Desert Island iPod

This post originally appeared on my music column ‘The Crossroads’ over at Dad-Blogs.com on May 5, 2009.

Growing up one of my favorite shows to listen to on the radio was “Desert Island Discs” which purported to give a run down of the albums that one would view as essential to life if they were stranded on a deserted island.Sure they never explained how you would generate power for the stereo system while stranded on said island, but I’m assuming that you would have the good fortune to be so stuck with a wily professor that could generate electricity with coconuts.Although the best use of his time would probably be to find a way off the island.

For me this has been a nearly impossible task, as there is so much music that is important in my life.However, I’ve forged ahead and racked my brain to come up with my top ten albums that I truly could not live without.After going through this exercise I am even more thankful to the brilliant minds that keep making storage devices smaller and cheaper so I am able to carry my entire music collection with me at all times.

My Top 10 (in no particular order)

Aja – Steely Dan

It is really difficult for me to pick my favorite Steely Dan album. I easily could have gone with ‘Katy Lied’ or ‘Countdown to Ecstasy’ instead.However, Steve Gadd’s drum solo on the title track seals the deal for me.

Boston – Boston

Contrary to some things you may have read around these parts lately, I’m here to tell you Boston rocks! But this is more than a shout out to my hometown.For a band that puts out a new album every few decades their first effort is clearly still their best.The first time I ever heard ‘Foreplay / Long Time’ I was hooked.

Rubber Soul – The Beatles

In the Stones vs. Beatles battle I am firmly entrenched in the Fab Four’s camp.Picking just one Beatles album is, again, very difficult for me, but when forced to choose I would take Rubber Soul.The song ‘If I Needed Someone’ is one of my all time favorites and, while over used at the various weddings I’ve attended, ‘In My Life’ is a classic love song.

Master of Puppets – Metallica

If I’m going to be stranded on an island all by my lonesome, then I’m going to need some very loud, angry music to get me through the day.I can think of nothing better than Metallica and a little ‘Disposable Heroes’ while tidying up my little corner of the island.

Exit…Stage Left – Rush

Starting with ‘Spirit of Radio’ and continuing to ‘Red Barchetta’ this album is classic Rush.If I could be reincarnated as anyone, then I would want to come back as Neil Peart.

Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs – Derek & the Dominoes

Derek is Eric!It doesn’t get much better than Clapton, unless of course you throw in Duane Allman and his slide guitar.The title track aside, there are some serious gems on this disc.From ‘I Looked Away’ to ‘Anyday’ to their cover of ‘Little Wing’ there is a lot to like about this album.

Strange Brew – The Very Best of Cream – Cream

OK, so a greatest hits type album may be cheating, but this is my list.It has all the staples from ‘Badge’ to ‘White Room’ to ‘Crossroads’, but it also has underappreciated tracks like ‘Tales of Brave Ulysees’ and ‘Swlabr’.All in all it’s got that rainbow feel, even if the rainbow has a beard.

Slowhand – Eric Clapton

As if my man-crush on Clapton wasn’t evident enough having already included Cream and Derek and the Dominoes on the list, I now turn my attention to his solo work.I had strongly considered his 2004 release ‘Me and Mr. Johnson’ since his love of Robert Johnson shaped his playing style.In the end, however, it came down to a coin flip between the 1977 release ‘Slowhand’, which featured his cover of J.J. Cale’s ‘Cocaine’, and his 2006 album ‘The Road to Escondido’ that he recorded with J.J. Cale.

Radio One – Jimi Hendrix

Another coin flip between this album and ‘Live at Winterland’.Radio One has more tracks on it, but is missing the classic song ‘Red House’ that has one of the greatest closing lines of any song, ever.

Joe’s Garage – Frank Zappa

This album is a classic by a true musical genius.Zappa’s work is difficult to define or categorize and is certainly an acquired taste.If you make it past the silly lyrics of this rock opera, then you willfind some seriously intricate musical compositions.Zappa composed classical music and brought a very avant garde approach to his sound that was anything but mainstream.

Honorable Mention:  Thick as a Brick –Jethro Tull

An album with one 45 minute long song?Why not?I’ve got no where else better to be.

OK, now that you’ve seen mine, show me yours.

What are thetop ten albums you couldn’t live without?

My goal here is to get the conversation started and see where it can take us.