was awarded “Best Album”. In 2003, the album won Coldplay “Grammy Awards” for “Best Alternative Album” and for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” for the song “In My Place”, and was voted “Best British Album” at the “BRIT Awards”. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “A Rush of Blood to the Head” at number 466 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified 3 x Platinum in Argentina by “CAPIF”; 7 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIA”; Platinum in Austria by “IFPI”; 4 x Platinum in Brazil by “ABPD”; Platinum in Italy by “FIMI”; Platinum in Mexico by “AMPROFON”; Platinum in Netherlands by “NVPI”; 4 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”; 9 x Platinum in the UK by the “BPI” and 4 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Chris Martin– lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Jonny Buckland– acoustic and electric guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Guy Berryman– bass guitar, string arrangements, mixing, art direction
  • Will Champion– drums, percussion, harmony vocals, string arrangements, art direction
  • Ann Lines – strings
  • Laura Melhewish – strings
  • Leo Payne – strings
  • Susan Dench – strings
  • Chris Tombling – strings
  • Dan Green – strings
  • Peter Lale – strings
  • Richard George – strings
  • Audrey Riley– strings, string arranger
  • Ken Nelson– engineer, mixing
  • Jon Bailey – engineer assistant
  • Jon Withnal – engineer assistant
  • Ben Thackeray – engineer assistant
  • Andrea Wright – engineer assistant
  • Rik Simpson– additional engineering
  • Danton Supple – mixing
  • Mark Phythian – mixing, additional production
  • George Marino– mastering
  • Blue Source – art direction
  • Sølve Sundsbø – cover art
  • Tom Sheehan – photography
  • Zed Nelson – photography

Track listing:

]All tracks by Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion.

  1. Politik
  2. In My Place
  3. God Put a Smile upon Your Face
  4. The Scientist
  5. Clocks
  6. Daylight
  7. Green Eyes
  8. Warning Sign
  9. A Whisper
  10. A Rush of Blood to the Head
  11. Amsterdam

 

 

Paul Simon: Graceland

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Graceland

On August 25, 1986, “Warner Bros” label released “Graceland”, the seventh Paul Simon solo studio. It was recorded October 1985 – June 1986, in South Africa, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Louisiana, and was produced by Paul Simon. In 1987, “Graceland” won “Grammy Award” for “Album of the Year”. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Graceland” at number 71 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album earned Paul Simon the “Best International Solo Artist” award at “The Brit Awards” in 1987. It was certified 8 x Platinum in Australia by the “ARIA”; Platinum in France by “SNEP”; Platinum in Nederlands by “NVPI”; Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”;Platinum in Portugal by “AFP”; Platinum in Spain by “PROMUSICAE”; 7 x Platinum in the UK by the “BPI”, and 5 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Paul Simon– lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, Synclavier, six-string electric bass
  • Ray Phiri– guitar
  • Adrian Belew– guitar synthesizer, guitar
  • Demola Adepoju – pedal steelguitar
  • Daniel Xilakazi – lead, rhythm guitar
  • Sherman Robertson– guitar
  • César Rosas– guitar, backing vocals
  • David Hidalgo– guitar, accordion, backing vocals
  • Lulu Masilela – tambourines
  • Rob Mounsey– synthesizer, horn arrangement
  • Alton Rubin, Sr.– accordion
  • Jonhjon Mkhalali – accordion
  • Forere Motloheloa – accordion
  • Conrad Lozano– bass
  • Alonzo Johnson – bass
  • Lloyd Lelose – bass
  • Bakithi Kumalo– bass
  • Isaac Mtshali – drums
  • Vusi Khumalo – drums
  • Petrus Manile – drums
  • Alton Rubin, Jr. – drums
  • Louie Pérez– drums
  • Steve Gadd– additional drums
  • Makhaya Mahlangu – percussion
  • Ralph MacDonald– percussion
  • Youssou N’Dour– percussion
  • Babacar Faye – percussion
  • Assane Thiam – percussion
  • James Guyatt – percussion
  • David Rubin – washboard
  • Alex Foster – alto saxophone
  • Morris Goldberg– penny whistle, soprano saxophone
  • Johnny Hoyt – saxophone
  • Steve Berlin– saxophone
  • Ronnie Cuber– bass and baritone saxophone
  • Barney Rachabane – saxophone
  • Mike Makhalemele– saxophone
  • Teaspoon Ndela – saxophone
  • Lenny Pickett– tenor saxophone
  • Earl Gardner – trumpet
  • Jon Faddis– trumpet
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet
  • Lew Soloff– trumpet
  • Alan Rubin– trumpet
  • Dave Bargeron– trombone
  • Kim Allan Cissel – trombone
  • The Gaza Sisters – vocals
  • Joseph Shabalala– vocals
  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo– vocals
  • Linda Ronstadt– additional vocals
  • The Everly Brothers– additional vocals
  • Diane Garisto – backing vocals
  • Michelle Cobbs – backing vocals
  • Roy Halee – engineer

Track listing:

