Rock Compact Disc Magazine
“Now that the compact disc is around 10 years old, and rock music is knocking on for 40, the time is right for a magazine that combines the two. If rock music qualifies as a thirty-something, it’s about time music magazines grew out of their teens.”
Monthly UK magazine published by Northern & Shell PLC, which ran to 16 issues, the first of which was July 1992. Unfortunately the list (& any five-bar rated albums) from Issue #12 (June 1993) is missing here. There were also sister magazines published: Soul Compact Disc & Heavy Metal Compact Disc, which only ran for a few issues.
List Included On This Page:
›› 50 Essential Punk CDs: Selected by Andrew Smith
›› 71 Classic British Rock Albums: 1968-1972
›› England Swings: 47 British Beatboom Albums 1963-1966
›› 20 Most Overrated Albums
›› Wham Bam, Thank You Glam: 50 Glam Era Highlights 1972-1974
›› Guitar Heroes 1945-1992: 50 Classic Albums
›› Awop Bop-a Loo-Bop: 30 Rock ‘n’ Roll Greats on CD
›› Freak Out: 50 West Coast Psychedelic Albums 1966-1970
›› Wild in the Country: 30 Best Country Rock Albums
›› Train Kept a Rollin’: 50 British Blues Albums
›› State of Independents: 45 British Indie Guitar Rock Albums
›› Welcome to the Pleasuredome: 40 Eighties Brit Pop Albums
›› For Those About to Rock: 50 Definitive Heavy Metal Albums
›› Story of the Blues: 50 Acoustic Blues Albums
›› Live & Dangerous: 50 Classic Live Albums
›› Sweet Home Chicago: 50 Best Chicago Blues Albums
›› End of Year Album Lists: 1992
›› New Release Albums That Received ‘Five Bar’ Ratings
50 Essential Punk CDs:Selected by Andrew Smith
(July1992)
“A selection such as this necessarily contains an element of subjectivity, but not so much as you might think. For instance, to those who say ‘Where are those first classic examples of X Ray Spex, Pere Ubu, SLF, Adverts…’; we reply ‘Not on disc’. The other criterion was quality. Some artists have stood the test of time and some haven’t, and these we have humbly taken it upon ourselves to omit”.
Readers were asked to write in and nominate an album that had been missed. The winning choice was Penetration – Moving Targets.
Originally in a (very) loose chronological order, with additional recommendations for some artists, which were also included in the 50, but not in the order of release, it’s now alphabetical.
o Blondie – Parallel Lines
o Blondie – Plastic Letters
o David Bowie – ‘Heroes’
o Buzzcocks – Operator’s Manual
o Clash - Clash
o Clash – Give ‘Em Enough Rope
o Clash – London Calling
o Elvis Costello – My Aim is True
o Elvis Costello – This Year’s Model
o Cure - Faith
o Cure – Seventeen Seconds
o Damned – Damned Damned Damned
o Echo & the Bunnymen – Crocodiles
o Echo & the Bunnymen – Heaven Up Here
o Fall – Early Fall: 1977-1979
o Gang of Four – A Brief History of the 20th Century
o Generation X – Perfect Hits: 1977-1981
o Iggy Pop – Lust for Life
o Jam – All Mod Cons
o Joy Division – Closer
o Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
o Killing Joke – Killing Joke (1980)
o Magazine – Correct Use of Soap
o Magazine – Real Life
o MC5 – Kick Out the Jams
o New York Dolls - Red Patent Leather: Live in NYC 1975
o Only Ones – Immortal Story
o Psychedelic Furs – All of This & Nothing
o Psychedelic Furs – Talk Talk Talk
o Public Image Ltd – Flowers of Romance
o Public Image Ltd – Metal Box
o Public Image Ltd – Public Image
o Ramones – Ramones
o Ruts – The Crack
o Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the…
o Simple Minds – Life in a Day
o Siouxsie & the Banshees – Kaleidoscope
o Siouxsie & the Banshees – The Scream
o Patti Smith – Horses
o Stooges – Fun House
o Stooges – No Fun
o Stranglers – Collection: 1977-1982
o Talking Heads – 77
o Talking Heads – Fear of Music
o Talking Heads – More Songs About Buildings & Food
o Television – Marquee Moon
o Undertones – Peel Sessions
o Wire – On Returning: 1977-1979
o XTC – GO2
o XTC – White Music
Skip To Top71 Classic British Rock Albums: 1968-1972
(August 1992)
“The explosion in musical ideas of the late sixties and early seventies left a legacy of original and pioneering albums. As rock moved away from its blues roots, new sounds and trends emerged which would form the foundation for much of the music we hear today. Although many of the acts went on to become overblown and artistically unadventurous, for a brief period the possibilities seemed endless. Here we present the definitive guide to British albums from 1968 to 1972… ” There are 71 entries, in alphabetical order, as was the case in the original article.
