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Desert Island Discs
It's a question that is as difficult to answer as it is revealing about one's musical tastes: What album would you take to a desert island? We talk with Phil Freeman, editor of Marooned: The Next Generation of Desert Island Discs, about this time-honored musical dilemma. Plus, music critics Greg Tate and Ian Christe explain their picks. And don't forget to leave a comment: tell us your ultimate desert-island disc.
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If I had to pick a dessert isle disc RIGHT NOW, it would be Blackberry Belle by The Twilight Singers. Greg Dulli is in his prime here, the balance between dark and light themes is perfect, the playing is excellent, and it is without a doubt one of his finest hours. A healthy mix of atmospheric hard rock, soft ballads, and funky, almost Prince like grooves. So, having said all of these wonderful things, let me ask: What will I be listening to my CD on?
I'd have to go with Life's Rich Pageant, by R.E.M.
The disc has an incredible flow -- you can listen to it front to back, and the segues are impeccably deft.
The pacing and mood are both variable. There are up-tempo rock tracks, and thoughtful ballads, and strange little excursions.
From the morbidly beautiful Flowers of Guatemala to the psychotically upbeat I Am Superman to kickass driving songs Begin the Begin and Hyena, you get a lot of moods and styles for your buck.
Second place might actually be Return to Cookie Mountain by TV On The Radio.
Liz Phair "Exile In Guyville"
This album is fantastic. So far it's proven to be a favorite at 18 and at 31, I can't say the same thing for many of the other CDs I purchased when I was 18.
Plus it's super fun to sing along with. I imagine that would be that much more important marooned on a desert island.
Without a doubt, Thin Lizzie's "Jailbreak." First of all, you've already heard "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Jailbreak" a million times and you're not sick of them yet. Secondly, every song on the album is not just a song but a story. Even after you get sand in the discman, you can sing the highly-memorizable songs by firelight and pick out constellations to be the characters. Little Dipper and Big Dipper equal "The Boys are Back in Town" Orion is the Cowboy of "Cowboy Song" and some of those stars must be in lines enough to be the bars of the jail in "Jailbreak."
Soft Machine "Third"
Each song approaches 20 minutes, providing a great escape from the less than savory reality of being stranded on a desert island.
A wide variety of style is present and there are few vocals to grow tired of. It rocks, provides moments of relief, and then Robert Wyatt sings "Moon in June" to you. I would totally thatch the roof of my beach shack to this.
Abbey Road by the Beatles. Am I right people? In fact I think I'll grab this record right now and try to strand myself on a deserted island. I may end up the happiest person on the island.
Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced?...
No album has ever made me feel so alive and empowered.
Joe Jackson, "Night and Day"
It would remind me of the city, and has its fair share of both contemplative and dancey moments. I imagine those would be my primary moods were I marooned somewhere.
I might have to go with Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert. The beauty and genius of his improvisation never fails to disappoint me, and I am constantly hearing something new each time I put it on. While it would not necessarily "keep me company," my mind would be challenged.
(If I wanted to hear voices, worried about being alone, I would have to go with something different. Maybe The Clash's London Calling.)
Wow, this is a really hard question! Upon much consideration, I think I would choose Prem Joshua's album: "Secret of the Wind." What an awesome album, he is the man! I'd be able to hear every instrument I love; sitar, tabla, bass, and guitar... Now all I'd have to do is figure out how to play the album...
Stephane Grappelli's May Fools soundtrack.
It is both fun and melancholy and can be listenned to again and again.
Similar to the person who nominated "Exile in Guyville," an album that stands the test of time would be essential for me. In addition, an album presenting a range of emotions is also important.
Depending on my mood at the moment I was stranded, I might choose Live's "Throwing Copper," U2's "Achtung Baby," or Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Party Doll and Other Favorites," all of which fit the necessary criteria.
Sting's "All This Time" would definitely be among my desert island discs.
