(February 2017) I have completed episode 108 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: ADELE. What a great voice.
Favorite album: 21
Favorite song: Someone Like You
Compared to expectations: same
107. Earth Wind & Fire
(January 2017) I have completed episode 107 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: EARTH WIND & FIRE. Classic funk, soul, rock and much else, always in a sunny and uplifting spirit. This was my go-to music whenever I felt depressed in high school (I listened to a lot of EW&F in high school). 70s is peak EW&F, 80s and 90s are pretty awful, but in the 00s and 10s they get their groove back.
Favorite album: All ‘n All
Favorite song: That’s the Way Of the World
Sentimental favorite song: In the Stone
Least favorite song: Boogie Wonderland
Compared to expectations: same
106. Antonio Vivaldi
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: ↓
105. Supertramp
(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
104. The Pretty Things
(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
103. Judas Priest
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
Opus Project 