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Albums you do not get...a plea for help and understanding

So like most of you (I bet), I listen to tons of music.  But there are just some albums I never learned to appreciate.  I hope this thread can serve as a teaching tool.  I did not get Mingus at first but now he is one of my favorites.

Perhaps ending each post with, "What am I missing?" would be a good idea.

I will start with Graceland by Paul Simon.  Most of my friends call me crazy (still after all these years...OUCH that was bad) but I never desire to listen to this record.  I get the African influence and rhythm but it just does not impress me.  Alternatively when Peter Gabriel did the African influence thing I found it stunningly good. Paul Simon as a musician impresses me in his other works.  What am I missing?

bancsee
edcyn
1,876 posts
 

Okay, you've prompted me to quote some Dylan off the top of my head. From Mr. Tambourine Man.  Sorry if it ain't quite perfect --

"And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind

The foggy runes (ruins?) of time

Far past the frozen leaves, the haunted frightened trees.

Out to the windy beach. far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrows.

Yes to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand wavin' free

Silhouetted by the seas

Circled by the circus sands

With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves

Let me forget about today until tomorrow."

 

As lovely a stretch of poetry as has ever been writ.

deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000
720 posts
 

I don't see any direct references to Dreampop or Shoegaze singers or bands. I am sure a lot of folks here can't stand either genre. I personally like Dreampop, and some of the shoegaze folks.

How about Frank Sinatra? I get he has an amazing voice and phasing (my Mom and her sisters once skipped school in the late 1930's to hear him sing in the Bronx!). But I never put on a Sinatra album/song to sit back and listen and enjoy. And I have tried multiple times.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Frank Zappa - Lumpy Gravy. Bob Dylan - Self Portrait! 

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,510 posts
 

@jasonbourne52 + 1 , though 'Days of 49' on 'Self-Portrait' was pretty good. Still, not a very good percentage! Loved 'We're Only In It For the Money', but tried and failed with 'Lumpy Gravy'. 

cd318
2,636 posts
 

Zappa?

Crikey, there's a big one right there!

There's so much to like about Frank, the attitude, the intelligence, the honesty, but what about the music?

Especially for those of us who love harmony, melody and catchy tunes?

A bit like Beefheart, for me Zappa remains a novelty listen.

Clever but not compelling.

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