Tag Archives: 500 greatest albums of all time

AC/DC: Back In Black

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ACDC_Back_in_Black

On July 25, 1980, “Albert / Atlantic” labels released “Back in Black”, the seventh  AC/DC studio album. It was recorded April–May 1980, at “Compass Point Studios” in Nassau, Bahamas, and was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange. The album’s all-black cover was designed as a “sign of mourning” for band’s original singer Bon Scott, who died in 1980. “Back in Black” was huge commercial success; it has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, becoming the the second-highest-selling album in history. “Back in Black” was certified Platinum in Argentina by “CAPIF”; 12 x Platinum in Australia by “ARIIA”; Platinum in Austria by “IFPI”; Diamond in Canada by “Music Canada”; 2 x Platinum in France by “SNEP”; 2 x Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; Platinum in Italy by “FIMI”; 2 x Platinum in Switzerland by “IFPI”; Platinum in UK by “BPI” and 22 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”. In 2001, “VH1” ranked “Back in Black” at number 82 on its list of the “Top 100 Albums”; in 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 77 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2010, “Back in Black” was ranked at number 2 in the book “100 Best Australian Albums”.

Personnel:

  • Brian Johnson– lead vocals
  • Angus Young– lead guitar
  • Malcolm Young– rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Cliff Williams– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Phil Rudd– drums
  • Tony Platt– engineer assistant
  • Benji Armbrister – engineer assistant
  • Jack Newber – engineer assistant
  • Brad Samuelsohn –mixing
  • Bob Ludwig– mastering
  • Bob Defrin –art direction
  • Robert Ellis –photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson.

  1. Hells Bells
  2. Shoot to Thrill
  3. What Do You Do for Money Honey
  4. Given the Dog a Bone
  5. Let Me Put My Love into You
  6. Back in Black
  7. You Shook Me All Night Long
  8. Have a Drink on Me
  9. Shake a Leg
  10. Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution

Elvis Costello: My Aim Is True

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My Aim_is True

On July 22, 1977, “Stiff” label released “My Aim Is True”, the debut Elvis Costello  album. It was recorded 1976 – 1977, at “Pathway Studios” in London, and was produced by Nick Lowe. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “My Aim Is True” at number 168 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; the same year, the TV network “VH1” named “My Aim Is True” the 80th greatest album of all time. In 2007, the album was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame”.

Personnel:

  • Elvis Costello– vocals, guitar, piano, drumsticks
  • Nick Lowe– piano, bass, drumsticks, backing vocals,
  • John McFee– lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals
  • Sean Hopper– piano, organ, backing vocals
  • Stan Shaw – organ
  • Steve Nieve– organ and piano overdubs
  • Johnny Ciambotti – bass, backing vocals
  • Andrew Bodnar– bass
  • Mickey Shine – drums
  • Steve Goulding– drums
  • Barney Bubbles – design

Track listing:

All tracks by Elvis Costello.

  1. Welcome to the Working Week
  2. Miracle Man
  3. No Dancing
  4. Blame It on Cain
  5. Alison
  6. Sneaky Feelings
  7. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
  8. Less Than Zero
  9. Mystery Dance
  10. Pay It Back
  11. I’m Not Angry
  12. Waiting for the End of the World

 

 

John Mayal & The Bluesbreakers: Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton

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Bluesbreakers_John_Mayall_with_Eric_Clapton

On July 22, 1966, “Decca” label released “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton”, an album by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. It was recorded in April 1966, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 195 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • John Mayall– lead vocals, piano, Hammond B3 organ, harmonica
  • Eric Clapton– lead vocals, lead guitar,
  • John McVie– bass guitar
  • Hughie Flint– drums
  • Alan Skidmore– tenor saxophone
  • Johnny Almond– baritone saxophone
  • Derek Healey – trumpet
  • Gus Dudgeon– engineer

Track listing:

  1. All Your Love – Otis Rush
  2. Hideaway – Freddie King, Sonny Thompson
  3. Little Girl – John Mayall
  4. Another Man – John Mayall
  5. Double Crossing Time – Eric Clapton, John Mayall
  6. What’d I Say – Ray Charles
  7. Key to Love – John Mayall
  8. Parchman Farm – Mose Allison
  9. Have You Heard – John Mayall
  10. Ramblin’ on My Mind – Robert Johnson
  11. Steppin’ Out – C. Frazier
  12. It Ain’t Right – Little Walter

Guns N’ Roses: Appetite For Destruction

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Appetite for Destruction

On July 21, 1987, “Geffen” label released “Appetite for Destruction”, the debut Guns N’ Roses studio album. It was recorded March – April 1987, at “Rumbo Studios”;  “Canoga Park”; “Take One Studio”; “The Record Plant”, and “Can Am Studio” in California, and was produced by Mike Clink. In 1989, “Rolling Stone” ranked “Appetite for Destruction” at number 62 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2003, “VH1”music channel ranked “Appetite for Destruction”  the 42nd “Greatest Album of All Time”; in 2006,  “Kerrang!” magazine ranked the album at number one on its list of “Best Rock Albums”.

