One of the things people rarely speak about having a vinyl collection - or any other physical media for that matter - is that really there are no essentials, and these lists are just someone's skewed idea of what a collection should be or have in order to pass muster. Bottom line, collect what you like, some might be in these lists, most won't be, but it'll be your collection and not what some shmuck thinks you should have.
Totally agreed. The idea of essential albums or albums you should own is a turn off to me and I find rather patronising. I'm not amiss to checking out a couple of them but the whole idea is a bit of a non starter. If there's concept of what a collection should be, that is -filled with "essentials" then I have a terrible record collection.
First piece of advice I was given when I started collecting: do not buy “must have albums”, buy the albums you truly like. Sometimes it’s hard to follow because that anxious “I might be missing out on something great” feeling but I consider it to be one of the best advices. Thanks for the video, Frank!
I agree with this but often where there's smoke there's fire so I sometimes check out stuff that is considered classic because I may indeed be missing out on something great. Streaming makes that super easy and if I really like it I might buy it!
I think it’s best to buy albums you’re sure you gonna to listen to. I brought some classic albums I really really love but now I don’t hear them very often.
I love buying albums I have no idea about and then sitting down and listening all the way through. It's usually a little safer bet when it's critically acclaimed but not always.
True! There’s a number of classics I’m just not a fan of. I can understand their genius but just on a preference level, I know it’s not for me. Not knocking certain classics, but I feel everyone has a taste and you should respect your taste.
I definitely would go with "Era Vulgaris" or Lullabies for vinyl, considering Songs for the Deaf were mixed to imitate the sound of a car stereo. Even though I will be passing up on Mosquito Song
@@JeanMarceaux there are so many car audio systems that would be dificult to point out one type and from which year, i do like queens of the stone age but it´s three first albums were really good ,after seems a Josh Holmes solo Lp´s and i do like some songs
So no Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, no Abbey Road, no Captain Fantastic, no Hunky Dory, no All Things Must Pass, no Band On The Run, no The Wall. Clearly the list is subjective. I'd even add Billy Joel Turnstiles, Ozzy Blizzard of Ozz, Tom Petty Full Moon Fever, etc... The other Queen I would suggest is The Game (for me, at least).
What is missing? A lot! Chicago - "II" Herbie Hancock - "Headhunters" The Mahavishnu Orchestra - "The Inner Mounting Flame" Grand Funk Railroad - self-titled "red album" Yes - "Close to the Edge" King Crimson - "Red" Miles Davis - "Bitches Brew" Gentle Giant - "Octopus" Billy Cobham - "Spectrum" Weather Report - "Heavy Weather" The Claypool Lennon Delirium - "South of Reality" The Black Crowes - "The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion" Led Zeppelin - "Physical Graffiti" Motorhead - "Overkill" Pink Floyd - "Animals" Return to Forever - "Romantic Warrior" Jeff Beck - "Wired" Al Di Meola - "Elegant Gypsy" King Buffalo - "The Burden of Restlessness" Buddy Rich & Max Roach - "Rich Verses Roach" The Who - "Live at The Isle of Wight" Allman Brothers Band - "Live at The Fillmore East" Black Sabbath - "Black Sabbath" Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Electric Ladyland" Snarky Puppy - "We Like It Here" Primus - "Frizzle Fry" Frank Zappa - "Hot Rats" Jethro Tull - "Thick As a Brick"
you just named a bunch of records you love. they aren't essentials and they aren't missing, because for example with me I hate Yes, King Crimson and dislike Led Zeppelin.
@@thebasedgodmax1163 Well, nobody I know would ever buy vinyl records of albums that they don't like, so I don't get your point. Actually, I personally own every single one of the albums I listed on vinyl because they all sound great in the vinyl format, and so they are essential to me. I also own almost all them on CD too, but I prefer listening to them on the turntable. So basically, my list is a list of albums that are well-suited for the vinyl format, they all sound great on vinyl, and for anyone else who loves any of those albums as much as I do, then getting them on vinyl is essential. Albums could never be considered essential to a person who doesn't actually like them.
@@BayouMaccabee so thats the point. theres no “essential” albums because everyone has a different taste. so the list isn’t missing those albums, they’re just albums you personally love
Most depressing album I've ever heard, yet I love it. Considering the circumstances under which it was made, I approach it as a suicide note set to (hypnotic) music.
@@dan.nashmusic coloured?as i know they make only in wax the coloured vinyl as it isn´t possible to make vinyl in colours, but i do have several and are just ok ,the same with picture discs , i already saw some video of someone saying the picture discs it´s only good to put it on the wall, but i have them since the 80´s ,normally ofered and i don´t notice any decrease of quality but to new vinyl i do notice the decrease of quality and much worst than picture discs, i bought the Master of Puppets LP as the old copy that were 2 x45 rpm records and it sounds not that good in new vinyl but the older one sounded incredible ,other is ride the lightening, that was ofered to me as a picture disc ,in 33rpm and it sounds very good against the newest edition that sounds dull, well all sound dull ,this new vinyl versions and if from digital masters ,they should sound perfect, as i never looked for it but in 1990 i bought a doble LP live and it said in the back "directelly recorded into dAT" and sounds really amazing and it´s only guitars ,drums and voice
Definitely give joy division's unknown pleasures a listen. So influential. Production is atmospheric and innovative for the time. Lyrics are weighty and genuine. An absolute post-punk classic that paved the way for the goth sound.
I was recommended Unknown Pleasures by Henry Rollins and Bill Burr! I never had a strong opinion of Joy Division up to that point, I obviously knew ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ which I thought was an okay song, but holy shit had I been missing out!! Just that first 30 seconds of ‘Disorder’ and I was immediately ‘hook’ed!!…..Hooked?…as in…Peter…H, I’ll show myself out🙃
Absolutely classic album. The huge sincerity of the music and lyrics puts it on a level that few bands achieve, let alone sustain. But I always cringe when Joy Division get's put in the same sentence as goth...
@@sulate1 Not classifying joy division as goth. But their sound and lyrical themes are proto-goth. Their ascetic is not teased hair, make-up, and bondage gear. They looked like a group of normal lads. But ian curtis brought the darkness .
This is one record I honestly don't understand what it is about. I really do like lo-fi style production and all, but with that album it's just bad. It sounds poorly produced in all the wrong ways. Everything sounds flat, indistinct, mushy and lifeless. Except Ians voice that jumps out completely separate from the rest of soundstage. Like they brought C-cassette with the instrumental to the studio and then used proper equipment to record vocals on top of that. There's plenty of albums that I'm not that interested, or don't really like, but can see the appeal, Queen, RHCP, Oasis, heck even Eminem... I don't get Joy Division. What is that makes it so special as many think?
Agreed. I need to get another one because the one I picked up at Barnes & Noble skips on one of my favorite tracks. Is there no quality control at the mastering plants?
I have to say that Portishead’s “Dummy” is a great album for vinyl specifically. Even if you’ve never heard the band I’d suggest to you or anyone as it’s just that good from front to back.
May I suggest, if you haven’t listen to Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasure” yet. Watch the movie, “24 hour party people”. It’s about the founding of factory records. There’s an awesome scene where they’re recording, and the producer makes the drummer unassemble the drum kit and reassemble it on the roof to get a more pure sound, it is phenomenal, and really shows why this is a great album to own on vinyl. All around one of the best rock and roll movies ever!
