Name a few albums which helped determine your musical tastes

Cannot help but to comment on Lyle and his large band:  in the summer of (about) 2004 in Madison, WI, Aretha cancelled with short notice as the headliner in the summer MusicFest on the lake.  I had two tickets, and decided to go even though I could not see the Queen.  Lyle and large band subbed.
Holy crap.  Their comprehensively massive soundstage was mind-blowing.  The power, balance, articulation, and precision of every musician was flawless.  Barely noticed Lyle singing, leaning up against things in his body cast after breaking his hip in a bull ring(?).
His audio engineers have to be the best around.

Motown...4 Tops / Martha & the Vandellas / Smokey Robinson

Memphis...Sam & Dave / Ike & Tina / Booker T
British ....Stones / John Mayall / Traffic / Jeff Beck / Van the Man / Tull /Black Sabbath

60-70s US... Hendrix / CSNY / Santana / The Band / Joni
80s....Knopfler / Bonnie Raitt / Neville Brothers / Dr John

Major influences for me,

Janis Joplin - Cheap Thrills
Cream - Wheels of Fire
Steve Miller - Nr 5
Dave Brubeck - Time Out
Allman Brothers - Live at the Fillmore East
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Rolling Stones - Beggers Banquet
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
John Lee Hooker - Hooker and Heat
ZZ Top - Tres Hombres

I left out my classical side and only took the top ten of what truly influenced me as I heard 9 out of 10 of these when they were released and very much formed my musical preferences.  

Not only albums, but WNEW FM in New York early 70’s with Alison Steele (the night bird). She was a big Moody Blues fan.  
She introduced me to On the Threshold of a dream. That shaped my listening and inspired me to look for bands with orchestra backing.  Some others...
Time Out Take Five - Dave Brubeck
Sargent Peppers - and early stuff from the Beatles
2001 Movie soundtrack really introduced me to classical music. 

al jarreau - we got by/glow
michael franks - art of tea
crusaders - southern comfort
coltrane - my favorite things
miles davis - sketches of spain
dire straits
mingus - tijuana moods
kenny burrell - guitar forms