Yeah, it’s an end-of-year thing, and lots of people are doing it. Naming their favorite this or that. Naming their favorite albums of 2009. All that stuff.
The problem is, this blog is new. Too new to have gone through a whole year. And since we’re still getting to know each other, I thought I’d just generalize and try to nail down my top five albums…ever. These aren’t just my personal faves, or the ones I listen to the most. I’d say it’s more like looking over time, these are five records that have influenced me most.
I like too much music, so it’s hard enough to pick five records; so that’s as far as it goes. I’m not ranking them 1 to 5–they are in random order here:
The Joshua Tree
You know something is a classic when the songs still seem current over 20 years later. This was where U2 hit the top of their game, and they’ve pretty much stayed there. (Yes…even after No Line on the Horizon.) It’s more than just the sound; it’s the passion. And as far as frontmen go…stage presence, audience connection, all that…I measure all frontmen against Bono. He’s the ultimate.
At Folsom Prison
I cut my teeth on this record. (Well, actually, I already had my teeth by then–but you get the idea.) When I was three, I earned a free beer for my Mom by singing Johnny Cash songs to the jukebox in the pizza joint. I would tell people I was Johnny Cash. Even then, this record represented to me the ultimate of who Johnny Cash was. I didn’t know about the drugs; I didn’t know what drugs were–and anyway, he was on the upswing when he made this record. Years later, watching Walk the Line (one of my Top Five Movies), the significance of Johnny Cash making a live recording in a prison was driven home to me, and it revived my respect for this record.
For Him Who Has Ears to Hear
This is one I don’t expect everyone to know–because it was a Christian record made at the heart of the Jesus Movement. But for me, as a kid, it was the first time I’d heard Christian music that wasn’t an organ in a church–and not only that, but this long-haired, beared hippie-looking guy pounded the piano like it was the drums–and it was so cool. I was just learning piano, and Keith Green forever affected my playing style–much to the chagrin of every piano teacher I ever had.
The Beautiful Letdown 
A more recent one, but there’s an honesty and passion in this record that just hit at a key moment in my life. I just related…especially to the ballads.
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2/ Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini
All right, so I’m a geek. Actually…I was trained classically on piano and was a composition major in college. As a “tween” I got to see pianist Earl Wild play Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 live, and it was a “forever” moment for me. Not only to see someone play something so complex and make it look so easy…but to this day I think Rachmaninoff’s melodies are among the most beautiful in history. I got the record shortly after seeing the concert, and wore. it. out. I don’t think that version is in print anymore, but the link above is for a different recording of it.
So…what are your Top Five?