5 albums that changed my life
Pieces of The Sky, Emmylou Harris. The clarity and beauty of her voice is still compelling.
For Everyman, Jackson Browne. The strength of the individual songs (These Days,
Take It Easy, Our Lady of The Well, Colours of The Sun), and the relationships between the songs: Take It Easy merging into Our Lady of The Well, Sing My Song To Me fading into For Everyman. And the ending, with Crosby and Nash singing on For Everyman, Browne’s response to Wooden Ships.
It’s Too Late To Stop Now, Van Morrison. An astonishing live album, particularly the extended version of Caravan.
Rock of Ages, The Band. Another amazing live album. The Band incorporates a horn section, arranged by Allen Toussaint, to wonderful effect, particular on Motown’s “Don’t Do It”.
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco. A more recent addition to this list, and one that probably displaced older favorites by Lyle Lovett or Steve Earle. Chosen for its daring and its complexity.