OK, I know the title dates me a bit... just wondering if you had to pick only one original (not greatest hits/compilation) album/cd/tape as your favorite of all time, what would it be? Include album art if possible.

I'll start... yea, this is tough... Being a long-time Zeppelin fan, I'd have to go with IV (even though I've grown tired of Black Dog and Rock and Roll). Great all around work. Here's the art:

[Brave Ulysses]

and

[Wrao]

D'angelo - Voodoo is my alltime favorite album, but it's not because of the cover art.

Probably my 2nd favorite album, has one of my favorite covers

[thegelding]

g

[Foj]

[torifile]

Start to finish, absolutely brilliant. They're not even my favorite band (but they're up there).

[psmith2.0]

[murbot]

About half of you will laugh, and half of you will ask me who the hell this dude is, but...

[709]

I can't believe myself that I picked this over The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, but with tracks like "Life On Mars" and "Quicksand" it gets my final vote.

[Mac+]

Originally Posted by murbot About half of you will laugh, and half of you will ask me who the hell this dude is, but...

I don't have any of his solo work, but as a kid I loved "New York Groove" and then later on the track "Into the night" which Frehley also covered and which was in the Miami Vice episode Calderone's Return. I'm just a tragic who loves to read the liner notes.

[FFL]

The gold standard for live records, and pretty cool album art to boot.

Of course, I'll have to add the obligatory Radiators selection:



The joke is that the fish head image bears a strong resemblance to the band's keyboardist and song composer, Zeke.

[turtle]

Look To You (2005), Hillsong United from Australia.

While I like stuff from Skid Row and that era of Rock, this is my all time favorite even though it's of the current era.

[Bean]

[Mac+]

I just love the musicianship and production - at this point they were hungry and at the top of their game.

[Elysium]

Tough decision, but I had to go with the CD with the highest number of tracks in heavy rotation.

Cold "Year of the Spider" (2003)




So many worthy candidates though.

[alcimedes]

One album. This would be it.

[InactionMan]

This:



Or this:



I think I've drawn that theremin from the cover of Orange a trillion times.

[World Leader Pretend]

[curiousuburb]

Definitely in my top 3.

Will poke around for album art for the other candidates later.

[Mac+]

As much as I *love* (I used to be the keyboardist in a BB tribute band) this choice 'burb - it's not really an original artist recording. More a compilation of covers for a movie soundtrack.

I'm looking forward to seeing your other selections though.

[joveblue]

Can't possibly choose just one... I'll go with these 3:

[beardedmacuser]

While very much at the top of their game; daring, inventive and challenging.

[Dorian Gray]

Words cannot describe the baroque-pop brilliance of The Divine Comedy's Casanova (1996), though plenty of people on www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com have tried. It is probably my favourite album of all time, but the album art, by Kevin Westenberg, isn't all that special:

[Partial]

[curiousuburb]

Originally Posted by Mac+ As much as I *love* (I used to be the keyboardist in a BB tribute band) this choice 'burb - it's not really an original artist recording. More a compilation of covers for a movie soundtrack. I'm looking forward to seeing your other selections though.

Hmmm... fine print, eh?
That rules out a few albums which are probably technically compilations or soundtracks...

A revised list might include:

(better album) or maybe (better artwork)

(perhaps predictable, but still brilliant) or (brilliant but unpredictable)

or for repeat listening joy

and
or for some world music in the mix

And if pressed to pick only one from that list, I'd probably have to go with the Brubeck.

[murbot]

Originally Posted by joveblue

Dude, I listened to this CD at least half a dozen times last weekend. It's hypnotizing. My dad got me listening to them.

[rasmits]

Oh man... I could probably keep going. There are so many good albums out there!

[mattf]

Albums I never tire of hearing include


and

None of which have particularly inspiring cover art.

But, if I was forced to choose one album only....

Originally Posted by Dorian Gray ... The Divine Comedy's Casanova (1996)... It is probably my favourite album of all time, but the album art, by Kevin Westenberg, isn't all that special:

I'd have to agree, although I probably play A Short Album about Love more.

If, in particular, is sheer genius.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

Originally Posted by FFL The gold standard for live records, and pretty cool album art to boot.

Man I love this album. Time Loves A Hero --> Day Or Night == Complete Awesomeness. This is the type of music I love to play.

I can't pick an all-time favorite album, but this one's right up there:

[Mac+]

'burb - we might be of the same vintage. If pressed for more, at least one of those Queen albums (probably ANatO) and the Brubeck would have featured in my top 10 too.

And, as just music (no lyrics) I offer these two examples of stellar improvisatory prowess:
and
Completely different styles - but when they play they are all totally immersed in the moment. It is sublime. I find the album covers artistically pleasing too.

I also really want to check out The Divine Comedy now.