o Jeff Beck – Jeff Beck Group / Rough & Ready (2 on 1)
o Beck, Bogart & Appice - Beck, Bogart & Appice
o Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
o Black Sabbath – Master of Reality
o Black Sabbath – Paranoid
o Blind Faith – Blind Faith
o Blodwyn Pig – Ahead Rings Out
o Edgar Broughton Band – Sing Brother Sing
o Cream – Wheels of Fire
o Cream – Goodbye
o Deep Purple – Fireball
o Deep Purple – In Rock
o Deep Purple – Machine Head
o Nick Drake – Bryter Layter
o Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left
o Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
o Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Tarkus
o Fairport Convention – History of…
o Family – Anyway
o Family – Bandstand
o Family – Entertainment
o Free – Fire & Water
o Free – Highway
o Free – Live
o Genesis – Foxtrot
o Gentle Giant – Acquiring the Taste
o Groundhogs – Best of the…
o George Harrison – All Things Must Pass
o Hawkwind – In Search of Space
o Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
o Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland
o Humble Pie – Collection
o Incredible String Band – Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter
o Incredible String Band – Wee Tam / Big Huge (2 on 1)
o Jethro Tull – Stand Up
o Jethro Tull – Aqualung
o Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection
o King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King
o Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin [I]
o Led Zeppelin - II
o Led Zeppelin – III
o Led Zeppelin - IV
o John Lennon – Imagine
o Lindisfarne – Fog on the Tyne
o Lindisfarne – Nicely Out of Tune
o Moody Blues – A Question of Balance
o Moody Blues – Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
o Moody Blues – On the Threshold of a Dream
o Nice – Ars Longa Vita Brevis
o Pentangle – Basket of Light
o Pentangle – Collection
o Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother
o Pink Floyd – Ummagumma
o Pretty Things – SF Sorrow
o Procol Harum – Collection
o Renaissance – Renaissance / Illusion (2 on 1)
o Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
o T.Rex – Slider
o Traffic – Smiling Phases
o Uriah Heep – Demons & Wizards
o Uriah Heep – Look at Yourself
o Van der Graaf Generator – H to He Who am the Only One
o Who – Live at Leeds
o Who – Tommy
o Who – Who’s Next
o Wishbone Ash – Argus
o Wishbone Ash – Pilgrimage
o Yes – Close to the Edge
o Yes – Fragile
o Yes – Time and a Word
o Yes – Yes Album
Skip To TopEngland Swings: British Beatboom 1963-1966
(September 1992)
“The British beatboom scence of the mid Sixties has now passed into legend. It was a time when British music became on of the country’s top exports, with the art and fashion scene being revitalised in its wake. Although much of the beatboom’s output is now seen as purely nostalgia fodder, classic records produced by the likes of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks and Animals still have much to offer in the CD age. In our guide to the music of Swinging England, Chas de Whalley selects the finest albums… ”
Alphabetical order, as per the original feature. The ‘Complete Collection’ series which is included for some artists were 1 CD or 2 LP compilations, not ‘complete’ recordings collections. Where the title is just ‘Collection’ this was a Castle series, as was Complete. Animals – Complete [EMI] is complete for 1964-1965 recordings. Tom Jones – Complete isn’t ‘complete’ at all, but a single CD compilation on Polygram. Kinks – Compleat Collection, again a 1 CD compilation on Castle, is spelt ‘Compleat’ deliberately. 47 entries.
o Action – Ultimate
o Animals – Complete
o Animals – Most of the…
o Beatles – A Hard Day’s Night
o Beatles – For Sale
o Beatles – Help!
o Beatles – Revolver
o Beatles – Rubber Soul
o Cilla Black – Best of the EMI Years
o Petula Clark – Special Collection
o Spencer Davis Group – Best of the… [Island]
o Donovan – Collection
o Donovan – Fairytale
o Donovan – Greatest Hits… and More
o Easybeats – Friday on My Mind
o Marianne Faithfull – Faithless
o Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames – 20 Beat Classics
o Fortunes – You’ve Got Your Troubles
o Freddie & the Dreamers – Best of the EMI Years
o Gerry & the Pacemakers – Best of the EMI Years
o Herman’s Hermits – Best of the EMI Years: Vols 1 & 2
o Hollies – 20 Golden Greats
o Tom Jones – Complete
o Kinks – Compleat Collection
o Manfred Mann – Singles
o Moody Blues – Collection
o Move – Best of the…
o Cliff Richard – 40 Golden Greats
o Rolling Stones – Aftermath
o Rolling Stones – Between the Buttons
o Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks: 1964-197
o Rolling Stones – More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies)
o Rolling Stones – Out of Our Heads
o Searchers – Compleat Collection
o Sandie Shaw – Collection
o Small Faces – Complete Collection
o Small Faces – Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake
o Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis
o Dusty Springfield – Silver Collection
o Them – Featuring Van Morrison
o Troggs – Anthology [Phonogram]
o Walker Brothers – No Regrets: Best of Scott Walker & the…
o Who – A Quick One
o Who – Sell Out
o Who – Singles
o Yardbirds – Collection
o Zombies – Collection
Skip To Top20 Most Overrated Albums
(October 1992)
“Some albums, it seems, are beyond criticism. They always occupy the upper regions of critics’ charts and are referred to in hushed, reverential tones. Some people however, are fed up with this so-called ‘classic’ canon. One such man is Brian Cheeseman. Here he lays waste to twenty albums which many regard as sacrosanct.” In no particular order in the article, now alphabetical.
o Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
o David Bowie – Low
o Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman
o Clash – London Calling
o Doors – Doors
o Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
o Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
o Led Zeppelin – IV
o John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band
o Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell
o Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
o Police – Ghost in the Machine
o Queen – A Night at the Opera
o Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the…
o Paul Simon – Graceland
o Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time
o Smiths – Meat is Murder
o Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
o Tanita Tikaram – Ancient Heart
o Who – Who’s Next
Skip To TopWham Bam, Thank You Glam: 50 Glam Era Highlights 1972-1974
(October 1992)
“The early 1970s were not just the boom years for progressive rock, they were also a time of high glamour, of experimentation with style and sex, music and manners. Glam covered an astonishingly broad area, from the teenypop of the ‘Rollers and David Essex to the sophisticated post-modern explorations of art-rockers Bowie & Roxy. Paul Lester presents the definitive guide to the most memorable albums of the glam era, some of which merely retain an historical curiosity value, others that rank amongst the greatest LPs ever made.” There were five additional recommendation, which I’ve included, though in this instance they weren’t included in the 50, so there are 55 entries here.
