2020 Rolling Stone 500 Ballot Exercises

I wasn't invited, but after Robert Christgau published his and Carola Dibbell's ballots, I figured I could have filled out a ballot by editing down my 1,001 Albums for a Long and Happy Life. Not so easy, and what follows is unsatisfying and probably temporary. I can also cite Phil Overeem's non-ballot, which he couldn't reduce below 100. By the way, Rolling Stone's compiled 500-deep list is here, with my grades (incomplete) in brackets.

Because 50 albums is impossibly short, and given that Rolling Stone isn't much into jazz, my first simplification was to limit my list to non-jazz. Then I decided to break out single- and multiple-artist compilations. That still leaves this list extremely condensed. The list is unranked (numbers are there just to help me count, and should eventually go away):

  1. Lily Allen: It's Not Me, It's You (2009, Capitol)
  2. Dave Alvin: King of California (1994, Hightone)
  3. Laurie Anderson: Strange Angels (1989, Warner Bros.)
  4. The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds (1966, Capitol)
  5. The Beautiful South: Welcome to the Beautiful South (1990, Go! Discs)
  6. Bootsy's Rubber Band: Ahh . . . The Name Is Bootsy, Baby! (1977, Warner Bros)
  7. Buck 65: Talkin' Honky Blues (2003, Warner Music Canada)
  8. Manu Chao: Clandestino (1998, Ark 21)
  9. Neneh Cherry: Raw Like Sushi (1989, Virgin)
  10. The Clash: London Calling (1979, Epic)
  11. Leonard Cohen: Live in London (2009, Columbia)
  12. Cornershop: Handcream for a Generation (2002, Beggars Banquet)
  13. Iris Dement: My Life (1994, Warner Bros.)
  14. DJ Shadow: The Private Press (2002, MCA)
  15. Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band: Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (1976, RCA)
  16. Joe Ely: Honky Tonk Masquerade (1978, MCA)
  17. Brian Eno: Another Green World (1975, EG)
  18. Donald Fagen: The Nightfly (1982, Warner Bros.)
  19. Marianne Faithfull: Broken English (1979, Island)
  20. The Flying Burrito Brothers: The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969, A&M)
  21. Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Spinning Around the Sun (1993, Elektra)
  22. Michael Hurley/Unholy Modal Rounders/Jeffrey Frederick and the Clamtones: Have Moicy! (1976 [1991], Rounder)
  23. Linton Kwesi Johnson: Making History (1984, Mango)
  24. Kid Creole and the Coconuts: Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places (1981, Sire/ZE)
  25. Ronnie Lane's Slim Choice: One for the Road (1976, Island)
  26. Nick Lowe: Jesus of Cool (1975-78 [2008], Yep Roc)
  27. Lyrics Born: Later That Day . . . (2003, Quannum Projects)
  28. Van Morrison: Into the Music (1979, Warner Brothers, rock-60s)
  29. Maria Muldaur and Her Garden of Joy: Good Time Music for Hard Times (2009, Stony Plain)
  30. New Order: Brotherhood (1986, Qwest)
  31. New York Dolls: In Too Much, Too Soon (1974, Mercury)
  32. Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994, Matador)
  33. Pere Ubu: The Modern Dance (1978, Blank)
  34. Pet Shop Boys: Very (1993, Capitol)
  35. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973, Capitol)
  36. Professor Longhair: Crawfish Fiesta (1980, Alligator)
  37. Public Enemy: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988, Def Jam)
  38. Pulnoc: City of Hysteria (1991, Arista)
  39. Roxy Music: Stranded (1974, Reprise)
  40. Patti Smith: Horses (1975, Arista)
  41. Todd Snider: Live: The Storyteller (2010 [2011], Aimless)
  42. Sonic Youth: Dirty (1992, DGC)
  43. Mavis Staples: We'll Never Turn Back (2007, Anti-)
  44. Swamp Dogg: Total Destruction to Your Mind (1970, Canyon)
  45. Talking Heads: Remain in Light (1980, Sire)
  46. They Might Be Giants: They Might Be Giants (1986, Restless)
  47. The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground (1969, Verve)
  48. Lucinda Williams: Lucinda Williams (1988, Rough Trade)
  49. X-Ray Spex: Germ Free Adolescents (1978, Blue Plate)
  50. Neil Young: Rust Never Sleeps (1979, Reprise)

I started with about 700 albums from the 1,001 list, so compression was most brutal here. Many major artists, some with a half-dozen or more candidate albums), got squeezed out -- some partially salvaged with a best-of further down, some unaccountably vanishing.

