91.3fm WYEP: Discumentary

By 2007, The Dap Kings were rising stars in music, due to their appearance on Amy Winehouse’s “Back in Black” a year earlier. With Sharon Jones on vocals, the group released their 3rd album that year. Recorded on all analog equipment, the album sounds like an old classic, while still remaining fresh.

Cat Stevens’ reinvented himself with his 1970 album “Mona Bone Jakon”, and quickly followed it up with this classic release. Even returning with the same band and producer from his previous album, Stevens carried his reinvention further. This album features his smash hit “Wild World”.

After the break up of alt-country pioneers Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar formed Son Volt. This is the band’s debut which continues on a darker path somewhere between country and rock and roll. Well received by critics, it is considered by many to be one of the best albums of 1995.

“Time Out of Mind” is Dylan’s 29th studio record and first album since 1990. Produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Brian Eno) the album featured dark lyrics and more blues and country style songs. It marked a comeback for Dylan in the 90’s and spawned the hits “Lovesick” and “Not Dark Yet”.

Bob Dylan’s second album is a true classic. Whereas his debut album contained many covers, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is when he unveiled his gift for songwriting. Containing funny, political and romantic songs, this is the album that introduced Bob Dylan to the world.

" In the early 90’s Emmylou Harris experienced diminishing success as a country music artist. With “Wrecking Ball” she re-invented herself musically, with help from U2 producer Daniel Lanois. Moody and atmospheric, the album also features guest performances from Steve Earle, Larry Mullen Jr., The McGarrigle Sisters and Neil Young."

Arcade Fire’s 2004 debut took many by surprise. Funeral shows the Canadian 5-piece band with their fascinating arrangements and a big sound for an indie-rock band. Funeral set the stage for Arcade Fire to grow bigger musically and become one of the most successful acts of recent years.

With only a small cult following in the U.S., Sarah McLachlan released this album and watched her star rise. The album features one of her best-known songs, “Posession” about obsession from a stalker’s perspective.

Janis Ian’s seventh album was released in 1975, when she was just 24 years old. It won her two Grammy Awards and contains her best known song, “At Seventeen”. Ian wrote all of the song for the album, and did most of the arrangements.

The second of two albums released by the Grateful Dead in 1970, American Beauty is the first album to feature the band’s collaboration with mandolin player David Grisman. It is considered among the Dead’s greatest albums, and features the hit “Truckin”.

This is Richard Thompson’s 7th solo studio album. He teamed up with producer Mitchell Froom, and the result was a more “polished” effort than Thompson’s previous work. This album broadened Thompson’s appeal and earned him a Grammy nomination. It features “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”, one of Thompson’s most beloved songs.

U2’s debut album is considered to be one of the finest first albums of any band in the 1980’s. It set the stage for the band’s future mega-stardom.

“Raising Sand” features the unlikely duet of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, and bluegrass queen Alison Krauss. It was the winner of 5 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.

The B-52's were unlike anything out there when they released their debut album, the band's unique approach made them a hit, and had songs like "Rock Lobster" and "Planet Claire" spinning at parties all over the world.

For his fifth album, Peter Gabriel teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois to produce his most upbeat and fun album, titled “So”. Gabriel also recruited the help of musicians such as Kate Bush, African singer Youssou N’Dour and The Police’s Stewart Copland. The album became Gabriel’s breakout success, including many top 10 hits such as “Sledgehammer”, “Red Rain”, and “In Your Eyes”.

Billy Bragg’s 4th album highlights the two subjects for which he is best known, socialist politics and bittersweet love. Opening with “She’s Got a Brand New Spell” and ending with “Waiting For the Great Leap Forward” Bragg rails against capitalism and the vulgarities of love.

This collaboration between Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo was many years in the making. Spiraling off the success of the single “Crazy”, the album was considered among the best of the year’s due to it’s hybrid of rock, soul and hip-hop.

Neil Young’s fourth solo album, Harvest, was the best selling album of 1972. For the recording of the album, he enlisted the help of several artists including Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The hit song “Heart of Gold” remains Young’s only #1 song.