There are 2 things I really love about vinyl collecting. The artwork on the covers and exploring bands most people have never heard of. It was the artwork on Iron Maiden albums that first got me interested in vinyl records. I remember the first time I saw a buddy’s collection of Maiden in the mid 80’s. Loved the music, but it was the art that made me want to start buying them. And a tape or CD just isn’t the same as the full sized art on a vinyl record. So with that said, I am immediately drawn to an album if it has great an interesting cover. That has to be factored in when picking an essential list in my opinion. I also love discovering bands that flew under the radar of most radio stations. I’ve discovered in recent years bands like Truth and Janey, Farm and JPT Scare Band among others. Most of the records on this list are mainstream, and while that’s not necessarily bad, it’s not always the best music, just the most popular. In the end, your essential list isn’t gonna be mine and that’s fine. I’m not spending hard earned money on something I’ll never listen.
As a hip hop fan, the must own records are Beastie Boys- Paul’s Boutique Wu Tang Clan- 36 Chambers Nas- Illmatic Dr Dre- The Chronic Kanye West- The College Dropout J Dilla- Donuts Kendrick Lamar- good kid maad city Outkast- Aquemini Madvillian (MF DOOM and Madlib)- Madvilliany
@@ashleybuck6508 I'm building up my Led Zeppelin vinyl collection - some are original pressings, others are reissues - but the great thing is they look exactly the same as they did 50 years ago 😆. I got a new copy of Led Zeppelin II yesterday and I'm looking forward to a record show next week wherein I hope I can find a copy of their first one, so I'll have all the Zep LPs. Led Zeppelin is essential to own on vinyl as well as CD/I tunes.....
@@farrellmcnulty909 enjoy them and cherish them ,There is few better things than to get the Led out on vinyl, some of mine are proper old early pressings and they sound better and better with age . Enjoy.
@@ashleybuck6508 I have had the CD since I was a teenager and decided to buy the LP as it's my fav LZ album. The vinyl just blew the CD out of the park. I hardly ever play the CD now.
Queen - I love their first three albums - they're perfect. They weren't really concerned with making hits until Night at the Opera, but Queen, Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack are such great jam records.
Here's a few that I think are essential. Joni Mitchell - Hejira Steely Dan - Aja King Crimson - Discipline Marvin Gaye - What's Going On Heart - Little Queen Santana - Abraxas Van Halen - Van Halen Boston - Don't Look Back Supertramp - Breakfast In America Pretenders - Pretenders Depeche Mode - Violator Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance
Prince's Sign O The Times should be on that list because in my opinion and in many critics opinion it is a perfect album and easily the greatest album he ever released.
I discovered that Joy Divisions album from a vinyl podcast I was listening to. Man was it a pleasant surprise!! I feel it is a VERY unknown album that more rock fans need to check out if they haven’t yet.
Stranded on a desert island, five have to haves. David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust. MC5, Back in the USA. Frank Zappa, Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation. Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run. Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experience.Led Zeppelin, Two. Beatles, Abby Road. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black. Pretenders, One. Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Deja Vu. Ok, so I can't count.
One of the happiest days of my life was the day I finally unloaded all the Pink Floyd albums I had been handed from the record collections of my uncles. I've heard a lot of Pink Floyd -- but the only essential listening, I think is The Wall and Syd Barrett's contributions. Nirvana being on the list makes sense but, honestly, I'd put In Utero on the list for vinyl. I still remember stopping dead in my tracks while I was listening to the new copy of In Utero that I had purchased on vinyl (can't remember what year it was) and I realized that the original Steve Albini mixes of the In Utero songs had been pressed on vinyl, years before they were made widely available through one of the anniversary reissues. That was a great moment; it happened to me in the solo break on "Heart-Shaped Box". Mmmmaybe Songs For The Deaf? Either that or Rated R. I'd go with Rated R. I ABSOLUTELY understand and agree with Blood Sugar Sex Magik being on this list. The binaural production of it blew my mind when I was a kid and still does to this day; I still think it's cool that you can really hear the room. My first copy was on cassette when I was a kid and that was good, vinyl makes sense too because, like with cassette, there's no hard breaks between songs.
One of the reasons, Dark Side is consistently in these lists, is how good it sounds. It's just one of those albums that is made to be played as a vinyl record, it's also why Eye in the Sky is popular, same guy Alan Parsons engineering. There are a lot of great sounding albums of course, but I think this is why Dark Side is always going to be mentioned, it's also one of those albums people used to use to test stereo equipment in stores.
Also, 100% checkout out Portishead. I can't imagine anyone not digging them. Some perfect chill out music with interesting concepts, amazing songwriting, and fantastic vocals.
De La soul - 3 Feet High and Rising could have been on this list if vinyls of it werent so scarce! A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppeln IV those were definately missing!
I love Electric Warrior. It was after I'd gotten into "Born to Boogie" when that was reissued, and I was all about T-Rex, but Electric Warrior is a great album.
Missing off of that list, easy. Physical Graffiti, Electric Ladyland, School's Out, London Calling, Days Of Future Passed, Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols, After School Session, They Only Come Out At Night and Blood, Sweat & Tears. An honorable Mention to Fire And Water.
I understand why both Radiohead and Joy Division are not some people’s cup of tea (the same goes for The Cure, The Smiths, & even Echo & The Bunnymen) but as a huge fan of this type of music, I completely agree that Radiohead’s “OK, Computer” should be on this list (so long as you listen to it the very first time with your therapist) Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” belongs on this list for too many reasons to mention. Is it dark? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. Did it influence a shite-ton of bands? H-E double hockey sticks YES!!!
I don't think anyone could argue OK Computer doesn't belong on this list. It's a hugely influential landmark album that is timeless and the production is insane
I have never been a fan of a must list. I have been buying music since I was 9 years old ( 1972 ) and i have so many kinds of groups and singers in my collection. And as I grow older ( I'm now 60 ) my taste is still expanding, although I still like the music I bought back in the 70's now I'm buying music from today. What I'm trying to say is buy , collect, and listen to WHAT YOU LIKE AND WANT not what is on somebody's must have list.
I think they kind of missed it on the jazz picks. Everyone goes with Miles Davis and John Coltrane. What about Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, and Hank Mobley? One of my favorite jazz LPs is from the WAAAYYYY back machine- the Benny Goodman 1938 Jazz Concert from Carnegie Hall.
This is my list, in no particular order: Björk - Debut David Bowie - The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from Mars Mike Oldfield - Crises Kate Bush - The sensual world Pink Floyd - Wish you were here Enya - Watermark Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus Frank Sinitra - The great American songbook Faithless - Reverence Kate Bush - The Dreaming Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygene Heilung - Lifa Enigma - MCMxC a. D. Yes - Close to the edge King Crimson - Red Jethro Tull - Aqualung Kate Bush - Hounds of love Faith no more - Angel dust Depeche Mode - Violator The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time out The Cure - Wish ABBA - Arrival King Crimson - The power to believe Metallica - Master of puppets Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King (An observation by King Crimson) Au revoir Simone - Move in spectrums Nirvana - Nevermind Prince - Purple rain Genesis Selling England by the pound
@@TorontoJon @twisted view labs @Ronald Weed @Gavin Hardy Thank you :) But it's not easy to limit myself to 30 - even though I could only put albums on there that I'm familiar with. And I didn't spend much time on it ;) And this one is very subjective
I gave away all my Pink Floyd albums. I only had 3, but they were the Big 3. Guy at work is bigger fan, so got them. I blame radio for my “it’s Pink Floyd again”.