o ABBA – Collection
o ABBA – Hits [Pickwick]
o Alice Cooper – Beast of…
o Alice Cooper – Greatest Hits
o Bay City Rollers – Collection
o Barry Blue – Best & the Rest of…
o David Bowie – Aladdin Sane
o David Bowie – Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars
o Bread – Best of… [Pickwick]
o Carpenters – Singles: 1969-1973
o David Cassidy – His Greatest Hits: Live
o Dawn – Golden Ribbons
o Electric Light Orchestra – Greatest Hits
o David Essex – Collection
o Gary Glitter – C’mon C’mon (Party Album) [Telstar]
o Gary Glitter – Gangshow: The Gang, the Bang, the Leader (Live 1988)
o Hall & Oates – Abandoned Lunchonette
o Hall & Oates – Rock & Soul Part 1: Greatest Hits
o Steve Harley & the Cockney Rebel – Greatest Hits
o Steve Harley & the Cockney Rebel – Psychomondo
o Hello – Glam Years
o Hot Chocolate – Greatest Hits
o Iggy & the Stooges – Raw Power
o Jackson 5 – Greatest Hits
o Elton John – Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player
o Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
o Paul McCartney & Wings – Band on the Run
o Mott the Hoople – Mott
o Mud – Let’s Have a Party: Best of…
o New York Dolls – New York Dolls
o New York Dolls – Personality Crisis [See for Miles]
o Gilbert O’Sullivan – Unforgettable
o Osmonds – Plan
o Lynsey de Paul – Lynsey Sings
o Pilot – Best of…
o Suzi Quatro – Wild One: Greatest Hits
o Queen – Sheer Heart Attack
o Lou Reed – Transformer
o Roxy Music – For Your Pleasure
o Roxy Music – Stranded
o Rubettes – Best of…
o Todd Rundgren – A Wizard, a True Star
o Todd Rundgren – Something/Anything?
o Todd Rundgren – Todd
o Showaddywaddy – Showaddywaddy (1974)
o Slade – Story of Slade: Vols 1 & 2
o Sparks – Best of…
o Alvin Stardust – Greatest Hits
o Alvin Stardust – 20 of the Best
o Sweet – Blockbusters
o Sweet – Collection
o T.Rex – Collection
o T.Rex – Greatest Hits [Sierra]
o 10cc – 10cc (1973)
o Wizzard – You Can Dance the Rock ‘n’ Roll: Roy Wood Years 1971-1973
Skip To TopGuitar Heroes 1945-1992: 50 Classic Albums
(November 1992)
“From T-Bone Walker to Nirvana, a cranked-up Gibson or Fender has provided the musical muscle to back up the alienated teenage or world-weary thirty-something. And from Hendrix to Steve Vai, the axe hero has been the ultimate icon of popular music. Here we present 50 classic albums which document the evolution of the guitar hero.”
In roughly chronological order in the article, but as there are many compilations included, this doesn’t make too much sense. So here it’s alphabetical.
o Allman Brothers – A Decade of Hits: 1969-1979
o Jeff Beck – Wired
o Chuck Berry – Rock and Roll Music [Ocean]
o Black Sabbath – Collection [Castle]
o Bo Diddley – Road Runner (Chess Recordings)
o JJ Cale – Special Edition
o Eddie Cochran – C’mon Everybody [EMI]
o Ry Cooder - Bop Till You Drop
o Cream – Disraeli Gears
o Deep Purple – Machine Head
o Dire Straits – Love Over Gold
o Duane Eddy – Guitar Man: Twenty Classic Tracks
o Extreme – II: Pornograffiti
o Fleetwood Mac – Collection [Castle]
o Free – Fire & Water
o Rory Gallagher – Live in Europe/Stage Struck (2 on 1)
o Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead
o James Gang – Rides Again
o Jeff Healey – See the Light
o Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
o BB King – Live at the Regal
o King Crimson – Compact King Crimson
o Led Zeppelin – II
o Little Feat – Feat’s Don’t Fail Me Now
o Living Colour – Vivid
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – With Eric Clapton
o Gary Moore – Corridors of Power
o Nirvana – Nevermind
o Les Paul & Mary Ford – Capitol Years
o Rolling Stones – Made in the Shade
o Santana – Greatest Hits
o Joe Satriani – Extremist
o Shadows – Original Chart Hits: 1960-1980
o Smiths – Best
o Spirit – Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus
o Television – Marquee Moon
o Ten Years After – Classic Performances of…
o Thin Lizzy – Live & Dangerous
o Robin Trower – Bridge of Sighs
o U2 – Under a Blood Red Sky
o Steve Vai – Passion & Warfare
o Stevie Ray Vaughan – Live Alive
o Van Halen – Van Halen
o T-Bone Walker – Low Down Feeling: Original Black & White Recordings
o Who – Who’s Next
o Johnny Winter – Collection [Castle]
o Wishbone Ash – Argus
o Yardbirds – Collection [Castle]
o Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Live Rust
o Frank Zappa – Guitar
Skip To TopAwop Bop-a Loo-Bop: 30 Rock ‘n’ Roll Greats on CD
(Dec 1992)
“From the moment Elvis Presley walked into Sam Phillips’ Sun studios in 1953, the world would never be the same again. As Presley experimented with the blues format and Chuck Berry re-interpreted white hillbilly music, they broke down racial barriers and suddenly unleashed the spending power of the American teenager.” 33 entries in alphabetical order, as per the original article.
