In your opinion, what are the 10 most important albums (or songs) ever written?

Thanks.

1) The first piece of (written) Gregorian Chant

2) Tartini's "Devil's Trill"

3) Bach's "Well-Tempered Klavier"

4) Mozart's Clarinet Concerto

5) Beethoven's 5th Symphony

6) Gershwin "Rhapsody in Blue"

7) Glenn Miller "Moonlilght Serenade"

8) Elvis Presley "Heartbreak Hotel"

9) The Beatles "Revolver"

10) Radiohead "OK Computer"

...how many have I missed out  "In the Court" should be in there somewhere, along with "Foxtrot", "Dark Side", "On Parole", "Never Mind the...", "Script..." "Master of Puppets" and "Reign in Blood". To complete my second group of 10, 4'33 by John Cage should be there, and so should "Summer Holiday" by Cliff Richard. Don't ask. It just should be, OK...?

OMG, I forgot a whole load of other great and important stuff...

Good topic

1. "Happy Birthday to You" - Drs. Mildred and Patty Hill

2. Beethoven's 5th

3. "Hound Dog" - Elvis

4. "Sgt. Pepper" - Beatles

5. "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" (album) - Bob Dylan

6. "You Are My Sunshine" - Jimmy Davis and Charles Mitchell

7. "The Complete Recordings" - Robert Johnson

8. "The Birth of Swing" (album) - Benny Goodman

9. "Funeral March" from Sonata Op. 35 - Frederic Chopin

10. "This Land is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie

As much as I love prog, none of it comes close to matching these works...not that I love all of them, but they're all supremely important pieces of music. 

onion3000 wrote: I scratched my copy of Cage's 4'33 - It's unlistenable now....

Here's an mp3 version:

Oh, what a question, perhaps you could make it the top 10 000 songs ever, that would do more justice to many songs...

Actually, this is impossible to answer.

Just 10? Even a top hundred couldn't contain all important events in musical history.

On a side note: After 4 years of conservatory, another 12 years of studying the theorical backgrounds of classical music and transferring countless historical works into tablature I started working on transferring Cage's '4'33'. Countless months of continuous work later (during which I nearly had any sleep and absolutely no contact with the outside world) I finally had at least an impression noted down of what appeared to be the complete tabs of this masterpiece. I put all of this on my own website and I like to share the link with you. Here it is:

·        “The Dark Side of the Moon” – The MOST remarkable breakthrough album in prog rock history for the reason we’re all familiar with, IMHO of course! This album has got it all, nothing has been left out in its entire production… take a look at the reviews in the site, put them together and you’ll have your answer.

·        “Nevermind” – The second release by the band commanded by suicidal icon Kurt Cobain, which determined the end and the beginning of a brand new era not only within the nineties, but among the cultures and sub-cultures to come later on. Grunge music, despite its unappreciated impact nowadays; is still around, severely contaminating new music trends.

·        “The Black Album” – With this album, Metallica assured the metal rock (and people of the rock in general) world that it ain’t necessary to go through never-ending guitar riffs and drum solos to prove they can rock on! Shorter, better crafter songs with the metal touch were arranged in here, improving what to that moment has already been heard.

·        “Dookie” – The neo-punk rockers generated a smashing wave that blew the minds of the kids of their time away, showing that with a lil’ from the old punk school from THE RAMONES, RANCID and TALKING HEADS, something good could come out from there. Later on, the so-called “happy punk” wave crushed the efforts of new coming bands, deforming the mere intention of this genre (Blink 182, Sum 41, The Offspring, blah, blah).

·        “The Wall” – Another gem by PINK FLOYD. This controvertible album underlined the term “anarchy” even more. Anarchy of thought, anarchy of will, anarchy of desire and of speech. This is the ultimate rock opera for me. The social, political and cultural impact is there, so humongous that it needed an entire almost 2 hour film to explain it better. The wall is far beyond of rooms and work places, it is the barrier that won’t let us go further from where we set ourselves and minds. I wouldn’t explain the late seventies and early eighties without it. 

