Album #67: No Compromise by Keith Green

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Sound: Pounding piano

Mood: Heart-wrenching and joyful

Important Songs: Asleep In The Light, You!

Song You Must Hear: Make My Life A Prayer To You

Quote:  “After all the things that you have shown me I’d be a fool to let them slip away.”

Notes: This album, more than any other, changed my life.  It was my liturgy and the goal of my soul.  The driving piano pushed the message further into my heart.  This is not a worship album, but an album intended to restore a fallen heart back to Jesus. 

Album (Extra): Eagles' Greatest Hits: 71-75

Sound: Southern California Country

Mood: Imploring

Important Songs: All of them

Song You Must Hear: Tequila Sunrise

Quotes: “It seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you always want the ones that you can’t get.”

Notes: These are some of the most famous songs ever.  Yet their country harmonies and excellent melodies make the album fit together as most compilations never do.  Listen to it again.  You’ll be glad you did.

Album #75: Madman Across The Water by Elton John

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Sound: Acoustic piano singer/songwriter with strings

Mood: Melancholy

Important Songs: Levon, Tiny Dancer

Song You Must Hear:  Madman Across the Water

Quote: “Boredom’s a pastime that one soon acquires…”

Notes: Elton John is the king of the single, but his albums usually leave me cold because they are so much a collection of singles.  Madman is different in that the whole album has a feel, a sense of wholeness.  He is such a master of the piano that when he gives himself to a mood, as he does this album, it is a magnificent statement of that feeling. 

Album #77: Breakfast In America by Supertramp

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Sound: Pop/Rock with a Wulitzer electric piano at the fore

Mood: At times lighthearted, at times angry

Important songs: The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger, Take the Long Way Home

Song You Must Hear: Breakfast In America

Quotes: “They’ll run for cover when they discover everyone’s a nervous wreck now.”

“Don’t you look at my girlfriend—she’s the only one I got.”

“You gave me Coca-Cola.  You said it tasted good.  And you watch the television and it tells you that you should.”

Notes: Apart from it having some of the strongest singles of the late 70’s/early 80’s, Breakfast also has some of the cleverest lyrics.  They make you feel smart just because you can sing them. My best friend (who is now my wife) and I would sing these songs standing in long lines at Disneyland, much to the consternation of those around us.  Happy memories…

Album #83: Rumors by Fleetwood Mac

1.   

Sound: Folksy pop rock

Mood: Varied

Important Songs: Dreams, Don’t Stop, You Make Lovin’ Fun

Song You Must Hear: The Chain

Quote: “Is it over now?  Do you know how?  Pick up the pieces and go home.”

Notes: Growing up in the late 70s, it seemed that everyone had this album.  And for good reason.  It feels like a rock symphony, covering a lot of emotional territory but it all holds together.  And the music is so varied.  Excellent.