User:Ohconfucius/Music

My collection
I still possess a collection of 1,200 vinyl LPs in addition to a collection of about 400 CDs. I own a reasonably high end hi-fi that I enjoy listen to music through. I used to buy at least two albums a week, but have become more discriminating in what I buy. I am not at all into digital downloads for listening to music seriously, because I find the sound quality is often lacking. Downloads are my way of trying before I buy – I often use P2P networks to download potentially interesting music to listen to on my iPod. If I find something to my liking, I will then buy the CD. Uninteresting stuff gets deleted within a matter of days. That doesn't mean I don't make spontaneous purchases when I go shopping for music.

Tastes are fairly mainstream, into 1970s New Wave, New Romantics, Rock, Jazz Funk/Fusion, Jazz. I'm utterly tired of overproduced studio albums and loudness wars, and I seem to have found my solace in live albums old and new.

Favourite albums (in alphabetical order)

 * Adolescent Sex, Japan – pure raw rock energy from this novice outfit, before the introspective and ambient period
 * Aja, Steely Dan – without doubt the best from the Becker and Fagen stable, their creative lyrics and melodies; superb drumming by Steve Gadd, and guitar work from Larry Carlton amongst others – from the best session musicians in the business.
 * Back on the Block, Quincy Jones &dash; multi-layered pop artistry from the man who created 'The King of Pop'
 * Battle Studies, John Mayer – Creative and versatile, his songs are catchy and his mastery of the various styles of Blues makes him one of my favourite contemporary bluesmen.
 * Black Holes and Revelations, Muse
 * Black Market Music, Placebo
 * Buena Vista Social Club, Buena Vista Social Club –I was so totally blown over by this, introduced to my through cinema, 15 years ago. Buena Vista Social Club was that film, which introduced a bunch of magnificent musicians long-forgotten because of the US boycott/embargo of Cuba. Most of the folks who comprised the group who recorded the album of the same name were octogenarians at the time they were re-discovered, and have gone to meet their makers, but thanks to Wim Wenders and Ry Cooder for bring these wonderful artists to public attention.
 * By All Means, Alphonse Mouzon
 * Continuum, John Mayer
 * Crime of the Century (album), Supertramp – this was the second album I learned to listen to, and appreciate, all the way through. The first one was the concept album by Pink Floyd.
 * Crocodiles, Echo & the Bunnymen
 * Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, Elton John &dash; Crocodile Rock around the clock
 * Dynamite, Jamiroquai
 * Dummy, Portishead – Trip Hop is a particular favourite sub-genre of mine.
 * Emergency on Planet Earth, Jamiroquai
 * Eric Carmen, Eric Carmen – solo debut from my favourite power balladeer, the blend of rock, pop and classical makes this an album for all moods.
 * Fear of Music, Talking Heads
 * Frank, Amy Winehouse – She shone bright, but for a really short time. Shame she joined the 27 Club.
 * Fulfillingness' First Finale, Stevie Wonder
 * Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa – highly commercial album with many-a-potential hit. I don't know for how long this will please but her Tiny Desk Concert oozed confidence, pop and sex appeal
 * Gaucho, Steely Dan – Becker and Fagen's creative lyrics and melodies, backed by just wonderful musicianship from the best session musicians in the business.
 * Heavy Weather, Weather Report
 * Introducing...Rubén González, Ruben Gonzales
 * Kimono My House, Sparks – Zany. Its nonsensical title and matching album cover make for a cult classic, IMHO
 * Kind of Blue, Miles Davis – Miles was the coolest, and jazz just doesn't get smoother and seductive than this recording
 * Machine Gun, The Commodores – the title track, an instrumental with its moog arrangement, was my introduction into jazz funk.
 * Marquee Moon, Television
 * Metal Box, Public Image Limited – landmark post-punk album, served literally in a metal film canister
 * My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello – 1960s-influenced debut album from this successful musician. In production terms, it's very minimalist. You can feel the anger in most of Elvis' vocals; every time I listen to the title track, I can't stop the tears welling up in my eyes.
 * Nevermind, Nirvana – aside from the Pixies, Nirvana defined Grunge sound. Shame Kurt Cobain joined the 27 Club
 * Protection, Massive Attack – slow burn of British trip hop is just perfectly complemented by Tracy Thorn's smoky vocals on the title track; I'm forever mesmerised by the breathing sounds that run through on "Heat Miser".
 * Queen II, Queen – where Gothic rock began; the album that spawned "Bohemian Rhapsody"
 * Rapture, Anita Baker – powerful schmaltzy soaring mellow ballads. When I put this on, I have the same sweet warm feeling that I have when drinking hot chocolate. Ever the Soulstress, this is only bettered by her more energetic prior release The Songstress
 * Real to Real Cacophony, Simple Minds
 * Regatta De Blanc, The Police – No, you don't have to put on the red light. Green all the way.
 * Rubber Soul, The Beatles – includes 4 of my perennial Beatles favourites Drive My Car, Nowhere Man, Norwegian Wood and In My Life
 * School Days, Stanley Clarke
 * Silk, Fuse One
 * Silk Degrees, Boz Scaggs – Pop songs from this blues musician, served up with the backing of the best session musicians in the business at the time (and that led directly to the formation of Toto)
 * Soul Mining, The The
 * Tales, Marcus Miller – Miller redefines "jazz-funk". Funkadelic and Larry Graham did their bit for the movement, but Miller carries the torch in sophistication.
 * The Open Door, Evanescence
 * The Raspberries, The Raspberries – nobody for me outdoes the power ballad of the Raspberries' first album. "I Can Remember" is a perennial favourite on my platter
 * The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga – A cleverly constructed blend of infectiously catchy pop tunes laced with Power Pop, Glam Rock, Country & Western, Hip Hop. The energy levels are always in high-gear; the melodrama surprises. Highlights include the Abbesque "Alejandro"; the obsessive "Paparazzi" (viz: I'm you biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me, Papa Paparazzi...); how she puts on the most cheeky Southern Twang a la Tammy Wynette in "Speechless" really does me in.
 * Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust – iconic David Bowie
 * Tin Drum, Japan – Japan's final studio album, and idiosyncratic to the end. Its melodies take time to get used to due to the frequent use of discordant tones.
 * Transformer, Lou Reed &dash; Yea, be sure to take that walk on the wild side
 * Weekend in L.A., George Benson – I love listening to the guitar work on his earlier stuff (Verve) the best, but this live album before the era of overproduction, the title track and the 10-minute cover of Leiber–Stoller tune "On Broadway", complete with his unmistakable guitar work and scats, is soul music at its best.
 * When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish – clever music and lyrics, quirky and creative production, her vocal style just sends me up in goosepimples.