Marion's "Top 50 Albums" List

Rolling Stone magazine recently published its updated "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list. I looked through the list, and read some of the specific choices submitted by a few of the voting critics. That was fun, so, lover of lists, music, and individual differences that I am, I was inspired to try and make a Top 50 albums list of my own. A perfect project for a pandemic, and though it seemed daunting, I know these things are never rigid and I can change it next week if I want to. I cheated by only allowing one album per artist/band. That helped a little. 

I almost didn't include a Beatles album, but in the end I replaced NEBRASKA by Bruce Springsteen with a Beatles album. I was scared of getting yelled at by Beatles fanatics, but I am prepared to take the punches from Springsteen fanatics. I picked The Beatles 1967-1970. That's the blue one, not the red one. Most of my favourite Beatles songs are on that compilation. 

There was no question that Steve Earle had to be on this list, but I had such a hard time deciding which album to choose. I really like SO YOU WANNA BE AN OUTLAW and GHOSTS OF WEST VIRGINIA, but they are so recent and I always think I should choose albums that have already stood the test of time. I love GUITAR TOWN as much as everyone else does, but I went with TRANSCENDENTAL BLUES because I love "Steve's Last Ramble" and "Galway Girl" so much.

Shortlisted artists who, sadly, got eliminated and deserve an honourable mention (because on a different day they might have made the cut) are: Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Leonard Cohen, Guy Clark, Tom Zé, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Eno, Merle Haggard, Townes Van Zandt, Iggy Pop/The Stooges, Kris Kristofferson, Patti Smith, Flamin' Groovies, The Cramps, The Band, Los Lobos, Kleenex/LiLiPUT, Husker Dü, Sam Cooke, Iris Dement, Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, Roxy Music, and The Sonics (I'm sure I'm forgetting some). My apologies to all of you because you deserve to be included.

I refused to drive myself crazy trying to rank my list in order of preference, so I will do it alphabetically. Enjoy.

Beatles- 1967-1970 (blue album)

Chuck Berry- THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

Billy Bragg and Wilco- MERMAID AVENUE, Vol. 1

James Brown- STAR TIME

Buzzcocks- SINGLES GOING STEADY

Johnny Cash- COMPLETE SUN MASTERS

The Clash- THE CLASH

The Coasters- THE COASTERS

Elvis Costello and the Attractions- THIS YEAR'S MODEL

Creedence Clearwater Revival- WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS

Fats Domino- THE BEST OF FATS DOMINO

Bob Dylan- HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED

Steve Earle- TRANSCENDENTAL BLUES

Dave Edmunds- TRAX ON WAX 4

Joe Ely- HONKY TONK MASQUERADE

Flipper- ALBUM-GENERIC FLIPPER

Lefty Frizzell- A PROPER INTRODUCTION TO LEFTY FRIZZELL: SHINE SHAVE SHOWER

The Jam- ALL MOD CONS

George Jones- THE ESSENTIAL GEORGE JONES

The Kinks- THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Jerry Lee Lewis- THE ESSENTIAL JERRY LEE LEWIS (THE SUN COLLECTION)

Little Richard- THE ESSENTIAL LITTLE RICHARD

Nick Lowe- LABOUR OF LUST

The Modern Lovers- THE MODERN LOVERS

Van Morrison- MOONDANCE

New York Dolls- TOO MUCH TOO SOON

Graham Parker and The Rumour- SQUEEZING OUT SPARKS

Gram Parsons- GRIEVOUS ANGEL

The Pogues- RUM, SODOMY, AND THE LASH

John Prine- JOHN PRINE

Bonnie Raitt- GIVE IT UP

The Ramones- LEAVE HOME

Tabu Ley Rochereau- THE VOICE OF LIGHTNESS, Vol. 2

The Rolling Stones- EXILE ON MAIN STREET

Sex Pistols- NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS

Stiff Little Fingers- INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL

Talking Heads- MORE SONGS ABOUT BUILDINGS AND FOOD

Television- MARQUEE MOON

Texas Tornados- TEXAS TORNADOS

Toots and the Maytals- THE VERY BEST OF TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS

The Troggs- VINTAGE YEARS

The Undertones- THE UNDERTONES

The Velvet Underground and Nico- THE VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO

Kitty Wells- THE ESSENTIAL RECORDINGS

Hank Williams- 40 GREATEST HITS

Lucinda Williams- CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD

X- UNDER THE BIG BLACK SUN

X-Ray Spex- GERMFREE ADOLESCENTS

Neil Young- EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE

Warren Zevon- WARREN ZEVON

Marion's Top 20 Favourite Kinks Songs...

Here's a list of my 20 favourite Kinks songs. I'll list them in chronological order, because it is too difficult to rank them in order of preference. They're all great! Lola deserves to be included on this list, but I purposely left it out because everyone knows it very well and it is too obvious a masterpiece. What I love most about The Kinks is their lyrics, which range from innocent and pure to funny to reflective andromanticizing of the everyday.

I know a month from now I'm going to re-read this top 20 compilation and think "why didn't I put ____ on this list?" I'm already regretting the exclusion of Celluloid Heroes, the first Kinks song I ever heard, and so exquisite a piece! Lucky for it I'm a sneak and it just got mentioned and pointed out as exquisite right here in my little intro!

