91.3fm Wyep: Discumentary

Joe Jackson’s 5th release, Night & Day, was released in 1982 and marked a departure from his earlier work. The title, taken from a Cole Porter song, reflected a new sophistication in songwriting and garnered Jackson two of his biggest hit songs – “Breaking Us In Two” and “Steppin’ Out.”

The debut album of husband and wife musical team Richard and Linda Thompson, is considered a folk rock classic. The album features some of Richard’s former bandmates from Fairport Convention.

The British trio’s debut album had them bringing something different to the world of Trip Hop. The group’s Soul influences added to their distinctive atmospheric sound, and got them noticed by many who added this “chill out” album to their collections.

Released in 1971 at the height of societal unrest, Marvin Gaye tackled issues ranging from drug abuse to poverty to the Vietnam War, and created one of the most influential albums of all time. “What’s Going On?” was also the first album to credit Motown’s great session band, The Funk Brothers.

David Bowie’s concept album was inspired by George Orwell’s novel “1984.” Bowie brings his own glam-rock vision of a post-apocalyptic world to the recording and works without his band The Spiders from Mars for the first time since 1969.

This album was released in October of 1972 during what is considered Stevie Wonder’s “classic period” and garnered the artist 3 Grammy Awards. Hailed as one of the greatest crossover albums of all time, it broke down the boundaries as it climbed to the top of both Billboard’s rock and R&B charts.

1997’s OK Computer is Radiohead’s third release and marked the band’s move toward a more experimental sound. Produced by Nigel Godrich, the album’s themes included rampant consumerism, social alienation and political stagnation.

University of Georgia dropouts Bill Berry, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe recorded “Lifes Rich Pageant” in 1986, their fourth album on IRS Records. The album produced the single, “Cuyahoga” and solidified them in the college rock world.

Carole King spent the early part of her career co-writing hit songs with Gerry Goffin. In 1971 she released “Tapestry” and the album set the standard for singer/songwriter albums in the 70’s. It was the #1 album in the US for fifteen weeks, and stayed on the album charts for six years.

With “Penthouse”, Luna expanded their sound adding cellos, vibraphones and keyboards in with their trademark fuzzy guitar sound. Included among Rolling Stone‘s 150 essential albums of the 90’s, this one also features the guitar work of Televison’s Tom Verlaine.

“Unclassified” is the 2nd full release from New Jersey native and Sacred Steel genius Robert Randolph and his Family Band. Showing influences that range from The Allman Brothers to Bootsy Collins to Mahalia Jackson, Randolph fully realized his musical vision on this release, creating a unique blend of rock, R&B and gospel.

The Allman Brothers 1972 release “Eat A Peach” features the last work of founder and slide guitarist Duane Allman who died in a motorcycle accident during the recording process. The album is consider the standard bearer for southern blues/rock and features the classic tracks “Melissa” and “Blue Sky.”

For this record, U2 created a dark, expressive and American influenced sound deriving from rock, blues and country. The Edge’s trademark echoing guitar work and Bono’s passionate lyrics on songs such as “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” and “Where the streets have no name” helped the band achieve a Grammy for the year’s best album.

A Very Special Christmas was created by Producer Jimmy Iovine to benefit the Special Olympics. Stand out songs include "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by the Pretenders and "Merry Christmas Baby" performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band. The CD also featured the likes of The Eurythmics, Run-DMC, U2 to name a few.

This is the folk rock group’s breakthrough album. Moving them from college rock favorites to hitmakers, as this album remained on the Billboard album charts for close to a year and a half. It was the first of many hit albums, making the band and singer Natalie Merchant into stars.

Throughout her career Angelique Kidjo has combined modern music styles with traditional African music. On “Black Ivory Soul”, Kidjo adds the sounds of Brazil. Some Brazilian artists perform on the album, including guitarist Vinicius Canturia. The album also features ?uestlove from the Roots and Dave Matthews.

For this release Graham Parker combined his singer-songwriter pub rock with more conventional pop elements to make a rather unconventional album. Considered to be one of the great records of the post-punk era, and one of Parker’s most successful. Setting him up for mainstream success that never happened.

The Jayhawks returned to their country-rock roots with their seventh and final album, “Rainy Day Music”. It also features guest performances from Jakob Dylan, Chris Stills and Matthew Sweet.

Probably best known for their soundtrack work for the Ritchie Valens biopic “La Bamba”, Los Lobos created some of their most acclaimed work after their #1 hit. For “Kiko” the group experiments with their sound on songs that range in topics from homelessness to hopefulness.

The Band’s second album is considered a masterpiece. Recorded in a pool house rented from Sammy Davis Jr., this album features songs like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (which was a hit for Joan Baez) and “Up On Cripple Creek”.