Jeff - The Beatles Blue 1967 - 1970

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   I had my first five desert island picks locked in, but the next five took a bit more thought. In the end, I kept it simple and honest—what music truly matters to me? What could I listen to over and over and never tire of? The answer, without a doubt, is The Beatles. I grew up in the 1960’s and they reflected and shaped the social and cultural changes of this era, making them a global symbol of artistic freedom and change. So even if it sounds boring, I’m bringing another Beatles album with me. Choosing just one from their catalog is nearly impossible, so I’m going with a greatest hits collection: The Beatles 1967–1970 (The Blue One).

   Their journey from “I Saw Her Standing There,” their first album track, to “The Long and Winding Road,” their final single, is nothing short of remarkable. They revolutionized popular music with their creativity, innovation, and cultural impact. Blending rock, pop, and experimental styles, they pushed musical boundaries and influenced countless artists across generations. Some people prefer early Beatles, others the later years or the psychedelic phase—but I love all of it. Not every track is a masterpiece (if I never hear “Mr. Moonlight” again, I’ll survive), but what they accomplished is incredible. This band didn’t just change music—they changed our world. They’re the foundation of my musical taste.

   This compilation, while not flawless, includes so many of my favorites: “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “A Day in the Life”—Lennon & McCartney's haunting masterpiece I once used in a high school film—“I Am the Walrus,” still progressively weird and wonderful, “Magical Mystery Tour,” which always brings back memories of Jeff Lowe and his air bass guitar, and George Harrison’s aching “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” In less then two months, they will create: “Get Back,” “Come Together,” “Across the Universe,” “Here Comes the Sun” and “The Long and Winding Road”. Wow! These songs showcase their evolution from pop icons to studio pioneers. It’s such an important greatest hits collection because it captures the band’s most innovative and influential era.

   These are the songs I never grow tired of. Like pizza or ice cream, they never get old. Sure, I’ll skip “The Fool on the Hill,” but that doesn’t change how much this collection means to me. It’s not just great music—it’s music that matters deeply to me.

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Kip - Boston

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         My choice this month is the music equivalent of comfort food for me. When Boston's debut album came out in 1976, I was into much heavier music, but I remember hearing the songs from side one and having my first experience of hearing a song(s) for the first time and thinking I had known these songs all my life. While WANTING to dismiss the album as over slick, over produced commercialism, I immediately loved everything about it. My brother's band was doing “Smokin'” live and it always went over really well, so I remember begging him to patiently teach my extremely limited self to play the song. As absolutely classic as the first side is, I also remember constantly flipping it over immediately to hear it all again. “More Than a Feeling” will always invoke a positive, summer feeling in me, “Peace of Mind” was the first mature lyric song I remember noticing, and “Long Time” is on my short list of all-time favorite songs. “Rock and Roll Band” became the song that I recommended to my students who wanted to be writers. It sounds like the ultimate autobiographical song of a struggling band getting its break, so Scholz's revelation that not only were the events not true, but he didn't even have bandmates, was the perfect example of true creativity. While “Hitch a Ride,” “Something About You” and “Let Me Take You Home Tonight” tend to be regarded as throwaways in comparison to the others, skipping them nor listening to them on “Shuffle” is never even a consideration. This album always gives me a burst of positivity and nostalgia, so I'm guessing it would be indispensable on a desert island. Good vibes always.

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Mark: Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue

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   Never was there a more gin soaked, smoked filled, soul churning, back-room brawler than Kenny Burrell’s Midnight Blue. If you’re looking for straight out of post WW2 Paris jazz joint blues jazz. This is the one my friend. You might think the phrase primal sophistication would pull itself apart… no, no my Ray-Ban wearing jazzbo. This is a hot sweaty gumbo of pure gut bucket delight. Oh my… I think I gave myself the vapors.

 

   The guitar tones of Mr. Burrell are pure and clean with no frills. His hands, heart and mind are the master here. His musical vocabulary is that of a poet, or a great story teller. Stanley Turrentine’s tenor sax is your best friend here. It’s like he’s telling about his day or maybe a dirty joke. This music is conversational. Burrell and Turrentine are talking with each other like old friends often do. This music isn’t for over thinking, it’s more for the body than the mind. No jazz Nazi’s allowed. Major Holley’s swollen bass along with Ray Barretto’s congas and Bill English’s drums are a part of the scene. Absolutely essential. They’re the surroundings that give these conversations a place to happen: a bar, a city street or perhaps around a campfire in the Wyoming mountains.

 

   Speaking of the body… I would recommend Midnight Blue for all your makin’ whoopee needs. Slap this on with your husband or wife and let the good times roll. This will make Ravel’s Bolero blush and squirm. Trust in meeeee…

 

   Well, it’s disco night here at the lagoon. That means lots of Bee Gees and of course Nick Gilder! Britney and JoJo have decked the place out very nicely and of course the fermented mango banana smoothies are ready to be imbibed. Farewell from paradise!

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