The 10 albums I have to have while I am stranded !

During the afternoons out here in the farthest point of the southwest US there is a program called " Desert Island Disc " and the premise of this midday radio program is that listeners select the three albums they would have to have with them should they be stuck on a desert Island. And I was pondering that one myself. So I decided to pack a few more in my daypack as I am kinda a spoiled brat and music for me is indispensable. In the age of the Ipod we now get to cherry pick songs and pack them into a little device that can fit into our pockets. And if I were to make a list of songs that I would want there would not be adequate room in this hub to mention all of them. However to get back to the original intent of this hub I wanted to select some albums. Because if there is any segment of music that is a lost art it is the making of a great album that you can listen to from beginning to end.

But for me personally these selections not only have great songs they are great albums ! I listen to such a wide range of music that it was hard to select a scant few. But for me these albums are fabulous from beginning to end. So this is my must have list !

#1- David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust - I found it unusual that for me this was my automatic first pick. From the first drumbeat of the song " Five years " as it progresses to "Starman " and goes to " Better Hang onto Yourself " and " Suffragette City " this has to be not only some of the smartest vocals ever created but goes from fine piano playing to all out hard rock from the guitar work from Mick Ronson.

And was also the first incarnation of many images Bowie would give us. And dare I say Bowie was also the first Glam Rock Idol because this was prior to the New York Dolls and Mott the Hoople. I also love the album cover because it was taken in front of K-West which was one of the original hard rock stations in Los Angeles but is no longer around. And to me it is no surprise that it came in at #35 on the best 500 albums ever in Rolling Stone magazine. I guarantee you an awesome listening experience on this one. The album came out in 1972 and was among the first in a long line of great efforts by the thin white Duke.

#2- The Beatles- Revolver- No music collection is complete wiithout at least a couple of Beatles albums in there. And like many I know I pretty much own everything the Beatles layed down on vinyl. But of all the Beatles albums I own this to me is the crown jewel. Revolver was headed for fame the minute " Taxman " started groovin on that first number. And immediately followed up by " Eleanor Rigby " and right on up to " She Said She Said ". as well as " Good day Sunshine ". This album was recorded in 1966 and is as rock solid an effort today as it was 45 years ago. It was followed up by an album called " Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band " which I understand is pretty good too ! And yeah I own that one also. I really feel that there is no reason for me to elaborate on the greatness of the Beatles because I think all of us know.

#3- Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin 3- Just like the Beatles my music collection is saturated with Led Zeppelin albums. And I love all of them . But I am sure I am one of those oddballs that would probably pick Led Zeppelin 3 as my favorite. It starts out with the Uber classic " Immigrant Song " and then drifts off into dare I say a country bluegrass type of vibe. " Gallows Pole " has to be one of the most awesomely structured songs as it goes from a Delta Mississippi blues beginning to a hard pounding all out rock anthem from the beginning to the finish of this song. And it also happens to be my favorite Led Zeppelin song which is enough incentive right there for me to pick this album. And Jimmy Page we all know is one of the top two or three rock guitarists of all time. But the acoustic guitar playing on this album is just insane it is so good ! Just listen to " Bron-Y-Aur Stomp " and you will see what I mean. The album came out in1970 and was a complete departure from the previous two efforts by the mighty Zep. But I guarantee you listening pleasure from beginning to end on this one.

# 4- ZZ Top - Tres Hombres- Texas has a long history of putting out some of the best Country and Rock and Roll artist our ears have been blessed to hear. And ZZ Top exemplifies all that is great about Texas style Rock and Roll. Prior to their beards dragging on the floor ZZ Top had already established their greatness in the pantheon of American Rock and Roll for at least ten years. And no album was a better statement then " Tres Hombres " in 1973. It grabs you immediately with the opening numbers " Waitin for the Bus/Jesus just left Chicago " to " Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers " to " Movin on down the Line " to a song you may have heard once or twice " La Grange ". If you consider yourself a fan of ZZ Top and do not have this one in you collection, what the hell you waiting for ? Get it !

