Bands with huge catalogs but much of it is complete dreck

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Generally if a band is fortunate enough to have a large cannon of work, at least some of it is considered essential and some of it will probably suck.

Which groups have the worst ratio in this regard?

I nominate Alice Cooper. His best albums had a lot of filler on them and there were many, many albums that only had filler (at best). The fact that his Greatest Hits compilation is possibly the only album of Cooper's that is truly essential speaks volumes.

What other groups or solo performers have vast catalogs, yet almost none of it you really need to own?

Brian O'Neill (NYCNative), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:29 (twenty years ago)

The fact that his Greatest Hits compilation is possibly the only album of Cooper's that is truly essential speaks volumes.

I have a feeling you have just let yourself into a world of hurt.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:31 (twenty years ago)

Let me dust off my copy of DaDa to mentally prepare myself...

Brian O'Neill (NYCNative), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:35 (twenty years ago)

Alice Cooper would rank about five millionth on this list.

xhuxk, Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:36 (twenty years ago)

I nominate Journey. I count at least eighteen releases on their webpage, including a greatest hits and a live album. I mean, they recorded the soundtrack to Armageddon for chrissakes.

http://www.journeymusic.com/index2.html

Someone come forth to defend the discography of Journey! I command thee!

M. Biondi (M. Biondi), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:43 (twenty years ago)

"I nominate Alice Cooper."

crazy talk!

scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:45 (twenty years ago)

1973 February THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII
1973 March Catherine
1974 May JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
1974 October The Journey
1974 December The Battle
1975 April THE MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
1975 June Merlin the Magician
1975 November LISZTOMANIA
1975 November Love's Dream
1976 January Orpheus Song
1976 April NO EARTHLY CONNECTION
1977 January WHITE ROCK
1977 February White Rock
1977 November RICK WAKEMAN'S CRIMINAL RECORD
1977 Birdman of Alcatraz (edit)
1978 ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PLAYS BEST KNOWN WORKS OF RICK WAKEMAN
1979 May RHAPSODIES
1979 May Animal Showdown
1979 November Swan Lager
1980 February I'm So Straight I'm A Weirdo
1980 October The Spider
1980 June 1984
1981 July Julia
1981 November Robot Man
1982 January THE BURNING
1982 December ROCK AND ROLL PROPHET
1983 April Latin Reel (Theme From G'Ole!)
1983 April G'OLE!
1983 COST OF LIVING
1984 December Glory Boys
1985 March SILENT NIGHTS
1985 June The Theme From "Lytton's Diary"
1985 December LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH
1986 April COUNTRY AIRS
1986 April Waterfalls
1986 November THE GOSPELS
1987 The Gospels
1987 March CRIMES OF PASSION
1987 August THE FAMILY ALBUM
1988 February A SUITE OF GODS
1988 March ZODIAQUE
1988 July THE TIME MACHINE
1988 December Custer's Last Stand
1989 February 20th ANNIVERSARY BOX SET
1989 November SEA AIRS
1989 BLACK KNIGHTS AT THE COURT OF FERDINAND IV
1990 IN THE BEGINNING
1990 November NIGHT AIRS
1991 February PHANTOM POWER
1991 October Don't Fly Away
1991 THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION
1991 ASPIRANT SUNRISE
1991 ASPIRANT SUNSET
1991 ASPIRANT SUNSHADOWS
1991 2000 A.D. INTO THE FUTURE
1991 SOFTSWORD (KING JOHN AND THE MAGNA CARTA)
1991 AFRICAN BACH
1991 THE PRIVATE COLLECTION
1992 October COUNTRY AIRS
1992 December BEST WORKS COLLECTION
1992 CLASSIC TRACKS
1992 THE VERY BEST OF RW - CHRONICLES
1992 LURE OF THE WILD
1993 February MUSIC FROM CRIMES OF PASSION
1993 February WAKEMAN WITH WAKEMAN
1993 June THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION 2
1993 October HERITAGE SUITE
1993 November NO EXPENSE SPARED
1993 December RICK WAKEMAN'S GREATEST HITS
1994 THE WORD & THE GOSPELS
1994 April THE CLASSIC
1994 April 27 WAKEMAN WITH WAKEMAN: THE OFFICIAL BOOTLEG
1994 April Light Up The Sky
1994 November ROMANCE OF THE VICTORIAN AGE
1994 December LIVE ON THE TEST
1995 February ALMOST LIVE IN EUROPE (a/k/a THE BEST OF RICK WAKEMAN)
1995 THE PIANO ALBUM
1995 June THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
1995 July CIRQUE SURREAL
1995 THE NEW GOSPELS
1995 Welcome A Star
1995 October VISIONS
1996 February 27 KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR PRESENTS RICK WAKEMAN IN CONCERT
1996 November VOYAGE: THE VERY BEST OF RICK WAKEMAN
1996 PRAYERS
1996 HORIZONS
1996 VIGNETTES
1997 February 27 FIELDS OF GREEN
1997 March 17 CAN YOU HEAR ME?
1997 SIMPLY ACOUSTIC
1997 FIELDS OF GREEN '97
1998 TRIBUTE (TO THE BEATLES)
1998 THEMES
1998 A WORLD OF WISDOM
1999 March 23 RETURN TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
1999 May THE NATURAL WORLD TRILOGY
1999 November 16 SELECTIONS FROM JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
1999 July 6 THE MASTERS
1999 WHITE ROCK II
2000 March 14 PRELUDES TO A CENTURY
2000 July 11 STELLA BIANCA
2000 August 2 73 AMERICAN TOUR
2000 October 16 CHRONICLES OF MAN
2000 October 17 RECOLLECTIONS: THE VERY BEST OF RICK WAKEMAN
2000 November 28 CAPED COLLECTION
2000 December 1 CHRISTMAS VARIATIONS
2000 ART IN MUSIC TRILOGY
2001 May 8 PIANO TOUR - LIVE
2001 July 10 WORD & HIS MUSIC
2002 April 30 CLASSICAL VARIATIONS
2002 July 23 TRIBUE TO THE LORD OF THE RINGS
2002 November 25 LIVE IN NOTTINGHAM
2003 June 2 THE MISSING HALF
2003 July 29 FROM THE FRONT ROW... LIVE
2003 September 8 THE OSCAR CONCERT
2003 September 22 RICK WAKEMAN WITH BANDA SINFONICA
2003 October 27 MEDIUM RARE
2003 November 3 JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH PLUS
2004 January 25 ALMOST CLASSICAL
2004 February 17 THE MIXTURE

scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:47 (twenty years ago)

Hell, the Grateful Dead beat Journey by a mile. But even the Dead had a few good songs; what about all the bands with huge catalogs where it's *all* drek? Shouldn't they win?

xhuxk, Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:47 (twenty years ago)

1991 Ten Epic Associated
1993 Vs. Epic Associated
1994 Vitalogy Epic
1996 No Code Epic
1998 Yield Epic
1998 Live on Two Legs Epic
2000 Binaural Epic
2000 Live: 01-6-00 The Point Theater - Dublin, Ireland Sony
2000 Live: 03-6-00 SE + CC Arena - Glasgow, Scotland Sony
2000 Live: 04-6-00 Manchester Evening News Arena - Manchester, England Sony
2000 Live: 06-6-00 Cardiff Int'l Arena -- Cardiff, Wales Sony
2000 Live: 08-6-00 Bercy - Paris, France Sony
2000 Live: 09-6-00 Rock Am Ring, Eifel - Nurburg, Germany Sony
2000 Live: 11-6-00 Rock in Park - Nurnberg, Germany Sony
2000 Live: 12-6-00 Pinkpop -- Heerden, Holland Sony
2000 Live: 14-6-00 Paegas Arena - Praha, Czech ... Sony
2000 Live: 15-6-00 Spodek Arena - Katowice, Poland Sony
2000 Live: 16-6-00 Spodek Arena - Katowice, Poland Sony
2000 Live: 18-6-00 Salzburg City Square -- Salzburg, Austria Sony
2000 Live: 19-6-00 Hala Tivoli -- Llubljana, Slovenia Sony
2000 Live: 20-6-00 Arena - Verona, Italy Sony
2000 Live: 22-6-00 FILA Forum - Milan, Italy Sony
2000 Live: 23-5-00 Estadio Do Restelo - Lisbon, Portugal Sony
2000 Live: 23-6-00 Hallenstadion -- Zurich, ... Sony
2000 Live: 25-5-00 Palau Sant Jordi -- Barcelona, ... Sony
2000 Live: 25-6-00 Parkbuhne Wuhlheide - Berlin, ... Sony
2000 Live: 26-5-00 Velodromo Anoeta - San Sebastian, Spain Sony
2000 Live: 26-6-00 Sporthalle - Hamburg, Germany Sony
2000 Live: 28-6-00 Naval Museum -- Stockholm, Sweden Sony
2000 Live: 29-5-00 Wembley Arena - London, England Sony
2000 Live: 29-6-00 Spectrum - Oslo, Norway Sony
2000 Live: 30-5-00 Wembley Arena - London, England Sony
2001 Live: 8-10-00 - West Palm Beach, Florida E2K
2001 Live: 8-12-00 - Tampa, Florida E2K
2001 Live: 8-14-00 - New Orleans, Louisiana Sony
2001 Live: 8-15-00 - Memphis, Tennessee Sony
2001 Live: 8-17-00 - Nashville, Tennessee Sony
2001 Live: 8-18-00 - Indianapolis, Indiana Sony
2001 Live: 8-20-00 - Cincinnati, Ohio Sony
2001 Live: 8-21-00 - Columbus, Ohio Sony
2001 Live: 8-23-00 - Jones Beach, New York Sony
2001 Live: 8-24-00 - Jones Beach, New York Sony
2001 Live: 8-25-00 - Jones Beach, New York Sony
2001 Live: 8-27-00 - Saratoga, New York E2K
2001 Live: 8-29-00 - Boston, Massachusetts Sony
2001 Live: 8-3-00 - Virginia Beach, Virginia Sony
2001 Live: 8-30-00 - Boston, Massachusetts E2K
2001 Live: 8-4-00 - Charlotte, North Carolina Sony
2001 Live: 8-6-00 - Greensboro, North Carolina Sony
2001 Live: 8-7-00 - Atlanta, Georgia E2K
2001 Live: 8-9-00 - West Palm Beach, Florida E2K
2001 Live: 9-1-00 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania E2K
2001 Live: 9-2-00 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania E2K
2001 Live: 9-4-00 - Washington, DC E2K
2001 Live: 9-5-00 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania E2K
2001 Live: 10-11-00 - St. Louis, Missouri Sony
2001 Live: 10-12-00 - Kansas City, Missouri Sony
2001 Live: 10-14-00 - Houston, Texas Sony
2001 Live: 10-15-00 - Houston, Texas Sony
2001 Live: 10-17-00 - Dallas, Texas Sony
2001 Live: 10-18-00 - Lubbock, Texas Sony
2001 Live: 10-20-00 - Albuquerque, New Mexico Sony
2001 Live: 10-21-00 - Phoenix, Arizona Sony
2001 Live: 10-22-00 - Las Vegas, Nevada Sony
2001 Live: 10-24-00 - Los Angeles, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-25-00 - San Diego, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-27-00 - Fresno, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-28-00 - San Bernardino, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-30-00 - Sacramento, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-31-00 - San Francisco, California Sony
2001 Live: 10-4-00 - Montreal, Canada Sony
2001 Live: 10-5-00 - Toronto, Canada Sony
2001 Live: 10-7-00 - Detroit, Michigan Sony
2001 Live: 10-8-00 - East Troy, Wisconsin Sony
2001 Live: 10-9-00 - Chicago, Illinois Sony
2001 Live: 11-2-00 - Portland, Oregon Sony
2001 Live: 11-3-00 - Boise, Idaho Sony
2001 Live: 11-5-00 - Seattle, Washington Sony
2001 Live: 11-6-00 - Seattle Washington Sony
2002 Riot Act Sony
2003 Live: 02-23-03 - Perth, Australia Sony
2003 Live: 03-03-03 - Tokyo, Japan Sony
2003 Live from Japan Sony International
2003 Live: 05-03-03 - State College, Pennsylvania Sony
2003 Live: 07-08-03 & 07-09-03 New York, NY Sony
2003 Live: 07-08-03 New York, NY Sony
2003 Live: 07-09-03 New York, NY Sony
2003 Live: 07-11-03 Mansfield, MA Sony
2004 Benaroya Hall: October 22nd 2003 [live] RCA
2006 Pearl Jam Monkeywrench LP1