o Paul Anka – 30th Anniversary Anthology
o Chuck Berry – Chess Years
o Big Bopper – Hellooo Baby! Best of… 1954-1959
o Bo Diddley – Chess Box
o Johnny Burnette – Complete Recordings [Bear Family]
o Coasters – 50 Coastin’ Classics
o Eddie Cochran – Best of… [EMI/Liberty]
o Sam Cooke – Man & His Music
o Dion & the Belmonts – Greatest Hits [Ace]
o Fats Domino – Best of… [EMI/Liberty]
o Drifters – Save the Last Dance for Me
o Duane Eddy – Twenty Greatest Hits [Backline]
o Everly Brothers – Golden Hits of the… [Warner Bros]
o Billy Haley & His Comets – Golden Greats [MCA/Coral]
o Buddy Holly & the Crickets – Golden Greatest [MCA/Coral]
o Johnny & the Hurricanes – Collection [Castle]
o Brenda Lee – Anthology: Vols 1 & 2
o Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls of Fire [Charly]
o Little Richard – 22 Classic Cuts
o Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers – Best of… [EMI]
o Ricky Nelson – Best of… [EMI/Liberty]
o Carl Perkins – Tennessee Bop
o Platters – Magic Touch: Anthology
o Elvis Presley – Complete Sun Sessions
o Elvis Presley – Gold Records: Vol 1
o Elvis Presley – King of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Complete ‘50s Masters
o Neil Sedaka – Greatest Hits [RCA]
o Del Shannon – Runaway Hits
o Big Joe Turner – Greatest Hits [Atlantic]
o Big Joe Turner – R&B Years [Atlantic]
o Richie Valens – Best of… [Ace]
o Gene Vincent – Best of… [Capitol]
o Larry Williams – Best of… [Ace]
Skip To TopFreak Out: 50 West Coast Psychedelic Albums 1966-1970
(Jan 1993)
“In the mid-Sixties, rock music was undergoing a strange but wonderful mutation. As the Vietnam war raged, affluent middle class America revelled in its new found freedom, when sunshine, sex, pot, mescaline, and LSD blew the war babies free from the preceding generation. Society at large embarked on a psychedelic trip, the rich legacy of which lives on in art, music and lifestyle. Cliff Jones selects the finest albums of the psychedelic era… ” The original article was, seemingly, in no particular order, the 50 entries are now alphabetical.
o Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
o Beach Boys – Smile [bootleg]
o Beach Boys – Smiley Smile/Wild Honey (2 on 1)
o Blue Cheer – New Improved
o Blue Cheer – Outside Inside
o Blue Cheer – Vincibus Eruptum
o Eric Burdon - & the Animals
o Byrds – Fifth Dimension
o Byrds – Notorious Byrd Brothers
o Byrds – Younger Than Yesterday
o Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Trout Mask Replica
o Chocolate Watchband – Best of the…
o Count Five – Psychotic Reaction
o Country Joe & the Fish – Electric Music for the Mind & Body
o Country Joe & the Fish – I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die
o Doors – Doors
o Electric Prunes – Long Day’s Flight [compilation]
o Funkadelic – Free Your Mind & Your Ass Will Follow
o Funkadelic – Funkadelic
o Funkadelic – Maggot Brain
o Golden Dawn – A Power Plant
o Grateful Dead – Aoxomoxoa
o Grateful Dead – Live/Dead
o HP Lovecraft – Live (May 11, 1968)
o Iron Butterfly – In a Gadda da Vida
o Jefferson Airplane – 2400 Fulton Street
o Kak – Kak
o Kaleidoscope (US) – A Beacon from Mars
o Kaleidoscope (US) – Sidetrips
o Love – Forever Changes
o Mad River – Mad River
o Buddy Miles Express – Expressway to Your Skull
o Steve Miller Band – Children of the Future
o Quicksilver Messenger Service – Happy Trails
o Red Crayola – Parable of Arable Land
o Santana – Abraxas
o Seeds – Evil Hoodoo [compilation]
o Seeds – Future
o Sly & the Family Stone – Best of…
o Spirit – Time Circle
o 13th Floor Elevators – Bull of the Woods
o 13th Floor Elevators – Easter Everywhere
o 13th Floor Elevators – Psychedelic Sounds of the…
o United States of America - United States of America
o Vanilla Fudge – Near the Beginning
o Velvet Underground - & Nico
o Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground [3rd Album]
o Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
o Youngbloods – Elephant Mountain
o Various Artists – Woodstock
Skip To TopWild in the Country: 30 Best Country Rock Albums
(February 1993)
“Country music gave birth to rock & roll, once it was fused with black rhythm & blues. But as the original rock performers were supplanted by the British invaders of the early Sixties, American music reacted by going back to its roots. Some musicians went back to the blues, while others returned to the original white American art form – Country & Western. The result was the country rock movement, led by the likes of Gram Parsons and The Byrds, and since followed by The Eagles, Steve Earle and many more… ” This list was in no particular order, here once again, the 31 entries are alphabetical.
o Alabama – Closer You Get
o Bellamy Brothers – Let Your Love Flow
o Byrds – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
o Carlene Carter – Blue Nun
o Rosanne Cash – King’s Record Shop
o Commander Cody – Returns from Outer Space
o Country Gazette – From the Beginning
o Charlie Daniels – Million Mile Reflections
o Desert Rose Band – Desert Rose Band
o Dillard & Clark – Fantastic Expedition of…
o Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline
o Eagles – Desperado
o Steve Earle – Guitar Town
o Joe Ely – Live at Liberty Lunch
o Flying Burrito Brothers – Gilded Palace of Sin
o Emmylou Harris – Pieces of the Sky
o Emmylou Harris – Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town
o Jayhawks – Hollywood Town Hall
o Kentucky Headhunters – Pickin’ on Nashville
o Rick Nelson – Garden Party
o Willie Nelson – City of New Orleans
o Michael Nesmith – Magnetic South
o New Riders of the Purple Sage – Adventures of Panama Red
o Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Early Dirt
o Gram Parsons – Grievous Angel
o Poco – Rose of Cimarron
o Rockingbirds – Rockingbirds
o Linda Ronstadt – Greatest Hits
o Jo-El Sonnier – Come On Joe
o Jerry Jeff Walker – Gypsy Songman
o Hank Williams Jr – Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?