I was really surprised to see "Electric Warrior" here, but it is definitely underrated AND stunning on vinyl (so smooth intro to the album with "Mambo Sun")
So many records missing from this list. No Zeppelin no Back in Black no Soundgarden I would pick Badmotorfinger. How about Bird and Run DMC? Eagles Bowie GnR and the list goes on. I would lean more heavy and your point about made for vinyl is a good one so most of the music post 90’s was made to be played on CD so point taken. Rolling Stone has a better 100 list of albums you should listen to so I would start their.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Frank. As with any list, these are subjective and always reflect the opinions of others. Listen to what you want, and make your own list. I'd love to see you go through what you find essential.
Vinyl resurgence is Based on top selling Lp's . While all other Great unknown artist set on the shelf gathering Dust . Same goes for streaming royalty's
Got to have some Deep Purple, Jimmy Hendrix Experience, Cream, Bon Scott era AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, surely ? Also The Small Faces' "Ogdens nut gone flake" , "Never mind the bollocks" by the Sex Pistols and the Ramones eponymous first album.
Stooges - Raw Power Practically anything Bowie did in the 70's Lou Reed - Transformer Sparks - Kimono My House Any of the first 4 Ramones albums The Clash - London Calling Devo - Are We Not Men
Coming from one of those countries where English is not the native language, but 80-90% of the commercial music is English nontheless, the complete and utter ignorance of Anglo-American people towards music in other languages never ceases to amaze me. What about Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel? What about your own huge backyard, Latin America? Let alone the rest of the world.
No mention of David Bowie. The Joy Division and Portishead albums are essential to listen to at least once Frank. You should also listen to the Queen Albums Queen and Queen II. A true story. When Songs For The Deaf was released there was a listening party at a major club in our City. A group of people with hearing impairment went along in error thinking it was a general meeting for people who were deaf. When they found it wasn't what they thought it was, they started kicking off and there was a complete riot. It was major news in the UK.
I am a Beatles guy having been a pre-teen when they hit America on Ed Sullivan. My favortie album is Rubber Soul though a lot of people would say Revolver. For me their best album is Abbey Road. Also, where are Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and the essential Prog records, ELP, Yes, etc. Most of these lists can be ignored.
Hi Frank, I completely agree with you, there are records designed and created for compact discs and not exactly for vinyl. I would love a video of you telling us what yours are, your personal list of albums to have on vinyl. Regards and happy new year!!!
I'd say that for obvious reasons it is essential to have "Dr. Z - Three Parts To My Soul" because of the aura it has. The initial UK 1971 pressing cost nearly 3,000 dollars if I get it right. Plus to that, the music is non-banal, the original cover is non-trivial and the resulting product captures the essence of prog and the nature of the time it was recorded at perfectly. There's certainly no need to hunt for quite that extra expensive pressing - for there are lots of newer ones that cost much less. Also, I'd say there are reasons to own the vinyl LP "All Of Us" by [the British] Nirvana...
I don’t think any album should be essential to own on Vinyl, the only essential albums to own on Vinyl are from the music you are into. I’m very new to Vinyl and currently only have 8 albums on Vinyl but they are from my favourite albums, I don’t get those that buy stuff that they are not into.
Music is all about opinions Frank and i have about 5 from the list you read out.....including Funkadelic, which I bought after you reviewed it on this show. Suprised not to see any Bowie or Led Zep and maybe this list also included album sales which would relate to more popularity. Anyway, Happy New Year to you and your family, have a great 2023 and I'm off to paint and rearrange the music room/office. Keep on spinnin !!
Enter the Wu-Tang absolutely belongs on this list imo, if you’re looking for that golden era hip hop it is such an easy listen start to finish and full of some great hits. As for Revolver it’s a very interesting choice for a Beatles album. If I were going to say one that anyone should at least give a listen to it would be Sgt Peppers (even though it’s not my favorite) simply for the significance of it in their discography
One of things I hope to do this year is add some "essentials" to my collection, including Thriller and Purple Rain. I think some of this is more personal, but I do agree with a few of those. I don't care of Neil Young, so having anything of his on vinyl would be pointless. I also agree with Frank that Zep and Marvin Gaye is missing. I have Revolver, though if you are a fan of The Beatles, then Abbey Road should be on your list as well. I bought a few over 2022 that for me seemed essential ... Jesus Christ Superstar with the original cast (Ian Gillan as Jesus), the first Dickey Betts and Great Southern album, some older Steve Winwood albums, Commander Cody's Lost in the Ozone, Billy Thorpe's Children of the Sun, Triumph's Just a Game. I was able to get a couple of Phil Keaggy vinyls that were never put onto cd or digital format, so that was exciting, as well as a vinyl of his The Master and the Musician.
1st Prodigy album should definitely be on the list. No Alice Cooper, Zeppelin, D. Purple, AC/DC, Bowie, Kraftwerk. Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone from Greece.
I'm a bit late, but a bit of trivia on your last offering - Joy Division's lead singer (I believe OD'd), the band then spun into a new band - New Order, Which maybe you've heard of? Tracks include Blue Monday & Bizarre Love Triangle.... both bands are decent
So no Bowie album whatsoever… im a huge bowie fan so I understand I have some bias but still, the dude was a timeless artist nonetheless with his art and music
Genesis….A Trick of The Tail, Selling England by The Pound, Foxtrot. Rush…Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves. Yes…Close to The Edge, Fragile, The Yes Album.
I am not an Oasis fan either, but as you say, Morning Glory was mixed not only for CD, but for the purpose of being loud. On a pub jukebox, it was a juggernaut that just crushed everything else. Whenever a track came on, your ears were sawn off by the onslaught. The album was uncouth and relentless - much like its fans. I only hope the vinyl version was afforded an appropriate mix.
My dad suggested I should collect all these classic albums. What I actually collect are anime and video games OST vinyls. He kinda dissappointed when I show him my evangelion LPs.
You hint at some of these: Marvin Gaye "What's Going On", Otis Redding "Blue", Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced", The Who "Who's Next", Led Zeppelin "II". There are many others that I would choose over Red Hot Chili Peppers and Portishead but pretty subjective list. I would rather listen to Herbie Hancock "Headhunters" than about 1/2 of these. And yes, when it comes to the Beatles and Rolling Stones who should most definitely be on the list, there are many others to choose from. I like "Goat's Head Soup", "Let It Bleed" and "Aftermath" just as much as "Sticky Fingers" and "Rubber Soul", "White Album" and "Abbey Road" as much as "Revolver".
I'll concede "Thriller" sounds awesome on vinyl. BUT it actually sounds amazing on all formats! It's the production that's glorious! Most people mention the amazing sound of "thriller" or Daft Punk's "discovery" on vinyl without realizing they also sound equally as amazing on CD and cassette. Ta very much Frank, all the best to you and your family. I was thrown a curve-ball last year by finding out that I'm losing my hearing. I have no treble left and have to wear digital hearing aids now or the world sounds like I'm underwater. I don't know how long I will be able to hear music or play my guitar which I didn't expect to happen in my late 40's but I no longer care too much about quality of sound, I'll take what I can get and consider myself blessed to hear anything. Music is a wonderful gift.
