This Blog focuses on my All-Time Favourite Double Albums.
Recorded at a time when the artists and bands have prolifically recorded a body of sings in the recording studios that they simply cannot not throw out any songs to squeeze into a single albums.
We get to enjoy the expansive serving of songs in a double album solely because the artists and bands won the battle with their record labels. Releasing a double album has expanded costs, recuperating profits on it takes twice the financial risks and double the convincing of radio stations to play the hit song(s) and record stores to stock it.
Out of the 15 listed double albums, only three was released in the 60’s (Blonde on Blonde in 1966, both the White Album and Electric Ladyland in 1968) whilst the rest were released in the 70’s.
My Collection of All-Time Favourite Double Albums (above image).
When the double albums are playing, I am instantly transported to a Happy Nostalgic Place. A Sonic Healing Hyperbaric Chamber, where solace, lightness and healing takes place.
Speaking of a chamber, no surprise I named my home’s music room, “Meditation Chamber”.
My home’s music room, “Meditation Chamber” (above image).
During the 3-year Covid lockdown, the brilliant music from the marvelous CD albums sustained my health, and sanity. Like I confided with my friends, I’m lucky to have an “open 24-hours” Record Store at home.
Below are My Favourite Go-To Double Albums and whenever I play them it’s from the First Song on the First Disc to the Last Song on the Second Disc in one go. And my brief personal reasons for my loving the double albums.
BLUE ALBUM (1966-1970) by THE BEATLES
This is my all-time favourite double album capturing the best of the long-hair phased Beatles songs. I gravitate towards the drug-fueled stage of the mop-tops.
I will refrain to heaping the usual background greatness of the album (the songs, the recording process, the players, the album artwork etc), you can read excellent details from the respective Wikipedia sites.
EXILE ON MAIN STREET by ROLLING STONES
Recorded by Jimmy Miller, the dirty lazy sound of the Stones fills my home with the sweaty, damp, spiritual and sexual Nellcote vibes
TUSK by FLEETWOOD MAC
I actually play this album more than their Rumours album. I also play the “Singles, Outtakes, Sessions” and “The Alternate Tusk” discs more than the actual album. Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks brought their top-drawer compositions to the recording booth.
PHYSICAL GRAFFITI by LED ZEPPELIN
A powerhouse of no-fillers album. Read my previous “Physical Graffiti” blog.
BLONDE ON BLONDE by BOB DYLAN
Brilliant songs, brilliant A-list studio musicians. Blurred image on album cover. Brave and brilliant choice by Bob.
THE BEATLES (WHITE ALBUM) by THE BEATLES
Excellent Musical Gumbo to satisfies one’s appetite and creativity.
FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE by PETER FRAMPTON
Out of nowhere, a below-the-radar composer guitarist produces a monster masterpiece. A genuinely nice guy and respected musician.
OUT OF THE BLUE by ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO)
Jeff Lynne was on a creative roll.
AT FILLMORE EAST by ALLMAN BROTHERS
My guru, Jim Marshall shot the album cover. Soulful interplay by the Brothers – Duane and Gregg.
ELECTRIC LADYLAND by JIMI HENDRIX
Hendrix’s White Album.
THE WALL by PINK WALL
Roger Water’s anti-social paranoia on full panoramic display. Also check out the movie and the ground-breaking concerts.
QUADROPHENIA by THE WHO
The rock opera wellspring of Pete Townshend never runs drive. Album cover by Ethan Russell. I once spoke to Ethan by phone on a nice Sunday afternoon.
GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD by ELTON JOHN
A kaleidoscope of musical landscape. The magnificent mixture of Bernie Taupin’s lyrical imaginary and Elton John’s catchy songs.
MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN by JOE COCKER
This double album showcases the brilliance of Leon Russell.
THE RIVER by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
I was in a US university when this album came out. “Hungry Heart” was always on the radio air waves. I only bought the “Hungry Heart” vinyl single. It was only decades later that I bought the double album to soak up its brilliance.
To be sure, there are other brilliant double albums in my collection, but the above are always on my CD playlist. Other brilliant double albums include Bee Gee’s “Odessa”, Prince’s “1999” and “Sign Of the Times”, Allman’s Brothers’ Eat A Peach”, the Who’s “Tommy”, Deep Purple’s “Made In Japan”, Yes’ “Tales From Topographic Oceans”, Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In The Key Of Life” etc.