For Nick Drake's second album, Bryter Later, he re-teamed with producer Joe Boyd to produce a more upbeat and lush record. This CD also features musicians from Fairport Convention, The Velvet Underground, and The Beach Boys. Although not a big seller in it's time, Bryter Later (along with the other 2 albums Drake released in his lifetime), has gone on to be considered among the finest folk-rock albums of all time.

The youthful and curious album, "The Mysterious Production of Eggs" marks the first album in which Andrew Bird plays guitar and not just the violin. The album received rave reviews and is considered to be one of his best albums to date.

Janis Joplin died during the recording of this album, leaving the project to be finished by her band and producer. It demonstrates Joplin’s amazing vocal ability, and is considered a classic. It includes Joplin’s only #1 song, “Me and Bobbie McGee”.

McKeown's third album, features songs all written by her. She along with producer and musician David Chalfant and drummer Brian Jones, played all the music on this album. It not only explores various musical styles and shows off McKeown's talent, but also was somewhat inspired by the life of Judy Garland.

At a time when female singer-songwriters were in vogue Indigo Girls were signed to Epic Records in 1988. Their second studio album,released in 1989, won critical acclaim and a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.

This is one of Glam-rock’s quintessential albums. Marc Bolan’s folk-influenced songs took on a new life when matched with the electric-blues-influenced rhythm section of drummer Bill Legend and bassist Steve Currie. Produced by Tony Visconti, the album hit the top of the British charts and the song “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” became the band’s biggest U.S. hit.

Already an established poet and novelist, Leonard Cohen released his debut album in 1967. Audiences were drawn to his literate songwriting on songs like "Suzanne" and "So Long Marianne".

Beth Orton’s sophomore release took a step back from her earlier “folktronica” leanings and brought an album that was more organic in sound. This allowed for a focus on her excellent songwriting and performance, enhanced by guest artists like Dr. John, Terry Callier and Ben Harper.

In 1995, Phish teamed up with producer Steve Lillywhite to create their seventh album. Many critics cite this album as the closest representation of the energy of Phish's live performances. It also gave them their highest charting single in the U.S.

English art-rock band, Roxy Music, released it’s 8th and last studio album in 1982. “Avalon” featured sophisticated production,complex melodies, and Bryan Ferry’s soulful crooning. The album was the band’s only platinum U.S. release and produced the hit single, “More Than This.”

Unlike most other pop groups in the 70s, Big Star made songs with sensible harmonies as well as catchy hooks. Band mates Chris Bell and Alex Chilton shared guitar and vocals for most of the record. While Big star never received critical acclaim, they unofficially started the genre “power pop.

Recovering from the deaths of two of their band members, Chrissie Hynde reinvented the Pretenders with “Learning to Crawl”. Her lyrics are more emotional here, but never depressing, as the Pretenders rock out in top form.

The punk/mod-revival band The Jam released their 3rd full-length release in 1978. “All Mod Cons” produced one of their biggest hits, “Down In The Tube At Midnight” and received both commercial success and critical acclaim.

This 2003 release was the first time in 10 years that Ben Harper did not credit his band, Innocent Criminals, even though the band did back him, aided by new addition Marc Ford, formerly of the Black Crowes. The songs reveal a wide range of influences as Harper deftly mixes gospel, soul, rock, and reggae.

Rickie Lee Jones’ eponymous debut marked the assent of a mature artist and songwriter and won her the Grammy for best new artist of 1979. Jones’ songs are populated by street beatniks and her music spans cabaret to jazzy-pop. A stellar band assists her, including Randy Newman, Dr. John, and Michael McDonald.

Often referred to as Dylan’s divorce record, “Blood On the Tracks” marked Dylan’s return to Columbia Records after a 2 album stint with Asylum. It also took Dylan back to the top of the charts and won him the critical and commercial success that had eluded him for several years.

