Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks 1964-1971

The Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks 1964-1971. London Records, 1971 (1986 reissue).

Simply put, the Rolling Stones are probably the greatest rock band ever. They're not my favorite, and maybe not the "best," whatever that may mean, but in terms of longevity and influence and what they have accomplished, I think they are near if not at the top of the list. This is easily one of the best greatest hits albums ever produced, a two LP set where every song is a classic. It includes my two favorite Stones songs, "Gimme Shelter" and "Paint It, Black." I spin this one regularly because it's just so good.

Other notable albums from 1971:
Alice Cooper - Love it to Death
Roberta Flack - Quiet Fire

Aretha Franklin - This Girl's In Love With You

Aretha Franklin - This Girl's In Love With You. Atlantic Records, 1970.

Aretha. The Queen of Soul. An artist that only needs to be called by her first name or her nickname and everyone knows who you're talking about. One of the greatest voices in music history, and an absolute legend. Sadly the Queen left this world in August of last year but her legacy lives on. This album was a thrift store pickup, and as you can see, the sleeve has seen better days. The vinyl is just fine, though. There are some great songs on here that showcase her range - the classic "Son of a Preacher Man," two Beatles covers of "Let it Be" and "Eleanor Rigby," and a cover of the Band's classic "The Weight" highlight the album. Her backing band on this album is the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, immortalized by Lynyrd Skynyrd as "The Swampers." Duane Allman also plays guitar on several tracks. I love this album, and certainly need more Aretha in my collection.

Other notable albums from 1970:
Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
James Gang - James Gang Rides Again

David Bowie - Space Oddity

David Bowie - Space Oddity. Parlophone Records, 2015 Reissue (originally released on Philips in 1969)

Sadly this is the only Bowie record in my collection (well, I suppose that's not entirely true, I do have the soundtrack to Labyrinth); original pressings are hard to find and expensive, and newer reissues aren't cheap either. This is his second album and where I felt was a good place to start in beginning a Bowie collection. Originally released in the UK as a self-titled album, it was later released in the US the same year as Man of Words/Man of Music, and in 1972 was reissued with the title Space Oddity.

The title track is one of the most well-known songs in rock history, with those famous first words, "Ground control to Major Tom..." The rest of the album is vintage Bowie - he never got too entrenched in one style of music or one style of clothing for too long. He constantly reinvented himself over the course of his career and left too soon in 2016 after a battle with liver cancer that he never made public. His death came as a shock as most of the world did not know he was sick. He truly is a rock icon and legend.

Other notable albums from 1969:
Santana - Santana
Johnny Winter - Johnny Winter
Rolling Stones - Let it Bleed
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River

Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. Columbia Records, 1968.

This was Johnny Cash's first live album from inside the walls of a prison, and one of the best live albums of all time. This is Cash at his best. He initially became interested in Folsom State Prison (California) after watching a film about the prison while serving in the Air Force. He then wrote the song "Folsom Prison Blues," which became one of his first hits. Cash had played in prisons prior to Folsom, but had never recorded the shows. After Folsom, he also recorded shows at San Quentin (also in California), a prison in Sweden, and the Tennessee State Prison.

This album came from my parents' collection and is widely considered one of the most important albums of all time. If you've never listened to Johnny Cash, there isn't a better place to start than right here.

Other notable albums from 1968:
Simon and Garfunkel - The Graduate Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Steppenwolf - The Second
Aretha Franklin - Aretha in Paris