xhuxk, Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:49 (twenty years ago)

how much do we pay dave q to write about every Rick Wakeman album?

scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:50 (twenty years ago)

Wishbone Ash?

Pash to thread to correct me pronto.

Every Time I Open Up My Mouth All Bullets Spit Out: Bang! (noodle vague), Thursday, 27 April 2006 23:52 (twenty years ago)

"Wishbone Ash?"

More crazy talk! Stop the insanity!

scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:06 (twenty years ago)

yeah, wishbone ash would finish way below, like, pink floyd or iron maiden!

but anyway, on second (or third) thought:


1978 Ready for the House Corwood Industries
1981 Later On Corwood Industries
1981 Six and Six Corwood Industries
1982 Chair Beside a Window Corwood Industries
1982 Living in a Moon So Blue Corwood Industries
1982 Staring at the Cellophane Corwood Industries
1983 The Rocks Crumble Corwood Industries
1983 Your Turn to Fall Corwood Industries
1984 Interstellar Discussion Corwood
1985 Foreign Keys Corwood
1985 Nine-Thirty Corwood
1986 Follow Your Footsteps Corwood Industries
1986 Telegraph Melts Corwood
1987 Blue Corpse Corwood
1987 Modern Dances Corwood
1988 On the Way Corwood
1988 You Walk Alone Corwood
1989 The Living End Corwood
1990 Somebody in the Snow Corwood
1991 One Foot in the North Corwood
1992 Lost Cause Corwood Industries
1993 Twelfth Apostle Corwood Industries
1994 Glad to Get Away Corwood Industries
1994 Graven Image Corwood Industries
1996 White Box Requiem Corwood Industries
1997 I Woke Up Corwood Industries
1998 New Town Corwood Industries
1999 The Beginning Corwood Industries
2000 Put My Dream on This Planet Corwood Industries
2001 This Narrow Road Corwood Industries
2002 The Humility of Pain Corwood
2003 The Place Corwood
2003 The Gone Wait Corwood
2004 A Kingdom He Likes Corwood
2004 I Threw You Away Corwood
2004 The Door Behind Corwood
2004 Worthless Recluse Corwood
2004 Shadow of Leaves Corwood
2004 The End of It All
2005 When I Took That Train Corwood Industries
2005 Raining Down Diamonds Corwood Industries
2005 Glasgow Sunday [live] Corwood
2005 Khartoum Corwood
2006 Khartoum Variations Corwood Industries
2006 Newcastle Sunday Corwood Industries
2006 What Else Does the Time Mean Corwood Industries

xhuxk, Friday, 28 April 2006 00:07 (twenty years ago)

no way, xhuxk! he's fucked! ever heard his a capella songs? dude is a mdia whore though. can't pick up a newspaper without seeing his picture. and does he EVER stop touring? give it a rest, already.

scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:11 (twenty years ago)

ha ha, i don't know if i like ANYBODY'S a capella songs. (well, the persuasions maybe.)

xhuxk, Friday, 28 April 2006 00:14 (twenty years ago)

what about his solo bass work?

scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:16 (twenty years ago)

Okay, so it's another thread already, but as of April of this year, I have heard or currently own/will hear the following:

1973 February THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII
1974 May JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
1975 April THE MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE
1977 November RICK WAKEMAN'S CRIMINAL RECORD
1982 December ROCK AND ROLL PROPHET
1983 COST OF LIVING
1985 March SILENT NIGHTS
1987 March CRIMES OF PASSION
1988 February A SUITE OF GODS
1989 November SEA AIRS
1990 November NIGHT AIRS
1991 THE CLASSICAL CONNECTION
1993 February WAKEMAN WITH WAKEMAN
1993 November NO EXPENSE SPARED
1993 December RICK WAKEMAN'S GREATEST HITS
1994 April 27 WAKEMAN WITH WAKEMAN: THE OFFICIAL BOOTLEG
1995 July CIRQUE SURREAL
1996 February 27 KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR PRESENTS RICK WAKEMAN IN CONCERT
1997 SIMPLY ACOUSTIC
2000 July 11 STELLA BIANCA

Most are very much crap, 'tis true. Also have one called TAPESTRIES, which I don't see listed there.

Joe (Joe), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:16 (twenty years ago)

damn, joe...i'm humbled.

scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:17 (twenty years ago)

Guided By Voices obviously.

Dozens (literally) of album and maybe, what, three decent songs?

S- (sgh), Friday, 28 April 2006 00:56 (twenty years ago)

Jethro Tull.

vartman (novaheat), Friday, 28 April 2006 01:14 (twenty years ago)

This is in a different category than what you guys are talking about, but I have to say: Pulp. I got really excited about their pre-His'n'Hers output and then I listened to it, and then I never listened to it again.

Also, Bowie, although I understand that this is just me, who thinks he's written maybe 5 good songs in his entire career. We don't have to start arguing about that one though.

Eppy (Eppy), Friday, 28 April 2006 01:29 (twenty years ago)

Ryan Adams

Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Friday, 28 April 2006 01:31 (twenty years ago)

GBV is a good choice. (As is Frank Zappa.)

xhuxk, Friday, 28 April 2006 01:34 (twenty years ago)

Does Hawkwind count?

adam (adam), Friday, 28 April 2006 01:39 (twenty years ago)

Conor. Oberst.

Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Friday, 28 April 2006 01:58 (twenty years ago)

status quo

timmy tannin (pompous), Friday, 28 April 2006 02:01 (twenty years ago)

uriah heep

timmy tannin (pompous), Friday, 28 April 2006 02:02 (twenty years ago)

that Wakeman list is the funniest poem I have ever read

Thomas Tallis (Tommy), Friday, 28 April 2006 02:09 (twenty years ago)

Modern Talking

Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Friday, 28 April 2006 02:24 (twenty years ago)

i can't believe no has said chicago yet. so: CHICAGO.

jason p. rainbow, Friday, 28 April 2006 02:57 (twenty years ago)

I nominate:
Yes
Eppy - crack pipe down please.

Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom), Friday, 28 April 2006 03:34 (twenty years ago)

The Charlatans. Been going for years, always been shit, apart from "Weirdo"

nate woolls (napawo), Friday, 28 April 2006 06:58 (twenty years ago)

Elton John.

Neil Stewart (Neil Stewart), Friday, 28 April 2006 07:21 (twenty years ago)

Frank Zappa? I think he has over 50 albums. I mostly just dig some of the Mothers stuff.

nicky lo-fi (nicky lo-fi), Friday, 28 April 2006 07:25 (twenty years ago)

Christian Death has to be the winner, they suuuuuccckkk and some how have released bunches of records.

Earl Nash (earlnash), Friday, 28 April 2006 07:47 (twenty years ago)

psychic tv probably belong in the top 100

amateurist0, Friday, 28 April 2006 07:57 (twenty years ago)

I'm gonna second The Charlatans. 15 years of mediocrity. Surely they can be no-one's actual favourite band? Also James Last, though someone's gonna now tell me about his lesser-known psych-funk phase aren't they?

Kim Tortoise, Friday, 28 April 2006 11:58 (twenty years ago)

Ha ha, that 'Mr Giant Man' psych funk thing he did was actually pretty fucking great! (Charlatans yes though, absolutely dismal)

NickB (NickB), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:02 (twenty years ago)

Acid Mothers Temple? Some Japanese band for sure.

