My Vinyl Collection: Most Frequently Played

I have never counted them, but I know we have hundreds of vinyl records in our collection. We have always enjoyed digging through bins for hours at thrift stores, antique stores, and used music stores to find those hidden jewels. I picked 14 records that I always seem to favor over the others. These are my most frequently played vinyl records. They make me feel good.

Ry Cooder: Paradise and Lunch (1974)

"Jesus is on that main line. Tell him what you want. Call him up!"

"True love can be such a sweet harmony if you do the best that you can."

I find this album uplifting and comforting.

Pink Floyd: Obscured by Clouds (1972)

This was a gift from Heath. This album stirs up my imagination with spacey and tribal vibes, and all songs are equally good. Good music for mystical and wonderful nights. It is the soundtrack to the offbeat French movie "La Vallee," which I also love.

The Byrds: Ballad of Easy Rider (1969)

This is also a movie soundtrack to one of my favorite movies starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson. Perfect music for daydreaming about a road trip to California. This album was a constant companion to me during my last year in college. Favorite songs include the title song, Oil in My Lamp, and It's All Over Now Baby Blue.

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals: Jacksonville City Nights (2005)

A double vinyl treasure. I bought this brand new at Oz Music in Tuscaloosa. A good time to listen to this album is when you need to simplify your complicated feelings about life. Perfect amount of folk and twang. Favorite songs are Trains, A Kiss Before I Go, The Hardest Part, and Peaceful Valley. "Lord take me home to the peaceful valley down the winding river to your city your soul."

Stevie Wonder: Inner Visions (1973)

This was a souvenir from a family trip to New York City at Bleecker Street Records. I love Stevie's Moog sounds. So many spiritual songs. So much groove and funk. Stevie provided the soundtrack for the very first few weeks Heath and I spent together.

Tom Petty: Damn the Torpedos (1979)

This is a positively upbeat, clean-the-house-in-an-hour, do-something-productive record. Bold and to-the-point. Favorite songs are Here Comes My Girl, Shadow of a Doubt, and Don't Do Me Like That.

Graham Nash David Crosby: self-titled (1972)

I listened to this album often after college when feeling reflective and somewhat apprehensive, wondering what the next few years would hold. 

Favorite song is Southbound Train. 

The Faces: Ooh La La (1972)

What an amazing piece of art. Listening to this album reminds me of many different happy memories. My favorite songs are Fly in the Ointment, If I'm on the Late Side, Glad and Sorry, 

and of course Ooh La La.

The Rolling Stones: Let It Bleed (1969)

This is the first vinyl I ever bought, which is right after I got a vinyl player. It was a happy time of finding a new group of friends, and leaving another group of so-called friends behind. 

I felt free. 

"This record should be played loud" is printed on the inside label, which is totally true.

Favorite songs are Gimme Shelter, Love in Vain, and Monkey Man.

The Band: Music from Big Pink (1968)

This album reminds me of the time Heath and I spent in Rainsville, Alabama. The music fits the rural mountain setting. I have listened to these songs probably more times than any of the other albums in this post. Bob Dylan painted the cover art. Favorite songs include To Kingdom Come, We Can Talk, Long Black Veil, and Chest Fever. 

The Grease Band: self-titled (1971)

Just some good psychedelic rock and roll. Makes good background music on a sunny summer day. Favorite songs are All I Wanna Do, Laugh at the Judge, and Let It Be Gone. 

The Byrds: self-titled (1973)

This is the last studio album recorded by an iconic band, a band that is definitely in my top five favorite bands. This album is naturalistic, introspective, elemental, and a breath of fresh air. My favorite songs are Full Circle, For Free, Cowgirl in the Sand, and See the Sky About to Rain. 

The Stanley Brothers: Folk Song Festival (1975)

Excalibur Vintage store in Decatur always had several Stanley Brothers albums, and he sold them for around $3 usually. He didn't know what he had, or maybe he did. I bought about eight of their records at that store. This music makes me think of a brief time in my life when I spent some time in Cleveland, TN. We love Carter and Ralph's voices and instrumental talent. Favorite songs include Still Trying to Get to Little Rock, String, Eraser, and Blotter, The Drunken Driver, and Thy Burdens are Greater Than Mine.

The White Stripes: Icky Thump (2007)

The wife of Heath's good friend in the NACC jazz band, Stephanie, gave this double vinyl to us. This is carefree, jump-around type music. Avant-garde entertainment art at its finest. We listened to this album the mostly during the summer of 2009. My favorite songs are You Don't Know What Love Is, I'm Slowly Turning Into You, Little Cream Soda, and Catch Hell Blues.