Skip To TopTrain Kept a Rollin: 50 British Blues Albums
(March 1993)
“In the late Fifties a select group of British youths were buying obscure US records in import, by the mid Sixties this trend resulted in the British blues movement. A wave of bands including The Blues Breakers, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and Fleetwood Mac re-interpreted the electric blues coming out of Chicago, and in turn caused a new wave of interest in the originals. Neil Slaven selects the classic albums from and era that began with Alexis Korner and culminated in the biggest band of the Seventies: Led Zeppelin.” Alphabetical order, as per the original article.
o Animals – Complete Animals
o Animals – Inside Looking Out
o Animals – With Sonny Boy Williamson
o Artwoods – 100 Oxford Street
o Jeff Beck – Beckology
o Graham Bond Organisation – Live at Klook’s Kleek
o Chicken Shack – Collection [Castle]
o Chicken Shack – On Air
o Cream – Deserted Cities: Collection
o Cream – Fresh Cream
o Cream – Strange Brew: Very Best of…
o Champion Jack Dupree – & His Blues Band featuring Mickey Baker
o Champion Jack Dupree – From New Orleans to Chicago
o Fleetwood Mac – Blues Years [Essential]
o Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced
o Jimi Hendrix – Concerts [Castle]
o Jimi Hendrix – Radio One
o Jo Ann Kelly – Retrospect 1964-1972: Connoisseur Collection
o Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated – Alexis Korner &…
o Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated – I Wonder Who
o Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated – R&B from the Marquee
o Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin [I]
o Led Zeppelin – Remasters
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – A Hard Road
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – Looking Back
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – Primal Solos
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – Thru the Years
o John Mayall’s Blues Breakers – With Eric Clapton
o Paramounts – Whiter Shade of R&B
o Duffy Power – Blues Power
o Duffy Power – Little Boy Blue
o Pretty Things – On Air
o Pretty Things – Pretty Things (1965)
o Rolling Stones – Now!
o Rolling Stones – Rolling Stones
o Savoy Brown – Best of…
o Savoy Brown – Shake Down
o Taste – Taste
o Ten Years After – Ten Years After (1967)
o Ten Years After – Undead
o Them – Collection [Castle]
o Them – Them [aka Angry Young Them]
o Top Topham – Lookin’ Down the Backtracks
o Larry Williams – Show: With Johnny Guitar Watson & the Stormsville Shakers
o Yardbirds – Collection [Castle]
o Yardbirds – First Recordings
o Yardbirds – Five Live Yardirds
o Various Artists – A Shot of Rhythm & Blues: R&B Era Vol 1 [Sequel]
o Various Artists – Blues Anytime: Vols 1 & 2 [Line]
o Various Artists – Preachin’ the Blues: R&B Era Vol 2 [Sequel]
Skip To TopState of Independents: British Indie Guitar Rock
(April 1993)
“Indie music might be an ill-defined term, but there’s no doubt that a great British tradition exists of floppy fringed youths taking up a Gretsch guitar and taking inspiration from the Velvet Underground. Sylvia Patterson selects the classic albums of the genre… ” Seemingly no particular order for the original article, now alphabetical. 45 entries. The Velvet Underground’s 3rd album is included as “The Velvet Underground invented British indie guitar pop, it was all their idea. … this is the one that became a blueprint for the next 20-odd years of British independence.”
1. Aztec Camera – High Land, Hard Rain
2. Bauhaus – Singles: 1979-1983
3. Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine – 101 Dalmatians
4. Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine – 1992: Love Album
5. Charlatans – Some Friendly
6. Cocteau Twins – Head Over Heels
7. Cocteau Twins – Treasure
8. Cocteau Twins – Victorialand
9. Cure – Standing on a Beach: Singles
10. Echo & the Bunnymen – Crocodiles
11. Echo & the Bunnymen – Heaven Up Here
12. Echo & the Bunnymen – Songs to Learn & Sing
13. Fall – 458489 A-Sides
14. Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace
15. Happy Monday – Pills ‘n’ Thrills & Bellyaches
16. House of Love – House of Love (1988)
17. James – Gold Mother
18. Jesus & Mary Chain – Honey’s Dead
19. Jesus & Mary Chain – Psychocandy
20. Joy Division – Closer
21. Joy Division – Still
22. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
23. La’s – La’s
24. Microdisney – Peel Sessions
25. My Bloody Valentine – Isn’t Anything
26. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
27. New Order – Low Life
28. New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies
29. New Order – Technique
30. Orange Juice – Esteemed…
31. Orange Juice – Rip it Up
32. Orange Juice – You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever/Orange Juice (2 on 1)
33. Primal Scream – Screamadelica
34. Ride – Nowhere
35. Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
36. Smiths – Queen is Dead
37. Stone Roses – Stone Roses
38. Teardrop Explodes – Kilimanjaro
39. Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque
40. Velvet Underground – Velvet Underground [3rd Album]
41. Weather Prophets – Judge, Juries & Horsemen
42. Wedding Present – George Best
43. Wire – Document & Eyewitness: Live 1979-1980
44. Wire – Peel Sessions: 1978-1979
45. Various Artists – Lonely is An Eyesore [4AD]
Skip To TopWelcome to the Pleasuredome: 40 Eighties Brit Pop Albums
(May 1993)
“The 80s were a fine time for pop music. Just as the glam movement grew out of serious late 60s rock, so a wave of glossy and sophisticated pop bands flourished in the aftermath of 70s punk. Paul Lester selects the classic albums of the genre… ” Alphabetical order, as per the original article. There were 40 entries, but with 1 extra recommendation (Adam & the Ants’ Prince Charming) making it up to 41.