They're Dairylea Mad, Them Kids (Dada), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:06 (twenty years ago)

It was off this album - does it not look great? Two Sly Stone covers on it too.

http://www.vinylvulture.co.uk/pages/images/records/last-1.jpg

x-post!

NickB (NickB), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:07 (twenty years ago)

> psychic tv probably belong in the top 100

Nonsense!

Niall, Friday, 28 April 2006 12:12 (twenty years ago)

what about all the bands with huge catalogs where it's *all* drek? Shouldn't they win?
-- xhuxk

But therein lies the challenge! To differentiate between "truly essential" and the merely "not terrible". How many Rick Wakeman albums are essential, as opposed to passable? (Maybe all of 'em, don't ask me, I've never heard any.)

I agree that Zappa's an excellent choice.

Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:27 (twenty years ago)

Lots of cracksmokers on this thread. And why no one's mentioned Mannheim Steamroller yet I'll never know.

Colin Meeder (Mert), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:28 (twenty years ago)

yeah, i mean, you could take the easy way out and go yanni or bolton.

scott seward (scott seward), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:33 (twenty years ago)

brian jonestown massacre

RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Friday, 28 April 2006 12:39 (twenty years ago)

Graham Parker


Howlin' Wind, 1976
Heat Treatment, 1976
Pink Parker EP, 1977
Stick To Me, 1977
Squeezing Out Sparks, 1979
The Up Escalator, 1980
Another Grey Area, 1982
The Real Macaw, 1983
Graham Parker & The Shot
Steady Nerves, 1985
Mona Lisa's Sister, 1988
Human Soul, 1989
Struck by Lightning, 1991
Burning Questions, 1992
Graham Parker's Christmas Cracker EP, 1994
12 Haunted Episodes, 1995
Acid Bubblegum, 1996
Loose Monkeys (outtakes), 1999
That's When You Know (1976 demos + Live at Marble Arch), 2001
Deepcut To Nowhere, 2001
Your Country, 2004
Songs of No Consequence, 2005

kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Friday, 28 April 2006 13:04 (twenty years ago)

The Beatles
The Beach Boys
Sonic Youth
Beastie Boys
Sebadoh

Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Friday, 28 April 2006 13:51 (twenty years ago)

sebadoh does not have a huge catalog

RoxyMuzak© (roxymuzak), Friday, 28 April 2006 13:51 (twenty years ago)

Would you be happier with "Lou Barlow's assorted projects of which he was the primary singer/songwriter"?

Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Friday, 28 April 2006 13:56 (twenty years ago)

The Beatles
The Beach Boys
Sonic Youth
Beastie Boys
Sebadoh

My view of the world has been shaken.

o. nate (onate), Friday, 28 April 2006 14:01 (twenty years ago)

Seriously, look at the Rolling Stones' output. They were sort of classic from 1966 through 1972 (even though their 1967 output is controversial). But other than that? the first 3-4 albums were second rate British R&B, and since 1973? Well, "Some Girls" and "Tattoo You" were kind of OK, but the rest are all rather pointless. Listenable, sure, just they have done it so much better in the past.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:28 (twenty years ago)

"the first 3-4 albums were second rate British R&B"

Who was first-rate British R&B during this period, then? I don't know how great the early Stones albums were, but they were a great singles band then and had lots of great tracks.

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:29 (twenty years ago)

Who was first-rate British R&B during this period, then?

Nobody. R&B already existed in America, and the best Brit bands did their own archetypically English musical thing, called Merseybeat, rather than aping already existing American genres.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:31 (twenty years ago)

So Gerry and the Pacemakers were better than the Stones then. I see.

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:32 (twenty years ago)

half japanese

ath (ath), Friday, 28 April 2006 17:35 (twenty years ago)

I weep for whoever said The Fall and The Beach Boys. Past 1971? What about So Tough, Holland and Love You not to mention non-officially released stuff like Adult Child? And what about their 1st 2 years of existence? I know those albums are spotty but they're full of fun, catchy singles.

As for The Fall, Are You Are Missing Winner is the only truly bad album in their entire catalog and the last 2 have been awesome.

Matt Berlyant (incarag), Friday, 28 April 2006 18:06 (twenty years ago)

So Gerry and the Pacemakers were better than the Stones then.

In 1964, definitely.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 19:13 (twenty years ago)

Woah, spank my bottom! Such iconoclasm upthread.
But really, the answer is Chicago

Mike Dixn (Mike Dixon), Friday, 28 April 2006 20:11 (twenty years ago)

Little Red Rooster/Off The Hook (1964)
Time Is On My Side/Congratulations (1964)
Tell Me (You're Coming Back)/I Just Wanna Make Love To You (1964)
It's All Over Now/Good Times, Bad Times (1964)
Not Fade Away/Little By Little (1964)

(plus first two albums)

vs.