Sad times when someone tells you what to listen to, what to read, how to spend your free time, etc. etc. Good thing we had the freedom of the sixties to have something nice to look back on. It's time to leave this world.
From that list ... or another ... i think that there are a very few Top Albums, and more Top Titles. An album like Purple Rain is top from the beginning to the end, most of these album have 1,2,3 ... titles which are essential. We could add a bunch of others albums, thank you for remembering me some forgotten musics that i added to my QOBUZ playlists.
I buy my Vinyl because I love the music, an essential list seems more like a list for a collector of vinyl rather than a lover of the music. I would love to see some people in the VC start putting out lists that introduce people to new genres they may never have listened to before. Eg a series based on genres and decades ie "10 or 20 awesome albums to introduce you to" 50s Blues" "80s Classic Rock" "90s Punk" "2000s EDM" "80s New Wave" "90s Indie Rock" "2010's pop" etc etc etc. As my interest is in the music not people doing "show and tell"
miles...coltrane...pink floyd...amy winehouse.........yeah...that's about it....(by the way...loved your 'oasis' take...too funny...)....everyone has their own taste and if this is his, god bless...some of my list (off the top of my head) would include tracy chapman 'tracy chapman'...bob dylan 'highway 61 revisited'...cassandra harris 'coming forth by day'...leonard cohen 'thanks for the dance'...charlie parker 'summit meeting at birdland'...jimmy smith 'prayer meetin''...jethro tull 'minstrel in the gallery...sonny rollins 'the bridge'...elvis presley 'from elvis in memphis'...al green 'i'm still in love with you'...billie holiday 'lady in satin'...the score for the tv show 'firefly' and and the film 'serenity'...led zeppelin 'houses of the holy''...velvet underground 'velvet underground and nico'...everything by martha argerich and cecilia bartoli as well as a whole lot of other classical and opera such as handel's 'water music...holst's 'the planets'...and wagner's.'der ring des nibelungen'..vinyl is not just about being a record...the pops and quirks that an original copy of a record from the classic jazz era or the greatest rock decades of the 60's and 70's, creates a sound that is unique to it's own assembly of the lyrics and music...so it doesn't need to be perfect...but it needs to be vinyl......happy new year my friend...a good one ahead for the entire family...peace always...rocky
Like you, Wish You Were Here over DSOTM for me, Harvest over After the Gold Rush, In Rainbows over OK Computer (on vinyl anyway...hoping for an eventual repress of the 45rpm), Blood Sugar Sex Magic for sure (one of my favorite snare sounds, though I'm also fond of the unique snare sound on Our Lady Peace's debut Naveed), Revolver IS my favorite Beatles record, I'm more a fan of Metallica's first 3 albums (yup, I'm that guy), definitely missing Back in Black!
Have to have some Peter Frampton (Comes Alive comes to mind). Zeppelin; I’d go with their 4th, or more likely Physical Graffiti. Grand Funk Railroad, Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel…at least in my collection.
Bob Dylan, Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 would be on my list of top 30 vinyl albums to own. I think it would be a fun exercise to create a list of my own.
Hello Frank ! Happy new year. Everyone would have a different list. Even if they were supposed to do the selection for everyone else. My list would only have a maximum of 10 albums from this one. Adding some Hendrix , Bowie , Springsteen , Elvis , Dylan , Zeppelin , Deep Purple , Kiss , AC/DC , Sex Pistols , Bob Marley , Kraftwerk , Iron Maiden , Madonna , U2 and NWA. Imo , these have released albums that really pushed the boundries. But , HEY , that’s me.
For me it is missing: - The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds - Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell - Whitesnake - 1987 - Foreigner - 4/Agent Provocateur - Alice Cooper - Trash - Green Day - American Idiot - My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade - Asia - Asia - House of Lords - Sahara - Boston - Third Stage
One of the things people rarely speak about having a vinyl collection - or any other physical media for that matter - is that really there are no essentials, and these lists are just someone's skewed idea of what a collection should be or have in order to pass muster. Bottom line, collect what you like, some might be in these lists, most won't be, but it'll be your collection and not what some shmuck thinks you should have.
Very well said🔥
Totally agreed. The idea of essential albums or albums you should own is a turn off to me and I find rather patronising. I'm not amiss to checking out a couple of them but the whole idea is a bit of a non starter. If there's concept of what a collection should be, that is -filled with "essentials" then I have a terrible record collection.
Disagree.
@@austinhunt4260 While I certainly respect your point of view, may I please ask that you elaborate on it?
Exactly. My collection, my favorites. All killer no filler
First piece of advice I was given when I started collecting: do not buy “must have albums”, buy the albums you truly like. Sometimes it’s hard to follow because that anxious “I might be missing out on something great” feeling but I consider it to be one of the best advices. Thanks for the video, Frank!
I agree with this but often where there's smoke there's fire so I sometimes check out stuff that is considered classic because I may indeed be missing out on something great. Streaming makes that super easy and if I really like it I might buy it!
@@CounterRhythms Same here.
I think it’s best to buy albums you’re sure you gonna to listen to. I brought some classic albums I really really love but now I don’t hear them very often.
I love buying albums I have no idea about and then sitting down and listening all the way through. It's usually a little safer bet when it's critically acclaimed but not always.
True! There’s a number of classics I’m just not a fan of. I can understand their genius but just on a preference level, I know it’s not for me. Not knocking certain classics, but I feel everyone has a taste and you should respect your taste.
"Radiohead", "Queens of the Stone age" and the old "Red hot chilli peppers" are some of my favorits.
For me very Essential for sure.
I definitely would go with "Era Vulgaris" or Lullabies for vinyl, considering Songs for the Deaf were mixed to imitate the sound of a car stereo.
Even though I will be passing up on Mosquito Song
@@JeanMarceaux there are so many car audio systems that would be dificult to point out one type and from which year, i do like queens of the stone age but it´s three first albums were really good ,after seems a Josh Holmes solo Lp´s and i do like some songs
So no Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, no Abbey Road, no Captain Fantastic, no Hunky Dory, no All Things Must Pass, no Band On The Run, no The Wall. Clearly the list is subjective. I'd even add Billy Joel Turnstiles, Ozzy Blizzard of Ozz, Tom Petty Full Moon Fever, etc... The other Queen I would suggest is The Game (for me, at least).
What is missing? A lot!