Personnel:

  • Axl Rose– lead vocals, synthesizer, percussion
  • Slash– lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
  • Izzy Stradlin– rhythm guitar, lead guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Duff “Rose” McKagan– bass, backing vocals
  • Steven Adler– drums
  • Mike Clink– engineer
  • Dave Reitzas, Micajah Ryan, Andy Udoff, Jeff Poe, Julian Stoll,  Victor Deyglio – engineering assistant
  • Steve Thompson– mixing
  • Michael Barbiero– mixing
  • George Marino – mastering
  • Barry Diament – mastering
  • Michael Hodgson – art direction, design
  • Robert John, Jack Lue, Greg Freeman, Marc Canter, Leonard McCardie –photography

Track listing:

  1. Welcome to the Jungle – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  2. It’s So Easy – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler, West Arkeen
  3. Night Train – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  4. Out ta Get Me – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  5. Brownstone – W. Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  6. Paradise City – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  7. My Michelle – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  8. Think About You – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  9. Sweet Child’o Mine – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  10. You’re Crazy – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler
  11. Anything Goes – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler, Chris Weber
  12. Rocket Queen – Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Steven Adler

 

Black Sabbath: Master Of Reality

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Black_Sabbath_-_Master_of_Reality

On July 21, 1971, “Vertigo” label released “Master of Reality”, the third Black Sabbath studio album. It was recorded February – April 1971, at “Island Studios” in London, and was produced by Rodger Bain. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Master of Reality” at number 298 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2001, the album was certified 2 x Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Ozzy Osbourne – lead vocals
  • Tony Iommi – acoustic and electric guitar, synthesizer, flute, piano
  • Geezer Butler– bass guitar
  • Bill Ward– drums, percussion
  • Mike Stanfod – art direction
  • Keef – photography, poster design

Track listing:

All music by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward, except where noted.

  1. Sweet Leaf
  2. After Forever
  3. Embryo – lyrics by Geezer Butler, music by Tony Iommi
  4. Children of the Grave
  5. Orchid – lyrics by Geezer Butler, music by Tony Iommi
  6. Lord of This World
  7. Solitude
  8. Into the Void

Joy Division: Closer

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Joy Division - Closer

On July 18, 1980, “Factory” label released “Closer”, the second and final Joy Division studio album.It was released following the May 1980 suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis. “Closer” was recorded in March 1980, at “Britannia Row Studios” in London, and was produced by Martin Hannett. “NME” ranked the album at number 72 on its list of the “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”; “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked “Closer” at number 157 on its list of “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; in 2006, “Q” magazine ranked the album at number 8 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980s”, and “Slant” magazine ranked it at number 7 on its list of the “Best Albums of the 1980s”.

Personnel:

  • Ian Curtis– lead vocals, guitar, melodica
  • Bernard Sumner – guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers
  • Peter Hook– bass guitar, guitar, six-string bass guitar
  • Stephen Morris– drums, electronic drums, percussion
  • Martin Hannett– engineer
  • John Caffery – engineer
  • Michael Johnson – engineer assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Ian Curtis, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner.

  1. Atrocity Exhibition
  2. Isolation
  3. Passover
  4. Colony
  5. A Means to an End
  6. Heart and Soul
  7. Twenty Four Hours
  8. The Eternal
  9. Decades

The Yardbirds: Roger The Engineer

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Yardbirds - Roger the Engineer

On July 15, 1966, “Columbia” label released “Roger the Engineer”, the fourth Yardbirds (The) album. It was recorded April – June 1966, at “Advision Studios” in London, and was produced by Paul Samwell-Smith and Simon Napier-Bell. “Roger the Engineer” was the only Yardbirds album with all original material. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 349 on it s list of the “500 greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Keith Relf– lead vocals, harmonica
  • Jeff Beck– lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar
  • Chris Dreja– rhythm guitar, piano, backing vocals, cover design, artwork
  • Paul Samwell-Smith– bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Jim McCarty– drums, percussion, backing vocals, sleeve notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Chris Dreja, Jim McCarty, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, and Paul Samwell-Smith.

