Desert Island Discs

I was thinking today about the soundtrack of my life. It has been rough edged, contemplative, stuffed with a-ronk, a little funky, precise, intensely beautiful, swanky, and evocative. The criteria are simple. To count, you have to like EVERY song on the disc, and you have to say WHY. Come on. Play along at home, y'all. Don't get hung up on the various songs, the Singles version of this post will be another time, and believe me, my list for that will be very different from this one. So, without further fanfare...

1. U2-The Joshua Tree/Rattle and Hum Ok, so technically they are two different albums, but in spirit, Rattle and Hum was the continuation of an exploration of a distinctly American sound to explore some seriously spiritual themes. The Joshua Tree always takes me back to 1987, and my trip (as a spectator) to both the road and track bicycle races of the Pan-Am Games in Indiana.

2. Chris Issak- Heart Shaped World I had a handful of cassettes on heavy rotation in my car in both High School and College. This was one of them. The guy can sing, the guy can play, the lucky bastard got to wrestle with half-naked swimsuit models while fiming videos. What wasn't to like?

3. The BoDeans-Home This album boasted some serious influences from other sources which put a very different spin on their folksy sound. The collaborations with the likes of U2 and Robbie Robertson put even more emotion into the songwriting, a little more polish in the production, and Kenny Arnoff's drumming put the entire package on wheels and set it on the road.

4. Robbie Robertson-Robbie Robertson A prime example of creating a mood. Interesting cross pollination, with U2 sitting in on "Sweet Fire Of Love", and the BoDeans chiming in on "Testimony". A mix of powerful lyrics, evocative music from a true rock and roll legend.

5. Miles Davis- Kind of Blue What can I say? Simply one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. It fits any mood and any occasion.

6. The Charlatans UK- Between 10th and 11th Simply one of my favoritist albums ever. The combination of trippy reverb, genius keyboard, and distant lyrics in an eminently singable format put this album right in to heavy rotation.

7. The Clash- London Calling When new movements in rock music emerge, some acts blend, and some transcend to find a much greater shelf life. This album took them out of the three chords and a snarl that personified punk, and showed why they are hall of famers.

8. Patsy Cline- 12 Greatest Hits Sorry. She IS the voice of country music for me. An absolutely stunning talent who died way too soon.

9. The Cowboy Junkies- Whites Off Earth Now The Trinity Sessions proved that you don't need no steenkin' money to make a classic album, but WOEN showed that the band could PLAY. Their renditions of "State Trooper" and "Decoration Day" came from my speakers on many a dark Michigan Road.

10. Blue Rodeo-Diamond Mine Their second album boasted the mad skills, solid songwriting, and very cool jam sessions that have become their signature style. The best Canadian import you never heard of.

11. Harry Connick Jr.-She Solid, contemporary songs with good lyrics, and a funky little bump that served as his announcement to the world that he really can sit in anywhere. It doesn't have my favorite Harry tune, but you can't have everything.

12. Elvis Costello-My Aim Is True. Sharp lyrics, good playing, and a few classic tunes make this Elvis album that I will always have in my collection. "miracle man" and "Waiting for the end of the world" are never too far from the front of my brain.

Suggestions? Put Downs? Changes?