Complete Collection Countdown

Lance Rock Records, 2002 Alternative Rock, Folk Rock This record is a big one for me. Its release aligned with some pretty significant life events, and reflected them in a meaningful way. Jillian introduced me to this record in 2003, and I was immediately captivated by the opening lines:  Fluorescent lights engage Blackbirds frying on a wire Same birds that followed me to school when I was young Were they trying to tell me something? Were they telling me to run? In the Spring preceding my encounter with this record, I was followed by a black bird on my way to school. It seemed to be warning me of something. That day, a series of events kicked off that would make the next four years of my life very challenging. It was such a strange thing, and when  I heard this record, I felt like someone else got it. Also just a stellar record. 

Salt Records, 1981 Folk, Traditional, Fiddle  I was so excited to find this record. I was in Sydney, visiting my buddy Alf, and found it in this great second hand shop, along with a Gang of Four lp.  I was lucky enough to see Jarvis Benoit play with his son when I was very young, during a folk festival in Halifax. I went with mum, and it was so sunny and hot, and the music was so mesmerizing that I began to fall asleep! I have always felt a little bad about that, because mum took me home and missed the end of the performance. But I remember thinking how good the tunes were, and loving it, but also being almost enchanted to sleep. It was odd.  Anyway, this record is pure gold.

RCA Limited, 1970 Rock n' Roll While Messiah was playing, I located the elusive Elvis Christmas Album. This really says Christmas to me, probably more than any other modern era Christmas album (though Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra are up there). Blue Christmas gets me in the festive spirit every time. In this case, it also appeased my guests, who wanted seasonal tunes! Christmas classic.

Columbia Masterworks, 1974 Classical, Baroque  I pulled this record because my partner's mum wanted some Christmas music and I hadn't found my Elvis or Sinatra yet. I suppose it isn't exactly a Christmas album, but it is thematically related... Of course this is a classic work. What is there really to say about it? It's Handel's Messiah. Hallelujah. 

Bluebird, 1978 Big Band Jazz Artie Shaw was a revelation for me. I developed a love of Big Band in my tweens, which is also when I started playing the clarinet. I quickly learned about Benny Goodman and Glen Miller, and Jimmy Dorsey, but somehow Artie Shaw eluded me until I was a fair bit older. I now  know that I played some Artie Shaw tunes as part of Jazz Band and Wing Band medleys; as such, when I did find these records, they felt like old friends. I bought all three volumes of the complete collection at a thrift store somewhere - I can't remember which one, but I remember the excitement of finding these albums, and for a very decent price. I've been a fan ever since. All three of these collections are excellent, and suitable to many occasions. They warm you up and make you feel cosy and nostalgic all at once. Solid buy, would buy again.

Blue note, 1959 Genre: Jazz I remember where I was the first time I heard "Moanin'" - the first track on this legendary album. I was in Mr. Bennett's band room, in grade 10. Those first, sonorous, punctuated notes were magical to me.  I had heard lots of jazz, but this was like hearing a story that is brand new, but also somehow familiar.  My dad gave me this copy from his collection a year or so ago, and I was more than tickled to get it. It's a '59 original, not a repress, so it crackles and pops a bit, but still has a sweet sweet sound. It's a fantastic record all around - especially "Moanin'" and "The Drum Thunder". It's a story I'll go back to again and again.