Press Play and Sit Your Ass Down: Volume 9
By Steven Franczkiewicz
It’s the age of the ipod, shuffle and playlists. But for some artists, albums matter. Some musicians don’t just write and perform songs, they create whole albums to be a start to finish listening experience. Here’s another great list of albums where you just have to press play. Want more? Press Play Vol 1 , Press Play Vol 2. , Press Play Vol. 3, Press Play Vol 4, Press Play Vol 5, Press Play Vol. 6, Press Play Vol. 7, and Press Play Vol 8.
So just press play. Sit your ass down. And listen.
* * *
Richie Havens, Mixed Bag
Never has there ever been a music artist more in touch with their own music than the late Richie Havens. His third album, released in 1967, was not only a splendid tribute to great songwriters like Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot it is also a spiritual journey through his distinct guitar style. All the proof you need to is listen to the prophetic “Handsome Johnny” or to the gentle flowing lyrics in the song “Follow”. This album also happened to be the very first album ever played on WNEW Fm in New York City. This album has a legacy that stands to this very day and is without a doubt a great album to listen to when looking to discover where folk music can go.
* * *
Elton John, Elton John
When you think of the artist that best represents the singer/songwriter, there is no one better than Elton John. In his second album John and his cowriter Bernie Taupin create an atmosphere of peace, love, and to a certain extent reverence. While the most well known song off this album is the classic love song Your Song, there are other songs such as Sixty Years On that describe those dark thoughts that everyone struggles to cope with. Before you know it you’ll be replaying this album over and over to hold on to those sounds that calls for an emotional response in the listener.
* * *
Simon & Garfunkel, Bookends
As the format of music distribution has changed from vinyls to digital downloads, many albums from the past have lost it’s meaning and original sound quality. One such album is Simon & Garfunkel’s entry into the late 60’s concept albums, Bookends. Each side of the album has a different tone. On Side A, belonging to Art Garfunkel, the feeling is somewhat serious and somber as the songs deal with tradgedy, break ups, and the feeling of the unknown. On Side B Paul Simon brings us a carefree and light hearted atmosphere contrasting the heavier tones on Side A and ending the album on a silly note. If you get the opportunity listen to this album on vinyl to get the full effect.
* * *
Carol King, Tapestry
There were many singers that before they became performers were songwriters. One such singer is Carole King who wrote a string of of classic songs in the sixties at the Brill Building. Eventually evolving into a performer, King came out with an audio resume of many of the songs that were hits in the sixties as well as others in her 1971 album Tapestry. Such songs as Will You Love Me Tomorrow take on a different more serious tone than the popular Shirelle’s version. This album takes a softer mood then how the pop songs were initally performed and is perfect for winding down after a long day. Tapestry is also one of the top best-selling albums of all time with over 25 million copies sold.
* * *
Paul Winter Consort, Icarus
When hearing the term “New Age Music” most people have a pavlovian response and begin to think of long clarinet solos and animal documentary music. All anyone has to do to break this is to listen to Paul Winter’s 1973 album Icarus. This album fuses West Coast jazz, modern classical, folk-pop and world music to actually define the genre of New Age. While mostly musical the Consort creates a meditative mood without overdoing it and Icarus is a great album to put on when you are looking for something different to listen to without completely leaving the norm. You may think differently next time you head the word “New Age Music”.