I'm The One / You've Got What I Like
Columbia DB7189 (January 1964)

Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying / Show Me That You Care
Columbia DB7268 (April 1964)

It's Gonna Be Alright / It's Just Because
Columbia DB7353 (September 1964)

Ferry Cross The Mersey / You You You
Columbia DB7437 (December 1964)

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 28 April 2006 20:12 (twenty years ago)

Also, Geir, you said "first 3-4" albums which takes us into 1965.

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 28 April 2006 20:14 (twenty years ago)

Also, Geir, you said "first 3-4" albums which takes us into 1965.

And, really, the first good Rolling Stones album was "Aftermath". That was in 1966.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:30 (twenty years ago)

I can agree with Chicago, although they most certainly have released more than 5-6 good songs. The debut was good overall, there was a lot of good stuff on the next 3-4 albums too. But then, after that, not much but the occasional decent single.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:31 (twenty years ago)

The Stones are a total stretch. However, at this point, they have put out way more mediocre-to-bad than good music.

QuantumNoise (Justin Farrar), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:33 (twenty years ago)

With Stones it is the pre-"Aftermath" period and 1967 that are controversial. Who likes the former usually will not like the latter and the other way round.
In the case of their "classic" 1968-1972 output plus "Aftermath" there will not be a lot of disagreement other than dedicated Stones-hated (plus personally I find "Exile..." overrated). In the case of 1973 onwards I think most people agree that, with the exception of the odd track and maybe odd album, the quality is considerably lower.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:37 (twenty years ago)

The only dreck is the "We Can't Dance" album, and Phil's solo albums from the 90s onwards.

So you liked Calling All Stations?

LOL Thomas (Chris Barrus), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:45 (twenty years ago)

"Calling All Station" included some of their best songs since "Duke" and could have been excellent with a proper singer.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 21:46 (twenty years ago)

Frank Zappa for sure
Merzbow, Acid Mothers Temple and probably even Nobukazu Takemura are in there
I would add Aphex Twin, King Crimson, Yes and Jandek

There are just so many bands that have a strong start and that's enough for them to get a record deal for tons of albums, that just end up churning them out . . .

andrew b (klik99), Friday, 28 April 2006 22:32 (twenty years ago)

I think it's hard to say Genesis has dreck, given that their last five or so albums (save the last) were multi-million sellers with top ten hits. Not that they're not rubbish, necessarily, but they're hardly Deep Purple or Chicago.

someone let this mitya out! (mitya), Friday, 28 April 2006 22:46 (twenty years ago)

John Zorn. With his various combos, he's easily released over 100 records.

ramon fernandez (ramon fernandez), Friday, 28 April 2006 22:54 (twenty years ago)

Albums

* 1959 Cliff
* 1959 Cliff Sings
* 1960 Me and My Shadows
* 1961 Listen to Cliff
* 1961 21 Today
* 1961 The Young Ones [soundtrack]
* 1962 32 Minutes & 17 Seconds
* 1963 Summer Holiday [soundtrack]
* 1963 Cliff's Hit Album
* 1963 When In Spain
* 1963 Wonderful Life [soundtrack]
* 1964 Aladdin & His Wonderful Lamp [pantomime]
* 1965 Cliff Richard
* 1965 More Hits By Cliff
* 1965 When In Rome
* 1965 Love Is Forever
* 1966 Kinda Latin
* 1966 Finders Keepers [soundtrack]
* 1967 Cinderella [pantomime]
* 1967 Don't Stop Me Now
* 1967 Good News
* 1968 Cliff In Japan
* 1968 Two a Penny [soundtrack]
* 1968 Established 1958
* 1969 The Best Of Cliff
* 1969 Sincerely Cliff
* 1969 Live At The Talk of The Town
* 1970 Tracks & Grooves
* 1972 The Best Of Cliff Volume 2
* 1973 Take Me High [soundtrack]
* 1974 Help It Along
* 1974 The 31st of February Street
* 1976 I'm Nearly Famous
* 1977 Every Face Tells a Story
* 1977 40 Golden Greats
* 1978 Small Corners
* 1978 Green Light
* 1979 Thank You Very Much
* 1979 Rock n' Roll Juvenile
* 1980 I'm No Hero
* 1981 Love Songs
* 1981 Wired For Sound
* 1982 Now You See Me... Now You Don't
* 1983 Dressed For The Occasion
* 1983 Silver
* 1984 The Rock Connection
* 1987 Always Guaranteed
* 1988 Private Collection: 1979-1988
* 1989 Stronger
* 1990 From A Distance: The Event
* 1991 Together With Cliff Richard
* 1993 The Album
* 1994 The Hit List
* 1998 Real As I Wanna Be
* 2000 The Whole Story: His Greatest Hits
* 2001 Wanted
* 2003 Cliff At Christmas
* 2004 Something's Goin' On

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Friday, 28 April 2006 22:57 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, totally John Zorn. i can't believe that hasn't been mentioned.

andrew b (klik99), Friday, 28 April 2006 22:58 (twenty years ago)

Swinging Blue Jeans totally pwn the Pretty Things

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Friday, 28 April 2006 23:04 (twenty years ago)

The degree of wilful obtuseness on this thread is disgusting par for the course on ILM for Geir.

