Mind Blowing Albums

[latitude]

I was talking about how SFTWC didn't exactly blow my mind, so I got to thinking about what albums DO blow my mind? I mean---really REALLY blow the mind. What I came up with was that '...El Dorado', 'WCN', and 'SWTP' semi-blow my mind, but the ones that highly and seriously blow my mind are all from the 70's. I just listened to the 'Madman...' album, and *there* you have a mind blowing album. And then there's 'Elton John', 'Tumbleweed...', 'Honky...', 'Cap't Fantasic...', 'GBYBR', even 'Don't Shoot Me...' at times, and part of 'Blue Moves'. It's not that I don't immensely enjoy a lot of his other albums. I do. But I'm talkin' about the blowing of the mind albums. It seems that that period of time was just SO amazing that nothing can ever eclipse those years (IMO of course). Why? I don't know. A tiny bit more creativity on Elton's part? Super duper production? The superior music? What? Maybe all of those things?

Anyway, is there anything that blows your *mind* as much as these blow mine?

[dougs]

Mind blowing albums?

Good question.

I would think, for me, mind blowing albums would be either an album with extraordinary songwriting consistency throughout or an album that sounds fresh and unique to me which could be either an older album that has something very special to offer or a newer album that sounds unlike anything I've heard before.  The "mind blowing sound" could be a very special vocalist, an extraordinary instrumentalist, a record with original and fresh production techniques and solid songwriting, or a songwriter who has managed to write something fresh and vibrant possibly a fusion of styles or something altogether new. Isaac Hayes wrote some 11 to 19 minute epic songs which were a fusion of soul, funk, R&B, jazz, and even rock resulting in some mind blowing music.  Punk music, grunge music, and rap music as examples, would have been mind blowing for many as each represented a new type of music that spoke for a younger generation at the time.

Let's see...

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON by Pink Floyd (1973) was mind blowing because of its excellence in its songwriting, instrumentalism, and its production.  A cohesive album that stood above the rest for lots of reasons.  The engineering and production efforts of Alan Parsons and Chris Thomas were superb.  That Clare Torry vocal was otherworldly.

PLAY by Moby (1999) was mind blowing because it was essentially an electronically based record which infused gospel, amazing old vocal samples, trip-hop, and was soulful and layered and energetic and, at times, raw all at the same time.  It was all over the map stylistically but managed to work and became a leader in its genre.

RUMOURS by Fleetwood Mac (1977) was somewhat mind blowing for mostly its consistency in songwriting (Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks) and performance over all 11 songs.  The production sound (Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut) was so good that those songs that sounded fresh & vibrant in 1977 sound the same in 2018.  

From Elton, I would say that GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD is clearly a mind blowing record.  "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" is an progressive rock epic and the songwriting is so varied in style and high in quality throughout the album.  The playing, singing, and production (Gus) are all at the highest level.  Elton does so many styles on GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD and he does them well.  The band is at the top of their game, Bernie's lyrics are cinematic, and Gus did a super job;  look how he took an ordinary song like "Bennie and the Jets" and managed to make it more powerful and rhythmic and gave it that live feel.  No one thing made GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD mind blowing; it was a combination of the writing, playing, singing, and production all coming together song-in-song-out.

There are some great jazz albums like Miles Davis' _ITCHES BREW that stand alone.  There are great blues and rock guitarists who, when they combine their playing with interesting songwriting, are mind blowing to listen to as well.

Good question Latitude...

Doug

[latitude]

Great thoughts about what a mind blowing album IS. I guess most of the E.J. '70's music fits into those categories for me. And the special vocals part really hits me. In fact with most of Elton's albums that's the case. I've made it known how much I LOVE his singing.

I only buy Elton John music (which is totally satisfying), but my nephew was a *huge* fan of Pink Floyd, and raved about 'Dark Side of the Moon'.

My husband does listen to various bluesy type musicians, and what blows his mind is Diana Krall 'Live in Paris'.

Love what you said about GBYBR. That did indeed have *everything* going for it.

Thanks for replying.

Anybody else?

[dougs]

Latitude:

If I were to suggest another "mind blowing" album from Elton other than GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD I might add CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY or disc one from BLUE MOVES.  That one disc from BLUE MOVES has an extraordinary range of styles.  Side 1 is almost impeccable. There is also an impressive consistency to TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION and MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER but neither hit me as "mind blowing."  They are impressive records nonetheless. 

I remember when new wave was first upon us and I heard the Cars first album THE CARS.  It blew me away.  It sounded unlike any other album and, for me, was mind blowing.  It had a freshness, urgency, and edge to it.  I still love it.  It is actually on my turntable right now...

Doug

[latitude]

Well geesh, I guess nobody else is blown away by ANY albums. Either that or the place is very close to being completely dead. Can't say as I blame Dr john for taking a long break. Why do anything on this board when VERY very few people respond? Guess I won't try this again. 

Btw, it would have even been nice if someone could have posted to Doug's favorite concert thread in the concert forum.

EDIT: It is good to see that rocketman did respond to Doug's concert thread.   Interesting too.

[dougs]

Latitude:

Well, as long as you and myself and a couple of others keep posting then I'll keep adding threads and responses.

It is interesting that music-related questions don't usually generate much response but that is OK...disappointing...but OK.

Doug

[rocketman]

Mind-blowing albums from Elton:

Madman - It's just so good, and it has only become better, because Tiny Dancer has finally hit home with me for the really great song that it is. I've always loved Levon. Madman is a true classic, as is Holiday Inn. All The Nasties is seriously underrated, and Indian Sunset is like three song sections in one, each part woven into the whole. The production is terrific too.

Other albums/portions of albums that are either totally mind-blowing or close to it:

Tumblweed (all except Amoreena)
Captain Fantastic (Songs 1-3, 5, 7,8)
Blue Moves (Disc One, Sides One and Two)
GBYBR (Side 3)
Honky Chateau (Songs 1,5, 8, 10)

A Single Man (the Bonus Tracks only, not the main album)
Empty Sky (seems odd, but I love this album)

The Diving Board (best album since Blue Moves)

Live albums: Live In Australia (songs 6-10, 12-14) and Here And There (most of the New York concert).

[Commodore Orpington]

Elton John
TC
Madman
HC
GYBR
Blue Moves (all)
SFTWC

[rocketman]

I'll make additional remarks about Empty Sky: By including it as "mind blowing" I'm not necessarily ranking it as one of his best albums, though I do think it's very good. But there's something about it that really captures my attention every time. For one thing, I think the low-budget production is actually quite good, given what Steve Brown had to work with at the time. For another, I strongly believe that this album hinted at the great possibilities that lie ahead for Elton and Bernie, with just a little more money to work with and a company that would actually get behind them like Dick James Music finally did.

Also, this album provides a true glimpse at Elton before all the stardom and trappings that went along with it, the struggling artist just trying to cobble together an album with an aspiring lyricist and a groovy band of sessions men which eventually became active as a group named Hookfoot.

[dougs]

rocketman:

I agree, there is something about the album that always draws me to EMPTY SKY. It is in stark contrast to the lush arrangements and production of the follow-up ELTON JOHN album.  The straight-ahead rawness of the title track "Empty Sky" is really what "rock" music was supposed to be about.  Clearly Elton & Caleb Quaye & Roger Pope had developed an excellent working relationship by this time (Tony Murray, too).  Steve Brown did an admirable job considering his experience level at that time.  There is an energy and vibrancy to the recordings.  It must be terribly exciting for young musicians to record their first legitimate album.  It requires talent and team work.  EMPTY SKY is a special record;  one which I never tire of listening to.

Doug