Second, for balance, here's a jazz list, including pre-rock pop vocals, and single-artist compilations (mostly old):

  1. Air: Lore (1979, Novus)
  2. Amalgam: Prayer for Peace (1969 [2002], FMR)
  3. Louis Armstrong: Portait of the Artist as a Young Man (1923-34 [1994], Columbia, 4CD)
  4. Albert Ayler: Spiritual Unity (1964 [2005], ESP-Disk)
  5. Billy Bang: Vietnam: The Aftermath (2001, Justin Time)
  6. Arthur Blythe: Lenox Avenue Breakdown (1978, Columbia)
  7. Benny Carter: Cosmopolite: The Oscar Peterson Sessions (1952-54 [1994], Verve)
  8. James Carter: The Real Quietstorm (1995, Atlantic)
  9. Ornette Coleman: The Shape of Jazz to Come (1959, Atlantic)
  10. John Coltrane: A Love Supreme (1964, Impulse)
  11. Miles Davis: A Tribute to Jack Johnson (1970, Columbia)
  12. Duke Ellington: The Far East Suite: Special Mix (1966 [1995], RCA)
  13. Bill Evans: Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961, Riverside)
  14. Jan Garbarek/Bobo Stenson: Witchi-Tai-To (1973 [1974], ECM)
  15. Stan Getz/Kenny Barron: People Time (1991 [1992], Verve Gitanes, 2CD)
  16. Dizzy Gillespie: Night in Tunisia: The Very Best of Dizzy Gillespie (1946-49 [2006], Bluebird/Legacy)
  17. Coleman Hawkins/Duke Ellington: Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins (1962 [1995], Impulse)
  18. Johnny Hodges: Passion Flower (1940-46 [1995], RCA)
  19. Dave Holland: Conference of the Birds (1972, ECM)
  20. Lee Konitz: Subconscious-Lee (1949-50 [1991], Prestige)
  21. Jackie McLean: New Soil (1959 [1988], Blue Note)
  22. Charles Mingus: Mingus Ah Um (1959, Columbia)
  23. Thelonious Monk: It's Monk's Time (1964 [2003], Columbia/Legacy)
  24. Mostly Other People Do the Killing: Shamokin!!! (2006 [2007], Hot Cup)
  25. David Murray: Long Goodbye: A Tribute to Don Pullen (1996 [1997], DIW)
  26. Herbie Nichols: The Complete Blue Note Recordings (1955-56, Blue Note, 3CD)
  27. William Parker: Raining on the Moon (2001 [2002], Thirsty Ear)
  28. Art Pepper: Living Legend (1975 [1989], Contemporary)
  29. Bud Powell: The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 1 (1949-53 [1989], Blue Note)
  30. Don Pullen/George Adams: Breakthrough (1986, Blue Note)
  31. Sonny Rollins: Silver City (1972-95 [1996], Milestone, 2CD)
  32. Roswell Rudd: Flexible Flyer (1974, Arista Freedom)
  33. Jimmy Rushing: The You and Me That Used to Be (1971, RCA)
  34. George Russell: Jazz Workshop (1956 [1987], RCA Bluebird)
  35. Pharoah Sanders: Welcome to Love (1990, Timeless)
  36. Alex Von Schlippenbach/Axel Dörner/Rudi Mahall/Jan Roder/Uli Jennessen: Monk's Casino: The Complete Works of Thelonious Monk (2003-04 [2005], Intakt, 3CD)
  37. Irène Schweizer: Portrait (1984-2004 [2006], Intakt, 2CD)
  38. Matthew Shipp: Harmony and Abyss (2004, Thirsty Ear)
  39. Horace Silver: The Jody Grind (1966 [1991], Blue Note)
  40. Tommy Smith/Brian Kellock: Symbiosis (2004 [2005], Spartacus)
  41. Sonic Liberation Front: Ashé a Go-Go (2004, High Two)
  42. Sun Ra: Jazz in Silhouette (1958 [1991], Evidence)
  43. Horace Tapscott: The Dark Tree (1989 [2014], Hatology, 2CD)
  44. Cecil Taylor: The World of Cecil Taylor (1960, Candid)
  45. Vandermark Five: Target or Flag (1997 [1998], Atavistic)
  46. Vienna Art Orchestra: From No Time to Rag Time (1982, Hat Art)
  47. Mal Waldron/Jackie McLean: Left Alone '86 (1986, Evidence)
  48. David S. Ware: Corridors and Parallels (2001, AUM Fidelity)
  49. Ben Webster: The Soul of Ben Webster (1957-58 [1995], Verve, 2CD)
  50. Lester Young: The Essential Keynote Collection 1: The Complete Lester Young (1944 [1987], Mercury)

Swapped the Ellington/Hawkins order, as Ellington has another record on the list, and Hawkins doesn't (not that he doesn't have a dozen that could be).