When I Open Up My Mouth All Bullets Spit Out: Bang! (noodle vague), Friday, 28 April 2006 23:14 (twenty years ago)

Cliff Richard is a good call, which reminds me that The Shadows also belong in this thread.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 28 April 2006 23:38 (twenty years ago)

"I weep for whoever said The Fall"

I think the problem most folks have with The Fall is that once you've heard one album, you've heard them all. At least 90% of their back catalogue is entirely worthless.

Qqq, Saturday, 29 April 2006 00:51 (twenty years ago)

1973 Barry Manilow (re-mixed and re-released in 1975 as Barry Manilow I) US #28
1974 Barry Manilow II US #9
1975 Tryin' to Get the Feelin' US #5
1976 This One's for You US #6
1977 Barry Manilow Live US #1
1978 Even Now US #3, UK #12
1978 Barry Manilow Greatest Hits US #7, UK #3 (as Manilow Magic - The Best Of Barry Manilow)
1979 One Voice US #9, UK #18
1980 Barry US #15, UK #5
1981 If I Should Love Again US #14, UK #5
1982 Barry Live in Britain UK #1
1982 Oh Julie US #69
1982 Here Comes the Night US #32, UK #7 (as I Wanna Do It With You)
1983 Barry Manilow Greatest Hits Vol. II US #30, UK #10 (as A Touch More Magic)
1984 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe US #28, UK #40
1985 The Manilow Collection / 20 Classic Hits US #100
1985 Manilow US #42, UK #40
1987 Swing Street US #70
1989 Barry Manilow US #64
1990 Live on Broadway US #196, UK #19
1990 Because It's Christmas US #40
1991 Showstoppers US #68
1993 Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection UK #37
1994 Singin' with the Big Bands US #59
1996 Summer of '78 US #82
1998 Manilow Sings Sinatra US #122
2001 Here at the Mayflower US #90, UK #18
2002 Ultimate Manilow US #3, UK #8
2002 A Christmas Gift of Love US #55
2004 2 Nights Live! US #27
2004 Scores US #47
2005 The Essential Barry Manilow
2006 The Greatest Songs of the Fifties US #1

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 29 April 2006 01:10 (twenty years ago)

An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (released as The Rod Stewart Album in the United States) (1970) (U.S. #139)
Gasoline Alley (1970) (U.S. #27)
Every Picture Tells a Story (1971) (UK #1, U.S. #1) RIAA Certification - Platinum 01/27/95
Never a Dull Moment (1972) (UK #1, U.S. #2) RIAA Certification - Gold 07/28/72
Smiler (1974) (UK #1, U.S. #13)
Atlantic Crossing (1975) (UK #1, U.S. #9) RIAA Certification - Gold 12/19/75
A Night on the Town (1976) (UK #1, U.S. #2) RIAA Certification - 2x Platinum 10/22/84
Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977) (UK #3, U.S. #2) RIAA Certification - Platinum 12/20/77
Blondes Have More Fun (1978) (UK #3, U.S. #1) RIAA Certification - Platinum 12/27/78
Foolish Behaviour (1980) (UK #4) RIAA Certification - Platinum 03/04/81
Tonight I'm Yours (1981) (UK #8) RIAA Certification - Platinum 01/28/82
Absolutely Live (1982, live) (UK #35) RIAA Certification - Gold 12/09/96
Body Wishes (1983) (UK #5, U.S. #139)
Camouflage (1984) (UK #8, U.S. #18) RIAA Certification - Gold 08/21/84
Every Beat of My Heart (1986) (UK #5, U.S. #28)
Out of Order (1988) (UK #11, U.S. #20) RIAA Certification - 2x Platinum 12/17/91
Vagabond Heart (1991) (UK #2, U.S. #10) RIAA Certification - Platinum 07/16/91
Lead Vocalist (1993) (UK #3)
Unplugged... and Seated (1993, live) (UK #2, U.S. #2) RIAA Certification - 3x Platinum 11/13/95
A Spanner in the Works (1995) (UK #4, U.S. #35) RIAA Certification - Gold 06/06/95
If We Fall in Love Tonight (1996) (UK #8, U.S. #19) RIAA Certification - Gold 09/09/97
When We Were the New Boys (1998) (UK #2, U.S. #44)
Human (2001) (UK #9, U.S. #50)
It Had to Be You: the Great American Songbook (2002) (UK #8, U.S. #4) RIAA Certification - 2x Platinum 11/18/03
As Time Goes By: the Great American Songbook 2 (2003) (UK #4, U.S. #2)RIAA Certification - 2x Platinum 01/09/04
Stardust: the Great American Songbook 3 (2004) (UK #3, U.S. #1) RIAA Certification - Platinum 11/08/04
Thanks For The Memory: The Great American Songbook 4 (2005) (UK #3, U.S. #2) RIAA Certification - Platinum 12/09/05

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 29 April 2006 01:11 (twenty years ago)

Seeing All mentioned above reminds me of to add NOFX to this list.

