rnhaas commented on…
The Western Music Canon
Nice Job — 2 years ago
I forgot to add tapestry myself. My one and only concern (and it’s just a personal thing, not really legitimate) is the prevalence of best ofs over actual albums or individual songs. I’ve never been a fan of compilations. But whatever. You know what, ignore me. If I get some more time I will try to add more stuff that should be considered.
Comments
Greg
Columbus
The problem with avoidance of compilations on these lists...
is that some genres are better represented by well-chosen compilations.
Before the Beatles, rock bands didn’t really plan for albums…they recorded a couple great singles and a bunch of filler (usually half-hearted instrumentals or covers of songs by other bands they liked). I’d have a hard time making a case for any particular album by, say, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles but a well-chosen anthology is crucial to representing Motown in my opinion.
Some of this may also be due to age. I’m 37 so I only know the music by how it’s packaged NOW…mostly in compilations and best-ofs. You probably CAN buy the whole catalogue of Chuck Berry but you’ll have to special order most of it because the average store’s only gonna stock the anthologies and MAYBE…MAYBE the box set.
rnhaas
Hamilton