Third, here is a list of individual artist compilations that I at first considered for above, but decided to move out to make room for original albums.

  1. King Sunny Ade: The Best of the Classic Years (1967-74 [2003], Shanachie)
  2. Chuck Berry: The Definitive Collection (1955-72 [2006], Geffen/Chess/Chronicles)
  3. Big Bill Broonzy: The Young Big Bill Broonzy 1928-1935 (1928-35, Yazoo)
  4. James Brown: Star Time (1956-84 [1991], Polydor, 4CD)
  5. The Buzzcocks: Operator's Manual: The Buzzcocks Best ([1991], IRS)
  6. Johnny Cash: The Legend (1955-2002 [2005], Columbia/Legacy, 4CD)
  7. Ray Charles: The Birth of Soul (1951-59 [1991], Rhino/Atlantic, 3CD)
  8. The Coasters: 50 Coastin' Classics (1954-68 [1992], Rhino, 2CD)
  9. Nat King Cole: The World of Nat King Cole (1943-91 [2005], Capitol)
  10. Sam Cooke: The Man and His Music (1957-64 [1986], RCA)
  11. Bo Diddley: The Chess Box (1955-74 [1990], Chess, 2CD)
  12. Fats Domino: My Blue Heaven: The Best of Fats Domino (1949-61 [1990], EMI)
  13. The Drifters: The Very Best of the Drifters (1959-64 [1993], Rhino)
  14. Ian Dury: Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll: The Best of Ian Dury and the Blockheads (1977-80 [1992], Rhino)
  15. Franco: The Very Best of the Rumba Giant of Zaire (1956-87 [2000], Manteca)
  16. Aretha Franklin: 30 Greatest Hits (1967-73 [1985], Atlantic, 2CD)
  17. Lefty Frizzell: Look What Thoughts Will Do (1950-63 [1997], Columbia/Legacy, 2CD)
  18. Marvin Gaye: Anthology (1961-77 [1986], Motown)
  19. The Go-Betweens: 1978-1990 (1978-90, Beggars Banquet)
  20. Al Green: Greatest Hits (1972-75 [1995], The Right Stuff)
  21. Merle Haggard: Hag: The Best of Merle Haggard (1966-2005 [2007], Capitol)
  22. Tom T. Hall: The Essential Tom T. Hall: The Story Songs (1968-84 [1998], Mercury)
  23. Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box (1951-73 [1991], Chess, 3CD)
  24. Mississippi John Hurt: Rediscovered (1965-66 [1998], Vanguard)
  25. Jan and Dean: Gotta Take That One Last Ride (1963-66 [1974], United Artists)
  26. Louis Jordan: The Best of Louis Jordan (1942-45 [1975], MCA)
  27. Fela Anikulapo Kuti: The Best Best of Fela Kuti (1972-89 [1999], MCA, 2CD)
  28. Jerry Lee Lewis: Original Sun Greatest Hits (1956-63 [1984], Rhino)
  29. Little Richard: The Georgia Peach (1955-57 [1991], Specialty)
  30. Loretta Lynn: 20 Greatest Hits (1965-81 [1987], MCA)
  31. Maddox Brothers and Rose: A Proper Introduction to Maddox Brothers and Rose: That'll Learn Ya Durn Ya (1948-53 [2004], Proper)
  32. Madonna: The Immaculate Collection (1983-90 [1990], Sire)
  33. Bob Marley: Legend (1972-80 [1984], Tuff Gong)
  34. Curtis Mayfield/The Impressions: The Anthology (1961-77 [1993], MCA, 2CD)
  35. Mighty Sparrow: Volume One/Volume Two ([1992], Ice, 2CD)
  36. Roger Miller: All Time Greatest Hits (1964-85 [2003], Mercury/Chronicles)
  37. Parliament: Tear the Roof Off (1974-80 [1993], Casablanca, 2CD)
  38. Carl Perkins: Original Sun Greatest Hits (1954-57 [1986], Rhino)
  39. Wilson Pickett: A Man and a Half: The Best of Wilson Pickett (1961-71 [1992], Rhino, 2CD)
  40. Charlie Poole: You Ain't Talkin' to Me: Charlie Poole and the Roots of Country Music (1902-40 [2005], Columbia/Legacy, 3CD)
  41. John Prine: Great Days: The John Prine Anthology (1971-91 [1993], Rhino, 2CD)
  42. Otis Redding: The Otis Redding Story (1962-67 [1989], Atlantic, 3CD)
  43. The Shirelles: The Very Best of the Shirelles (1958-63 [1994], Rhino)
  44. Steinski: What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective (1983-2006 [2008], Illegal Art, 2CD)
  45. The Temptations: Greatest Hits (1964-66, Motown)
  46. Merle Travis: The Best of Merle Travis (1946-68 [1990], Rhino)
  47. Muddy Waters: The Chess Box (1947-72 [1991], Chess, 3CD)
  48. The Who: Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy (1965-68 [1971], MCA)
  49. Hank Williams: The Original Singles Collection (1942-52 [1990], Polydor, 3CD)
  50. Bob Wills: Anthology 1935-1973 (1935-73 [1991], Rhino, 2CD)

