I'll show you mine if you show me yours...
(Warning: I use the terms/words album, disc, and CD interchangeably in this post.)
Back in the day, about 2 decades ago, before the proliferation of downloaded music and at the beginning of the Rise of the CD, I used to buy records*, lots of records. The best place to buy records in town was a place called Odyssey Records. And yes, that is Queen Latifah on the album cover to the far right. Yes, she was a rap artist before she was actress. For the record, so were LL Cool J and Ice Cube. What? You didn’t really think that those were “stage” names? Well, I guess they are stage names…
I digress…
So, I used to buy records. One thing I remember about Odyssey Records is that they would post these lists on the wall called “Desert Island Discs” (DIDs). The basic premise is that if you were stuck on a desert island and could only take 10 discs (originally records, it morphed into compact discs) with you, which 10 discs would it be? I loved this because by looking at the choices it gave you somewhat of an insight into a person. I’m not a psychiatrist, but I’m sure you could have fun looking at the lists and trying to figure out the inner workings of a person. Every so often I sit down and create a DID. What’s interesting is that there are some selections on my list that always show up. Wonder what that says about me?
Now, before I post my list, there have to be rules. What good is creating a list if you don’t have rules?
1) Ten (10) discs. No more, no less.
2) It has to be available in the retail market. Not sure if it available? Go to www.cduniverse.com
3) It has to be available in physical form. Digital only albums are not eligible.
4) Multi-CD selections are ok as long as they come in a single, retail package.
5) “Live” or “In Concert” albums are not eligible.
6) Only 5 selections can be “Greatest Hits” CDs.
7) Original issue CDs only. No “Deluxe”, “Ultimate” or “Anniversary” or any reissue editions.
8) U.S. retail CDs only. No “Japan” or “Worldwide” editions.
9) One artist per album. No “Various Artists” albums.
10) These are my rules. I have the right to change them.
For the record: Yes, I know that Desert Island Discs was originally a British radio program. Yes, I know it was 8 selections, not 10. Yes, I know the selections were single tracks, not complete albums. I didn’t know all this until a few years ago. But, whatever. My blog, my rules so there.
So without further ado…
Jathniel’s Desert Island Discs
1) Substance 1987 – New Order
2) It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back – Public Enemy
3) Thriller – Michael Jackson
4) Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
5) Appetite for Destruction – Guns N’ Roses
6) Desde El Principio/From The Beginning – Marc Anthony
7) Star Wars Trilogy: The Original Soundtrack Anthology – John Williams
8) The Ultimate Hits – Garth Brooks
9) Minutes to Midnight – Linkin Park
10) The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock – Poison
Yeah, I know. That list is all over the map. What can I say? I have very varied tastes in music. Now for the breakdown…
1) Growing up, I didn’t have much choice in the music I could listen to. It was either Oldies (when I was with Dad) or Spanish (when I was with Mom). New Order was one of the first groups I remember listening to when I got my own radio. It was so different from anything I ever listened to.
2) Another album that made an impression on me when I was young. The lyrics on this album are so deep and Chuck D’s voice so powerful, it was impossible to grow up where I did and NOT hear of this album. Yeeeeeah Boyeeeeeee!
3) There is a reason this is the greatest selling album of all time. If I need to explain it then you will never understand.
4) Don’t judge.
5) One of the albums I had during my brief “rebel” phase. This was a tough choice because my favorite GnR song isn’t on this album. Yeah, I could have gone with a Greatest Hits album right here, but that would have taken the spot away from…
6) A tough choice here. I would have gone with “Sigo Siendo Yo” because it has selections from “Libre” and “Mended”. The problem is that one of my favorite songs can only be found on this non-live album. I couldn’t go with the live album because of Rule #5.
7) Do I really need to explain this one? Didn’t think so.
8) I’ve been into Country music for years. It’s not your daddy’s country. Garth is able to sing country, rock, and ballads without missing a beat. There were other country albums I considered, but none really stood out as much as this one.
9) This was the toughest choice. At least half the tracks on all of their albums (4) absolutely rock. The problem is that they don’t have a “Greatest Hits” album…yet. When that happens I will have to redo this list. I could have used the "LP in LV" but it breaks rules #5 and #3.
10) Growing up during the Hair Bands/Glam Rock era, I was exposed to a lot of rock. This was a toss-up between this, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi. Besides, the Bon Jovi “Greatest Hits” album doesn’t really have all the hits unless you get the “Ultimate” edition. See rule #7.
Some honorable mentions (and why they don’t qualify)…
1) Freestyle Explosion series – Various Artists (Rule #9)… Absolutely love freestlye music. However, considering most freestyle artists only had one or two hits, it would have been a waste to put them this list. Thank goodness for the Freestyle Explosion series from Thump Records.
2) La Combinacion Perfecta – Various Artists (Rule #9)… The greatest Salsa album ever recorded. Period.
3) Love – The Beatles (Rule #5)… Technically this really isn’t a live album, but it is the soundtrack to a live performance. If you are a Beatles fan and you’ve never heard this album, you are doing yourself a disservice. Download it. Now.
So there you go. What are your DIDs? I’d love to know.
Oh, and have you figured out which songs I am referring to with discs #5 and #6? Bonus points to those that figure it out.
*Records a big round things made out of vynil that we used to listen to music. They look like"really big CDs" as a really young co-worker described them.