OK, so we've all grown a little older ... but come on, *these* guys haven't "aged," they've just grown more mature. Here's a look at where it all started - a second guide covers their new releases (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/2MYX01KZH46FF/).
Mark Knopfler
Guitar whiz, one of rock'n roll's greatest storytellers, almost as prolific as during his best "Dire Straits" days, and getting better and better - and more diverse with every album. I hope this is a run that's going to last for a long time yet!
Recommended live album/band: Alchemy: Dire Straits Live (1984)
Recommended studio album/band: Brothers in Arms (1985)
Recommended album/solo: Sailing to Philadelphia (2000 - get the Brit version; the only one with ALL 14 tracks!)
Eric Clapton
The original "guitar god" scared the heck out of me when he announced his retirement from the tour circuit a while back. Looks like that was a little premature (at least I hope so), because he's sure still got plenty to give as well. (And anyway, if even Tina came back ...)
Comprehensive career retro: Crossroads (1988 - 20 years old & still unbeatable!)
Recommended studio album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1971)
The Eagles
They, on the other hand, are apparently too busy touring to finish that long-promised new studio album ... but I guess we gotta be grateful that other than (alas!) ditching Felder, at least they're not off to another "14-year vacation."
Most comprehensive career retro yet/band: Asylum Album Box Set (9CD) (2005)
Recommended studio album/band: Hotel California (1976)
Recommended solo albums:
Don Henley: The End of the Innocence (1989)
Glenn Frey: Strange Weather (1992)
Joe Walsh: The Definitive Collection (1997)
Timothy B. Schmit: Feed the Fire (2001)
Fleetwood Mac
The new millenium, alas, brought the exit of Christine McVie ... but although she is sorely missed, they still sound amazingly good.
Recommended "best of"/band: The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac (2CD) (2002)
Recommended studio album/band: Rumours (1977)
Recommended solo releases:
Stevie Nicks: Enchanted: The Works of Stevie Nicks (1997)
Lindsey Buckingham: Out of the Cradle (1992)
... and for a comprehensive overview of Peter Green's "original" Mac:
The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions (1999; covers the years 1967 - 1969)
U2
Ireland's avantgarde rockers, meanwhile, abandoned the 1990s' experiements and returned to what they do best and what revolutionized musical perception in the 1980s, with cutting-edge lyrics and guitar riffs to match.
Recommended "best of": The Best of 1980-1990 (1998)
Recommended studio album: The Joshua Tree (1987)
Sting
This erstwhile rock revolutionary's been busy writing his autobiography lately, but while waiting for a new release, why not revisit some of his best existing stuff?
Recommended career retro/band: Live (1995; live in 1979 and 1983)
Recommended studio album/band: Reggatta De Blanc [Digipak] (1979)
Recommended career retro/solo: Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984-1994 (1994)
Recommended studio album/solo: The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985)
Bruce Springsteen
No stopping the Boss! In 2003 he finally released his comprehensive, long-overdue career retrospective; and the new millenium still sees him going as strong as ever.
Recommended career retro: The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003)
Recommended studio album: Born to Run (1975)
Melissa Etheridge
One of the gay rights movement's figureheads, the Boss's greatest industry-internal fan has always worn her heart on her sleeve; complete with powerful guitar work and a voice you just can't seem to shut up. (But who'd want to?)
Recommended "best of": Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled (2005)
Recommended studio album: Yes I Am (1993)
Bonnie Raitt
After a few slickly-produced albums in the earlier 1990s, the slide guitar queen has returned to what made her famous: insightful lyrics, stellar cooperations ... and guitar licks from heaven. For purposes of this guide, though:
Recommended live album: Road Tested (1995)
Recommended studio album: Give It Up (1972)
Bob Dylan
He's now (finally?!) written his autobiography, too - and although his voice is essentially shot, his output is still as hard to match as ever.
Recommended career retro: Biograph (1997)
Recommended studio album: Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Neil Young
Poet and minstrel with a soaring voice, he, too, is still the strong and passionate guy we know - and he still easily outsolos even the best of them on the guitar.
Recommended career retro: Greatest Hits (2004)
Recommended studio album: After the Gold Rush (1970)
Paul McCartney
"And then there were two" ... After George Harrison's death, only Sir Paul and Ringo Starr remain of Liverpool's one and only Fab Four. But McCartney, at least, doesn't show any signs of slowing down!
Recommended career retro: Wingspan (Hits & History) (2001)
Recommended studio album: London Town (1978)
Tina Turner
Another musical giant who announced her retirement as the '90s drew to a close, only to come back in full form with the the new millenium.
Recommended career retro: All the Best (2005)
Recommended studio album: Private Dancer: Centenary (1984)
Tom Petty
Still around with a vengeance as well - and still with the old bone to pick with corporate culture.
Recommended career retro: Anthology: Through the Years (2000)
Recommended studio album: Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
Jackson Browne
The Eagles' old friend and frequent collaborator, on the other hand, has sounded mellower of late ... at least musically speaking. But I suspect we'll be hearing different tones again from him again in the years to come.
Recommended career retro: The Very Best of Jackson Browne (2004)
Recommended studio album: Late for the Sky (1974)
James Taylor
Sweet Baby James, of course, has always been known for his mellow tunes; and is still in excellent form, with musical influences from all around the globe.
Recommended career retro: The Best of James Taylor (2003)
Recommended studio album: Sweet Baby James (1971)
Van Morrison
Meanwhile, Van the Man is back to the Blues - still in his very own way with jazz, pop and folk mixed in, as well as plenty of Irish heart.
Recommended live album: It's Too Late to Stop Now... (1974 - better than the 1998 "best of")
Recommended studio album: Moondance (1970)
Peter Gabriel
"Genesis" co-founder and ex-front man Gabriel has gone global big time ... but still as RealMusic as it can possibly get.
Recommended career retro: Hit (2003)
Recommended studio album: So (1986)
Phil Collins
Gabriel's ex-band buddy, meanwhile, is still unbeatable in his field with his version of impeccably-produced, drum- and vocal-driven soft rock.
Recommended career retro: Love Songs: A Compilation...Old and New (2004)
Recommended studio album: Face Value (1981)
R.E.M.
Atlanta's original alternative rockers, last but not least, may no longer be Bill Berry's band; but with Michael Stipe and Peter Buck remaining, they're not showing any signs of slowing down, either ... at all.
Recommended "best of": In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 (2003 - but only material since 1988!)
Recommended studio album: Document (1987)
|
|
Mark Knopfler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric Clapton
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Eagles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fleetwood Mac
|
|
|
|
|
13.
Rumours
by Fleetwood Mac
|
$12.49 Used & New from: $3.83
 (263)
|
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce Springsteen
|
|
|
|
|
|
Melissa Etheridge
|
|
|
|
|
26.
Yes I Am
by Melissa Etheridge
|
$10.99 Used & New from: $0.01
(50)
|
|
|
|
Bonnie Raitt
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bob Dylan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neil Young
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul McCartney
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tina Turner
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tom Petty
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jackson Browne
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Taylor
|
|
|
|
|
|
Van Morrison
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Gabriel
|
|
|
Share with Friends