·        “Led Zeppelin II” – The deep meaning of heavy metal for me, and for many rockers out there. The worked performed by the binomial Plant / Page is outstanding, almost hypnotic and relentless. Later on, with untitled “Led Zeppelin IV”, they will immortalize “Stairway to Heaven” as the hymn to many fans and rockers. Indispensable material. 

·        “Great Balls of Fire / You Win Again” – The label Sun Recordings released under kind permission of Sun Singles this Number One album in Pop, Country music and R&B in 1957. The single overshadowed the competition Chuck Berry intended to interpose, turning Jerry Lee Lewis in the superstar of the moment. He also knew his way throughout putting on a great, spectacular show. That gave him top-class recognition as well.

·        “Kind of Blue” – IMHO, the Miles album all the way. No explanation needed. Absolutely brilliant and determinant for some other musicians not only of the prog world (e.g. Rick Wright based his piano arrangements on DSOTM due the contents of this recording).

·        “Shades of Deep Purple” – The first album that contained proggy elements to me. Overwhelming guitar playing by Ritchie Blackmore speaks for itself. This album will give the band its deserved recognition, opening the panorama for what was to come. Who doesn’t remember the hit “Smoke on the Water” as well? “Machine Head” is another determinant album, I think.

·        “Hybris” – This album by the Swedish proggers is outstanding. Breaking sounds and musical instrumentations were performed in here. It just simply led the way to be followed by several more bands of the Nordic region (ANEKDOTEN, FLOWER KINGS, KERRS PINK, LANDBERK, etc). “Epilog” follow the lead and transformed Anglagard into this phenomenon of the prog in the nineties. Every respectable progger has got to have it.   

ALBUMS:

1. Brain Salad Surgery
2. Tarkus
3. ITCOTKC - King Crimson
4. Trilogy
5. Pictures at an Exhibition
6. ELP
7. Works 1
8. Dark Side of the Moon
9. The Division Bell
10. Close to the Edge

Songs:

1. Karn Evil 9 (All impressions)
2. From the Beginning
3. Lucky Man
4. Still You Turn Me On
5. Closer to Believing
6. Take a Pebble
7. And You and I
8. Shine on YOu Crazy Diamond
9. Comfortably Numb
10. Coming Back to Life

I doubt I need to explain.. cause I'm nothing if not consistent!

James Lee wrote: onion3000 wrote: I scratched my copy of Cage's 4'33 - It's unlistenable now.... Here's an mp3 version:

You forgot the link...

I went to a performance of 4'33" while I was at college. The pianist gave a virtuousic performance - truly remarkable, although I was a bit upset to see that he had brought the score with him. I normally like to see pianists perform without it, so they can concentrate on interpreting the music. However, as this is such a supremely difficult piece to interpret I allowed him the security blanket...

4'33 is a masterpiece, and has been copied many times - it is important because it makes us question the very nature of music. it is also important in disciplines outside of music; The British artist Tracy Emin recently submitted a Christmas tree to the Tate Gallery (I think...) that was, in fact, not a Christmas Tree, but nothing at all. Radical. She got a well-deserved £20,000 for this work of art. Personally, I think Mariah Carey should record it.

Cage also wrote a little-known piece called 0'00'', which can be played by anyone at anytime on any number of instruments - and there's no time restriction despite the title.

I understand Mike Batt (he of "The Wombles" and Art Garfunkel's "Bright Eyes" fame) came to grief after plagiarising Cage's hard work; http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/23/uk.silence/ - http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/23/uk.silence/

Note that this article states that 4'33" is "totally silent". Ahem. Shows how many times the journalist has heard it performed (0 times!).

I've just written a 748-page novel I'm trying to get published, which is totally original in that it contains no words. The beauty of it is that the reader can use their imagination to produce a story which is totally perfect and unique to themselves - no-one else will ever experience the novel in the same way! And no-one will publish it

Here's a link to wav, ogg and other formats of this masterwork, since James neglected to provide one  - I love the quote; "I have nothing to say / and I am saying it / and that is poetry / as I needed it" http://interglacial.com/~sburke/stuff/cage_433.html - http://interglacial.com/~sburke/stuff/cage_433.html

Has anyone heard the extended remix?

