There are certain CDs which I’ve listened to 100s or 1000s of times, with no sign of growing tired of them yet. In no particular order:
Top 10 pop / rock:
- Bossanova by the Pixies. (1990)
- Tender Prey by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1988)
- Grinderman 2 by Grinderman (2010)
- Funeral by Arcade Fire (2004)
- The Clarence Greenwood Recordings by Citizen Cope (2004)
- Rain Dogs by Tom Waits (1985)
- Happenstance by Rachael Yamagata
- Aion by Dead Can Dance (1990)
- The Joshua Tree by U2 (1984)
- Remain in Light by Talking heads (1980)
- Unlonely by Megan Jerome (2004) [Realistically, I should cheat here and say ALL of Megan’s CDs belong on this list].
- (Untitled) by The Once (2009)
- Chocolate to the Bone by Guy Davis (2003)
- 3 Feet High and Rising By De La Soul (1989)
- Laughing Stock by Talk Talk (1991)
- Tramp by Sharon Van Etten (2012)
Top 10 Jazz
Changeless by the Keith Jarrett Trio (1992)
Live at the blue note (3 or 4?) kj3
What’s It All About by Pat Metheney (2011)
Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club with Ry Cooder (1997).
The International Baritone Conspiracy by Charles Papasoff (1996) OR Painless
Gnu High by Kenny Wheeler (1975)
Sonny Sharrock
A Love Supreme by The John Coltrane Quartet (1965)
Billie Holiday
Branford Marsalis The Beautfyl ones are not yet born?
Conference of the Birds by Dave Holland
Bela Fleck Throw Down Your Heart (coincides with 1 of the top 10 live concerts I’ve ever attended)
Witchi-Tai-To by The Bobo Stenson Quartet, Featuring Jan Garberek
Jessica Williams Joy
Top 10 classical / new music
The Goldberg Variations By J.S. Bach. The 1981 performance by Glenn Gould.
Tabula Rasa by Arvo Pärt (1984. ECM new series 1275)
Viva Voce by Madrigaia (2002)
Michael Nyman Sting Quartets OR drowning by numbers
Steve Reich? different trains / electric counterpoint
Voices of Light by Richard Einhorn
Symphony number 5 by Gustav Mahler (performance by)
Le Mystere de voix bulgares
Top 10 soundtracks
Solaris by Cliff Martinez (2002)
Mishima by Philip Glass (1985)
O brother where art thou
Buena Vista Social Club
Frank’s wild years
Peter Gabriel Passion