  1. Lost Woman
  2. Over Under Sideways Down
  3. The Nazz Are Blue
  4. I Can’t Make Your Way
  5. Rock My Mind
  6. Farewell
  7. Hot House of Omagarashid
  8. Jeff’s Boogie
  9. He’s Always There
  10. Turn into Earth
  11. What Do You Want
  12. Ever Since the World Began

Funkadelic: Maggot Brain

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Maggot_Brain

On July 12, 1971, “Westbounds Records” label released “Maggot Brain”, the third Funkadelic studio album. It was recorded 1970–1971, at “Universal Studios” in Detroit, and was produced by George Clinton. “Maggot Brain” was the last album to feature the original Funkadelic lineup –  after “Maggot Brain” was recorded, Tawl Ross, Eddie Hazel, Billy Nelson, and Tiki Fulwood left the band. In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 479 on its list of The “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • George Clinton, Raymond Davis, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, Grady Thomas, Garry Shider, Hot Buttered Soul – vocals
  • Eddie Hazel – vocals, guitar
  • Tawl Ross – vocals, guitar
  • Bernie Worrell – vocals, keyboards
  • Billy Nelson – vocals, bass guitar
  • Tiki Fulwood– drums
  • David Krieger – art direction
  • The Graffiteria/Paula Bisacca – design
  • Joel Brodsky – cover photography
  • Ron Scribner – inside cover photography
  • Bob Scerbo – album supervisor
  • Dorothy Schwartz – album coordinator
  • Armen Boladian – executive producer
  • Bernie Mendelson in charge of The Eegangas
  • Barbara Cheeseborough – album cover model

Track listing:

  1. Maggot Brain – Edward Hazel, George Clinton
  2. Can You Get to That – George Clinton, Ernest Harris
  3. Hit It and Quit It – George Clinton, William Nelson
  4. You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks – George Clinton, Clarence Haskins, William Nelson, Bernard Worrell, Judie Jones
  5. Super Stupid – Edward Hazel, Lucious Ross, William Nelson, George Clinton
  6. Back in Our Minds – Clarence Haskins
  7. Wars of Armageddon – Ramon Fulwood, Lucious Ross, George Clinton, Bernard Worrell

Fleetwood Mac: Same

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Fleetwood_Mac_-_Fleetwood_Mac

On July 11, 1975, “Reprise” label released the self-titled, tenth Fleetwood Mac album. It was recorded January–February 1975, at “Sound City Studios” in Van Nuys, California, and was produced by Fleetwood Mac and Keith Olsen. It was band’s first album to feature Lindsey Buckingham as guitarist and Stevie Nicks as vocalist. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 182 on its list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. The album was certified 5 x Platinum in the US by the “RIAA”.

Personnel:

  • Lindsey Buckingham– vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, resonator guitars
  • Stevie Nicks– vocals
  • Christine McVie– vocals, keyboards, synthesizer
  • John McVie– bass guitar
  • Mick Fleetwood– drums, percussion
  • Waddy– rhythm guitar
  • Keith Olsen – engineer
  • David Devore – 2nd engineer
  • Herbert W. Worthington II – photography

Track listing:

  1. Monday Morning – Lindsey Buckingham
  2. Warm Ways – Christine McVie
  3. Blue Letter –  Michael Curtis, Richard Curtis
  4. Rhiannon – Stevie Nicks
  5. Over My Head – Christine McVie
  6. Crystal – Stevie Nicks
  7. Say You Love Me – Christine McVie
  8. Landslide – Stevie Nicks
  9. World Turning – Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie
  10. Sugar Daddy – Christine McVie
  11. I’m So Afraid – Lindsey Buckingham

 

The Stooges: Fun House

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The-Stooges-Fun-House

On July 7, 1970, “Elektra” label released “Fun House”, the second  Stooges (The) studio album.  It was recorded May 1970 at “Elektra Sound Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Don Gallucci. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” ranked “Fun House” at number 191 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of all Time”.

Personnel:

  • Iggy Pop– vocals
  • Ron Asheton– guitar
  • Dave Alexander– bass guitar
  • Scott Asheton– drums
  • Steve Mackay– saxophone
  • Don Gallucci– organ overdubs
  • Brian Ross-Myring – engineer, remastering
  • Tom Hummer – engineer assistant

Track listing:

All tracks by Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton, and Iggy Pop.

  1. Down on the Street
  2. Loose
  3. V. Eye
  4. Dirt
  5. 1970
  6. Fun House
  7. A. Blues