WARNING (for those who care): No Connells content
 
For fellow old-timers (new-timers may read on for insight
into the curious psychology of old-timers):
 
Along with many others, I recently posted my desert isle
CD list.  I arbitrarily constrained my selections to
albums released since 1980 (perhaps with an eye toward
the high proportion of post-baby-boomers on this list).
Just for grins, here's my pre-1980 list, in alpha order only
(once again, I cheated shamelessly -- there are 13, not 10):
 
Beatles   _The Beatles_ (White Album)
   Nothing more to say.  Just...the Beatles.  The *White* Album,
   man.  You know?
 
Boston   _Boston_
   Yeah, I know, they kept making this album over again for the
   next 20 years -- but at least they made this one _first_.
 
Bruce Cockburn   _Dancing In The Dragon's Jaws_
   "Creation Dream".  "Hills of Morning".  "Incandescent Blue".
   Close your eyes and soar.
 
Doobie Brothers   _Toulouse Street_
   Program your player to skip the hit singles, and you'll hear a
   group you've never heard on the radio before.
 
Eagles   _The Long Run_
   Undiscovered gems abound.  Everybody remembers "I Can't Tell
   You Why," but how many of you remember "Disco Strangler" or
   "The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks"?  To be honest, this one
   also has tremendous sentimental appeal for me.
 
Fleetwood Mac   _Rumours_
   "Go Your Own Way".  Nearly twenty years later, God help me, I
   still crank it up every time.  Home of the original "Gold
   Dust Woman" (I also like the Hole version, though).
 
Dan Fogelberg   _Nether Lands_
   Dan was hitting his stride with this one.  Many of his fans
   consider this his best.  Just try to keep from singing along
   with "Once Upon A Time".
 
Vince Guaraldi Trio   _A Charlie Brown Christmas_
   IMHO, "Linus and Lucy" is one of the best post-swing jazz tunes
   ever written.  Somehow, the fact that it's so very familiar
   to everyone does not change that.
 
Jethro Tull   _Songs From The Wood_
   Celtic folksiness with an edge from Ian "The Headmaster" Anderson.
   If you're in a weird mood, check out the lyrics of "Hunting Girl".
 
Kansas   _Leftoverture_
   Still the definitive Kansas album, IMHO.  Every song reflects
   their style of epic grandeur.
 
Little Feat   _Feats Don't Fail Me Now_
   "Rock and Roll Doctor".  "Spanish Moon".  "Skin It Back".
   Southern/boogie/groove/blues/rock in high concentration.
 
Pink Floyd   _Animals_
   A widely ignored masterpiece, in my opinion.  Be prepared to
   be made extremely uncomfortable with your own conscience and
   motives, if you listen to the lyrics too closely.  Sheer
   depression re-molded as art.
 
Steely Dan   _The Royal Scam_
   Almost every song is a gleefully perverse celebration of the sleazy,
   the corrupt, the decadent and the insane, while laying down
   irresistable jazz and pop hooks and rhythm.  What could be more fun?
 
 
--Steve