  1. The Boy In the Bubble – Forere Motloheloa, Paul Simon
  2. Graceland – Paul Simon
  3. I Know What I Know – General MD Shirinda, Paul Simon
  4. Gumboots – Lulu Masilela, Jonhjon Mkhalali, Paul Simon
  5. Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes – Joseph Shabalala, Paul Simon
  6. You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
  7. Under African Skies – Paul Simon
  8. Homeless – Joseph Shabalala, Paul Simon
  9. Crazy Love, Vol. II – Paul Simon
  10. That Was Your Mother – Paul Simon
  11. All Around the World Or the Myth of Fingerprints – Paul Simon

The Rolling Stones: Tattoo You

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Tattoo You

On August 24, 1981, “Rolling Stones” label released “Tattoo You”, the sixteen Rolling Stones (The) album. It was recorded November–December 1972, January–March 1975, January–March 1978, January–October 1979, October 1980 – June 1981, and was produced by The Glimmer Twins. In 1989, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Tattoo You” at number 213 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. Peter Corriston, who was responsible for the album art direction and design, won a “Grammy Award” in the category of “Best Album Package”. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in Canada by “Music Canada” and 4 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Mick Jaggerr– lead and backing vocals; electric guitar, harmonica
  • Keith Richards– lead and backing, electric guitar, bass guitar
  • Ronnie Wood– electric guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Mick Taylor– electric guitar
  • Bill Wyman– bass guitar; synthesizer, guitar
  • Charlie Watts– drums
  • Wayne Perkins– electric lead guitar
  • Nicky Hopkins– piano; organ
  • Ian Stewart– piano
  • Chris Kimsey– piano
  • Billy Preston– keyboards
  • Sonny Rollins– saxophone
  • Ollie Brown– percussion
  • Jimmy Miller– percussion
  • Michael Carabello– cowbell,  conga, guiro, claves, cabasa, conga
  • Pete Townshend– backing vocals
  • Barry Sage– handclaps

Track listing:

All tracks by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted.

  1. Start Me Up
  2. Hang Fire
  3. Slave
  4. Little T&A
  5. Black Limousine – Mick Jaggerr, Keith Richard, Ronnie Wood
  6. Neighbours
  7. Worried About You
  8. Tops
  9. Heaven
  10. No Use in Crying – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood
  11. Waiting on a Friend

Iron Butterfly: Metamorphosis

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Metamorphosis

On August 13, 1970, “Atco” label released “Metamorphosis”, the fourth Iron Butterfly, studio album. It was recorded May – July 1970, and was produced by Richard Podolor. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 403 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “Metamorphosis” is noted for having one of the earliest uses of the Talk box on a rock album.

Personnel:

  • Doug Ingle – lead vocals, organ
  • Mike Pinera – lead vocals, guitar
  • Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt– guitar
  • Richard Podolor– sitar, twelve-string guitar
  • Bill Cooper – twelve-string guitar
  • Lee Dorman– bass
  • Ron Bushy– drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Doug Ingle, Ron Bushy, and Lee Dorman, except where noted.

  1. Free Flight
  2. New Day
  3. Shady Lady – lyrics by Robert Woods Edmonson
  4. Best Years of Our Life
  5. Slower Than Guns – lyrics by Robert Woods Edmonson
  6. Stone Believer
  7. Soldier in Our Town – lyrics by Robert Woods Edmonson
  8. Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way) – lyrics by Robert Woods Edmonson
  9. Butterfly Bleu

The Stooges: Same

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The Stooges - The Stooges

On August 5, 1969, “Elektra” label released the self-titled, debut  Stooges album. It was recorded in April 1969; at “The Hit Factory” in New York City and was produced by John Cale. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 185 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, and ranked the song “1969” in the list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time”. In 2005, “Q” magazine ranked the song “I Wanna Be Your Dog” at number 13 in its list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Tracks”.

Personnel:

  • Iggy Pop – vocals
  • Ron Asheton– vocals, guitar
  • Dave Alexander– bass guitar
  • Scott Asheton– drums
  • John Cale– piano, sleigh bell, viola
  • William S. Harvey – art direction
  • Joel Brodsky– sleeve photography
  • Danny Fields– liner notes
  • Jac Holzman– production supervisor

Track listing:

All tracks by The Stooges (Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton, and Iggy Pop).

  1. 1969
  2. I Wanna Be Your Dog
  3. We Will Fall
  4. No Fun
  5. Real Cool Time
  6. Ann
  7. No Right
  8. Little Doll

Pink Floyd: The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

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Pink Floyd-Piper at the gates of dawn

On August 4, 1967, “EMI” label released “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”, the debut Pink Floyd studio album. It was recorded February – May 1967, at “EMI Studios” in London, and was produced by Norman Smith. The album, named after the title of chapter seven of Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows”, was the only Pink Floyd’s album recorded by the leadership of Syd Barrett. In 2012,  “Rolling Stone” ranked “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” at number 347th on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Syd Barrett– vocals, lead guitar, rear cover design
  • Roger Waters– vocals, bass guitar
  • Richard Wright– Farfisa Compact Duo organ, piano
  • Nick Mason– drums, percussion
  • Peter Bown – engineer
  • Peter Jenner– intro vocalizations
  • Norman Smith– vocal and instrumental arrangements, drum roll
  • Vic Singh – cover photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Syd Barrett, except where noted.