#5- Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music- Street Life- When the conversation comes up about some of the greatest and most influential bands of our time the Beatles and Led Zep always come up but rarely will you hear the name Roxy Music enter into the conversation. And I have to tell you that I can never understand why because they are simply one of the most distinctive and unique musical artists of all time in my humble opinion. And seeings that I would not be able to take all their albums with me I chose " Street Life " which for all intents and purposes is both Bryan Ferrys and Roxy Music's greatest hits collection. It starts out with " Virginia Plain" of course " Love is the Drug " as well as " Dance Away " plus "Sign of the Times" and a great version of Bob Dylans " Hard Rain is Gonna Fall " and a multitude of other great songs that will keep you tapping your toes from the start to the end of this album. If you love Bryan Ferrys work this is a must have. It was released in 1989 and I am a happier man for it !

# 6- Garbage- Garbage- Well not only does the state of Wisconsin now have the distinction of having the current Superbowl champs the Green Bay Packers they also have one of the best Rock and Roll bands to ever grace our ears Garbage. Their first album for me is singularly one of the best albums ever created period. This album came out in 1994 and hits you in the face with the opening number "Supervixen " followed by " Queerest of the Queer " as well as " Stupid Girl ". The dueling guitars and the seductive crooning of Shirley Manson are just to awesome. And like all the other entries in this hub is a uber great album from beginning to end ! Plus I have always had a high school crush on Shirley Manson and 17 years later that has not changed. I like bad girls. What can I tell ya ?

#7- The Cure- Galore- Seeings I can only take 10 disc with me I have to choose " Galore " and why ? Because it has every song that was great from The Cure. I have always been a huge fan of The Cure.

It has all the essential songs like " Just Like Heaven" and " Boys don't Cry to " Friday I'm in Love " and represents everything that is great about the Cure. It is consolidation of a bunch of great songs all rolled into one.

# 8 - Sly and the Family Stone - Greatest Hits - Going back to the awesome era of the 1960s I have to include Sly and the Family Stone and this collection because of the Nostalgic element to it. Sly Stone and the bunch were a vital part of the Woodstock period and nothing represented the importance of this band then this bunch of great tunes. It also has ended up at # 60 on the Rolling Stones 500 greatest albums. It hooks you from the beginning with " I Want to Take You Higher " then goes to "Everybody is a Star " the power pop song " Stand " as well as " Hot Fun in the Summertime". Yup all the great tunes are here in this one ! If you give it a listen you will know why I love it so much.

# 9- Jimi Hendrix - First Rays of the New Rising Sun - It is no secret that Jimi Hendrix is and always will be the pre eminent rock guitarists of all time. All guitarist are measured by his standard. And even today his collection of music that we were blessed with over a very short career is still in regular rotation on all major radio stations 40 years later. And there is a reason for that, he was just that damn good ! 27 years after his far to early death a collection of his recordings came out in 1997 the above titled album. And when you hear the initial grooves of " Freedom " you know your ears are in for a treat. Then we go along and hear " Angel " which to me is one of the songs that best represents why Jimi Hendrix is the legend that he is. Close your eyes and listen , the song is so damn good it will give you chills ! And then from there we go to " Ezy Rider " which has some of the sickest guitar playing I have ever heard ! Hendrix was supposed to start doing some recording with Emerson Lake & Palmer before his death. Imagine what the possibilities on that one would have been.

#10 - Bob Marley- Legend - Not to much I can say here. The title of the album says it all . Bob Marley has churned out some of the greatest songs that we have ever been blessed with. And the live performance of " No Woman No Cry " rates as one of the best live recordings I have ever heard. You can feel the earnestness and sincerety as well as the passion Bob Marley puts into this song. " Could you be loved " and ' Redemption Song " also rate high up here for me personally too. The album was rated # 46 on the Rolling Stones top 500 albums list and to me there is no doubt why. This is a must have for any Bob Marley fan

 Now make no mistake I am not calling these the greatest albums ever , what I am saying is that for me personally if I was limited to ten choices these are the ones that would have to come with me onto the Island and hopefully I would have enough batteries to tough it out. These selections would definitely get me through the isolation though. So I look forward to hearing what you might pack up with you as well. In the meantime rock on hubbers !