This 1965 release established Otis Redding as a major star, as he brought raw passion to the songs of Sam Cooke, B.B. King, and The Rolling Stones. It also contains the original version of Redding’s self-penned classic “Respect.”

Iggy Pop released two albums in 1977 during a very prolific time spent in Berlin with David Bowie. Bowie produced and played on both albums, as well as co-wrote some songs with Iggy Pop. “Lust for Life” is considered to be the best of Pop’s career, and contains some of his best known songs.

Almost two years in the making, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot had Wilco jumping record labels, losing band members and significantly changing their sound. The result was worth it for the band, resulting in one of the most beloved albums of 2002.

Tom Waits was in the process of creating his distinctive stage persona at the time of his second studio release. “The Heart of Saturday Night” finds Waits trading in his earlier folk-rock arrangements for a 1950’s West Coast style of jazz and Waits' newly evolving gruff vocal presentation.

Jeff Buckley’s only complete studio album featured a strong Led Zeppelin influence and, although critically acclaimed, was not initially a commercial success. Over the years it has gained legendary status thanks to Buckley’s stunning version of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song “Hallelujah” and for his soaring vocals and passionate delivery.

“Rumours” is the second album featuring Mick Fleetwood, John and Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. The McVies were in the process of divorcing, as was Mick Fleetwood. Nicks and Buckingham were breaking up as a couple. As their relationships unraveled the band’s music poured out, producing their most commercially successful work. “Rumours” sold 40 million units and won the Grammy for album of the year.

The debut album from the French duo of Nicolas Godin and Jean Benoit Dunckel was quickly hailed as an instant classic. Air’s sound was unlike many others in the electronica movement of the time, trading in big beats for mellow grooves that equally evoke trip-hop and Burt Bacharach.

Folk artist and activist Joan Baez released her album “Diamonds and Rust” in 1975. Now considered one of her seminal works, the album went gold. Its title track, a ballad that explored her relationship with Bob Dylan, proved to be one of her biggest hits, and eventually hit number 35 on the pop charts.

Joni Mitchell introduced jazz inflections into her folk-rock style signaling a new direction for the Canadian singer/songwriter. “Help Me” became Mitchell’s only top-ten hit and the album hit double platinum.

In 1974 Steely Dan was structured as a standard band consisting of Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Denny Dias, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and Victor Feldman. Under the guidance of producer Gary Katz the band’s songs became more complex and featured a tribute to Charlie Parker and a cover of a Duke Ellington instrumental. “Pretzel Logic” was a critical and commercial success and won the band its first top 10 single with “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”

After flirting with breakthrough success Al Green shot to super-stardom with his 1972 album “Let’s Stay Together.” By blending Memphis horns with traditional soul grooves Green created a sound that came to epitomize ’70’s soul. The title track became Green’s first #1 hit.

Randy Newman’s 1974 release “Good Old Boys” became his major commercial breakthrough. Originally conceived as a concept album about a southern man named Johnny Cutler the album morphed into a satirical examination of the Southern mystique. Newman incorporated historical events into his prism including Louisiana’s great 1927 flood and elements from Louisiana Governor Huey P. Long’s life, and took on taboos ranging from slavery, racism and Northern hypocrisy.

“Catch a Fire”, released in 1973, surprised many fans of Bob Marley and The Wailers with its socially aware lyrics and militant tone. However, songwriters Bob Marley and Peter Tosh created a positive tone toward the future that emphasized the power of the individual.

This is Clapton’s first album after kicking heroin and his 2nd solo release following the breakup of Derek & The Dominos. Clapton turned to the blues, choosing to record songs written by Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Johnny Otis, and scored a hit with his take on Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.”

When Ray Charles set out to record an album of country songs, his record label thought he was crazy. Charles proved them all wrong when “Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music” became a hit. It gave Charles the crossover success he needed, eventually making him a household name.

Kathleen Edwards shot to the forefront of the alternative country scene with her 2003 debut release. Her blunt lyrics, character sketch approach to songwriting, and sexy prairie drawl drew raves from critics and comparisons to Lucinda Williams.