(1) BEATLES, Magical Mystery Tour: though most experts rate Sgt. Peppers a bit higher, perhaps because of its overall unity, here the title cut, along with "Hello, Goodbye," "I am a Walrus," "Strawberry Fields Forever," and "All You Need is Love" are enough to put this album over the top. We have not only the mature song writing of Lennon and McCartney, but some thematically unconstrained rock and roll psychedelically swirled together with elements of classical melody and instrumentation. George Martin, that "sixth" Beatle, also deserves credit, surely one of the best efforts from a producer. Overall, its effect is something like a religious experience ... [runner-up in this genre -- BEATLES, Sgt. Peppers]. All You Need Is Love Live Video (1967). Hello Goodbye Video.

(2) LED ZEPPELIN, Led Zeppelin (I): deference must be paid to the original bluesmen. Even so, hands down, ZEPPELIN did it better. Jimmy Page gives an absolutely stunning interpretation of Dixon's "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Babe," and Page's own "Dazed and Confused" took Blues to a height that only Hendrix could match. It hardly needs to be said, too, that Robert Plant could sing and scream with more emotion than was ever dreamt of in traditional blues circles. And, of course, the bonus is John Bonham's drums -- "Good Times Bad Times" is a paradigm -- which, when driving Page's guitar, amounts to the best heavy stuff then and now ... [runner-up in this genre -- LED ZEPPELIN, II, with CREAM, Desraeli Gears close behind]. You Shook Me Live at the Fillmore (1969).

(3) YES, Close to the Edge: well, granted, the pick and the ranking are controversial. Worse, the drummer Bill Bruford once called this particular offering "cosmic slop." But progressive rock was part of my formative years, and arguably none did it better than YES. And certainly YES surpassed earlier bands in pure musicianship -- Stevie Howe on guitar (influences outside the blues, which was rare for a rock guitarist, and with an eccentric choppy style), Chris Squire on bass (the first bassist outside jazz whose dexterity could match that of a lead guitar player), and the amazingly clever Bill Bruford on drums (take a listen to his subsequent work with KING CRIMSON, solo projects, and his jazz band EARTHWORKS). Rick Wakeman, too, was a perfect fit for Jon Anderson's mythical writing style ... [runner-up in this genre -- EMERSON, LAKE, AND PALMER, Brain Salad Surgery]. BBC Documentary w the preferred lineup, Live Video (1972). Another 70s progressive band, Gentle Giant On Rflection Live Video (1978).

(4) BOB DYLAN, Highway 61 Revisited: not much to say here, something that transcends music, DYLAN defines both a culture and a generation of American independents and rebels. His voice is poor, his playing mediocre, but he's James Dean and Maya Angelou put to song. The effect is unparalleled. "Like a Rolling Stone" is a national anthem, and will raise the spirits whenever it is heard. "Tombstone Blues" and the title cut are also classics. Best heard while driving a car, windows down, wind blowin, feeling like you're on your own ... [a runner-up but a pick that's closing fast in this genre -- BOB DYLAN, Time Out of Mind -- very honest Dylan but polished with savy studio musicians, best categorized as folk blues with a bit of light jazz drummed in the background. Nice. And, as far as ballads go, "Standing in the Doorway" is a must to hear)]. Like a Rolling Stone Live Video (1966). Knocking on Heaven's Door Live Video (1995).

(5) BRUCE HORNSBY & THE RANGE, Scenes From the Southside: I find myself returning to this alot. A really nice sound from HORNSBY -- a jazz piano over country rock. The writing is excellent, especially on "Look Out Any Window," "The Road Not Taken," "Show Goes On" (it's the opening soundtrack to the movie Backdraft, if it sounds familiar), and my favorite, "Till The Dreaming's Done" (you can almost see the waitress that everybody knew was a wonder). The music has a deceptively simple appearance and produces a peaceful, calming effect ... [runner-up in this genre -- MARC COHN, Marc Cohn, whose "Walking in Memphis" and "Silver Thunderbird" are both nostalgic, but for quite different reasons]. Medley Live Video (2006). Fun improv on later and jazzy Spider Fingers Live Video (2006).

