Album 1: The Beatles, Rubber Soul
Every Beatles record made an impression on me, but Rubber Soul introduced me to the melding of rock and folk music into a fresh sound. Lyrics came to the forefront with an entirely new depth. Plus, the album jacket is possibly the greatest of all time.
Album 2: Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited
“Like a Rolling Stone” changed my life. The lyrics, the story, the attitude. Dylan painted such vivid images with words and music. The record gave me permission to use language in a new and more artful way. My lyrics became more complex and my songs got longer and more involved.
Album 3: Donovan, A Gift From a Flower to a Garden
Folk rock as poetry. Donovan brought subtle melody and an almost jazzy feel to his poetic stories. Flute and cello expanded the palette of popular music and opened the doors for experimentation. I was about 11 years old and I had begun to write songs influenced by Donovan’s fluid sound.
Album 4: Cream, Disraeli Gears
The birth of the British blues/rock guitar hero. This is where I learned about the blues. Only later did I discover the American roots. Lead guitar emerged as a central instrument. I immediately learned “Sunshine of Your Love” and began practicing blues scales.
Album 5: Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers brought the blues guitar hero back to the states via southern rock. Duane Allman’s slide guitar stood out as a new and unique voice in popular music. Gregg Allman became my favorite vocalist during this period.
Album 6: Patti Smith, Horses
I liked punk rock, but Patti Smith was different. Literary and moving with free jazz undercurrents. The often spoken lyrics tell dark but always illuminating tales of the urban soul. Her sprawling compositions and improvisations have an immediacy that I have always found captivating and vital.
Album 7: Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska
This album taught me that if the song is strong enough you can record it in your kitchen and still make a great record. The direct, unadorned approach was a breath of fresh air and ushered in home recording as a valid form of art.
Album 8: Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Again, the melding of styles draws me in. A little rock, a little folk, a little country and we have Americana. Lucinda Williams has the voice of experience. Her songs are perfectly crafted and I learned the importance of honesty in lyrics and vocal approach.
Album 9: John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
This is where I learned about vocal phrasing. Two masters bring their artistry to jazz standards and reinterpret classic songs with astounding musicianship. Both musicians tell their story with consummate skill and compelling emotion.
Album 10: Chet Baker, My Funny Valentine
This album is a compilation of Chet Baker singing and playing jazz standards. His beautiful, melodic voice paired with his emotive trumpet creating a lush, airy sound. I always stay away from imitating singers I admire, but I must admit I spent some time trying to figure out how to sing in the angelic voice of Mr. Baker. My experimentation resulted in my song “January, February” which is included on my first solo album Songbird.