At the close of his Brand New Day tour, Sting planned a special one-off concert in his Tuscany backyard for a small audience comprised of friends and some fan club members. After touring for two years with the same setlist and arrangements, he decided to augment his band with some new players, completely rearrange all of his material to accommodate the new ensemble and intimate setting and put a brand new show together in only 7 days. To add to the challenge, it'd be filmed for DVD (including the rehearsals), recorded for an album release, and webcasted live. The show was scheduled for September 11, 2001.
Given what happened, the band thought it appropriate to play "Fragile" and close down the webcast. Sting then asked the audience how to proceed, they requested more music, so the band played on. However, they decided to drop songs that were "too overly upbeat" and played a generally mellow show from a spontaneous setlist.
The arrangements are refreshingly different. After playing the songs in the same way for 2 years, Sting and his band tore them completely apart and rebuilt them in new ways. The new players (especially jazz bassist Christian McBride) offer some much-needed fresh air. The album is perfect from start to finish (in my humble opinion), with standout tracks including the tango/jazz infused "Roxanne" (still finding new vitality after 20-odd years), a brooding "Hounds of Winter", an interesting medley of "Don't Stand So Close To Me" and "When We Dance" (featuring some lovely cello playing), and an acoustic "Mad About You" taken from a rehearsal session.
I love it - it's a different sort of live album. Not loud and booming like an arena, but cozy and calm. It's nice to have a recording where the band tries something completely new and adventurous with their music, as opposed to hearing the studio version (more or less) with some applause. If only "Message In A Bottle" made the album, then it truly would be a perfect desert island disc.
Abbey Road- no question
Belafonte at Carnegie Hall(1959)
Harry Belafonte's live concert is a reminder that a vulnerable listener is indispensable in a world where some people seem to be expendable: some dreams are dead but we are alive!
I realize this is all in fun but let's face it, whatever record I might choose now won't be the same record I might choose tomorrow or even one hour from now. Any one record, no matter how great, would quickly bore one to tears in a very short time. Personally, I would take my own guitar to provide my musical sustenance.
Janis Joplin: Pearl. Although I'm torn between Bach, Meatloaf, and Nina Simone. Too bad it can't be four desert island discs. Difficult to narrow down anything to just one favorite.
Jeffrey Scott is right. I just put on "All This Time" after writing all that, and just wasn't in the mood for it. D'oh!
I would have to say The Who's "The Who Sell Out." Runs the gamut from euphoria to dysphoria in about 40 minutes. There are better albums, and a few better bands, but none have the unmitigated lust for life that the Who showed on this record...
The Smiths, "The Queen Is Dead"
um, I think I would bring a book-on-cd, like maybe one that dealt with survival in the wilderness? Any album I had - if I only had one - would only further my insanity, as I would listen to it hundreds of times.
Kudos to Schaefer, however, for finding another way to deify pre-90s "classics" that have already driven me crazy (because I can't help listening to them hundreds of times). Which mainstream music pundit is on the panel today? How many tired and obsolete musical breakthroughs are we going to pretend to be excited about this time? Maybe another visit from the AARP?
"Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis and John Coltrane, one of the most beautiful records ever made.
My friend Joseph says it's Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach Cantatas. I would have to say it's the original Bway cast of My Fair Lady.
For the ipod generation even Bitches Brew gets boring after just a few listens. Not that it isn't a great album, it is, but just the same it would be torture to be stuck with only this album and nothing else.
I would prefer to be stranded more like Joe Vs. Volcano - just me and a ukulele - maybe most of the songs would be bad but at least the playlist would be unlimited.
Death metal? My choice would be The Brandenburg Concertos.
Roy Ayers: Evolution: The Polydor Anthology
Not only because it has one of my top songs of all time Everybody Loves the Sunshine and how can that not be appropriate for a Island experience, but the anthology has a nice selection of Ayers at his best.
Rubber Soul by the Beatles, I can listen to it over and over again -- forever ---
I'm so curious to know what would be your pick, John. If there is a second please leak your peak.
I would pick Ok Computer by Radiohead as my desert island album. I spent 2 years in Togo West Africa as a peace corps worker. In a tiny village with only 300 people, and no electricity, I saved my precious batteries I had to listen to Ok Computer on my walkman. It saved my sanity, and I thank Thom Yorke for it!
