106. Antonio Vivaldi

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

I have completed episode 106 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to the complete works of an artist. This edition: ANTONIO VIVALDI. Always love me some Baroque! He was a master of the genre (although he lacked the diversity, mathematical brilliance and emotional resonance of his contemporary, J.S. Bach). This was a long one — more than 800 pieces.

Favorite work: The “Four Seasons” set of concertos

Favorite Season: “Spring” (RV 269)

Favorite string concerto otherwise: G minor (RV 587) from L’estro Armonico

Favorite lute concerto: D major (RV 93), notably the second (largo) movement

Favorite opera: Orlando Furioso (RV 728)

Compared to expectations: ↓

vivaldi

105. Supertramp

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(January 2017) I have completed episode 105 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: SUPERTRAMP. Hodgson and Davies are talented songwriters, and some of their tunes still have legs, but too much of their stuff is mere Lite Fare.

Favorite album: Supertramp (1970, in the prog rock mold of early Yes and Genesis, unlike anything they did later)

Sentimental favorite : Breakfast in America (one of the first albums I owned)

Favorite song: Give a Little Bit

Compared to expectations: same

supertramp_-_supertramp

104. The Pretty Things

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(January 2017) I have completed episode 104 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: THE PRETTY THINGS. An underrated British Invasion-era band, they started out an R&B outfit a la the Yardbirds and Rolling Stones. Like those, they transitioned into psychedelic; S.F. Sorrow is one of the finest of that genre (and Parachute’s very good too). Much after that is rather pedestrian.

Favorite album: S.F. Sorrow

Favorite song: Walking Through My Dreams

Compared to expectations: same

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103. Judas Priest

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(December 2016) I have completed episode 103 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: JUDAS PRIEST. Good ol’ fashioned heavy metal. And they still bring it (latest album was 2014). Rob Halford: best lungs this side of Freddie Mercury.

Favorite album: British Steel

Favorite song: You Got Another Thing Comin

Favorite period: 1977-1980

Compared to expectations: same

102. Prince

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper

(November 2016) I have completed episode 102 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: PRINCE. I now have greater appreciation of the depth and breadth (39 studio albums!) of his work (beyond the 80s albums). To me, the artist he most resembles is Frank Zappa: prolific, diversity of musical styles, idiosyncratic, social commentary, guitar virtuoso, but most of all, both successfully insisted on control of their music and business, and on doing things their own way. He was a genius. Best when funky. Best when falsetto.

Favorite album: Sign o’ the Times

Favorite song: Kiss

Favorite period: 1980-87

Best album you never heard of: The Truth (acoustic)

Compared to expectations: ↑

101. Jethro Tull

January 13, 2019April 3, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(November 2016) I have completed episode 101 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: JETHRO TULL. I still adore their first five albums (plus the 10th) with their unique roguish blues/folks/prog rock sound. But beyond that, it gets tedious and unremarkable (I listen so you don’t have to).

Favorite album: Aqualung

Favorite song: To Cry You A Song

Worst album: Under Wraps

Best album cover by any band EVER: Thick as a Brick

Compared to expectations: same

100. Traffic

January 13, 2019March 31, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2016) I have completed episode 100 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: TRAFFIC. I prefer the psychedelic first version of Traffic, but the second jazzier version has some good moments too.

Favorite album: Mr. Fantasy

Favorite song: Dear Mr. Fantasy

Best chord to end a song ever: Whatever Stevie Winwood lays down at the end of Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

It’s good for you: That good ole fashion medicated goo

Special sauce: Jim Capaldi

Compared to expectations: ↑

99. Journey

January 13, 2019March 31, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2016) I have completed episode 99 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: JOURNEY. Roll the windows down and sing your lungs out! Peak Journey is such a fun Guilty Pleasure. But the rest is a complete waste of time (I listen so you don’t have to).

Favorite album: Infinity

Favorite song: Feeling That Way

Favorite period: 1978-81

Special sauce: Neil Schon

Compared to expectations: same

98. Michael Jackson

January 13, 2019March 31, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2016) I have completed episode 98 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: MICHAEL JACKSON. Simultaneously one of the biggest pop stars ever and one of the most overrated, IMHO.

Favorite album: Thriller

Favorite song: Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

Don’t bother: His kid pop albums in the 1970s

Creepiest lyrics: ” You know I’m bad, I’m bad – you know it” and ” Monster / He’s a monster.”

Compared to expectations: same

97. Lenny Kravitz

January 13, 2019March 31, 2020 ~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(October 2016) I have completed episode 97 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: LENNY KRAVITZ. Best when funky.