Finally, here's a (shorter) list of various artists compilations:

  1. African Connection, Vol. 1: Zaire Choc! ([1988], Celluloid)
  2. American Pop: An Audio History from Minstrel to Mojo on Record, 1893-1946 (1893-46 [1998], West Hill, 9CD)
  3. Anthology of American Folk Music ([1997], Smithsonian Folkways, 6CD)
  4. The Best of Excello Records, Vol. 2: Southern Rhythm 'n' Rock (1954-66 [1990], Rhino)
  5. The Blues: A Smithsonian Collection of Classic Blues Singers (1923-85 [1993], Smithsonian, 4CD)
  6. Blues Masters Volume 5: Jump Blues Classics ([1992], Rhino)
  7. Brazil Classics 2: O Samba ([1989], Luaka Bop)
  8. Creole Kings of New Orleans (1950-58 [1992], Specialty)
  9. The Daisy Age (1989-94 [2018], Ace)
  10. Dance Floor Divas: The '70s (1974-82 [1996], Rhino)
  11. Down in the Basement: Joe Bussard's Treasure Trove of Vintage 78s (1926-37 [2003], Old Hat)
  12. Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit Records 1960-1962 (1960-62 [2002], Capitol)
  13. Girl Group Greats (1960-65 [2001], Rhino)
  14. Guitar Paradise of East Africa ([1991], Earthworks)
  15. Hairspray ([1988], MCA)
  16. Hurricane Zouk ([1988], Earthworks/Virgin)
  17. The Indestructible Beat of Soweto ([1986], Shanachie)
  18. The Kings and Queens of Township Jive: Modern Roots of the Indestructible Beat of Soweto ([1991], Earthworks)
  19. Motown: The Classic Years (1960-72 [2000], UTV)
  20. Mr. Magic's Rap Attack, Vol. 4 ([1988], Profile)
  21. The Music in My Head ([1998], Sterns)
  22. New Millennium Doo Wop Party (1954-61 [2000], Rhino)
  23. Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era (1965-68 [1972], Sire)
  24. The R&B Box: 30 Years of Rhythm and Blues (1944-74 [1994], Rhino, 6CD)
  25. The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll 1946-1954 (1946-54 [2004], Hip-O, 3CD)
  26. Something Got a Hold of Me: A Treasury of Sacred Music ([1990], RCA)
  27. Tougher than Tough: The Story of Jamaican Music (1959-93 [1993], Island, 4CD)
  28. Wall of Sound: The Very Best of Phil Spector 1961-1966 (1961-66 [2011], Phil Spector/Legacy)
  29. When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 6: Poor Man's Heaven (1928-40 [2003], Bluebird)
  30. Wild About My Lovin': Beale Street Blues (1928-30 [1991], RCA)

Initial draft 2020-10-08. I reserve the right to fiddle with this list going forward, but I'm unlikely to sour on anything here. A more sensible alteration would be to expand the non-jazz albums to 75 or even 100. Some epochal artists who haven't appeared in any of these lists (and these are just ones that popped into my head, and they are huge omissions): The Beatles, Art Blakey, Blondie, David Bowie, Anthony Braxton, Captain Beefheart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Earl Hines, Buddy Holly, Billie Holiday, Elmore James, George Jones, Led Zeppelin, Los Lobos, Mekons, Joni Mitchell, Bill Monroe, Benny Moré, Youssou N'Dour, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, Perez Prado, Elvis Presley, Prince, Ramones, Amy Rigby, Tabu Ley Rochereau, The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Art Tatum, Loudon Wainwright III, Fats Waller, Sonny Boy Williamson, Stevie Wonder. Others included only via bands: George Clinton, Lou Reed. Other bands only alluded to by a solo artist album: Steely Dan. Some others that didn't come close to the list but you may be wondering about: Woody Guthrie, Michael Jackson, Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Peter Seeger, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, Wussy.