I’ll have to keep looking in now 
Ready for some more?
Okay, the next few I’ll briefly mention until we get to No.921 for the next full entry.
No.929: “Surprise” by Paul Simon (2006)
Paul Simon never disappoints both with his solo offerings or his famous duets with his partner in crime, Art Garfunkel. More albums featured later on from both.
No.928: “The Wave” by Tom Chaplin (2016)
Keane’s Tom Chaplin released his first solo album to rave reviews. Obviously, it’s very much like his main band’s output but more personal in its lyric writing.
No.927: “My Universe” by The Shires (2016)
Second album from this very promising UK country-rock male/female duo. I caught them live supporting Jeff Lynne last year and they really do put on an excellent show.
No.926: “Engineers” by Engineers (2005)
If any band reminds me of 60’s experimental outfit The Silver Apples it’s this combo. Restrained and obscure, it’s a very competent album.
No.925: “Cass County” by Don Henley (2015)
Country album from Eagles main man Don Henley, his first solo release for 15 years. A little disappointing in places but it pulls through on the strength of Henley’s unsurpassed songwriting. Many more Henley & Eagles albums to follow.
No.924: “All The Little Lights” by Passenger (2012)
Passenger is a UK singer-songwriter best known for some introspective singles. Prefer him any day to the vastly overrated Ed Sheeran (IMO).
No.923: Stranger Comes To Town" by Steve Harley (2010)
Steve Harley plods on with a series of very good solo records, interspersed with his touring schedule, now back with Cockney Rebel for some anniversary dates this year.
No.922: “Going Back Home” by Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey (2014)
Taking most of their material from old Dr. Feelgood tracks and original rhythm and blues standards, Johnson teamed up with The Who’s Daltrey in the wake of the aforementioned guitarist’s cancer scare a few years back. A gritty, excitable album.
No.921: “Heart Like A Wheel” by Linda Ronstadt (1974)
One of the greatest country stars, Ronstadt has associations with the biggest names of the genre. With this, her masterpiece, she sings songs old and new, penning some absolute classics such as this beautiful title track:
No.920: “Standing At The Sky’s Edge” by Richard Hawley (2012)
Former member of Pulp, Richard Hawley has brought out a string of successful solo albums. His voice, compared often to that of the great Roy Orbison, is a deep baritone which complements his superb lyric writing.
No.919: “Free Peace Sweet” by Dodgy (1996)
Nineties indie-pop at its best from this Beatles-influenced band. Full of summery pop songs including this single highlight:
No.918: “Dust Bowl” by Joe Bonamassa (2011)
Along with Walter Trout, Joe Bonamassa keeps modern blues alive. He’s a one-man organisation who releases a couple of high quality albums every year, plus those with his ‘other band’ Black Country Communion and his playing is unsurpassed. I have simply got to see this man live.
No.917: “Sonik Kicks” by Paul Weller (2012)
Former Jam frontman Weller with his trademark uptempo rough boys sound.
No.916: “Ace Of Spades” by Motorhead (1980)
Just as I write, this week saw the last remaining member of this unidisputed peerless metal band pass away, 100 mph guitarist ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke. To complement the line-up of this ferocious band were drummer Phil ‘Philthy’ Animal Taylor and the legendary Lemmy Kilmister on those wonderful gutteral, growling vocals. A band right up there with the greatest of them all. here’s their ultimate masterpiece:
I tell you what else I am enjoying Floydy, the idea of proper album covers. Somehow CD covers are not the same. I love seeing all the different designs and artwork.
That’s a great idea actually, Longdogs. What I’ll try to do is dig out some of the older albums’ gate-fold sleeves etc. That will make an interesting alternative.
Sorry to cause you even more work - but I do remember the excitement of opening a new album cover and reading all the blurb inside.
No, on the contrary, Longdogs. It will make things more interesting seeing other aspects to the album in question. Maybe the odd picture of the band etc too, I dunno yet.
As I said though, it’s only really worth doing this with albums from the pre-CD era, as those little inlay cards don’t really offer much in the way of elaborate artwork.
I’m thinking of those wonderfully-designed Yes sleeves by Roger Dean, or the Hipgnosis ones for Pink Floyd…but you are going to have to wait a very long time for those!
Bee Gees First is an excellent debut album.
It is, Ffosse. New York Mining Disaster etc. Sadly, I missed that one!:shock:
Just another note on eligibility for inclusion.
As the list goes forth, you will notice the absence of some very major acts, some of them who would feature in a list of favourite artists but not in an albums list.
This is mostly because many artists are known for a whole array of singles, but as album acts they are not so highly praised.
Such genres include those 1960’s acts such as all those Beatles-era bands who had some big hits, same as Tamla Motown vocal groups - they are best known for their greatest hits packages than their own original albums. See what I mean? I’ve mentioned before that my list is not going to be littered with ‘best ofs’ as that merely highlights the artist rather than the merits of a proper release. Another genre is the ‘crooner’ - Andy Williams was one of my favourite vocalists but as an album artist, you will only find the odd classic single amongst a track listing of old cover versions.
Same goes for the 1970s - Slade, The Sweet, Mud. Great singles but that’s it really. Disco and punk bands who had the odd one-hit wonder cannot be judged on the strength of one single, so they are not featured. On the other hand, respective artists ie. The Clash or The Stranglers have plenty of albums in here.
That’s what made The Beatles so great,top twenty singles and good,original albums.
No.922: “Going Back Home” by Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey (2014)
Thanks for the info,I’m going to look out for that.
Dr Feelgood were one of the best live acts.
That’s the exception isn’t it? The Beatles, Stones (up to the early 80’s anyway), Abba even…great singles and albums. Most bands have one or the other.
As far as I know, Wilko & Daltrey made a follow-up last year, but I haven’t heard that one yet.
No.915: “A Road Less Travelled” by Half Dead Clatch (2013)
Want something really obscure? This is a bluesman from Hull called Half Dead Clatch. A locally-produced album limited to just a handful of copies, here’s the man in action:
No.914: Violator" by Depeche Mode (1990)
Basildon’s finest export who have been around almost 40 years now(!) with their first ‘mature’ album. Putting aside their synths for more guitar-driven rock-pop, Violator includes the lead single ‘Personal Jesus’ plus this classic:
No.913: “Cuts Like A Knife” by Bryan Adams (1983)
Before this Canadian rocker gave up all his street cred in favour of the big bucks and some very turgid hits-by-numbers, Adams came out with some very good material such as this second album.