o ABC – Lexicon of Love
o Adam & the Ants – Kings of the Wild Frontier
o Adam & the Ants – Prince Charming
o Altered Images – Happy Birthday
o Art of Noise – Who’s Afraid of the…
o Associates – Sulk
o Aztec Camera – High Land, Hard Rain
o Bananarama – Greatest Hits Collection
o Beat – What is Beat? Best of the…
o BEF (British Electric Foundation) – Music of Quality & Distinction
o Bow Wow Wow – I Want Candy
o Bucks Fizz – Greatest Hits [RCA, 1983]
o Culture Club – Colour by Numbers
o Cure – Standing on a Beach: Singles
o Depeche Mode – Singles: 1981-1985
o Dexys Midnight Runners – Too Rye Aye
o Dollar – Album
o Duran Duran – Rio
o Eurythmics – Touch
o Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Welcome to the Pleasuredome
o Haircut 100 – Pelican West
o Heaven 17 – Penthouse & Pavement
o Human League – Dare
o Imagination – Gold
o Japan – Tin Drum
o Kajagoogoo – Without Feathers
o Madness – Divine…
o Marilyn – Despite Straight Lines
o New Order – Substance
o Orange Juice – You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever
o Police – Greatest Hits
o Scritti Politti – Songs to Remember
o Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
o Soft Cell – Memorabilia: Singles
o Spandau Ballet – Best of…
o Specials – Singles
o Teardrop Explodes – Kilimanjaro
o Tears for Fears – The Hurting
o Wham! – Final
o Kim Wilde – Kim Wilde (1981)
o Yazoo – Upstairs at Eric’s
Skip To TopFor Those About to Rock: 50 Definitive Heavy Metal Albums
(July 1993)
“Rock music was always meant to be loud and boisterous, and ‘round about the time of Hendrix & Cream it got even louder, and even more boisterous. Mark Blake selects the 50 definitive heavy metal albums… ” Originally in a loose chronological order, the list is now alphabetical, and there are 64 entries, as the additional recommendations were not included in the 50 on this occasion, but I have included them as usual.
o AC/DC – Back in Black
o AC/DC – Highway to Hell
o AC/DC – If You Want Blood… You’ve Got It
o Aerosmith – Pump
o Aerosmith – Rocks
o Jeff Beck Group – Beck-Ola/Truth (2 on 1)
o Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
o Black Sabbath – Heaven & Hell
o Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
o Blue Cheer – Blitzkrieg Over Nüremberg: Live (10 October 1988)
o Blue Öyster Cult – Career of Evil: Metal Years
o Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet
o Cream – Disraeli Gears
o Deep Purple – Burn
o Deep Purple – Machine Head
o Def Leppard – Pyromania
o Extreme – II: Pornograffitti
o Faith No More – Real Thing
o Free – Story
o Guns N’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
o Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced
o Hüsker Dü – Warehouse: Songs & Stories
o Iggy & the Stooges – Metallic KO
o Iron Butterfly – In a Gadda da Vida
o Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden
o Iron Maiden – Number of the Beast
o Judas Priest – British Steel
o Kiss – Destroyer
o Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin [I]
o Led Zeppelin – II
o Led Zeppelin – IV
o Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti
o Living Colour – Vivid
o MC5 – Kick Out the Jams
o Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell
o Megadeth – Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?
o Metallica – Master of Puppets
o Metallica – Metallica [Black Album]
o Ministry - Psalm 69 (Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs)
o Mötley Crüe – Girls, Girls, Girls
o Motörhead – Ace of Spades
o Mountain – Nantucket Sleighride: Best of…
o Nine Inch Nails – Broken
o Ted Nugent – Great Gonzos: Best of…
o Pearl Jam – Ten
o Queen – Sheer Heart Attack
o Queensrÿche – Operation: Mindcrime
o Rainbow – Rising
o Red Hot Chili Peppers – Mother’s Milk
o Rush – 2112
o Rush – A Farewell to Kings
o Saxon – Back on the Streets
o Scorpions – Lovedrive
o Slayer – Reign in Blood
o Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss
o Soundgarden – Louder Than Love
o Thin Lizzy – Live & Dangerous
o Uriah Heep – Best of… [Castle]
o Van Halen – Fair Warning
o Van Halen – Van Halen
o Van Halen – Women & Children First
o Venom – Black Metal
o Whitesnake – Ready an’ Willing
o Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Arc/Weld
Skip To TopStory of the Blues: 50 Acoustic Blues Albums
(August 1993)
“Practically all of today’s rock music is derived from the acoustic blues of the 1920s and 1930s. But the best recordings of this era retain more than just historical significance, featuring an emotional and musical directness which makes much of today’s music seem shallow. Neil Slaven selects the classic albums of the acoustic blues genre… ” Alphabetical order, as per the original article.
