Marc Greilsamer's Favorite CDs Part 2

Continuing Marc Greilsamer's list of essential CDs, the Amazon music editor recommends: (Part 1 of the list here)

21. Live at the Old Quarter Houston Texas: Texas songwriter Townes Van Zandt's recording from a gig at a small club in Houston features some marvelous, jaded tracks on a newly restored version

22. John Prine: The debut album from a talented songwriter provides much value 'as a songwriter's template', covering many aspects of life, love and the 'flashback blues'

23. Arkology: The legendary reggae producer of greats such as Bob Marley provides a virtual guide to his own rich talent as well as the power of reggae music as an art form.

24. Willie & Family Live: An early live show recording from Willie Nelson, with much music still ahead, yet some great tracks

25. Honky-Tonk Heroes: One of the best Waylon Jennings albums - combining country rock and blues into some of the best American songwriting around.

26. The Allman Brothers at Fillmore East: Marc sez, 'Best American band?'

27. Raising Hell: Raw intensity shines through in Run D.M.C's early rap record

28. Money Jungle: A deep collaboration between Charlie Mingus, Duke Ellington and Max Roach -multi-layered improvisations.

29. Black Star: One of my personal favorites, a collaboration between Talib Kweli, Black Star and Mos Def, it features creative wordplay, fast rhyming and urban poetry.

30. Juju Music: African beats from King Sunny Ade, hard to define - authentic jungle rock, reggae, melodies, harmonies and much more.

31. Quah: A solo album by Jorma Kaukonen, part of Hot Tuna, the album is an introspective, emotional album with acoustic guitar

32. London Calling - The Legacy Edition: The essential album by The Clash, this version has an additional CD titled 'The Vanilla Tapes', once a bootleg classic, and a DVD.

33. Check Your Head: This Beastie Boys' collection is 'finger-lickin' good', fusing, rap, rock, hip-hop, and in a few songs, jazz

34. Reckoning: This is the Grateful Dead album, not the REM one of the same name. A collection of uncommon tracks from their ouevre.

35. Exile On Main Street: The original bad boys of rock in a vital album, one of their best.

36. Mothership Connection: True funk from Parliament, P-Funk, really.

37. West Side Soul: Chicago Blues legend Magic Sam, reminscent of B B King defines 'Sweet Home Chicago'

38. Favourite Colours: Toronto's psychedelic rock band Sadies with a later album - genre-crossing music.

39. Sweetheart of the Rodeo: Gram Parsons' album with the Byrds - true country rock, though some fans might disagree.

40. Things Fall Apart: Considered one of the best rap bands ever, almost high art - originality and talent abound on this album.

Interestingly, visiting the Amazon Bio page for Marc, returns the message,

"We're sorry. We are currently out of these items. Please visit our Welcome page "

Many items on Amazon bear excellent reviews by Marc, and he will be sorely missed.