Opeth. Heavily melodic, Swedish death metal. Preferably Blackwater Park or Damnation. Brilliant musicianship, impeccable production. Incredibly complex, long and involving songs. One can always hear something new in the same song.
Money Jungle
Duke Ellington - Max Roach - Charles Mingus
Need I say more!!
Three musical icons and giants sitting down in a studio and making music without bounderies. Each one of them drawing each other into their own musical identites - pushing - pulling - and creating some of the most amazing improvised music ever.
This is a very tough question...especially for someone with eclectic tastes. My ultimate choice would be "Scenes From a Memory" by Dream Theater. It is masterfully written and flawlessly performed. The production is excellent as well. There are so many levels of sound and content to explore that each time I listen to it, I find that something else grabs my attention. I highly recommend this album to anyone.
Beach Boys Pet Sounds, my favorite album is Ok Computer but that would be too miserable for the rest of my life.
I have qualms with the fact that the Moterhead album is an anthology by the way. Wouldn't have said anything but Pavement is my favorite band ever.
novo metamorfosi -- Le Poeme Harmonique's exploration of falsobordone, which encompasses 17th century ecstatic improvisation based on plain chant and vespers psalms, plus contrafacta based on Monteverdi madrigals. It is both incredibly modern and deeply spiritual. And surpassingly sensual. Really.
First of all, I'll go on record as a Pavement-hater. Just never got it. Same goes for Sleater Kinney. Doesn't mean I'd rule out alt-rock, though.
I am interested to know how many other contributors might say that their desert island disc is not their favorite album. When I think of great albums, I think of albums like Joshua Tree or Unforgettable Fire - a collection of great songs that all have a similar sound. If I were stranded, though, I think I'd go crazy with that one sound...
I'd have to vote for Astral Weeks, by the way. Similar sound throughout, but it's happy, it's sad, it's an atmosphere in which I can lose myself every day.
Easily the album that has kept me listening over and over again for many years is avant-hip hop group cLOUDDEAD’s self titled disc. The lyrics are heady, the atmosphere distant; in short, the perfect thing to distract on a desert beach.
John Handy Live at the Monterrey Jazz Festival 1965
Big Star's #1 Record/Radio City.
For me, this record has already been put to the test, and it came through. I once spent 1 1/2 year abroad with only a dozen or so cassettes, and this album, and this one alone, I never grew tired of. The musicianship, the amazing production, the melodies, the melding of British pop with country and Americana... Unbelievably durable.
I have to mention: kinda hard to take this guest seriously considering he thinks Pavement is "the worst band ever" (you don't have to like them, but worst band ever? C'mon) and has NEVER listend to the Meters. A music critic who's never heard the Meters. You gotta be kidding me!
No fair playing the impartial host. Echoing Alex's request, John please tell us your pick.
It will have to be a toss up between the greatest lyricist, Bob Marley, or the greatest instrumentalist Fela. Either way, I don't think I can go wrong. Both artists provide inspirational music that moves the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of us.
Fleetwood Mac Rumours
I have been listening to this album since I was a small child and it never fails to bring joy. 30 years later and it hasn't gotten stale...
The SOUNDTRACK to "Thirty Two Short Films By Glenn Gould." I am a bass player, whose interests are really eclectic and you'd think think I was more of a funk or rock or jazz kind of person...but I think even the *best* pop would get repetitive on a desert island (yes, I'm in the "taking this literally camp.")
Got time? Pick something where EVERY note counts, and there as many notes as grains of sand on yer beach.
Saturday Night Fever sound track...without a doubt. It would take all the time I had on the island to get all of Travolta's moves down...then I could have a recital for myself
The Stone Roses eponymous debut album, The Stone Roses.
Continues to climb many "best albums ever" lists all over the world. It was one of my first cds at 13 in 1989, and it has never left the rotation in the cd player for 18 years.
What was the name of the Meters song that was played during the broadcast?
As for my desert island disc, it's a bit of a boring choice, but I'm still more inspired by Kind of Blue than any other album I've ever heard. It's just perfect.