o Kokomo Arnold – King of the Bottleneck Guitar: 1934-1937
o Barbecue Bob – Chocolate to the Bone
o Blind Blake – Ragtime Guitar’s Foremost Picker
o Big Bill Broonzy – Good Time Tonight
o Big Bill Broonzy – Young Big Bill Broonzy: 1927-1935
o Leroy Carr – Complete Recordings in Chronological Order: Volumes 1-6
o Leroy Carr – Piano Blues: 1929-1935
o Arthur Big Boy Crudup – That’s All Right Mama
o Reverend Gary Davis – Delia
o Reverend Gary Davis – From Blues to Gospel
o Walter Davis – First Recordings: 1930-1932
o Champion Jack Dupree – New Orleans Barrelhouse Boogie
o David Honeyboy Edwards – Delta Bluesman
o Sleepy John Estes – First Recordings
o Sleepy John Estes – I Ain’t Gonna Be Worried No More: 1929-1941
o Blind Boy Fuller – East Coast Piedmont Style
o Terry Garland – Trouble in Mind
o John Lee Hooker – Alone
o John Lee Hooker – That’s My Story/Folk Blues of… (2 on 1)
o John Hammond – Got Love if You Want It
o Lightnin’ Hopkins – Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings
o Lightnin’ Hopkins – Lightnin’ Hopkins [Smithsonian/Folkways]
o Son House – Complete LOC Sessions
o Son House – Father of the Delta Blues: Complete 1965 Sessions
o Skip James - Greatest of the Delta Blues Singers
o Skip James - Today
o Blind Lemon Jefferson – Blind Lemon Jefferson [Ace]
o Lonnie Johnson – Steppin’ on the Blues
o Robert Johnson – Delta Blues Legend
o Blind Willie Johnson – Complete Recordings
o Lead Belly – King of the 12 String Guitar
o Mississippi Fred McDowell – Fred McDowell [Flyright]
o Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry – California Blues
o Blind Willie McTell – Early Years: 1927-1933
o Blind Willie McTell – Pig ‘n Whistle Red
o Memphis Minnie – Complete Recordings in Chronological Order: Volumes 1-12
o Memphis Minnie – Hoodoo Lady: 1933-1937
o Muddy Waters – First Recording Sessions: 1941-1946
o Charley Patton – Complete Recordings in Chronological Order: Volumes 1-3
o Charley Patton – Founder of the Delta Blues
o Dr Ross – Boogie Disease
o Johnny Shines – Too Wet Too Plow
o Johnny Shines – Traditional Delta Blues
o Bukka White – Sky Songs
o Sonny Boy Williamson [I] - & Big Joe Williams: Throw a Boogie Woogie
o Sonny Boy Williamson [I] - Complete Recordings in Chronological Order: Volumes 1-5
o Various Artists (Sonny Boy Williamson [I]/Big Bill Broonzy/Memphis Slim) - Blues in the Mississippi Night [Rykodisc]
o Various Artists – Masters of the Delta Blues [Yazoo]
o Various Artists – Roots of Rhythm & Blues: A Tribute to the Robert Johnson Era
o Various Artists – Story of the Blues [Columbia]
Skip To TopLive & Dangerous: 50 Classic Live Albums
(September 1993)
“Some of the best albums ever have been recorded outside the cosy confines of a studio, with the music revealed in its raw and natural state in front of a live audience. Now MTV’s Unplugged albums have revived the genre. Simon Dudfield selects the best live albums of all time, from James Brown’s Live at the Apollo to Live at the Roxy and more… ” The original article was chronological, but here it’s alphabetical. There are actually 51 entries, as there was an extra Jimi Hendrix recommendation (Plays Monterey) that wasn’t included in the 50.
o AC/DC – If You Want Blood… You’ve Got It
o David Bowie – Live: At the Tower Philadelphia
o Tim Buckley – Dream Letter: Live in London 1968
o Cream – Wheels of Fire [half live, half studio]
o Deep Purple – Made in Japan
o Depeche Mode – 101
o Dr Feelgood – Stupidity… Plus
o Doors – In Concert
o Duran Duran – Arena
o Bob Dylan – Live at ‘the Royal Albert Hall’ (Manchester Free Trade Hall) [bootleg]
o Fairport Convention – Live Convention: A Moveable Feast
o Free – Live
o Grateful Dead – Live/Dead
o Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsys
o Jimi Hendrix – Plays Monterey
o Iggy & the Stooges – Metallic KO x 2
o Jam – Dig the New Breed
o James Brown – Live at the Apollo (1963)
o Japan – Oil on Canvas
o Joy Division – Still
o BB King – Live at the Regal
o Led Zeppelin – Song Remains the Same
o Bob Marley & the Wailers – Live (At the Lyceum)
o MC5 – Kick Out the Jams
o Van Morrison – Live at the Grand Opera House, Belfast
o Motörhead – No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith
o New York Dolls – Red Patent Leather: Live in NYC 1975
o Pink Floyd – Ummagumma [half live, half studio]
o Elvis Presley – NBC Comeback Special
o Public Image Ltd – Live in Tokyo
o Ramones – It’s Alive
o Otis Redding – In Person at the Whiskey a Go-Go
o Lou Reed – Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal
o Rolling Stones – Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out
o Roxy Music – Viva!
o Simon & Garfunkel – Concert in Central Park
o Slade – Alive
o Smiths – Rank
o Bruce Springsteen – Live 1975-1985
o Stranglers – Live: X-Cert
o Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense
o Thin Lizzy – Live & Dangerous
o U2 – Under a Blood Red Sky
o Velvet Underground – Live 1969
o Tom Waits – Nighthawks at the Diner
o Who – Live at Leeds
o Yardbirds – Five Live Yardbirds
o Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Live Rust
o Frank Zappa – Tinsel Town Rebellion
o Various Artists – Short Circuit: Live at the Electric Circus
o Various Artists – Woodstock
Skip To TopSweet Home Chicago: 50 Best Chicago Blues Albums
(October 1993)
“In Rock Compact Disc Magazine’s comprehensive guide to Chicago blues… Neil Slaven selects the classic albums of the genre… ” Alphabetical order, as per the original article.