THE LIST:

1.) A WELL RESPECTED MAN 1965. This song is a wonderfully folksy, used-on-the-Juno-film-soundtrack, sing-a-long tune about a well respected man-about-town, doing the best things so conservatively. Oh yes it is...oh yes it is! I like the sense of forward movement this song evokes. I could never walk backwards and listen to this song at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwpW-8uM4fA&feature=related

2.) PARTY LINE 1966. A great example of an early, raw, Kinks song bashed out by the unmistakable sound of Dave Davies' guitar. It reminds me of Last Train To Clarksville by The Monkees, only it's much better and raunchier! I love the telephone operator intro which leads us into this boppy thrash tune sung by Dave. I want to fling my arms and legs around when I listen to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbrc_RC3Ec8

3.) SUNNY AFTERNOON 1966. Here is a classic Kinks song everyone knows which cannot be ignored. I love being part of the audience when Ray Davies sings this one at live concerts. The entire audience always knows every single word and we become one big shiny happy family singing together while swaying to and fro in time to the music. Ha ha ha happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h1oRP7FfBw

4.) THIS IS WHERE I BELONG 1966. I love the circular quality of this song. It entrances, captivates, and spins your head around, because this is where you belong. I'd like to spin around outdoors and look at the blue sky above me while listening to this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHGaIAm22Rw

5.) WATERLOO SUNSET 1967. Arguably the best song Ray Davies ever wrote. I adore it too, but I can't single it out as his best. It's the story of a man, alone in his room, gazing out his window at the beautiful sunset taking place beyond the dirty river and train station and the dizzying, noisy crowds, as he also beholds Terry and Julie happy together in love oblivious to their surroundings. The man is content to be alone in his room because as long as he gazes on Waterloo Sunset, he is in paradise. It's lovely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDoDaCYrEY

6.) AUTUMN ALMANAC 1967. I've always considered Autumn Almanac to be just as wonderful as Sunny Afternoon, but for some reason it was never as popular. It's pretty special when you can sing along to lyrics like "ooooh, my poor rheumatic back" and still feel happy. I like to either march around like a preschooler or rake leaves while listening to this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgo07Cg7lI

7.) WONDERBOY 1968. Allegedly John Lennon's favourite Kinks song. It's a pleasant piece, typical Ray Davies. I want to sit at an outdoor terrasse wearing a wide brimmed sun hat and sip on a Marguarita while I sing along to this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Ml1k8BPe8

8.) ANIMAL FARM 1968. Ah, now we're talking! One of the many masterpieces from The Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society album. I love the eager tone of this song. It makes me long to live just a quiet quiet life, by a dirty old shack that I call my home... Animal Farm!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9sY3NKP7is

9.) DAYS 1968. Now this song is definitely one of my top 5 favourite Kinks songs ever. It packs such a gentle, wistful punch. It is beautiful, respectful and sincere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKJTJsIYktI&feature=related

10.) PICTURE BOOK 1968. I'm not sure what my favourite track from Village Green Preservation Society actually is; it's a toss up between Picture Book and Starstruck. Picture Book is seductive. It's a finger snapping tune I have to use my shoulders to dance to as I snap away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjDu3E5zDks

11.) PICTURES IN THE SAND 1968. I thought it only fitting that my blog's namesake be included on this list. This is a lovely, carefree, romantic little piece and I love it. I want it to be MY song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHCHF299810

12.) STARSTRUCK 1968. Starstruck is a sweet old rock and roll song that leads you to the edge of a cliff then pulls you back to safety just as you're about to fall off. It also drives me insane because the world's not so tame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8osV1ZbLJLE

13.) BIG SKY 1968. By compiling this list, I am realizing that 1968 seems to be an important year, musically, for the Kinks (according to me). So, yeah, my favourite track from VGPS is a toss up between Picture Book, Starstruck, AND Big Sky. This is a great song-- hopeful and inspiring. It's pure beauty. It should be used in advertisements for charity organizations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGLgdMQbCjE

14.) ARTHUR 1969. One of the catchiest guitar riffs in the Kinks archives. This song is so underrated! I like the vocals running parallel to the guitar, dontcha know it. I would shuffle along to this song, à la Pink Panther in his animated cartoon series, any day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1L4QzSPdY4

15.) SHANGRI-LA 1969. Shangri-La is another favourite from the Arthur album. It gets off to a quiet, acoustic start, and builds itself into an energetic, powerful anthem that really works well. I love listening to this song right after I put on my slippers and sit by the fire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt0IXkIVvo4

16.) APEMAN 1970. This was my favourite song for years, and no wonder!! It's so darn likable!! Nice piano and cool sound effects + very humble and inspiring lyrics = yet another successful Kinks song. If only I could sit in the trees and eat bananas all day...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEep67akIn4

17.) GET BACK IN LINE 1970. Get Back in Line is so romantic! All he wants to do is make some money and bring me home some wine. Awwwww... as if my cup isn't already runneth-ing over. This song is outstanding and poignant and is impossible to resist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7HAfWWNQcI

18.) MUSWELL HILLBILLY 1971. The Kinks go country and obtain very pleasing results indeed. Great twanging. I like to sit leaning forward with my hands on my knees when I listen to this one. My heart lies in old West Virginia. Boone County to be exact...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82cmmVHiFnI

19.) SWEET LADY GENEVIEVE 1973. This is my obscure Kinks song pick. This has always been one of my favourite of the Kinks lesser-known songs. From its lovely harmonica beginning right through to the end, the song simply soars. The song is a lament about lost love, best listened to outdoors or while driving a car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqgNyYXTK4s

20.) MISFITS 1977. Misfits was a great album, and the first Kinks album I ever bought. It was 1978. This title track is a very beautiful, even, thoughtful song about misfits. They're everywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsJmkR2_1g&feature=fvwrel