Over the coming couple of years — and perhaps over more time — VanRamblings will publish our favourite 100 albums of all time, not just the auspicious début albums as the graphic above suggests, but all of our favourite albums of all time.
Readers will notice in the time to come that many — in reality, most — of our favourite music features female vocalists, as was pointed out to us by our friend J.B. Shayne in the early 90s as he perused our massive CD collection, commenting “Do you realize that 90% of your CD collection features female vocalists?”
Up until that time, we hadn’t realized that feature of our music collection — but we certainly have since.
Whether it’s Lucinda Williams, Billie Eilish, Fiona Apple, Iris DeMent, Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones (our favourite), Lori McKenna, Adele, Stina Nordenstam, Rumer, Liana La Havas, Emiliana Torrini, Miranda Lambert, Allison Moorer, Feist, Lily Allen, Anita Baker, The Roches, Eva Cassidy, Laura Nyro, Azure Ray, Sharon von Etten, Kasey Chambers, Imogen Heap / Frou Frou and Tracy Thorne / Everything But the Girl, VanRamblings appreciates narrative storytelling in song, and the distaff reflection of life that is captured by these outstanding artists in their music.
VanRamblings’ love for music dates back to our early childhood.
Our mother, Mary, was a vocalist — from time to time — in a hit local music group that gained quite a following across the continent and internationally, a country / roots band called The Rhythm Pals. There was always song in our home, my mother’s propensity to sing along with music on the radio a feature of life, whether at home or in the car. Such was the case, singing with my own children growing up.
In the late 50s / early 60s, a regular Saturday activity would be to go to the record store, where my mother, my sister and I would rifle through the bins of 45s, choosing our 10 favourites — this at a time when you could get 10 records for $1.00 — which, upon returning home, would go directly onto our record player.
Music always filled our home, my mother’s taste in music vast, although her love for country music (the same was true of my father) knew no bounds.
Commencing next Sunday, we’ll present the music from what we believe to be the most auspicious début albums of the past 45 years.
C’mon back then to see who that artist might be (hint: she is featured in the graphic above the outset of the writing in today’s Sunday Music column).
