December 22, 2024

Ten Years After – Essential

“Essential” by Ten Years After is something of a rarity as I find it faultless in collecting together on one CD what are the “Essential” recordings. In other words, a true “Bests Of” Ten Years After.

Gary Moore – We Want Moore

The songs from the main set don’t let up for a second, and in true eighties tradition Moore just blazes his fingers over them. All of the songs are over seven minutes long with extended solos.

The Who – Live at the Isle of Wight 1970

No other recording shows The Who in the entirety of their talents. Listening to Pete Townshend, at his most explosive leading the band through the shattering rock ‘n’ roll medley at the end of the set is nothing short of jaw-dropping.

Aerosmith – Nine Lives

From the opening squally feedback and Steve Tyler’s trademark caterwauling, there’s no mistaking whose album this is; there are some true stormers here.

Van Halen – Van Halen

One of the greatest party albums of all time by one of the greatest party bands of all time, these young tearaway Americans knew how to rock and enjoy themselves to the limit and beyond.

Ian Hunter – Rant, 2001

It’s always a happy thing when one of your favorite artists returns from a lengthy absence. What’s even happier is when he comes storming back with the sort of record that makes you realize why you held him in such high esteem in the first place. Rant is such an album.

Savoy Brown – Looking In

Probably Savoy Brown’s best and most successful album. It was recorded on a personnel precipice as within weeks of its release, three-quarters of the band deserted the ship leaving leader Kim Simmonds on his own

The Beatles – White Album

Better known as “The White Album,” this is undoubtedly The Beatles most mature and diverse album. Clocking in at ninety minutes, every track is a gem.