The Western Music Canon

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Here’s a wacky idea: let’s try to create a definitive list of the best ‘western’ music from whenever you think it started to the present. I would suggest that people put on things they think are highlights of a particular type of music or genre (not necessarily just your favourite, ok): symphonies, operas, songs, albums, whatever. Hopefully, enough of us are snobs that we’ll delete all the flavour of month items placed on here by silly people. Just because you really like that new song or album by whomever, doesn’t mean it belongs on this list. I will start, with my only very personal suggestions. They are in no way definitive, and I must say that I lack knowledge of most kinds of "high art" music. I hope this works, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

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  1. 1.
    Back in Black
    by AC/DC

    Drag me to re-order


  2. 2.
    Idlewild South
    by The Allman Brothers Band

    Drag me to re-order


  3. 3.
    Tanz Der Lemminge
    by Amon Duul II

    Drag me to re-order


  4. 4.
    Spirits Rejoice
    by Albert Ayler

    Drag me to re-order


  5. 5.
    Music from Big Pink
    by The Band

    Drag me to re-order


  6. 6.
    Please Please Me
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  7. 7.
    A Hard Day's Night
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  8. 8.
    Rubber Soul
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  9. 9.
    Revolver [UK]
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  10. 10.
    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  11. 11.
    The Beatles (The White Album)
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  12. 12.
    Abbey Road
    by The Beatles

    Drag me to re-order


  13. 13.
    Truth
    by Jeff Beck

    Drag me to re-order


  14. 14.
    Pet Sounds
    by The Beach Boys

    Drag me to re-order


  15. 15.
    Paranoid
    by Black Sabbath

    Drag me to re-order


  16. 16.
    The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust
    by David Bowie

    Drag me to re-order


  17. 17.
    Low
    by David Bowie

    Drag me to re-order


  18. 18.
    The Ascension
    by Glenn Branca

    Drag me to re-order


  19. 19.
    Time Out
    by Dave Brubeck Quartet

    Drag me to re-order


  20. 20.
    Happy Sad
    by Tim Buckley

    Drag me to re-order


  21. 21.
    Buffalo Springfield Again
    by Buffalo Springfield

    Drag me to re-order


  22. 22.
    East-West
    by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

    Drag me to re-order


  23. 23.
    Ege Bamyasi
    by Can

    Drag me to re-order


  24. 24.
    Trout Mask Replica
    by Captain Beefheart

    Drag me to re-order


  25. 25.
    Tender Prey
    by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

    Drag me to re-order


  26. 26.
    London Calling
    by The Clash

    Drag me to re-order


  27. 27.
    The Shape of Jazz to Come
    by Ornette Coleman

    Drag me to re-order


  28. 28.
    Giant Steps
    by John Coltrane

    Drag me to re-order


  29. 29.
    A Love Supreme
    by John Coltrane

    Drag me to re-order


  30. 30.
    Ascension
    by John Coltrane

    Drag me to re-order


  31. 31.
    Willy and the Poor Boys
    by Creedence Clearwater Revival

    Drag me to re-order


  32. 32.
    Déjà Vu
    by Crosby Stills Nash & Young

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  33. 33.
    Kind of Blue
    by Miles Davis

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  34. 34.
    Bitches Brew
    by Miles Davis

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  35. 35.
    On the Corner
    by Miles Davis

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  36. 36.
    Sketches of Spain
    by Miles Davis

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  37. 37.
    Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
    by Dead Kennedys

    Drag me to re-order


  38. 38.
    Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
    by Derek and the Dominos

    Drag me to re-order


  39. 39.
    Doors
    by Doors

    Drag me to re-order


  40. 40.
    Five Leaves Left
    by Nick Drake

    Drag me to re-order


  41. 41.
    The Days of Wine & Roses
    by The Dream Syndicate

    Drag me to re-order


  42. 42.
    The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
    by Bob Dylan

    Drag me to re-order


  43. 43.
    Another Side of Bob Dylan
    by Bob Dylan

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  44. 44.
    Bringing It All Back Home
    by Bob Dylan

    Drag me to re-order


  45. 45.
    Highway 61 Revisited
    by Bob Dylan

    Drag me to re-order


  46. 46.
    Blonde on Blonde
    by Bob Dylan

    Drag me to re-order


  47. 47.
    Blood on the Tracks
    by Bob Dylan

    Drag me to re-order


  48. 48.
    Here Come the Warm Jets
    by Brian Eno

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  49. 49.
    Angel Dust
    by Faith No More

    Drag me to re-order


  50. 50.
    Clouds Taste Metallic
    by The Flaming Lips

    Drag me to re-order


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Created by rnhaas on May 27, 2007.
 

Comments

rnhaas
Hamilton

I had another thought — 2 years ago

If this doesn’t work well, just let me know. I belong to rateyourmusic.com and it has ‘charts’ for every year based on the ratings. It may be a useful guide to what’s reasonably popular (at least among site users) and therefore perhaps what can be termed ‘canonical.’


rnhaas
Hamilton

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.


Greg
Columbus

Added items 124-140 — 2 years ago

Added some R&B to the list, a little rap, and some country as well as some of the formative pre-rock and roll “pop” performers. I would argue that as long as there’s been phonographic recordings there’s been “Western” music.

I’ll gladly discuss/debate with anyone interested any of my selections. These are off the top of my head..I’m sure there are several more worthy entries that I’ll think of later.

Pretty decent list so far. The only inclusions I question are Mr. Bungle (I don’t see tons of critical acclaim for them necessarily and I don’t think you can argue on a popular acclaim aesthetic either) and Godspeed You Black Emperor (I don’t think this has been around long enough to prove itself a “canonical” type of piece of art yet).