An Artist's Pinnacle


We've had so many threads about favorite releases by an artist, best debut recordings etc., but I'm don't think that I have seen anyone ask this before. My question is this: Pick one or more solo artists, or bands or music from any genre. What release do you think marked the pinnacle of their artistry?
I could think of many, but the idea was sparked in my mind yesterday when I was thinking once again that for REM, it was Life's Rich Pageant. They were once a favorite band, but I eventually got really tired of Michael Stipe's nonsense. Anyway, that's not the point. Continuing with the rock genre, I will say Dirt was the peak for Alice in Chains, and Rocks was the top for Aerosmith. Only thinking of those examples because I was just listening to them yesterday.
I'm really interested in everyone else's thoughts, and I'll have a whole lot more as I think about it.
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Showing 8 responses by jasonbourne52

Happy Trails by Quicksilver Messenger Service - side one is a great live cover of Bo  Diddley's Who Do You Love?  Crown Of Creation by Jefferson Airplane: "Lather was thirty years old today. They took away all of his toys ..."

In Search Of The Lost Chord by The Moody Blues: "Timothy Leary's dead. No he's not! He's outside listening in!" Who's Next by The Who: Behind Blue Eyes. Abbey Road by The Beatles. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd: a go to recording "Let's hear how it sounds on your stereo".

 

Also Sprach Zarathustra by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony - recorded at the dawn of the stereo era by Lewis Layton - THIS is how an orchestral recording should sound!

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane - the most spiritually advanced Jazz musician of the 20th Century! Black Saint And The Sinner Lady by Charles Mingus. Zawinul by Joe Zawinul - an overlooked masterpiece! Free Jazz by Ornette Coleman. 

Every Picture Tells A Story - by Rod "the Mod" Stewart. I saw him twice: Central Park, July '69 with the original Jeff Beck Group. Later, in March '75 at San Francisco's Cow Palace fronting The Small Faces. Dynamite live performer! His previous recording - Gasoline Alley - can certainly occupy the top spot. Both have crack backing musicians and great songs!

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis. The start of a new subgenre of Jazz and a new younger set of musicians and audience!

Mahler Symphony 5 by Sir John Barbirolli and the Berlin Philharmonic. Still a contender for best performance/interpretation of such a monumental work!