Five Albums You Should Own, But Probably Don’t

1. Robert Palmer – Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley

Released in 1974 “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley” is the late Robert Palmer’s debut, and by far his best, album. Palmer’s vocals are as soulful and funky as a white man can get. Rock and roll power jammers Little Feat and the New Orleans funksters The Meters act as Palmer’s backing band, and their contributions alone are worth the price of admission. The opening three tracks flow smoothly into one another creating a 10 minute long funk explosion that rivals any recordings ever put out by 70’s legends Parliament Funkadelic, The Meters, Bootsy Collins, or James Brown and the JBs. Although the album is only eight tracks long, every single second of this album is pure gold with not one wasted note. It’s impossible to pick highlights from this record because every single song is praiseworthy. From
the super sexy “Blackmail”, which is about getting caught in an adulterous situation, to the joyous 12 minute finale “Through It All There’s You” this album just doesn’t let up and like every great work of art it gets better over repeated listens. Fortunately, this is not a hard CD to get, some record stores may have it on their shelves and if not it can be ordered at any major music retailer’s website.


2. Neil Young – Time Fades Away

Released in 1973 right after Neil’s hugely successful album “Harvest”, “Time Fades Away” is a loose and artistic live album that is still only available on Vinyl and may stay that way forever. For whatever reason Mr. Young doesn’t feel that this album needs to be on CD even though it contains some of his best work. While “Time Fades Away” isn’t as polished as “Harvest” or even “On The Beach” it contains a personal element that is lacking on all of Neil’s other albums. The prime example of this is the song “Don’t Be Denied” that chronicles Neil’s own childhood in which he lived through his parents divorce, ridicule from his peers, and finally finding comfort in music. The album also contains three of the most tender and loving songs Neil ever wrote, “Journey Through the Past”, “Love in Mind”, and “The Bridge.” But the thing that makes this album so perfect is that it represents every aspect of Neil’s musical artistry. From the country folk songs like “Love in Mind” and “Don’t Be Denied”, to the ragging rockers like “Yonder Stands the Sinner” and “Last Dance”, to the sublime and poignantly honest “L.A.” and “Time Fades Away.” If you still own a record player (if you don’t buy one) this album is a must have. It is a bit tricky to come across a copy, but with a little dedication you should be able to find one.

3. Stephen Stills – Manassas

A masterpiece. This album is the artistic and musical highpoint of Stephen Stills’ prolific career. Forget about all the great people and bands he’s been in and recorded with; including Buffalo Springfield, Al Kooper, The Stills/Young Band, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. “Manassas” is as perfect as an album can get. Afro Latin rhythms mixed with Honkytonk Rock and Roll mixed with Mississippi Delta Blues Folk. The record clocks in at over seventy minutes and when listened to it creates different musical atmospheres every three songs. From the all out rocker “Jet Set (Sigh)” to the folky nature ballad with a beautiful melody “Colorado” to the pure bliss of “Johnny’s Garden” this album stands not only the test of time, but acts as a litmus test for a person’s musical taste. If you listen to “Manassas” and you dig it you have good taste, if you listen to “Manassas” and hate it you have no taste at all. Released in 1972 this album is about as easy to find as Robert Palmer’s “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley”, a hip store or a mouse click away.

4. Humble Pie – Town & Country

Will someone please tell me why every DJ, music critic, record business buffoon, and ad wizard in this world overlooks Humble Pie? This band is an absolute force and “Town & Country” is their “Exile on Main Street.” Originally released in 1969 and only attainable through Japanese import, “Town & Country” presents a young, brash rock and roll ensemble that is cock sure and ready to party. Every time this record is played the listener is transported into a time warp of paisley incense and sage psychedelia. Swinging London lives in “Town & Country.” If you want to have an illustrious late night Saturday gathering amongst friends and peers you should spin this album and let the acclaim of your companions commence. The most underrated rock album ever made and perhaps the sixth greatest rock album ever behind 1. Exile on Main Street – Rolling Stones 2. Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin 3. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars – David Bowie 4. Band of Gypsys – Jimi Hendrix 5. Loaded – Velvet Underground. No Filler, All Killer.

5. Rolling Stones – Metamorphosis

Although “Metamorphosis” is a collection of Stones songs that for whatever reason didn’t make it on to one of their albums during the bands first five years, this album is still the most appropriately named record of all time. You can literally hear the Stones transforming themselves from Brian Jones’ Blues Band into the greatest Rock and Roll Band on Earth. The album begins with the Stones at the height of their British Invasion sound. “Out of Time”, the rearranged Chuck Berry song “Don’t Lie To Me”, “Heart of Stone”, “(Walkin’ Thru The) Sleepy City”, “We’re Wastin’ Time”, and “Try a Little Harder” are the epitome of the “Satisfaction” era Stones. The first two thirds of the album alone would have climbed to the top position in the pop charts in 1965. Each track is well crafted and flawlessly recorded. If you were to listen to just the first eleven songs you would believe that you were hearing any combination of the super hits put out by the Stones during the mid-60’s, but once you get to track twelve you better put the kids to bed because from then on the Stones give you five of their raunchiest, drug fueled, jams ever. “Jiving Sister Fanny”, “Downtown Suzie”, “Family”, “Memo From Turner”, and “I’m Going Down” are on the same level as “Honkytonk Woman”, “Parachute Woman”, “Sympathy for the Devil”, “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’”, and “Let it Bleed.” Recently remastered and released and super audio CD, this is a must have for any self respecting rock enthusiast.