All of Mariah Carey's albums.

Seiously though folks. Here are mine as far as prog goes.

Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd

Moving Waves- Focus

Octopus- Gentle Giant

Misplaced Childhood- Marillion

In the Court Of the Crimson King- King Crimson

The lamb Lies down On Broadway- Genesis

The Wall- Pink Floyd

Solar Music Live- Grobschnitt

Close To The Edge- Yes

 The Inner Mounting Flame- Mahavishnu Orchestra

It really depends on what you mean 'important' Important in terms of influence music development over the years, or important to the individual. I believe that no music has the artistic worth of classical music, but ir doesn't follow that I listen to classical music that much. I have my favourite composers (Holst, Beethoven, Stravinsky), but my knowledge of them is limited and is based on hearing a small amount of their work.

Many cite Elvis as important. I would agree that he was important in the development of rock music and youth culture, but personally I can not stand anything he has done and believe he is overated as a musician. He is therefore not directly important to me. I acknowldge his influence on the Beetles, Stones etc, who in turn went on to forge Rock music as we have come to know it.

Important to me is the songs and artists that have had a direct emotional impact on me over the years. That covers Hendrix, through Nick Drake, John Martyn, through Gensis, Rush, Camel, Floyd to Miles Davis.

Sorry, I've just read thread topic again..properly. Here goes, not in any order:

Moving pictures - Rush

Hemispheres - Rush

Exit stage left - Rush

Trick of the tail - Genesis

Lamb lies down on Broadway - Genesis

..and then there were three - Genesis

Ace of spades - Motorhead

The war of the worlds - Jeff Wayne et al

Heaven or Las vegas - Cocteau Twins

The Planets - Holst

There's ten, but I could go on. I dont listen to the last 4 on the list very much these days but they were very important to me in the past. They evoke memories both good and bad, and I like to think of 'War of the worlds' as the album that got me into rock.

Velvetclown wrote: I think I´ll sit this one out

You mean you're not going to post on this thread?

"Do you still see me even here?''
(The silver cord lies on the ground.)
"And so I'm dead'', the young man said
over the hill (not a wish away).
My friends (as one) all stand aligned
although their taxis came too late.
There was / a rush along the Fulham Road.
There was / a hush in the Passion Play

Jim Garten wrote: Good list, Cert, hows about these, too (this could be a never ending list, but I'll try to keep to 10): 1 - Rite Of Spring - Stravinsky 2 - Carmina Burana - Orff 3 - Organ Grinders Swing - Jimmy Smith 4 - Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley 5 - Kind Of Blue - Miles Davis 6 - Are You Experienced? - Jimi Hendrix 7 - The Last Waltz - The Band 8 - Desire - Bob Dylan 9 - Morrison Hotel - The Doors 10 - Physical Graffitti - Led Zeppelin All hugely influential pieces of music

I thank you!

Some great music in your list, there Jim - If I'd thought of Miles (and I really should have), I would have had a hard time choosing between "Birth of the Cool" and "Bitches Brew". "Rite of Spring" and "Carmina Burana" are just awesome - good call! How did I leave out Hendrix? and Dylan? I think I'd have chosen "Highway 41", but Desire is no less of an album! I'm surprised by your choice of Doors and Zeppelin albums tho' - of course they're important too...

And I've just remembered "Bare Wires" by John Mayall, "Looking In" by Savoy Brown, "Spooky Two" by Spooky Tooth and "Vincebus Eruptum" by Blue Cheer.

That's what I love about these threads - they make you remember all that awesome music that's been created and gone on to influence so many

C'mon Velve - we've shown you ours, show us yours...!