o Billy Boy Arnold – I Wish You Would
o John Henry Barbee – John Henry Barbee [Storyville]
o John Brim / Pinetop Perkins – Chicago Blues Session: Vol 12
o Big Bill Broonzy – Black, Brown & White
o Big Bill Broonzy – Good Time Tonight
o Eddie Boyd – 7936 South Rhodes
o Eddie Boyd – Third Degree
o Jazz Gillum – Roll Dem Bones
o Buddy Guy – Complete Chess Studio Recordings
o Howlin’ Wolf – Chess Box
o Howlin’ Wolf – Moanin’ & Howlin’
o Elmore James - King of the Slide Guitar
o Elmore James / John Brim – Whose Muddy Shoes
o Freddie King – Texas Sensation
o JB Lenoir – His JOB Recordings
o JB Lenoir – Mama Watch Your Daughter
o Little Walter – Blues with a Feeling
o Little Walter – Essential [Chess/MCA]
o Robert Lockwood – Steady Rollin’ Man
o Willie Mabon – Seventh Son
o Magic Sam – West Side Guitar
o Magic Sam – West Side Soul
o Memphis Minnie – Complete Post-War Recordings: 1944-1953
o Memphis Minnie – Early Rhythm & Blues: 1949
o Memphis Slim – Life is Like That
o Memphis Slim – Rockin’ the Blues
o Muddy Waters – Best of… [Chess/MCA]
o Muddy Waters – Chess Box
o Robert Nighthawk – Live on Maxwell Street
o Snooky Pryor – Snooky Pryor [Flyright]
o Jimmy Reed – Bright Lights, Big City
o Jimmy Rogers – Chicago Bound
o Otis Rush – His Cobra Recordings
o Johnny Shines / Robert Lockwood - Johnny Shines / Robert Lockwood [Flyright]
o Sunnyland Slim – House Rent Party
o Eddie Taylor – Bad Boy
o Junior Wells – Messin’ with the Kid
o Junior Wells – Southside Blues Jam
o Golden Wheeler – Big Wheeler’s Bone Orchard
o Big Joe Williams – Complete Recorded Works 1935-1949: Vols 1 & 2
o Sonny Boy Williamson [I] - Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order 1945-1947
o Sonny Boy Williamson [Rice Miller] - Essential [Chess/MCA]
o Sonny Boy Williamson [Rice Miller] – Nine Below Zero
o Johnny Young – Chicago Blues
o Various Artists – Blues is Killin’ Me [Flyright]
o Various Artists – Chess Blues [Chess/MCA]
o Various Artists – Chicago Blues Harmonicas [Flyright]
o Various Artists – Chicago Piano [Flyright]
o Various Artists – Drop Down Mama [Chess/MCA]
o Various Artists – Rare Chicago Blues: 1962-1968 [Bullseye]
Skip To TopEnd of Year Albums Lists: 1992
Published in the January 1993 issue, these were in seemingly no order, apart from the first six which received bigger pictures and write-ups. I’ve put the divided the 30 albums into two alphabetical sections here, those first six and then the rest. Reissues and new albums were all listed together. A reader’s letter enquiring why U2’s Achtung Baby album, which was released in 1991, was included; and why Jefferson Airplane’s 2400 Fulton Street compilation, which was released in 1987, also appeared. I’ll re-type part of the reply: “ ��� how many mags managed to include [Achtung Baby] in their end of year round up, eh? We didn’t because we weren’t even around then so we put them in with the best of 1992.” (The album was released at the tail-end of 1991). “Jefferson Airplane Loves You [box set] was due for release but as our deadline approached we heard that full UK release was being delayed until March. With this in mind the only box set mentioned was 2400 Fulton Street.”
o Jimi Hendrix – Ultimate Experience
o Jayhawks – Hollywood Town Hall
o MC5 – Kick Out the Jams
o REM – Automatic for the People
o U2 – Achtung Baby
o Neil Young – Harvest Moon
o ABBA – Gold
o Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes
o Balloon – Gravity
o Beatles – EP Collection
o Jeff Beck – Beckology
o Black Crowes – Southern Harmony & Musical Companion
o Eric Clapton – Unplugged
o Creedence Clearwater Revival – 10 CD Collection
o Crowded House – Three Compact Disc Box Set: Crowded House/Temple of Low Men/Woodface
o Del Amitri – Change Everything
o EMF – Stigma
o Faith No More – Angel Dust
o Fleetwood Mac – 25 Years: The Chain
o Peter Gabriel – Us
o BB King – King of the Blues
o Sonny Landreth – Outward Bound
o kd lang – Ingénue
o Bob Marley – Songs of Freedom
o Morrissey – Your Arsenal
o Pearl Jam – Ten
o Pink Floyd – Shine On
o John Prine – Missing Years
o Lou Reed – Between Thought & Expression
o Tom Waits – Bone Machine
Skip To TopNew Release Albums That Received ‘Five Bar’ Ratings
Listed here in the order they appeared in the magazines, Issues #1-11 & #13-15.
o Power of Dreams – 2 Held with Common Sense
o Asia – Aqua
o Morrissey – Your Arsenal
o Tom Waits – Bone Machine
o EMF – Stigma
o Alannah Myles - Rockinghorse
o REM – Automatic for the People
o Iris DeMent – Infamous Angel
o Belly – Star
o Butthole Surfers – Independent Worm Saloon
o King Missile – Happy Hour
o Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way?
o Spin Doctors – Pocket Full of Kryptonite
o Depeche Mode – Songs of Faith & Devotion
o Fall – Infotainment Scan
o Porno for Pyros - Porno for Pyros
o Morrissey – Beethoven was Deaf
o New Order – Republic
o Bruce Springsteen – UnPlugged
o Rod Stewart – Unplugged… and Seated
o U2 – Zooropa
o Bronte Brothers – This Way Through the Woods
o Ry Cooder & VM Bhatt – A Meeting by the River
o Steve Vai – Sex and Religion
o Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Live Seeds
o Al Green – Don’t Look Back
o John Hiatt – Perfectly Good Guitar
o Crowded House – Together Alone
o PJ Harvey – 4 Track Demos
