91.3fm Wyep: Discumentary

Although it was not his most popular album, Springsteen released this one just as he was winding down from the success of “Born to Run”. With more than 30 unused songs written, he picked these 10, each tell stories of life in working class America.

Lucinda Williams took 6 years to complete "Car Wheels On a Gravel Road" but the album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album and has made many top 100 albums lists. Williams writes sparse, unsparingly honest and often painful stories of ordinary lives.

Following the success of "The Graduate", Simon and Garfunkel put together a well crafted folk album featuring Simon’s poignant lyrics and Garfunkel’s elusive vocals. The album featured a completed and re-arranged version of Mrs. Robinson, the hit song America, and a recording of old people simply called "Voices of Old People".

Described as “Cosmic American Music” by Parsons himself, “Grievous Angel” was his second solo album. Parsons would never get to see the album’s release, due to his death from a drug overdose. Linda Ronstadt is featured on the song, “In My Hour of Darkness”.

After a constant tour schedule, Neko Case recorded “Blacklisted” in Arizona, giving her a new view of her music. The album features John Convertino and Joey Burns of Calexico and covers of songs by Aretha Franklin and Sarah Vaughn.

With the release of “It Still Moves,” My Morning Jacket had arrived. The album featured epic tales laid out over an arrangement of sparse chords, echoing reverb and Jim Jones’ high lonesome vocals and lead some critics to call the band’s sound “Southern Psych.”

Amherst College English majors Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball performed in various Boston venues and coffeehouses during their school days. They went their separate ways after graduating in the 1980s, but reunited to record as The Story. The album was released on Green Linnet and produced by Brooke’s then-husband Alain Mallet.

On their third release, British punk-rock legends The Clash made it even more apparent of their political stances on various tracks. Criticizing the likes of Margaret Thatcher and American consumerism. This is consider by many to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Harry Nilsson was already a Grammy winning artist by the time he released “Nilsson Schmilsson” but this record is regarded as his crowning glory by critics and fans. Borrowing Barbra Streisand’s producer and using lilting Tin Pan Alley melodies Nilsson created a classic record that would influence a new generation of brainy, sardonic songwriters.

When Ray Charles set out to record an album of country songs, his record label though he was crazy. Charles proved them all wrong when “Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music”, became a hit. It gave Charles the crossover success he needed, eventually making him a household name.

“Little Plastic Castle” was Ani Difranco’s 8th studio album and her most commercially successful release. Tune in to hear the story behind the album and the unique artist who is considered one of the most powerful independent artists in the music world.

Considered one of the greatest rock albums from the 80’s, “Let it Be” is The Replacements third release. A coming of age album in its own right, its fun and disjointed complete with a Kiss cover and songs about their bass player getting his tonsils out.

Bristol natives Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons joined forces to create Portishead, making a benchmark for the trip-hop genre. They relased their debut album, “Dummy” on Go Records in 1994, which reached the top 40. The group’s collaborative effort produced merit, winning them Britain’s Mercury Prize and play on MTV.

"Time Out of Mind" was Dylan’s 29th studio record and first album since 1990. Produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Brian Eno) the album featured dark lyrics and more blues and country style songs. It marked a comeback for Dylan in the 90’s and spawned the hits “Lovesick” and “Not Dark Yet”.

Its been said that the Velvet Underground sold very few copies of their debut album, but everyone who bought one started a band. This album, which is considered to be one of the most influential in rock history, is ripe with experimentation and hardly sounds dated. This album launched the careers of Lou Reed and John Cale and features the art of its producer, Andy Warhol.

Aretha’s third album for Atlantic records, this one includes the hits “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and Chain of Fools. It also reatures an impressive collection of musicians, including a young Eric Clapton.

This was CCR’s fifth album, released around the two-year anniversary of their vinyl debut. Cosmo’s Factory was the groups peak of popularity featuring “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and an eleven-minute version of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.”

His record label considered this album much stranger than his previous albums so they dropped Tom Waits and he took his work elsewhere. Island Records signed him and released the album in 1983 to a warm reception from fans and critics. Known for the varieties of percussion and horn experimentation, “Swordfishtrombones” was the genesis of Waits’ signature sound.

John Linnell and John Flansburgh had their breakout success with their major label debut. The biggest hit off the album, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”, was actually a cover, but their take on it fits in with the rest of the album. Flood is their best selling album to date.

Even though they were a trio, the Ben Folds Five formed in North Carolina and released this as their debut. It bridged the gap between piano rock and alternative rock, and paving the way for their breakout success.