End of the Year, End of the Album

As we approach the end of another year, I’m reminded of listening to the last song of an album.  Not sure in this era of digital downloads one can still enjoy a really good final song.   Often they are as good as anything on the album.    Most of the time these songs are not released as singles.  Usually they are relatively unknown.

What a great experience to be greeted by an unknown gem.   It ties the whole package together, like a dessert after a good meal.   When you listen to the album again, you know you will be rewarded with that last song.

I can think of a handful of albums that have a great finale.  A couple of examples favorites of mine are:

  • “Tour of Duty” from Jason Isbell’s Here We Rest
  • “Top of the World” (written by Patty Griffin) completed the Dixie Chick’s Home
  • “Last Resort” from the  Eagles’ Hotel California (don’t hate on the Eagles, Dude!).
  • “Her Majesty” and “Day in The Life” from the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper, respectively.

I’m sure there are others I am forgetting, but what are your favorite final songs? 

 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Sullivan on December 6, 2011 at 11:03am

The perfect end to a perfect album.....Feels Like Rain by John Hiatt

Permalink Reply by Rick Sanders on December 6, 2011 at 11:25am

Don't let the change in tempo fool you----"One Sunday Morning" on Wilco's latest is captivating

Permalink Reply by Kirk Arnott on December 6, 2011 at 2:28pm

 

I always liked "Harvey's Tune," which closed out the Super Session album (Kooper/Bloomfield/Stills).

Permalink Reply by TenLayers on December 6, 2011 at 3:22pm

Yeah, that was a good song to close out that album.

Permalink Reply by Phil Knipe on December 9, 2011 at 3:09am

yeah....good choice!

Permalink Reply by edward perez on December 10, 2011 at 5:32pm

right on.

 

Permalink Reply by Tommy Lagniappe on December 7, 2011 at 6:12am

"Wham" ........from Stevie Ray Vaughn's Texas Flood lp........... Smokin Hot!!!!

Permalink Reply by Tom Berg on December 7, 2011 at 7:56am

Del McCoury-Del and the Boys finishes with Travelin Teardrop Blues

Steely Dan Katy Lied-Throw Back the Little Ones

but the ultimate----Allman Brothers Live at Filmore  Whipping Post

Permalink Reply by Jerre Yeager on December 7, 2011 at 7:51pm

"Thinking  of You" - Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Spinning Around the Sun
"Closer to Heaven" - Rodney Crowell - Sex & Gasoline
"In My Hour of Darkness" - Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Lee on December 8, 2011 at 6:10pm

I'm sure I can think of lots of others but as far as an album that was released this year, I'd have to go with "Blue" from R.E.M.'s last record, Collapse Into Now. Stipe has since said the album is full of clues that it was R.E.M.'s last but I didn't listen to it with that in mind when I first heard it. That said, if it indeed it was their last, "Blue" stood out like a sore thumb.

Permalink Reply by steviedal on December 9, 2011 at 10:19am

Good shout. I ignored that album , haven't bothered with them since Reveal. Then i bought the new compilation , loved the later stuff and promptly went out and bought Collapse Into Now - GREAT album !

Permalink Reply by RobertBock on December 12, 2011 at 2:42pm

There are so many good ones, but one I'd like to mention is "I Dream a Highway" - Time (The Revelator) by gillian welch. It's so long and epic. The lyrics are amazing. I just love the way gillian and dave sound.

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Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Apr 9.