Ok folks, this is my list. I've had to force myself to a max of 3 albums per band as it not only gives you a bit more variety, but it probably helps me get a truer list out there since I tend to obsess over certain bands. However, there is absolutely no way I could name less than 3 albums for some bands and say this is my top 50. I'm sure a lot of the albums on my list are pretty well known by many here, so for some I may just talk more about my experience with the album rather than give a "review".
And I also should state that previous to getting into hard rock/prog/metal/etc, I was likely coming from a very different background than most here. I mostly just listened to what was popular at the time up through high school, and living in the rural south US, I probably had more country albums than anything else as I started college. Then my experiences playing trumpet and bass led me through some funk, soul, R&B and jazz phases. Some of that influence you will see throughout my list.
Anyway I hope you enjoy this journey. I hope to have the first entry or two posted by Monday. But first I want to talk about a couple of items.
To start off, I want to list two works of distinction that really don't fit anywhere else. These are not part of my top 50 proper, however I would be remiss if I did not talk about them at the outset. Both works are very special to me and were both introduced to me as a vocalist performing them as part of a chorus/choir. And both are by contemporary classical composers.
The first is an
a capella composition by Morten Lauridsen entitled "O Magnum Mysterium". I have such a deep connection with this song having performed it a few times in college, but it is not the performances I remember, it is the hundreds of times rehearsing it with 12-15 other people that are also enjoying it and as invested in making great music just as much as I am. I still get goose bumps listening to it. This is what will be played at my funeral (if I get goose bumps then - watch out!).
Get relaxed, empty your mind, and take 7 minutes out of your day and listen to this. Pay attention to the dissonance introduced by the altos around 3:17 and that great crescendo into the 4 minute mark:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZxRnG6XvZoThe Bay Brass also has recorded a most awesome version for a brass choir.
The second is an extended work by John Rutter for choir and orchestra entitled
Requiem. In high school I was named to a national select choir that was to perform this song, conducted by Rutter himself. And I also had the good fortune that our performance took place in none other than Carnegie Hall. This was quite an experience! The work has seven movements and each of them is awesome in their own way. This has been recorded several times and can be found on CD, usually coupled with other works.
Probably not the start you were expecting, but these two works are so ingrained in my soul that I can't not bring them up.
Topic: Big Hath's Top 50 Albums v. #1: -.---.----.. (Read 64113 times)