Chicago - "II"
Herbie Hancock - "Headhunters"
The Mahavishnu Orchestra - "The Inner Mounting Flame"
Grand Funk Railroad - self-titled "red album"
Yes - "Close to the Edge"
King Crimson - "Red"
Miles Davis - "Bitches Brew"
Gentle Giant - "Octopus"
Billy Cobham - "Spectrum"
Weather Report - "Heavy Weather"
The Claypool Lennon Delirium - "South of Reality"
The Black Crowes - "The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion"
Led Zeppelin - "Physical Graffiti"
Motorhead - "Overkill"
Pink Floyd - "Animals"
Return to Forever - "Romantic Warrior"
Jeff Beck - "Wired"
Al Di Meola - "Elegant Gypsy"
King Buffalo - "The Burden of Restlessness"
Buddy Rich & Max Roach - "Rich Verses Roach"
The Who - "Live at The Isle of Wight"
Allman Brothers Band - "Live at The Fillmore East"
Black Sabbath - "Black Sabbath"
Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Electric Ladyland"
Snarky Puppy - "We Like It Here"
Primus - "Frizzle Fry"
Frank Zappa - "Hot Rats"
Jethro Tull - "Thick As a Brick"
I would probably go for "in the court of the crimson king" over "red" but apart from that, great list
you just named a bunch of records you love. they aren't essentials and they aren't missing, because for example with me I hate Yes, King Crimson and dislike Led Zeppelin.
@aviation cat close to the edge is insanely overrated.
@@thebasedgodmax1163 Well, nobody I know would ever buy vinyl records of albums that they don't like, so I don't get your point. Actually, I personally own every single one of the albums I listed on vinyl because they all sound great in the vinyl format, and so they are essential to me. I also own almost all them on CD too, but I prefer listening to them on the turntable. So basically, my list is a list of albums that are well-suited for the vinyl format, they all sound great on vinyl, and for anyone else who loves any of those albums as much as I do, then getting them on vinyl is essential.
Albums could never be considered essential to a person who doesn't actually like them.
@@BayouMaccabee so thats the point. theres no “essential” albums because everyone has a different taste. so the list isn’t missing those albums, they’re just albums you personally love
Try the Joy Division. Personally I prefer 'Closer' (1980), but you can't go wrong with 'Unknown Pleasures' (1979).
Yup... some stuff I definitely need to check out.
Same here. I prefer Closer. It's got to be the darkest heartfelt vibe I've ever heard.
Most depressing album I've ever heard, yet I love it. Considering the circumstances under which it was made, I approach it as a suicide note set to (hypnotic) music.
Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers) is one of the best rap albums of all time. It was the first rap album I bought on vinyl. Absolute classic!
It's a masterpiece
Have it as well on wax. It's a front to back banger
Totally agree
yeah but it's lofi so no point to buy it vinyl, waste of money, point of essentials is to show what's worth buying
@@dan.nashmusic coloured?as i know they make only in wax the coloured vinyl as it isn´t possible to make vinyl in colours, but i do have several and are just ok ,the same with picture discs , i already saw some video of someone saying the picture discs it´s only good to put it on the wall, but i have them since the 80´s ,normally ofered and i don´t notice any decrease of quality but to new vinyl i do notice the decrease of quality and much worst than picture discs, i bought the Master of Puppets LP as the old copy that were 2 x45 rpm records and it sounds not that good in new vinyl but the older one sounded incredible ,other is ride the lightening, that was ofered to me as a picture disc ,in 33rpm and it sounds very good against the newest edition that sounds dull, well all sound dull ,this new vinyl versions and if from digital masters ,they should sound perfect, as i never looked for it but in 1990 i bought a doble LP live and it said in the back "directelly recorded into dAT" and sounds really amazing and it´s only guitars ,drums and voice
Definitely give joy division's unknown pleasures a listen. So influential. Production is atmospheric and innovative for the time. Lyrics are weighty and genuine. An absolute post-punk classic that paved the way for the goth sound.
I was recommended Unknown Pleasures by Henry Rollins and Bill Burr! I never had a strong opinion of Joy Division up to that point, I obviously knew ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ which I thought was an okay song, but holy shit had I been missing out!! Just that first 30 seconds of ‘Disorder’ and I was immediately ‘hook’ed!!…..Hooked?…as in…Peter…H, I’ll show myself out🙃
Absolutely classic album. The huge sincerity of the music and lyrics puts it on a level that few bands achieve, let alone sustain. But I always cringe when Joy Division get's put in the same sentence as goth...
@@sulate1 Not classifying joy division as goth. But their sound and lyrical themes are proto-goth. Their ascetic is not teased hair, make-up, and bondage gear. They looked like a group of normal lads. But ian curtis brought the darkness .
Alternatively, give This Heat's "Deceit" a listen. It's not post punk per se, it's… unique.
This is one record I honestly don't understand what it is about. I really do like lo-fi style production and all, but with that album it's just bad. It sounds poorly produced in all the wrong ways.
Everything sounds flat, indistinct, mushy and lifeless. Except Ians voice that jumps out completely separate from the rest of soundstage. Like they brought C-cassette with the instrumental to the studio and then used proper equipment to record vocals on top of that.
There's plenty of albums that I'm not that interested, or don't really like, but can see the appeal, Queen, RHCP, Oasis, heck even Eminem... I don't get Joy Division. What is that makes it so special as many think?
Any essential vinyl list without David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars cannot be taken seriously.
True... some obvious holes in the list.
Agreed. I need to get another one because the one I picked up at Barnes & Noble skips on one of my favorite tracks. Is there no quality control at the mastering plants?
THE COMPLETE TRUTH OMG YES
A G R E E D
Ah yes, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars. or, TRAFOZSATSFM!!
I have to say that Portishead’s “Dummy” is a great album for vinyl specifically. Even if you’ve never heard the band I’d suggest to you or anyone as it’s just that good from front to back.
May I suggest, if you haven’t listen to Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasure” yet. Watch the movie, “24 hour party people”. It’s about the founding of factory records. There’s an awesome scene where they’re recording, and the producer makes the drummer unassemble the drum kit and reassemble it on the roof to get a more pure sound, it is phenomenal, and really shows why this is a great album to own on vinyl. All around one of the best rock and roll movies ever!
There are 2 things I really love about vinyl collecting. The artwork on the covers and exploring bands most people have never heard of. It was the artwork on Iron Maiden albums that first got me interested in vinyl records. I remember the first time I saw a buddy’s collection of Maiden in the mid 80’s. Loved the music, but it was the art that made me want to start buying them. And a tape or CD just isn’t the same as the full sized art on a vinyl record. So with that said, I am immediately drawn to an album if it has great an interesting cover. That has to be factored in when picking an essential list in my opinion.
I also love discovering bands that flew under the radar of most radio stations. I’ve discovered in recent years bands like Truth and Janey, Farm and JPT Scare Band among others. Most of the records on this list are mainstream, and while that’s not necessarily bad, it’s not always the best music, just the most popular. In the end, your essential list isn’t gonna be mine and that’s fine. I’m not spending hard earned money on something I’ll never listen.
As a hip hop fan, the must own records are
Beastie Boys- Paul’s Boutique
Wu Tang Clan- 36 Chambers
Nas- Illmatic
Dr Dre- The Chronic
Kanye West- The College Dropout
J Dilla- Donuts
Kendrick Lamar- good kid maad city
Outkast- Aquemini
Madvillian (MF DOOM and Madlib)- Madvilliany
Great list! You forgot: A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory. One of the greatest albums of all time that sounds amazing on vinyl.
Licensed to I’ll, Straight outta Compton, Bigger and deffer, and Raising hell are essential as well as Life is… Too Short
No Run DMC?
@@Diatonic5th all sound amazing in vinyl
Led Zep 2 has a huge sound on vinyl. Definitely give Amy Winehouse a few more listens. A stunning record.
