Records that made you reassess your music beliefs

Trout Mask Replica, honestly speaking...

Bought the LP second-hand, listened to it a few times. Hated it. Sold it. Hated myself for selling it. Bought it again from a friend in the grip of cd-mania who was selling his LPs. Listened to it a few times (one side at a time). Left it for my brother when moving to Germany. Bought the cd. Listened once to what was an abominably bland pressing. Thought it was a shame how they had massacred this interesting (hear, hear!) record. Exchanged my cd for the LP my brother still had. Played it with much better gear than before. Thought it was a forceful statement. Thought it was in any case better than some highly praised free jazz or contemporary composers' "serious" stuff I'd heard meanwhile; and - with all due respect for an otherwise great artist - certainly much better than Bluejeans and Moonbeams and similar superfluous "nothingness".

The TRUTH: Do I listen to Trout Mask Replica today? Er,... let's agree on seldom ;-)

Hmmm...haven't listened in 35 years. Maybe I'll try it again. I did buy the best of The Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band and on CD a few years ago. Listened once for nostalgia sake and had a lot of laughs. Also have the first 4 Firesign Theater albums, great headphone records.

But change my religion? Nah, I still listen to the first Byrds album and a lot of jazz I discovered in the late 60s and through the 70s. I think tastes mature more than change, in my opinion. I was excited by the Punk and New Wave movement 30 years ago because it reminded me of my garage band days of '65 through '70. I also had fun with The Fugs ("Hey fa--ot! What chew doin' in my town, Buddy?").

OK, I guess I'd have to say that The Byrds first album changed my musical tastes in a pivotal way. I was 13 and completely forgot about Herman's Hermits. Also, my first Mother of Invention album (We're Only In It For The Money) changed what I expected from an album. If I heard some intelligence in the lyric or composition, I liked it.

Yes- Tales From Topographic Oceans- Wasn't crazy about it at first but, amn did it grow on me

Crossroads movie $ soundtrack- I was into metal guitar, so I got it for the Steve Vai guitar, but it got me into UIrban and acoustic blues big time. Ry Cooder kicks butt!

Charlie Parker- The Complete Verve Recordings- Got me head over heels for Bop.

Miles Davis- Kinda Blue- Got me into mare laid back jazz and West Coast Jazz.

John Coltrane- A Love Supreme- Didn't like it at first, but I eventually learned to love it and it got me into more avant garde jazz.

The Ultra- Lounge series of CDs- Got me into exotica and mid century pop/lounge music.

Weather Report "Black Market" "Mysterious Traveler" "Heavy Weather"
Return To Forever "Romantic Warrior"
The Clash "Sandinista"
Miles "Kind Of Blue"
Yes "Fragile"
Beatles "Abbey Road"
Coltrane "A Love Supreme"
Santana "Santana" "Caravanserai"
Peter Gabriel "So"
Brubeck "Time Out"
T Heads "Remain In Light"
Pat Metheny "As Falls Wichita So Falls Wichita Falls"
Floyd "Wish You Were Here" "Meddle"
Mickey Hart "At The Edge" "Planet Drum"
Tangerine Dream "Ricochet" "Stratosfear"
Robin Trower "Bridge of Sighs"
Wes Montgomery "A Day In The Life"
Hendrix "All Along The Watchtower"
Dead "Infrared Roses"
Los Lobos "Kiko"
Jeff Beck "
Diana Krall "When I Look Into Your Eyes"
Every one of these gems has affected me either spiritually, mentally, metaphysically, or timelessly. There are others, but where to draw the line?

This is a cool thread. Why has nobody posted anything in over a year?! Reading the start made me smile. The confusion of 21st century word-reduction. However, I don’t think you need to be old in order to listen to and appreciate the records mentioned. A lot of the music I listen to was recorded before I was born, but it still manages to blow me away!
Records that made me reassess my music beliefs... well, here are some:

4 Way Street – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: I always feel like I’m actually there when I’m listening to this record. It has a charmingly familiar atmosphere which manages to touch your feelings in a very special way. At least it does with me. It’s soothing in an almost transcendental way.

Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain – Yann Tiersen: I know some might say « it’s just a soundtrack », but I think it’s so much more! I love listening to Yann Tiersen’s creations. Definitely one of the things I’d take to a deserted island. Love the piano on “Comptine d'un autre été: l'après midi »

Get Behind Me Satan & White Blood Cell – The White Stripes: In my opinion these two records are like a breath of fresh air. The raw and minimalistic style plus the way they recorded the music creates a very individual atmosphere.

The Big Lebowski – Various Artists: Yes, I know it’s another soundtrack, but this is another one I’d take to the island with me. It’s a great mix! Bob Dylan, Captain Beefheart, Yma Sumac (amazing voice!), Nina Simone, etc. It’s an extraordinary soundtrack and record!

Z – My Morning Jacket: An alternative, psychedelic, folk rock album with a very experimental jam-session-touch to it. One of my favourites which reminds me of a new interpretation of the psychedelic 60s : )

Debut – Björk: The first time I listened to this record was at a friend’s house and it was unlike any record I had ever heard. I know it is not everybody’s cup of tea, but I think it is worth trying it. Btw, the track “Venus as a boy” is in Luc Besson’s film “Léon:The Professional” ;-)

Dark side of the moon – Pink Floyd: One of the all-time greatest with an especially intriguing listening experience. Whilst listening to this you tend to forget where you are, because the music just grips you. Phenomenal! Another one for the island.

Horses – Patti Smith: This is the first Patti Smith album I ever listened to and the first one I bought as well. It captured my full attention from the first second onward. Classic!

Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike – Gogol Bordello: Gogol Bordello is a band that came as a complete surprise to me. The first time I saw them was at a festival in Switzerland and the people in the audience became their adoring slaves. In my opinion one of the greatest and diverse punk records ever made. A great mélange of punk and gypsy music with an occult touch to it. Amazing! This band definitely made me reassess my music beliefs!

And for something completely different... Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and Dvořák’s 9th Symphony also blew my mind. I’m not all that into classical music really (maybe, because I’ve never spent all that much time looking into what there is...), but these two are great! Hope they also count as records : )

Okay, this is far too long. Sorry! Seems I can’t stop talking (or writing) about music. For all the music geeks out there, I can absolutely recommend www.last.fm! It’s amazing and broadens your horizon of artists more than you’d expect. At least it did (and still does!) for me. You should check it out!

Love & Peace!