(6) STING, The Soul Cages: STING'S solo projects are all unique, certainly the most intelligent and well-crafted music on the popular scene. The lyrics show an educated man who carefully chooses his words. The musicianship is top rate. And STING has certainly carved out his own style: a pop jazz and jazzy rock with melancholy depth. Also, there's usually something for everyone on each album. Soul Cages in no exception. "All This Time" is a good pick-me-up, "Why Should I Cry For You?" is full of emotion and speaks to a fateful human condition, and "When the Angels Fall" is cosmically profound ... [very close runner-up in this genre -- PETER GABRIEL, So, whose "Red Rain" and "In Your Eyes" are nothing short of exceptional. What GENESIS could have been ...]. Why Should I cry for You Live Video (1991).

(7) JOHN McLAUGHLIN AND THE MAHAVISHNU ORCHESRTA, Inner Mounting Flame: there is something to be said for being the greatest electric guitar player, and McLAUGHLIN is it. Not only that, this first incarnation of the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA was a veritable "all star team" with Billy Cobham on drums, Jan Hammer on keyboards, and Jerry Goodman on violin. "Meeting of the Spirits" is a progressivist classic, with fiery riffs from McLaughlin and Goodman following. My favorite, however, is "Lotus on Irish Streams," a nice but sometimes rough mixture of classical guitar, violin, and grand piano ...[runner-up in this genre -- MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, Birds of Fire]. Dance of the Maya Live Video (1972) w John's solo jam beginning at the 7 minute mark.

(8) U2, The Joshua Tree: Arguably the best rock band since the Beatles, almost everything U2 does turns to gold (er, platinum, or whatever). Yet the Joshua Tree represents an important stage in the band's evolution where the dark Dublin spirit and the raw post-punk sound gives way to a shining cosmic confluence of forces that still drives hard. My favorite is "Where the Streets have No Name," which begins dramatically with an organ and continues with high energy rock. I assume that "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is Bono's tribute to St. Paul, who expressed this spiritual theme, but without The Edge. And "In God's Country" is just plain fun, with its driving drum beat and honest guitar ... [runner-up in this genre -- U2, Achtung Baby]. Where the Streets Have No Name Live Video downtown LA (1987). I Still haven't Found What I'm Looking For Video.

(9) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, Tunnel of Love: The E-Street Band begins to fade in the background, and Springsteen delivers a refined folk and countrified rock. Of course the band still cranks, but only on the title cut. "Tougher Than the Rest," "Walk Like a Man," and "When You're Alone" are songs that would make Willie Nelson proud. "One Step Up" is extremely well written and well delivered, capturing the day-to-day struggle of marriage and living. Yet "Valentine's Day" is truly memorable, a simple but powerful ballad ... [runner-up in this genre -- hard to know, Springsteen is fairly unique, maybe BOB SEGER, Night Moves]. Tunnel of Love Live Video from Shea Stadium (2003). Bob Seger's Mainstreet Video.

(10) THE ROLLING STONES, Sticky Fingers: this isn't just a perfunctory pick, the STONES did their own thing, and it was a mistake when they tried to imitate the BEATLES (remember 'Their Satanic Majesties Request'?). In any case, "Wild Horses" is a classic, and Jagger a natural Blues balladeer. "Brown Sugar" is probably the best if not the only pure/honest/raw sample of rock on this list. And my favoite, "Moonlight Mile," is a showcase for Richards, laid back and tastefully done ... [runner-up in this genre, or at least some more pure/honest/raw stuff -- JAMES GANG, Rides Again, some of the best work, acoustic and electric, by Joe Walsh]. Wild Horses Live Video (1976). Joe Walsh playing his old James Gang's Funk #49, with a nice blues intro, Live Video (2004).