Absolutely, Led zeppelin 2 is my top album of all time and sounds utterly incredible on vinyl 👌🏻
@@ashleybuck6508 I'm building up my Led Zeppelin vinyl collection - some are original pressings, others are reissues - but the great thing is they look exactly the same as they did 50 years ago 😆. I got a new copy of Led Zeppelin II yesterday and I'm looking forward to a record show next week wherein I hope I can find a copy of their first one, so I'll have all the Zep LPs. Led Zeppelin is essential to own on vinyl as well as CD/I tunes.....
@@farrellmcnulty909 enjoy them and cherish them ,There is few better things than to get the Led out on vinyl, some of mine are proper old early pressings and they sound better and better with age . Enjoy.
@@farrellmcnulty909 I'm doing the same. Currently waiting patiently for Physical Graffiti to be delivered at the moment 🙂
@@ashleybuck6508 I have had the CD since I was a teenager and decided to buy the LP as it's my fav LZ album. The vinyl just blew the CD out of the park. I hardly ever play the CD now.
Queen - I love their first three albums - they're perfect. They weren't really concerned with making hits until Night at the Opera, but Queen, Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack are such great jam records.
Here's a few that I think are essential.
Joni Mitchell - Hejira
Steely Dan - Aja
King Crimson - Discipline
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Heart - Little Queen
Santana - Abraxas
Van Halen - Van Halen
Boston - Don't Look Back
Supertramp - Breakfast In America
Pretenders - Pretenders
Depeche Mode - Violator
Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance
Judas Priest - Killing Machine. I think it is the best sounding they ever did.
Prince's Sign O The Times should be on that list because in my opinion and in many critics opinion it is a perfect album and easily the greatest album he ever released.
1999 was his best album.
I discovered that Joy Divisions album from a vinyl podcast I was listening to. Man was it a pleasant surprise!! I feel it is a VERY unknown album that more rock fans need to check out if they haven’t yet.
King Crimson - In the court of the crimson King should be on the list!
Saw a toddler in a Nirvana T-shirt the other day. I guess the times have changed.
The Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magic most certainly deserves to be there in a list of essential albums.
I think Californication is better but both great
I think Californication is better but both great
I Agree 100%
@@jasonjohnston3451yeah, for sure still more lofi
Stranded on a desert island, five have to haves. David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust. MC5, Back in the USA. Frank Zappa, Apostrophe/Overnight Sensation. Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run. Jimi Hendrix, Are You Experience.Led Zeppelin, Two. Beatles, Abby Road. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black. Pretenders, One. Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Deja Vu. Ok, so I can't count.
No Presley, Led, or AC/DC. Thumbs down on their list.
Some big holes for sure... I think narrowing it down to 30 is an impossible task.
One of the happiest days of my life was the day I finally unloaded all the Pink Floyd albums I had been handed from the record collections of my uncles. I've heard a lot of Pink Floyd -- but the only essential listening, I think is The Wall and Syd Barrett's contributions.
Nirvana being on the list makes sense but, honestly, I'd put In Utero on the list for vinyl. I still remember stopping dead in my tracks while I was listening to the new copy of In Utero that I had purchased on vinyl (can't remember what year it was) and I realized that the original Steve Albini mixes of the In Utero songs had been pressed on vinyl, years before they were made widely available through one of the anniversary reissues. That was a great moment; it happened to me in the solo break on "Heart-Shaped Box".
Mmmmaybe Songs For The Deaf? Either that or Rated R. I'd go with Rated R.
I ABSOLUTELY understand and agree with Blood Sugar Sex Magik being on this list. The binaural production of it blew my mind when I was a kid and still does to this day; I still think it's cool that you can really hear the room. My first copy was on cassette when I was a kid and that was good, vinyl makes sense too because, like with cassette, there's no hard breaks between songs.
Wow! No Dylan, Springsteen, Hendrix, Led Zep, Patti smith, Clash, Public enemy, the list goes on
@@wesleymidgley4699 I did mention Zeppelin 😏
One of the reasons, Dark Side is consistently in these lists, is how good it sounds. It's just one of those albums that is made to be played as a vinyl record, it's also why Eye in the Sky is popular, same guy Alan Parsons engineering. There are a lot of great sounding albums of course, but I think this is why Dark Side is always going to be mentioned, it's also one of those albums people used to use to test stereo equipment in stores.
Also, 100% checkout out Portishead. I can't imagine anyone not digging them. Some perfect chill out music with interesting concepts, amazing songwriting, and fantastic vocals.
A few people have mentioned this... sounds like I have been missing out. I will check out some Portishead this week.
controversial opinion: Third is the best Portishead album
De La soul - 3 Feet High and Rising could have been on this list if vinyls of it werent so scarce!
A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppeln IV
those were definately missing!
I love Electric Warrior. It was after I'd gotten into "Born to Boogie" when that was reissued, and I was all about T-Rex, but Electric Warrior is a great album.
Missing off of that list, easy. Physical Graffiti, Electric Ladyland, School's Out, London Calling, Days Of Future Passed, Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols, After School Session, They Only Come Out At Night and Blood, Sweat & Tears. An honorable Mention to Fire And Water.
Check out that Joy División record, such a classic "dark" record, I personally love it! Thanks for the video as always!
Frank you really should do a video with your own 30 essential albums
It would be hard to narrow it down...
I understand why both Radiohead and Joy Division are not some people’s cup of tea (the same goes for The Cure, The Smiths, & even Echo & The Bunnymen) but as a huge fan of this type of music, I completely agree that Radiohead’s “OK, Computer” should be on this list (so long as you listen to it the very first time with your therapist) Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” belongs on this list for too many reasons to mention. Is it dark? Yes. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. Did it influence a shite-ton of bands? H-E double hockey sticks YES!!!
I don't think anyone could argue OK Computer doesn't belong on this list. It's a hugely influential landmark album that is timeless and the production is insane
@@guitareater6975 I could argue that it's not everyone's taste. I love Radiohead.
I have never been a fan of a must list. I have been buying music since I was 9 years old ( 1972 ) and i have so many kinds of groups and singers in my collection. And as I grow older ( I'm now 60 ) my taste is still expanding, although I still like the music I bought back in the 70's now I'm buying music from today. What I'm trying to say is buy , collect, and listen to WHAT YOU LIKE AND WANT not what is on somebody's must have list.
Never trust someone that doesn’t Iike Rhcp.
I think they kind of missed it on the jazz picks. Everyone goes with Miles Davis and John Coltrane. What about Art Blakey, Lee Morgan, and Hank Mobley? One of my favorite jazz LPs is from the WAAAYYYY back machine- the Benny Goodman 1938 Jazz Concert from Carnegie Hall.
This is my list, in no particular order:
Björk - Debut
David Bowie - The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the spiders from Mars
Mike Oldfield - Crises
Kate Bush - The sensual world
Pink Floyd - Wish you were here
Enya - Watermark
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus
Frank Sinitra - The great American songbook
Faithless - Reverence
Kate Bush - The Dreaming
Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygene
Heilung - Lifa
Enigma - MCMxC a. D.