Earl Nash (earlnash), Saturday, 29 April 2006 02:16 (twenty years ago)

Can I nominate Geir's music criticism at this point?

When I Open Up My Mouth All Bullets Spit Out: Bang! (noodle vague), Saturday, 29 April 2006 02:17 (twenty years ago)

beat me to Rod Stewart.

the Residents?

bill neil (inabillity), Saturday, 29 April 2006 03:04 (twenty years ago)

I think the problem most folks have with The Fall is that once you've heard one album, you've heard them all. At least 90% of their back catalogue is entirely worthless.

Provocation: 4/10
Shrewd Observation: 2/10
UTTER FUCKING STUPIDITY: 11/10

There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvish (noodle vague), Saturday, 29 April 2006 08:22 (twenty years ago)

Possibly Billy Joel makes this list?

Brian O'Neill (NYCNative), Saturday, 29 April 2006 10:09 (twenty years ago)

the Residents?

Mmm, good call in the "completely failed to deliver on early genius" category, but there are worse people upthread. I'd take Wormwood over Chicago XX anyday.

Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Saturday, 29 April 2006 18:21 (twenty years ago)

Heaven 17.

First album was great, second one was OK, the rest are all rubbish.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 29 April 2006 20:42 (twenty years ago)

> Provocation: 4/10
> Shrewd Observation: 2/10
> UTTER FUCKING STUPIDITY: 11/10

I weep for you poor souls deceived my MES, I really do.

Qqq, Saturday, 29 April 2006 22:00 (twenty years ago)

of course that should have said...

I weep for you poor souls deceived BY MES, I really do.

Qqq, Saturday, 29 April 2006 22:01 (twenty years ago)

So you think The Frenz Experiment is pretty much the same as Grotesque, for example?

Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Saturday, 29 April 2006 22:02 (twenty years ago)

In the sense that I'd hear either one of them and think "Oh, the Fall" and carry on washing the pots or whatever, yes.

Qqq, Saturday, 29 April 2006 22:05 (twenty years ago)

Thinking in such a manner you are doomed to a lifetime of washing pots.

Ant, Saturday, 29 April 2006 23:31 (twenty years ago)

"Genesis and all they're relatives (peter/phil).
most of Radiohead's career (minus Knives Out).
Beatles (minus the Helter Skelter and a few others).
Phish- all.
DMB- all.
All- all. (sorry had to)

-- eedd (e...), April 28th, 2006."

I agree whole heartedly with Genesis, All, DMB, and Phish. Furthermore I pretty much nominate any band comes even remotely close to calling itself a “Jam” band. However, While the Beatles’ super early stuff it not totally enthralling, Rubber soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, and Abbey Road are all tremendous albums to name a few. And The White Album is quite possibly one of the most creative/original/best all around albums of all time.

And as for Radiohead, each of their albums is host to numerous tracks whose style/instrumentation are intensely innovative and whose moving vocals/enigmatic lyrics never cease to capture both important social issues and a wide range of genuine emotions. To be sure they do not always fair well against Nickleback and 50 Cent in the top 40 race, but every one of their albums is a jewel.

Joseph Ames Herbert, Sunday, 30 April 2006 12:54 (twenty years ago)

i can't agree w/ that.
Beatles=WAY over-rated, and sounds pretty limp to me...

radiohead=nearly as over-rated. perhaps someday i'll be able to listen w/o hearing every critic/fan drooling all over their music in ways i can't fathom.

then again, i'm a VU lover, and i'm sure someone would say THEIR output was 'dreck'...

eedd, Sunday, 30 April 2006 13:39 (twenty years ago)

there aren't that many Heaven 17 albums...

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Sunday, 30 April 2006 15:38 (twenty years ago)

How big is Lou Reed's solo catalogue?

Sundar (sundar), Sunday, 30 April 2006 16:29 (twenty years ago)

Kiss.

dr lulu (dr lulu), Sunday, 30 April 2006 19:20 (twenty years ago)

C'mon, Geir, Manilow is all about the pop melody. Shouldn't you be trying to suck him off, not bury him?

Tupac
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Has Ryan Adams been mentioned?
Al Jourgenson

js (honestengine), Sunday, 30 April 2006 19:43 (twenty years ago)

Sun City Girls

indregard, Sunday, 30 April 2006 22:47 (twenty years ago)

I respectfully yet vehemently disagree with Kiss and Al Jourgensen.

Brian O'Neill (NYCNative), Monday, 1 May 2006 03:05 (twenty years ago)

If you count Jourgenson collaborations and side projects, I'm not sure how you can. He's been involved in a mighty mountain of crap. At the very least, see: Every Ministry album since Psalm.

js (honestengine), Monday, 1 May 2006 08:45 (twenty years ago)

But no one has said "Bill Laswell, that productive yet amazingly uneven motherfucker"? Well, I will.

js (honestengine), Monday, 1 May 2006 08:47 (twenty years ago)

C'mon, Geir, Manilow is all about the pop melody. Shouldn't you be trying to suck him off, not bury him?

You haven't understood anything of my points, I can see.

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 1 May 2006 09:39 (twenty years ago)


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