My Top Ten Favorite CDs

I recently blogged about my favorite vinyl albums. But what about my CD collection? What are my favorite CDs? To satisfy the curiosity of my readers, I have compiled a list of my favorite CDs. There are some obscure titles that are out of print but here they are in chronological order:

Lead Me On-Amy Grant-1988-This CD has been voted the best Christian album of all time. It is a classic and sonically ahead of it‘s time. The lyrics delved deeper into the Christian experience than any of her other recordings before or after.

Door Into Summer- Jacob’s Trouble-1989 The title track was a Monkees cover so I could not resist. The debut album from this trio from Georgia contained 60’s flavored pop-rock with a distinct 12 string flavor. Terry Taylor from Daniel Amos produced this album. Third Day covered “These Thousand Hills” from this CD and made it a radio hit.

For The Sake of The Call-Steven Curtis Chapman-1991-In my opinion, Christian music’s best lyricist followed this CD with more sophisticated works but this meant a lot to me when it came out. I remember getting goosebumps listening to the title track. The outstanding music inside makes up for Steven's mullet on the cover.

Consider the Cost-Steve Camp-1991- I discovered this CD from the Radio hit Guard the Trust. The 80’s keyboard heavy arrangements of the songs now seem a bit dated but the lyrics are still great. Scripture based and challenging. One of the best songs was written with Steven Curtis Chapman.

Let The Truth Run Wild-Jacob’s Trouble-1992- The Christian trio expanded to a quintet on what may have been their best CD. I’ve exchanged emails with one of the members and he posted some of my comments on his webpage. I guess that could be considered my first blog.

Songs-Rich Mullins-1996-A greatest hits album with 3 new recordings. Those recordings became his last as he died shortly after it’s release. A great collection by a great artist. Not one weak song on the entire album. Contains the classic “Awesome God”.

In My Father’s House-Richie Furay-1997-Worship music done in a country-rock style by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member. I bought this CD when the founding member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco performed at my Church.

Paleophonic-The Rubinoos-1998-The 70’s power-pop cult favorites return from a 15 year hiatus for this CD full of joyous music. Although they are now famous for suing Avril Lavigne for plagiarizing one of their songs. I only knew the group from a 1983 EP collaboration with Utopia. I saw this CD in a used bin a few years ago and plucked down the $1.50. It was new in shrink wrap. Every track is fabulous except for one which contains a voice mail message with a vulgar phrase. I skip that one.

Rich Young Ruler-Rich Young Ruler-2000-What a great sound on this Terry Taylor production. This band from La Mirada made this classic CD mixing sparkling catchy 60’s sounds with modern sensibilities. Beatleseque melodies and Beach Boys style harmonies permeate every track. Hey, it features a cello on several tracks. Sadly out of print and selling on Amazon for a penny.

Truth, Soul and Rock & Roll-the Elms-2002-A little Beatles, a little Raspberries, a little Who mix in some Tom Petty and give it current twist and you have this album. Their best.

It Might Get Loud

I watched the documentary "It Might Get Loud" the other night with my family. It featured Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White in a guitar-slinger summit. The three musicians from three generations and three countries spoke of their love of the guitar and their passion for music.

I'm not really of fan of any of these guys' bands but that was not necessary to enjoy this film. The bands that they were members of are responsible for some of the most memorable music in the last 40 years and this film offers an inside look to what makes them the musicians that they are.

Jack White is by far the most eccentric of the three and therefore the most intriguing. The scenes featuring him were often captivating.

It was hard not to smile when Jimmy Page beamed as he played a vinyl record from his youth. I also found it interesting as the three played together on each others songs, when Page began playing the riff to “Whole Lotta Love” the other two just stopped, watched and smiled widely.

The Edge spoke at length about his use of technology in his performances. His guitar sound was definitely much copied over the last 20 years. I found it humorous when he shared a anecdote about Bono and in the story Bono called him “Edge“. I guess that means that his friends call him “Edge” and everybody else calls him “The Edge”.

There was a lot of separate footage of the individual artists alone but the best moments were when the three were playing together or speaking with each other. Music is a force that can bring very different people together and give them an inexplicable connection. That connection was extended to the audience of this very entertaining film.

I’m hoping for a sequel about drummers. I was thinking maybe Jughead Jones, Guy Patterson and Bamm-Bamm Rubble.