Yes - Close to the edge
King Crimson - Red
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Kate Bush - Hounds of love
Faith no more - Angel dust
Depeche Mode - Violator
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time out
The Cure - Wish
ABBA - Arrival
King Crimson - The power to believe
Metallica - Master of puppets
Mike Oldfield - Tubular bells
King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King (An observation by King Crimson)
Au revoir Simone - Move in spectrums
Nirvana - Nevermind
Prince - Purple rain
Genesis Selling England by the pound
Lots of great albums on your list for sure. :)
excellent selections indeed.
Great picks
An eclectic and excellent mix. Admittedly; I’m familiar with the names only for some of your selections.
@@TorontoJon @twisted view labs @Ronald Weed @Gavin Hardy Thank you :) But it's not easy to limit myself to 30 - even though I could only put albums on there that I'm familiar with. And I didn't spend much time on it ;) And this one is very subjective
I gave away all my Pink Floyd albums. I only had 3, but they were the Big 3.
Guy at work is bigger fan, so got them.
I blame radio for my “it’s Pink Floyd again”.
I really appreciate the Cowboy Bebop vinyl being front and center in your collection/videos. The seatbelts are something else!
That is such an amazing record!
Own the music you enjoy. That's it.
100% as everybody has different opinions when it comes to music .
The newest remaster of whats the story sounds incredible on vinyl
I was really surprised to see "Electric Warrior" here, but it is definitely underrated AND stunning on vinyl (so smooth intro to the album with "Mambo Sun")
So many records missing from this list. No Zeppelin no Back in Black no Soundgarden I would pick Badmotorfinger. How about Bird and Run DMC? Eagles Bowie GnR and the list goes on. I would lean more heavy and your point about made for vinyl is a good one so most of the music post 90’s was made to be played on CD so point taken. Rolling Stone has a better 100 list of albums you should listen to so I would start their.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Frank. As with any list, these are subjective and always reflect the opinions of others. Listen to what you want, and make your own list. I'd love to see you go through what you find essential.
Vinyl resurgence is Based on top selling Lp's . While all other Great unknown artist set on the shelf gathering Dust . Same goes for streaming royalty's
I agree 100%.
Got to have some Deep Purple, Jimmy Hendrix Experience, Cream, Bon Scott era AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, surely ? Also The Small Faces' "Ogdens nut gone flake" , "Never mind the bollocks" by the Sex Pistols and the Ramones eponymous first album.
Stooges - Raw Power
Practically anything Bowie did in the 70's
Lou Reed - Transformer
Sparks - Kimono My House
Any of the first 4 Ramones albums
The Clash - London Calling
Devo - Are We Not Men
You need Bowie and Zep and Zappa in your record collection...and Made in Japan of course :-) Cheers.
Coming from one of those countries where English is not the native language, but 80-90% of the commercial music is English nontheless, the complete and utter ignorance of Anglo-American people towards music in other languages never ceases to amaze me. What about Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel? What about your own huge backyard, Latin America? Let alone the rest of the world.
I think that “trout mask replica” deserves a spot on this list for sure
No mention of David Bowie.
The Joy Division and Portishead albums are essential to listen to at least once Frank.
You should also listen to the Queen Albums Queen and Queen II.
A true story. When Songs For The Deaf was released there was a listening party at a major club in our City. A group of people with hearing impairment went along in error thinking it was a general meeting for people who were deaf. When they found it wasn't what they thought it was, they started kicking off and there was a complete riot. It was major news in the UK.
I am a Beatles guy having been a pre-teen when they hit America on Ed Sullivan. My favortie album is Rubber Soul though a lot of people would say Revolver. For me their best album is Abbey Road. Also, where are Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and the essential Prog records, ELP, Yes, etc. Most of these lists can be ignored.
Not for nothing but the first two have a connection, Gilmour and Bush are friends and Gilmour was a large part in Kate's discovery.
Hi Frank, I completely agree with you, there are records designed and created for compact discs and not exactly for vinyl. I would love a video of you telling us what yours are, your personal list of albums to have on vinyl. Regards and happy new year!!!
I'd say that for obvious reasons it is essential to have "Dr. Z - Three Parts To My Soul" because of the aura it has. The initial UK 1971 pressing cost nearly 3,000 dollars if I get it right. Plus to that, the music is non-banal, the original cover is non-trivial and the resulting product captures the essence of prog and the nature of the time it was recorded at perfectly. There's certainly no need to hunt for quite that extra expensive pressing - for there are lots of newer ones that cost much less.
Also, I'd say there are reasons to own the vinyl LP "All Of Us" by [the British] Nirvana...
Did Walmart compile the list? Seems it contains a lot of their exclusives or regular stock
I don’t think any album should be essential to own on Vinyl, the only essential albums to own on Vinyl are from the music you are into.
I’m very new to Vinyl and currently only have 8 albums on Vinyl but they are from my favourite albums, I don’t get those that buy stuff that they are not into.
Music is all about opinions Frank and i have about 5 from the list you read out.....including Funkadelic, which I bought after you reviewed it on this show. Suprised not to see any Bowie or Led Zep and maybe this list also included album sales which would relate to more popularity. Anyway, Happy New Year to you and your family, have a great 2023 and I'm off to paint and rearrange the music room/office. Keep on spinnin !!
Otis Redding - Otis Blue is an amazing album !
For the Rumours one get the ones pressed by Pallas or the double 45.
Enter the Wu-Tang absolutely belongs on this list imo, if you’re looking for that golden era hip hop it is such an easy listen start to finish and full of some great hits.
As for Revolver it’s a very interesting choice for a Beatles album. If I were going to say one that anyone should at least give a listen to it would be Sgt Peppers (even though it’s not my favorite) simply for the significance of it in their discography
One of things I hope to do this year is add some "essentials" to my collection, including Thriller and Purple Rain. I think some of this is more personal, but I do agree with a few of those. I don't care of Neil Young, so having anything of his on vinyl would be pointless. I also agree with Frank that Zep and Marvin Gaye is missing. I have Revolver, though if you are a fan of The Beatles, then Abbey Road should be on your list as well. I bought a few over 2022 that for me seemed essential ... Jesus Christ Superstar with the original cast (Ian Gillan as Jesus), the first Dickey Betts and Great Southern album, some older Steve Winwood albums, Commander Cody's Lost in the Ozone, Billy Thorpe's Children of the Sun, Triumph's Just a Game. I was able to get a couple of Phil Keaggy vinyls that were never put onto cd or digital format, so that was exciting, as well as a vinyl of his The Master and the Musician.
Steely Dan - AJA album is missing.
Essential vinyl lists are always wrong, buy what you want to buy.
1st Prodigy album should definitely be on the list.
No Alice Cooper, Zeppelin, D. Purple, AC/DC, Bowie, Kraftwerk.
Anyway, Happy New Year to everyone from Greece.
I'm a bit late, but a bit of trivia on your last offering - Joy Division's lead singer (I believe OD'd), the band then spun into a new band - New Order, Which maybe you've heard of? Tracks include Blue Monday & Bizarre Love Triangle.... both bands are decent
Robert Johnson King of the Delta Blues Singers
It’s where it all began
So no Bowie album whatsoever… im a huge bowie fan so I understand I have some bias but still, the dude was a timeless artist nonetheless with his art and music
Genesis….A Trick of The Tail, Selling England by The Pound, Foxtrot.
Rush…Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves.
