A Natural Woman

Two Hundred Twenty-Three

Artist - Carole King
Album - Tapestry
Released - 1971
Label - Ode
Genre - Folk/Pop

Tracks:
Side One
I Feel The Earth Move
So Far Away
It's Too Late
Home Again
Beautiful
Way Over Yonder
Side Two
You've Got a Friend
Where You Lead
Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
Smackwater Jck
Tapestry
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

One of the best selling albums of all-time, Carole King's Tapestry is golden.  This album, from start to  finish, is one of the greatest ever.  Most of these songs have been covered by many, Carole King is one of the best selling female solo artists of all time.  It amazes me that this album  has been listed on the Billboard 200 for 300 weeks between 1971 - 2011.  That, right there, is IMPRESSIVE.  Such a soothing and relaxing album, Carole King's voice, the way she sings each song, will put you in a relaxation state.  Definitely one album to have in your collection, hands down!

Enjoy!

Passion at it's BEST

Two Hundred Twenty-Two

Artist - Wilson Pickett
Album - Wilson Pickett's Greatest Hits
Released - 1985
Label - Atlantic
Genre - R&B/Soul

Tracks:
Side One
In The Midnight Hour
I Found A Love
634-5789
If You Need Me
Mustang Sally
Don't Fight It
Side Two
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love
It's Too Late
Ninety-Nine and One-Half (Won't Do)
Funky Broadway
Soul Dance Number Three
Land of 1000 Dances
Side Three
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
Sugar Sugar
Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9
I'm A Midnight Mover
A Man and a Half
Mama Told Me Not To Come
Side Four
She's Lookin' Good
I'm In Love
Don't Knock My Love - Pt.1
Hey Jude
You Keep Me Hangin' On
I Found A True Love

Such an amazing compilation of greatest hits by Wilson Pickett, which also included some covers, this album was definitely a fun listen.  My boyfriend happened to be here with me while I was listening to it and by the second side, we were both dancing with each other.  Nothing like the simple things in life to put a smile on your face and for that, it made my night, which was quite an interesting one.

Enjoy!

Folk

Two Hundred Twenty-One

Artist - Simon & Garfunkel
Album - Bookends
Released - 1968
Label - Columbia
Genre - Folk

Tracks:
Side One
Bookends Theme (Instrumental)
Save The Life Of My Child
America
Overs
Voices of Old People
Old Friends
Bookends Theme
Side Two
Fakin' It
Punky's Dilemma
Mrs. Robinson
A Hazy Shade of Winter

On a day like today, I felt like playing this record.  It brought me into a state of calm and after today, I'm glad I decided to go with this record.  In life, nothing is every easy, but you have to make the most of it, regardless of the circumstances.  As heavy as today was, it came to me that I'm alive, I am free and I  have loved ones around me.  Nothing could be better.  I even have my music, my records and just the comfort of that made this evening a good one.

The fourth album by Simon & Garfunkel and also produced by them, Bookends has two of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs ever.  Mrs. Robinson and A Hazy Shade of Winter are my all-time favorite. Also, when listening to this album, it reminds me of when I used to work at the law school some years back and I would get these random voicemails with Simon  Garfunkel songs.  Of course I never discovered who it was, but I just thought that was the oddest thing.  All is well in the land of Rachel today and every day after today!

Enjoy!

Takin' it to the Streets

Two Hundred Twenty

Artist - Billy Joel
Album - 52nd Street
Released - 1978
Label - Columbia
Genre - Rock

Tracks:
Big Shot
Honesty
My Life
Zanzibar
Stiletto
Rosalinda's Eyes
Half A Mile Away
52nd Street

The sixth studio album by Billy Joel, 52nd Street would have to be my favorite.  Having been around for quite a while when this album was released, Honesty is my favorite song on this record, because of course so many can relate.  I think what makes Billy Joel so unique, other than his sensible piano skills are the lyrics of each song.  Some are questionable, but with this record, My Life is a way of showing that no matter what, it's his life.  Crushing on this music at such a young age, I appreciate it now, as an adult more than I ever did as a kid.  I'm very thankful for being exposed to such greatness at an early age, because when I come across these records today, the words sink in better.

Enjoy!

Phemonenal

Two Hundred Nineteen

Artist - Johnny Cash
Album - I Walk The Line
Released - 1964
Label - Columbia
Genre - Blues/Folk

Tracks:
I Walk The Line
Bad News
Folsom Prison Blies
Give My Love To Rose
Hey Porter
I Still Miss Someone
Understand Your Man
Wreck of the Old 97
Still In Town
Big River
Goodbye, Little Darlin' Goodbye
Troublesome Waters

A phenomenal probably unique to the Country and Western and fold song fields is the composer who is also the best singer of his own songs.  One of the notably gifted - and most successful - examples in recent years is Johnny Cash, whose hit recordings of original compositions have appeared repeatedly on national best-seller charts.  Endowed with a vibrant, virile baritone voice, he is one of the best songwriting talents since the legendary Hank Williams.

The title of Johnny's new collection, I WALK THE LINE, is also the title of the million-seller that catapulted him into the national spotlight only a few years ago. Appropriately, the song leads off this album which includes six Cash originals and one collaboration.  After he sings Bad News ("I'm bad news, always gettin' into trouble"), the effect of which Johnny heightens by a devilish chuckle, he follows with three other famous Cash originals, the grim Folsom Prison Blues ("I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die"), the poignant Give My Love To Rose ("the words a dyin' fella said") and Hey Porter ("tell me the time, how much longer will it be till we cross the Mason-Dixie line?"), a jubilant going-home song.  I Still Miss Someone is a sentimental song Johnny wrote to brother Roy's words.

I WALK THE LINE offers Johnny Cash, renowned story-teller-in-song, at his creative and performing best.

Enjoy!

Heartbreaker

Two Hundred Eighteen

Artist - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Album - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Released - 1976
Label - Shelter
Genre - Rock 'N Roll

Tracks:
Side 1
Rockin' Around (With You)
Breakdown
Hometown Blues
The Wild One, Forever
Anything That's Rock 'N' Roll
Side 2
Strangered In The Nights
Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)
Mystery Man
Luna
American Girl

Enjoy!

Impressed

Two Hundred Seventeen

Artist - The Impressions
Album - The Best of the Impressions
Released - 1968
Label - ABC Records
Genre - Funk/Soul

Tracks:
Side One
I Love and I Lost
Can't Satisfy
We're A Winner
She Don't Love Me
Too Slow
Amen
Side Two
You've Been Cheatin'
I've Been Trying
We're Rollin' On
People Get Ready
This Must End

For a number of years, The Impressions have rolled along on the crest of success, creating hit after hit on records and in personal appearances, and firmly establishing themselves in the minds of the public as one of the most professional and durable singing groups in the music business.

With every new song written by Curtis Mayfield (and he writes ninety-five percent of The Impressions' material), another meaningful message is added to the repertoire of contemporary music.  Perhaps the impact of Curtis's messages reached its peak with The Impressions' hit recording of "We're A Winner" (included in this album).  Not only did the record follow the customary hit pattern, but it reached the public's ear at a time in 1968 when discontent was erupting among the Negro people and their dissension took the form of violent activity.

Why not love The Impressions?!?!?

Enjoy!