"Unique" albums you own and would recommend...

[Dawn]

Thought of this topic this past weekend.

We on the Click have a lot of shared tastes in music, and own many of the same albums. But, what items do you have in your collection that no other Click members own that you're aware of, but that you would recommend?

I'll start it off with a few of mine.

A Midsummer's Day Dream - Mark Eric, 1969
I found out about this album when I came across mention of it on a Beach Boys-related blog a couple of years ago. The blogger likened it to Pet Sounds, and he was right on the money. Though it was probably a little "dated" for 1969 (and may have been one of the reasons it isn't better known), it's a superb album all the way through. If you like the Beach Boys' material circa 1965-66, you'll love this album.

Worrisome Heart/My One and Only Thrill - Melody Gardot, 2008 & 2009
I discovered Melody when we were in Seattle in 2008. The smooth jazz station played one of her songs, and I was instantly intrigued, so much so that I wrote down her name and the song title in the car so I could investigate further when we came home. Her style is very unique, sort of a cool blues/jazz sound.

Silver Morning/The Kenny Rankin Album - Kenny Rankin, 1974 & 1976
She hasn't posted here in a long time, but autumnsquirrel66 was the one who introduced me to Kenny's music. I remember we had a discussion on YL when it was still up about our mutual like of Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66's music, and she mentioned also being a fan of Kenny. When I investigated his music, I became a fan as well. In addition to some great original music, he did some amazing covers of Beatles songs. Wanted to see him live, but sadly he passed away not long ago, so I didn't get the chance. Any of his albums are well worth checking out, but these are considered the "classics."

How about you?

[Railyn]

Some of my groups may have more than one album that I have:

The Lightning Seeds - Pure (Greatest Hits) or Jollification
Both are interesting albums with "lighter grade" new wave music. People might recognize "Pure" or "The Life Of Reilly", but the rest of their stuff is worth a listen.

Army Of Lovers - Les Greatest Hits or Massive Luxury Overdose
An obscure band that I got to know thanks to Beavis and Butthead. They're closest to techno, but with a slightly heavier or lush sound. Their best song - IMO - is "Crucified", but they have a number of good songs.

Tommy Page - Paintings In My Mind
Good for when you're in the mood for some oh-so-sensitive nice guy music. He was "discovered" by New Kids On The Block, and they sang backup on a song or two. He had a minor hit with "I'll Be Your Everything" but I prefer "When I Dream Of You". Unfortunately, the album has the "lesser" version of that song. The radio edit is actually better.

Huey Lewis And The News - Plan B
Yes, Huey is not obsure, I know, but Plan B wasn't a huge commercial success, but is an excellent album. I can't categorize it, but it's good.

John Valby - Greatest Tits: Double D CD or Digital Dirt
John "Dr Dirty" Valby isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I find him hilarious (but RAUNCHY). If you're not easily offended, give John a try. He's kind of like an X-Rated Weird Al.

[Ken]

Here are a couple that I've picked:


The Kingbees - The Kingbees (1980) - I discovered these guys while browsing through one of my music reference books one day. I found a vinyl copy of this, the bands debut album not too long after. They have a similar retro sound to that of the Stray Cats. I like them very much. My local classic rock station has played the track "My Mistake" a few times, I believe the song appeared on a Volume of Rhino's "New Wave Hits of the 80's" CD series.


The Inmates - Shot In The Dark (1980) - I discovered these guys when my middle brother bought their first album "First Offence" in 1979. He liked it so much he bought this not too long after it was released. and I bought mine not too long after that.This British band covered 60's rock and r & b songs and did not write their own material. A few of the cover tunes found on this album were Talk Talk by The Music Machine and "So Much in Love" by The Rolling Stones.

[Sith Penguin]

i'm not sure if anyone here has this one or not, but if you like progressive rock, you might this:

dream theater- images and words (1992) and metropolis pt. 2: scenes from a memory (1999)

my first experience with dream theater was with their 2005 album "octavarium" (an awesome album and title track in its own right), but my all time favorite album from them is "scenes from a memory". it's the only concept album they ever made, and it is filled with lots of wonderful instrumental segments and intricate notes. it also has a very intriguing storyline.

"images and words" is one of their earliest works, and it is significantly lighter on tone and metal than their more recent albums. it also contains metropolis pt. 1: the miracle and the sleeper, which spawned the idea for "scenes from a memory".

[m c dornan]

Rachel Faro "Refugees"
Acoustic singer-songwriter, from the 70s. Best songs are the title song and a gorgeous cover of Dylan's "Time Passes Slowly"

Brian Protheroe "Pinball"
Sorta acoustic singer-songwriter, from the 70s, but weirder. Title song is really nice and pensive.

Nilsson "A Little Touch of Schmillson in the Night"
Every aging rocker is doing the Great American Songbook now, but Nilsson did this in 1973 or so. I like "What'll I Doo" and "As Time Goes By" the best,

PFM "World Became the World"
I have the Italian language version too, but this, the English version is more accessible. Italian prog rock, great musicianship. More softer and less machine-like than most of Krautrock,