What’s your all-time favorite album?
Albums are architecturally reminiscent rhythmic of times that are perpetual. Music of a time and place. Music has the power to transport us to different moments in our history and evoke strong emotions with just a few bars.
There was a time that one would enter the record store knowing what they wanted but still would find themselves memorized, grazing the rows of artwork that would engross those fingers flipping from one album to another, studying all of the compositions on the outside of album covers.
I still listen to digital albums that I first discovered and fell in love with on 8-Track. It immediately transcended me to the colors of that first time I heard the melodies. Dark paneling, shag carpet, glass sliding doors and colors of orange and brown.
In my younger times, I would also place the cassette recorder next to the television to record bands on variety shows or listen to the radio waiting to push record as the disc jockey spoke throughout the intro of the song.
As time went on I remember hearing a song like no other I have ever heard on college radio and went out and bought the album. A new sound that many would try to replicate. I instantly found my grove and became a lifelong fan seeing the artist perform live multiple time. I would wait at the record store for the delivery on the day the record was dropping.
As life progresses forward new artist and sounds emerge and it all begins again. Playing that album on loop. College and college bar jukeboxes stacked with all those memories of nickel beers, laughter and love on flashback every time they are played.
Later on Jazz found it’s way in my repertoire as I taught myself the trumpet and gobbled up as much as I could. Seeing live Jazz was a delight. Certain albums I still listen to and love.
Albums can shape our experiences and create lasting connections. It’s a reminder of the power of music to touch our hearts and become an integral part of our personal lives and histories.
I can’t point to anyone of the dozens of albums that I fell in love with in my life as my favorite one. Each album is a love affair of its own time and holds a special place in the album rack of my heart.
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Chu The Cud 