While at my parents house this past weekend, I decided to have another look at some of my dad’s old LP’s. Either I forgot to put my contacts in that morning or I must have been in a hurry the last time I shuffled through his stacks of records because I came across some great musical gems this go-around. People are always trying to find the newest, hippest, and hottest tracks around, but I find it to be just as enjoyable, if not more fun, to get my hands on these classic albums by some timeless artists. Regardless of your musical tastes and preferences, if you are a true fan of music you should be able to find relevance in and appreciate how these musicians have shaped and influenced how music is made and what we consider it to be today. I haven’t had a chance to give each one an undivided listen, but anytime I’m in the mood for a history lesson, I’ll be dropping these vinyl platters on the mat.
-The Four Seasons’ Story: A compilation album featuring such early 60’s rock n’ roll hits as “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man”, and “Candy Girl” sung in that unmistakable Frankie Valli falsetto.
-The Temptation’s Anthology (1973): Classic Motown from the “Classic 5” that puts the soul in soul music. They don’t make love songs like “My Girl” anymore.
-The Four Tops’ Anthology: More from the world of Motown including such sing and dance-along numbers as “Baby I Need Your Loving”, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), and “It’s the Same Old Song.”
–Dick Clark’s 20 Years of Rock N’ Roll: This piece of rock history contains 30 original hits spanning the years from 1953 to 1972. Included is a 24-page photo yearbook highlighting major events in pop culture and how the emergence of rock n’ roll influenced them. Some of my favorites include The Kingsmen’s “Louie, Louie”, Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock”, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs’ “Wooly Bully”, Young Rascals “Good Lovin’”, Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl”, and Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay.” How the times have changed, but the music and message stays the same!
-Elvis Presley’s Elvis (NBC TV Special): The King comes back to life in this 1968 Christmas special where he belts the blues, rocks the crowd, and delivers a performance worthy of his title. Check out Side 1 where he weaves together some of early rock n’ roll’s most iconic songs like “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Hound Dog”, “All Shook Up”, and “Jailhouse Rock.”
-The Original Movie Soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever: The Bee Gees definitely aren’t the coolest group in my book, but they sure could get John Travolta movin’ and groovin’ as evidence from the movie stills scattered throughout the album cover.
-KC and the Sunshine Band’s Part 3: Get a little disco funk in your life with “Shake Your Booty” and “I’m Your Boogie Man.”
Vinyl has given me reason to rediscover the past while connecting me to the music in ways that a digital format never could. This is how my dad listened to music when he was my age. These are his albums, and that’s what makes it special.
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