Classic Rock Albums You Gotta Own

Again, I can't include every killer album, (many of the more well known artists are covered elsewhere on the 'Net), but I've tried to set out a good cross section. Many are excellent works that have often been overlooked. The rating system used below is on a scale of one to ten. Please note that a 10 represents absolute perfection, while a 9 would rate a truly rare and memorable album. Therefore, a rating of 7 or 7 1/2 still represents a solid, classic work. In the pursuit of objectivity and fairness, there are only a handful of 10s (IMHO). I would consider anything 8 and above a definite 'must have'.

• A Foot In Coldwater: Footprints I, Footprints II (1983)
  Rating: 8
  The Footprints series is a compilation of four early 70s albums. The graphic at left is from A Foot In Coldwater's self-titled debut 1972 release. If you can find a copy of any of their LPs, buy 'em. They're very rare.
  

• Atomic Rooster: Death Walks Behind You (1969)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  A great all around album. Great keys. Killer sound from John Cann. The picture on the left is from Repertoire's 1990 re-issue.
  

• Allman Brothers Band: At The Fillmore East (1971)
  Rating: 8
  The best live blues album around. Four sides of guitar heaven!

• The Beatles: Take Your Pick
  Rating: Varies
  It is impossible to pick just one (or even two) Beatles albums that one must have in a classic collection, but it is a given that they must be present. Most would agree that 'Sgt. Pepper's' would have to be included, but beyond that, it's up to the individual. My personal favourites are 'Magical Mystery Tour' and 'Abbey Road', but I'd probably wimp out and pick the 'Red' and 'Blue' collection CDs.

• Blodwyn Pig: Ahead Rings Out (1969)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  Interesting assortment of blues and rock with a slightly jazzy influence. Great playing by Mick Abrahams. Oddly enough, the CD re-issue doesn't include the best tune on the album, See My Way. But, it is on Pig's other CD re-issue, Getting To This. Go figure?
  

• Cactus: Cactus (1970)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  Classic hard-edged blues rock. Jim McCarty, Rusty Day and Bogert/Appice later of the Jeff Beck Group.
  

• Cheap Trick: Heaven Tonight (1978)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  Every collection needs some power pop, and this Cheap Trick album is the top of the genre.

• Crack The Sky: Crack The Sky (1975)
  Rating: 7
  This rather obscure album is a real gem. Well-written and performed hard pop is the brainchild of John Palumbo.

• Deep Purple: Deep Purple In Rock (1970)
  Rating: 9
  Literally the most revolutionary heavy metal masterpiece of the time. Blackmore is incredible. I can't listen to it without getting flashbacks!
  

• Deep Purple: Come Taste The Band (1975) or Tommy Bolin: Teaser (1975)
  Rating: 7
  You should have at least one album featuring Tommy Bolin. Come Taste the Band isn't the best Purple album, but it profiles Bolin well. Teaser is more representative of his style and writing, but IMHO, isn't as powerful.

• Detective: Detective (1976)
  Rating: 7
  Another little known album that deserves more recognition. Michael Monarch from Steppenwolf plays guitar and Tony Kaye from the early Yes plays keys. Not available on CD as far as I know, but the album pops up occasionally.

• Fagen, Donald: The Nightfly (1982)
  Rating: 8
  Okay, Okay! It's not hard rock, but it's impossible to not include something by Steely Dan and Donald Fagen.

• Free: Fire And Water
  Rating: 8
  The band 'o Pauls, Rodgers and Kossoff, produced many great albums during the late 60s and throughout the 70s. On this release are the AM staple, All Right Now, as well as Mr. Big and a great ballad, Heavy Load.
  

• Goddo: Who Cares (1977)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  The best of the lot by the Toronto power trio. Gino Scarpelli's unique sound is worth the investment alone.
  

• Grand Funk Railroad: 'Red Album' (1970)
  Rating: 8
  Boy, it sounded so fresh when it first came out, and still stands the test of time. From the original garage band!
  

• Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced (1967)
  Rating: 10
  This is probably one of the top three albums of all time. It was so far ahead of its time, we still haven't caught up yet.

• Jimi Hendrix: Electric Ladyland (1968)
  Rating: 9 1/2
  A truly monster work. Vodoo Chile, Crosstown Traffic, Red House, All Along the Watchtower. What an album!

• Humble Pie: Rockin' The Fillmore
  Rating: 9
  Marriott and Frampton are absolutely smokin' on this gem. I really think it is the best sounding live rock album of all time (IMHO, of course).
  

• James Gang: James Gang Rides Again (1970)
  Rating: 8 1/2
  Joe Walsh's tour de force. The guitar sound is so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
  

• James Gang: Live In Concert (1971)
  Rating: 8
  The second best sounding live album of all time. Yours truly had the pleasure of seeing their 1971 tour at an old wooden concert theatre called Massey Hall in Toronto. I will never forget Walsh's guitar sound.
  

• Kim Mitchell: Akimbo Alogo (1984), Shakin' Like A Human Being (1986) or Rockland (1989)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  You've got to give at least one Kim Mitchell album a shot. 'Akimbo Alogo' has the hits, Go For Soda and All We Are. 'Shakin' Like A Human Being' has Patio Lanterns and That's The Hold. 'Rockland' has Rocklandwonderland and Rock N Roll Duty. 'Rockland' is my personal fave, but go out and hose at least one right now, or take off, eh . . .

• Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin (1969)
  Rating: 10
  Did this album blow your mind as much it did mine? Truly an album that changed the course of rock music.
  

• Montrose: Montrose (1973)
  Rating: 8 1/2
  Probably one of the best examples of classic riff-rock. Under 'Marshall Amp' in the dictionary, they have .WAV files of this album.
  

• Mountain: Climbing! (1969)
  Rating: 9 1/2
  IMHO, Climbing! ranks in the top five rock albums of all time. Leslie West's playing is so bang on and tasty, I don't believe we'll ever hear anything quite as good again.
  

• Mountain: Nantucket Sleighride (1970)
  Rating: 8 1/2
  One Mountain album is not enough for a 'best of' list. Regardless, Nantucket is a great work that merits ownership.

• Quatermass: Quatermass (1970)
  Rating: 7 1/2
  This album is a rarity, but is currently available as a re-issue CD from Repertoire. This band was actually the first keyboard, bass and drums trio, predating ELP. Anyway, their only album is definitely worth having.

• Queen: News Of The World (1977)
  Rating: 8
  You've gotta pick at least one Queen album, and this one is mine.
  

• Steely Dan: Aja (1977)
  Rating: 8
  This another 'pick-em' selection. I love virtually every Steely Dan album, but I guess this one is my fave.

• Thin Lizzy: Jailbreak (1976)
  Rating: 8
  The harmony leads of Brain Robertson and Scott Gorham made Thin Lizzy the premier dual guitar rock band. Excellent writing and Phil Lynott's distinctive voice make this album a 'must have'.

• Robin Trower: Bridge Of Sighs (1974)
  Rating: 9
  You already know what I think about this release. I just had to officially throw it on the 'Albums You Gotta Own' list.
  

• Robin Trower: Twice Removed From Yesterday (1973) or For Earth Below (1975)
  Rating: 8 1/2
  Sorry--I just can't make up my mind! On one hand 'Twice Removed' is great, but 'For Earth Below' is so heavy. Well, I guess I'll have to pick . . . crap! I can't decide. You make up your own mind <g>.

• Joe Walsh and Barnstorm: The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get (1973)
  Rating: 8
  Again, I had to pick one, and this is it. I actually prefer 'There Goes the Neighborhood' but in all fairness, 'Smoker' is the definitive Walsh solo album.
  

• The Who: Who's Next (1971)
  Rating: 9
  'Who's Next' is one of those albums you'd take with you to a desert island. Townsend is the conscience of the rock world, and IMHO this is his masterpiece (with all due respect to 'Tommy').