Yes…Close to The Edge, Fragile, The Yes Album.
I am not an Oasis fan either, but as you say, Morning Glory was mixed not only for CD, but for the purpose of being loud. On a pub jukebox, it was a juggernaut that just crushed everything else. Whenever a track came on, your ears were sawn off by the onslaught. The album was uncouth and relentless - much like its fans. I only hope the vinyl version was afforded an appropriate mix.
My dad suggested I should collect all these classic albums.
What I actually collect are anime and video games OST vinyls.
He kinda dissappointed when I show him my evangelion LPs.
Bro, i was waiting the entire time for led zeppelin II
Frank your missing out on not listening to Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division!!!!! Did Led Zeppelin not make that list!?!?!?!?
T-Rex isn't talked about much - they're still overrated and underhated imho.
The village Green preservation society by The Kinks needs to be on here. It’s one of the greatest albums of all time and it sound’s amazing in vinyl.
Good shout
You hint at some of these: Marvin Gaye "What's Going On", Otis Redding "Blue", Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced", The Who "Who's Next", Led Zeppelin "II". There are many others that I would choose over Red Hot Chili Peppers and Portishead but pretty subjective list. I would rather listen to Herbie Hancock "Headhunters" than about 1/2 of these. And yes, when it comes to the Beatles and Rolling Stones who should most definitely be on the list, there are many others to choose from. I like "Goat's Head Soup", "Let It Bleed" and "Aftermath" just as much as "Sticky Fingers" and "Rubber Soul", "White Album" and "Abbey Road" as much as "Revolver".
Totally agree Frank. Pink Floyd’s “Wish you were here” is a better album than “Dark side of the moon”
I'll concede "Thriller" sounds awesome on vinyl. BUT it actually sounds amazing on all formats! It's the production that's glorious! Most people mention the amazing sound of "thriller" or Daft Punk's "discovery" on vinyl without realizing they also sound equally as amazing on CD and cassette. Ta very much Frank, all the best to you and your family. I was thrown a curve-ball last year by finding out that I'm losing my hearing. I have no treble left and have to wear digital hearing aids now or the world sounds like I'm underwater. I don't know how long I will be able to hear music or play my guitar which I didn't expect to happen in my late 40's but I no longer care too much about quality of sound, I'll take what I can get and consider myself blessed to hear anything. Music is a wonderful gift.
List are a bit overrated ,no surprise s. On this list very conventional picks.yawn
Sad times when someone tells you what to listen to, what to read, how to spend your free time, etc. etc. Good thing we had the freedom of the sixties to have something nice to look back on. It's time to leave this world.
Collect shit because you like it not because someone else thinks you need it.
IMO a standard issue album which exemplifies the vinyl experience is Gene Clark's "No Other". I also enjoy Little Feat quite a bit on vinyl.
but I put my vinyl copy of "Sticky Fingers" in my storage compartment and the zipper put a dent in the album it was leaning against
From that list ... or another ... i think that there are a very few Top Albums, and more Top Titles.
An album like Purple Rain is top from the beginning to the end, most of these album have 1,2,3 ... titles which are essential.
We could add a bunch of others albums, thank you for remembering me some forgotten musics that i added to my QOBUZ playlists.
Amorphis - Tales From The 1000 Lakes..... essential!
I buy my Vinyl because I love the music, an essential list seems more like a list for a collector of vinyl rather than a lover of the music.
I would love to see some people in the VC start putting out lists that introduce people to new genres they may never have listened to before.
Eg a series based on genres and decades ie "10 or 20 awesome albums to introduce you to" 50s Blues" "80s Classic Rock" "90s Punk" "2000s EDM" "80s New Wave" "90s Indie Rock" "2010's pop" etc etc etc.
As my interest is in the music not people doing "show and tell"
No Police (or Sting), no Supertramp, no Stevie Wonder, COME ON!!!
almost forgot, Happy New Years y'all! let's hope 2023 rocks out to 11!
also, Blur > Oasis but Manic Street Preachers blow them both away
This is definitely missing Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited
miles...coltrane...pink floyd...amy winehouse.........yeah...that's about it....(by the way...loved your 'oasis' take...too funny...)....everyone has their own taste and if this is his, god bless...some of my list (off the top of my head) would include tracy chapman 'tracy chapman'...bob dylan 'highway 61 revisited'...cassandra harris 'coming forth by day'...leonard cohen 'thanks for the dance'...charlie parker 'summit meeting at birdland'...jimmy smith 'prayer meetin''...jethro tull 'minstrel in the gallery...sonny rollins 'the bridge'...elvis presley 'from elvis in memphis'...al green 'i'm still in love with you'...billie holiday 'lady in satin'...the score for the tv show 'firefly' and and the film 'serenity'...led zeppelin 'houses of the holy''...velvet underground 'velvet underground and nico'...everything by martha argerich and cecilia bartoli as well as a whole lot of other classical and opera such as handel's 'water music...holst's 'the planets'...and wagner's.'der ring des nibelungen'..vinyl is not just about being a record...the pops and quirks that an original copy of a record from the classic jazz era or the greatest rock decades of the 60's and 70's, creates a sound that is unique to it's own assembly of the lyrics and music...so it doesn't need to be perfect...but it needs to be vinyl......happy new year my friend...a good one ahead for the entire family...peace always...rocky
I'm surprised Steely Dan's Aja isn't on this list
Like you, Wish You Were Here over DSOTM for me, Harvest over After the Gold Rush, In Rainbows over OK Computer (on vinyl anyway...hoping for an eventual repress of the 45rpm), Blood Sugar Sex Magic for sure (one of my favorite snare sounds, though I'm also fond of the unique snare sound on Our Lady Peace's debut Naveed), Revolver IS my favorite Beatles record, I'm more a fan of Metallica's first 3 albums (yup, I'm that guy), definitely missing Back in Black!
Yall have to get Youthquake and Mad, Bad, And Dangerous To Know by Dead or Alive
Have to have some Peter Frampton (Comes Alive comes to mind). Zeppelin; I’d go with their 4th, or more likely Physical Graffiti. Grand Funk Railroad, Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel…at least in my collection.
Bob Dylan, Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 would be on my list of top 30 vinyl albums to own. I think it would be a fun exercise to create a list of my own.
Hello Frank ! Happy new year. Everyone would have a different list. Even if they were supposed to do the selection for everyone else. My list would only have a maximum of 10 albums from this one. Adding some Hendrix , Bowie , Springsteen , Elvis , Dylan , Zeppelin , Deep Purple , Kiss , AC/DC , Sex Pistols , Bob Marley , Kraftwerk , Iron Maiden , Madonna , U2 and NWA.
Imo , these have released albums that really pushed the boundries. But , HEY , that’s me.
Joy Division is absolutely a must in any collection
No AC/DC or any other metal bands. To me that list was kinda wacky 😂 Happy New Year to you and your family ☺️👍
I would highly recommend Nirvana`s "In Utero" over "Nevermind"
For me it is missing:
- The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
- Meat Loaf - Bat out of Hell
- Whitesnake - 1987
- Foreigner - 4/Agent Provocateur
- Alice Cooper - Trash
- Green Day - American Idiot
- My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
- Asia - Asia
- House of Lords - Sahara
- Boston - Third Stage