  1. Astronomy Domine
  2. Lucifer Sam
  3. Matilda Mother
  4. Flaming
  5. Pow R. Toc H. – Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason
  6. Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk – Roger Waters
  7. Interstellar Overdrive – Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Rick Wright, Nick Mason
  8. The Gnome
  9. Chapter 24
  10. The Scarecrow
  11. Bike

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Green River

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Creedence_Clearwater_Revival_-_Green_River

On August 3, 1969, “Fantasy” label released “Green River”, the third Creedence Clearwater Revival studio album. It was recorded March – June 1969, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by John Fogerty and Saul Zaentz. In 2003 “Rolling Stones” magazine ranked the album at number 95 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • John Fogerty– lead and backing vocals, lead guitar, piano, keyboards, harmonica, arranger
  • Tom Fogerty– rhythm guitar
  • Doug Clifford– drums
  • Stu Cook– bass guitar
  • Basul Parik – cover art, photography
  • Russ Gary – engineer
  • Larissa Collins – art direction

Track listing:

All tracks by John Fogerty, except where noted.

  1. Green River
  2. Commotion
  3. Tombstone Shadow
  4. Wrote a Song for Everyone
  5. Bad Moon Rising
  6. Lodi
  7. Cross – Tie Walker
  8. Sinister Purpose
  9. The Night Time Is the Right Time

AC/DC: Highway To Hell

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ACDC_Highway_To_Hell

On July 27, 1979, “Albert” label released “Highway to Hell”, the sixth Australian and the fifth international AC/DC album. It was recorded December 1978, at “Albert Studios” in Sydney; January – February 1979, at “Criteria Studios” in Miami, Florida; March – April 1979, at “Roundhouse Studios” in London, and was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Highway to Hell” at number 200 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Bon Scott– lead vocals
  • Angus Young– lead guitar
  • Malcolm Young– rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Cliff Williams– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Phil Rudd– drums
  • Mark Dearnley – engineer
  • Kevin Dallimore – engineer assistant
  • Tony Platt – mixing
  • Bob Defrin – art direction
  • Jim Houghton – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott.

  1. Highway to Hell
  2. Girls Got Rhythm
  3. Walk All Over You
  4. Touch Too Much
  5. Beating Around the Bush
  6. Shot Down in Flames
  7. Get It Hot
  8. If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
  9. Love Hungry Man
  10. Night Prowler

ZZ Top: Tres Hombres

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ZZ_Top_-_Tres_Hombres

On July 26, 1973, “London” label released “Tres Hombres”, the third ZZ Top album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Brian Studios” and “Ardent Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Bill Ham. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 490 on its  list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personnel:

  • Billy Gibbons – vocals, guitar
  • Dusty Hill- co-lead and backibg vocals, bass guitar
  • Frank Beard- drums, percussion
  • Robin Brian – engineer
  • Terry Manning- engineer
  • Bill Narum- design
  • Galen Scott – photography

Track listing:

  1. Waitin’ for the Bus – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill
  2. Jesus Just Left Chicago – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard
  3. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard
  4. Master of Sparks – Billy Gibbons
  5. Hot, Blue and Righteous – Billy Gibbons
  6. Move Me on Down the Line – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill
  7. Precious and Grace – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard
  8. La Grange – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard
  9. Shiek – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill
  10. Have You Heard? – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill

Beastie Boys: Paul’s Boutique

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Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique

On July 25, 1989, “Capitol” label released “Paul’s Boutique”, the second Beastie Boys studio album. It was recorded 1988–1989, at “Mario C’s” in Los Angeles, “The Opium Den” and “The Record Plant” in New York City, and was produced by Michael Diamond, Adam Yauch, Adam Horovitz, Dust Brothers and Mario Caldato, Jr. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Paul’s Boutique” at number 156 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. Critical recognition made “Paul’s Boutique” a landmark album in hip hop music. In 1999, the album was certified 2 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Adam Yauch – vocals, upright bass, bass guitar, keyboards
  • Mike D (Michael Diamond) – vocals, keyboards, drums, percussion
  • Ad – Rock (Adam Horovitz) – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, turntables
  • Mike Simpson – turntables, ensemble
  • Matt Dike – ensemble
  • Mario Caldato Jr.– engineer
  • Allen Abrahamson – engineer assistant
  • Ricky Powell– photography
  • Jeremy Shatan – photography
  • Nathaniel Hörnblowér– photography
  • Dominick Watkins – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Mike Diamond, Adam Horovitz, Adam Yauch, John King, Mike Simpson.

  1. To All the Girls
  2. Shake Your Rump
  3. Johnny Ryall
  4. Egg Man
  5. High Plains Drifter
  6. The Sounds of Science
  7. 3-Minute Rule
  8. Hey Ladies
  9. 5-Piece Chicken Dinner
  10. Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun
  11. Car Thief
  12. What Comes Around
  13. Shadrach
  14. Ask for Janice
  15. B-Boy Bouillabaisse