Not in particular order:

• All the classic masterpieces
• The beatles(sgt.peepper,revolver,rubber soul)
• Miles Davis(In a silent way,Bitches brew)
• Beach boys(Pet sounds)
• Black Sabbath(First,Paranoid)
• Jeff Beck(Truth)
• John Abercombie,Dave Holland,Jack de Johnette(Gateway)
• Jimi Hendrix(Are you experienced)
• Frank Zappa(Hot rats,Overnite sensation,One size fits all)
• Prog bands(In the court,Foxtrot,Selling england,Close to the edge,Tarkus)
• blue cheer(Vincebus eruptum)
• Mike Oldfield(Tubular bells;Hergest ridge)
• Mahavishnu orchestra(Birds of fire)
• Stephen Stills(Manassas)
• Led Zeppelin(I,II,III)
• Jethro tull (Stand up,Aqualung)
• Pink Floyd(almost everything)
• Leadbelly and other bluesers
• Tangerine dream(Stratosfear,Phaedra)
• and a lot more....

I know that I forgot a lot but there are so many influential albums.All this albums Ithink made a huge impression on a whole music stream up to 2004.The influence of this albums you can hear even nowadays.Well,this is my humble opinion.

"Smile"

(Though never officially released, it is the first prog concept album.)

zappa123 wrote: Not in particular order: Miles Davis(In a silent way,Bitches brew) John Abercombie,Dave Holland,Jack de Johnette(Gateway) Jimi Hendrix(Are you experienced)

Finally someone mentions Davies, albeit Bitches Brew is by far most influential work of his. Appearance of Abercrombie is pleasnt too, yet this great guitarplayer could not be called immensely influential. The rest is, of course, for duels Gershwin seems to be the right choice also!!! With Elvis? Uh-m, the fact that he influenced libido of average housewife--I wil not argue with that but there was a remarkable meeting in Las Vegas hotel in 197... between him and Led Zeppelin....

I'll stick to rock and pop post 1960 plus including singles,album tracks as well as entire albums:

In chronological order(roughly!):

The Kinks - You Really Got Me

The Who - My Generation

The Beatles - A Day In The Life

Moody Blues - Days Of Future Passed

Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze

King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King (the album)

Led Zeppelin - Dazed And Confused

ELP - Tarkus

The Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK

Pink Floyd - The Wall

Ok... my means to a list...

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

Cream - Disraeli Gears

Mothers Of Invention - Freak Out!

King Crimson - ITCOTKC

Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue

Black Sabbath - s/t

Yes - Close To The Edge

Pink Floyd - DSOTM

Beatles - Revolver

Miles Davis (again) - Bitches Brew

Venom - Welcome To Hell

Coltrane and Venom on the same list- and a Lovecraft signature as well!

AngelRat, you r0x0r! Send me a sample of your DNA so I can clone hundreds of you

I will only mention the 10 prog most important albums, because If I start a few centuries ago, I wouldn't even reach the Nationalist Russian movement which is my favorite classical era.

The most important albums are not necesarily my favorites:

1.- In the Court of the Crimson King (King Crimson): The first 100% progressive album and the one that defined the genre.

2.- Fragile (Yes): Wakeman's debut and the birth of the classical Yes lineup. Roundabout was the first really popular progressive track and this means something.

3.- Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd): Progressive music and commercial success are compatible, this album proves it.

4.- The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis): The point where Prog' Rock reached the full development, an Icon of the genre.

5.- Tarkus (ELP): The first really complex progressive album.

6.- Storia di un Minuto (PFM): Prog' masterpieces can be released outside Great Britain.

7.- Point of Know Return (Kansas): Not the most progressive album of the band, but listening it's songs, a new generation of progheads was born. The best USA prog' band.

8.- Pictures at an Exhibition (ELP): How could they dare to re-create a classical masterpiece and play it in front of a crowd that probably never heard the original album? That's the spirit of Prog', to break boundaries.

9.- Hybris (Anglagard): Prog' was dead, they resurrected the genre.

10.- Look at Yourself (Uriah Heep): The first 100% prog/metal album, a new genre was born: Tears in my Eyes, Look at Yourself and even an Epic as July Morning in a metal album? This was history.

Iván

James Lee wrote: Coltrane and Venom on the same list- and a Lovecraft signature as well! AngelRat, you r0x0r! Send me a sample of your DNA so I can clone hundreds of you

Hundreds of me? Remember 'Dawn Of The Dead'? Your shopping malls will never be safe again!

and yes, Coltrane and Venom NEEDED to be on this list together. No choice. The Ancient Ones have decided...