SOUNDCHECK SAYS: You heard "Sissy Strut" from the Meters' self-titled album.
Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon. So many emotions on this album, which is important if your only going to have one disc. Plus, it has the song "Isolation."
Either:
Inner Visions - Stevie Wonder
Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack
White Album - Beatles
Complete Woodstock '69 Sound
Man, these things are so tough. But in the spirit of indecision, I'm going to give my top
five, in that order.
1. Pavement, "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain" (Pop perfection NOT the "worst band ever." Plus, "Silence Kit" is one of the greatest opening songs ever)
2. Bob Dylan, "Blood on the Tracks" (I didn't see anyone include a Dylan album, I'm surprised).
3. The Clash, "London Calling" (Infinitely listenable)
4. Television, "Marquee Moon"
5. Broken Social Scene, "You Forgot It In People" (This album never gets old.)
Allman Brothers Live at Filmore East. Any other answer is foolish.
For me it would be a toss up between Betty Carter's: Look What I Got and Leon and Mary Russell's: The Wedding Album. Both are amazing classics that evoke abosolute joy. This would be my food for survival!
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
I've been listening to these albums on a regular basis for almost 20 years...is it possible I'll EVER get sick of these?
The soundtrack to 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould.
As a previous commenter stated, every note counts on this disc. It is refreshing water to the soul.
Either that, or the Busch Quartet and Reginald Kell playing the Brahms Clarinet Quintet in 1937. You'll enter into the music so profoundly that you'll consider your pre-desert-island days a total waste.
Thanks to everyone for giving me so many different artists to check out!
As for my pick... definitely Oregon's 45th Parallel. Call it world music meets jazz, performed by classically trained geniuses. I've been to many a concert, but seeing them live has never been topped.
OK Alex and Anonymous/upstate, here's my answer: I can't answer. Brian Eno's "Another Green World," and The Clash's "London Calling" both came to mind immediately, and were almost as quickly discarded. I can't even take a ride upstate in my car with just one album. I'm going to take the same cheater's way out as Adam and Jeffrey - the days when I could play Bach, Sor, and de Visee on my guitar are long gone, but if I'm stuck on an island, I'll have plenty of time to regain my chops. Then I can mangle any piece, any style I want...
It's his book and he can do whatever he wants, but knowing the background of it makes me want to go out and put a sticker on all the copies I can find. Something like "for metal fans only."
How could this be useful to anyone? No one over 40, ok fine. But to restrict anyone who disagrees with his metal-centric tastes negates the whole exercise.
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis. We used to play this game years ago but we would pick 10 albums on a desert island. This one was always on the list. It may not be my favorite album but I believe I would look for something that could hold my interest for a long time and there is alot on this one.
You know how you can sometimes find two CDs in one jewel case, because you blindly put one on top of another without looking? I would have done that just before this flight. Yeah, I'm pretty sure of it. So...
"Pleased To Meet Me," The Replacements
"Complete Stax/Volt Singles: 1959-1968, Vol. 1 (Disc 9)," (various)
... although the irony of Eddie Floyd's "Big Bird" might be too bitter following a plane wreck.
One of those "hen first OR egg first" question!! My pick will be Igor Stravinsky's PETRUSHKA conducted by the late great
Sir Georg Solti Chicago Symphony Orchestra. On that disc there is also Jeux de Cartes based on the game of Poker which Igor Stravinsky liked to play.
BUT if WE all go to the same desert island I'd be more than happy to share my pick with the rest of the gang above.
Cheers.
Hamid.
www.videopix.co.uk
http://videopix.zenfolio.com
Well!!
Glad I came late.
Practically no orchestral or symphonic music, no ballet music, no opera.
No Glass, Reich, Adams, Young.
No Part Messian, Tavener
No Golijov, No O'Connor.
My personal choice would be Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert. No surprise.
Too hard a question since there are a number of masterpieces out there but it would be a hard choice between
Metallica's Master of Puppets
Led Zeppelin II
both very influential and versatile chunky works of timeless works of art.
This thread is closed.
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