| 3. |
|
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young &
Crazy Horse (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Young’s second
solo album showcases not only his songwriting, but also his sonic
innovations. Lead by Young's singular guitar, the songs (“Cinnamon
Girl,” “Down by the River”, “Cowgirl in the Sand”) on Nowhere are
loose . . . |
|
| 4. |
|
 |
Songs of Love and Hate
Leonard Cohen (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Cohen’s third
album is his most emotionally intense, dark and moving. Songs like
"Famous Blue Raincoat" and "Avalanche" are haunting and among the
iconoclastic Cohen's most enduring. -- S. Duda |
|
| 5. |
|
 |
Blue
Joni Mitchell (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Joni Mitchell
would go on from this ‘71 recording to make more popular, more
ambitious, and more challenging albums, but she's never made a better
one. Working with minimal accompaniment (Stephen Stills and James
Taylor are two of the four sidemen) . . . |
|
| 6. |
|
 |
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
On their
sophomore effort, the Cowboy Junkies manage to make a one-day
recording session in an old church one of their most satisfying
listens. Featuring the sultry voice of Margo Timmins, the precise
musicianship of her brothers Peter (on drums) and Michael (on guitar),
and bassist Alan Anton . . .
|
|
| 7. |
|
 |
Harvest
Neil Young (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Proclaiming his
intentions with "Are You Ready for the Country?" Young detoured
briefly to the Nashville mainstream. On this No. 1 1972 album, even
the singer's acquired-taste voice comes across smooth and
beautiful--the smash "Heart of Gold," with steel guitars and Linda
Ronstadt's backup... Read more
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
One Chord to Another
Sloan (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Question: Is
there an album in the entire history of Canadian rock with as many
hooks and harmonies as One Chord to Another? Answer: No. Sloan's
finest moments here underline their reputation as Canada's "Fab Four"
with uncluttered songs that both rock and sway with grace and verve.
-- S. Duda |
|
| 9. |
|
 |
I've Been Everywhere: The Hank Snow Story
Hank Snow (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Canada's
greatest contribution to country music, Nova Scotia's "Singing Ranger"
had 65 Billboard hits from 1949-1974 and was a regular on the Grand
Old Opry stage. Though not a proper Hank Snow release, this
single-disc, greatest-hits collection illustrates Snow's complete
mastery . . . |
|
| 10. |
|
 |
Night Train
Oscar Peterson Trio (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
This 1962
recording represents Oscar Peterson at his most commercially
accommodating, yet his trio with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen never fails
to swing. The program includes such familiar melodies as the title
track (which began life as Duke Ellington's "Happy Go Lucky Local") .
. . |
|
| 11. |
|
 |
Moving Pictures
Rush (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
With Moving
Pictures, Rush's complex songwriting and musical virtuosity reached
new heights. It's that rarest of creatures, a highly listenable
progressive-rock album; even the all-instrumental "YYZ" is of interest
to listeners besides musicians. The highlight of the album is
"Limelight"; like... Read more |
|
| 12. |
|
 |
All for You
Diana Krall (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
All for You is a
tribute to the Nat "King" Cole Trio of the 1940s, when Cole performed
as both a singer and a pianist. Krall, like her heroes Lena Horne and
Carmen McRae, is also a singer-pianist, and she plays both roles on
most of the songs here. |
|
| 13. |
|
 |
Hardcore 81
DOA (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Vancouver B.C.'s
best-known punk band were not only participants in the hardcore
revolution of 1979-1985, they helped define the genre's sound along
with the likes of Black Flag, Minor Threat and Bad Brains. |
|
| 14. |
|
 |
Five Days in July
Blue Rodeo (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Toronto-based
Blue Rodeo was purveying its own alternately sunny, grizzled mix of
country and rock before the alternative country boomlet made it
fashionable. This self-produced 1993 album, recorded mostly live at
the band's farm, brought them fans partly because of the alternative
country trend . . . |
|
| 15. |
|
 |
The Band
The Band (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Popularly known
as the "Brown Album," this is the collection people first think of
when this august outfit's name is mentioned. The four-parts Canadian,
one-part Arkansan quintet's sophomore effort boasts more
soon-to-be-staples than any other |
|
| 16. |
|
|
American Woman
The Guess Who (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
American Woman,
the most successful Guess Who album, was something of a swansong for
the band, as Randy Bachman left shortly after the supporting tour for
the record was concluded. But what a swan song it was! American Woman
boasted the opening barrage of the title track followed up by "No
Time" . . . |
|
| 17. |
|
 |
Oar
Alexander Spence (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
The only solo
album by the former member of Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver
Messenger Service and Moby Grape, "Oar" has achieved legendary status
not only for it's stark, quiet ramblings, but also for the story
surrounding its acid-drenched creation. |
|
| 18. |
|
 |
Fogarty's Cove
Stan Rogers (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Released in
1976, Fogerty's Cove is a quintessentially Canadian album. Guided by
Rodgers' steady, handsome baritone, Cove's dozen tales of Nova Scotia
and the sea evoke time and place like few other audio documents.
Simply beautiful. -- S. Duda |
|
| 19. |
|
 |
Ingenue
k.d. Lang (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
The album on
which she officially gave up on Nashville and began singing torchy,
adult-contemporary pop, Ingénue has been referred to by lang as her
"stalker" album for its emphasis on songs about desire and obsession.
Despite such onerous implications, the album is a charmer, . . . |
|
| 20. |
|
|
Not Two, Not One
Paul Bley (Artist), et al
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Reunited with
the rhythm section of percussionist Paul Motian and bassist Gary
Peacock, pianist Paul Bley turns in a profoundly enjoyable performance
at the keyboard, sounding both thoughtful and full of life. Bley is an
exceptionally talented improviser . . . . |
|
| 21. |
|
|
Blue Hysteria
Rheostatics (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Quintessentially Canadian, the Rheostatics staunch
individuality and downright quirkiness has won them scores of
likeminded fans. On Blue Hysteria, they settle down just long enough
to allow this enduring snapshot to be created. -- S. Duda |
|
| 22. |
|
 |
Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada [EP]
Godspeed
You Black Emperor (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
This nine-piece
Montreal collective sketches large-scale sonic landscapes using
everything from strings to samples. Exceedingly plush and atmospheric,
Slow Riot funnels a dramatic undercurrent through their music, adding
an undeniably cinematic quality . . . |
|
| 23. |
|
 |
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
(Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Joni Mitchell
has made prettier albums; more successful albums; albums with more
hits, but she's never made an album as challenging or as visionary as
Hissing of Summer lawns. Combining folk, jazz, pop and world music,
Mitchell makes her intricate, beguiling songs sound easy . . . |
|
| 24. |
|
|
Live Rust
Neil Young & Crazy Horse (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Released just
months after the critically acclaimed "Rust Never Sleeps", Live Rust
includes a number of tracks from that album, as well as a solid look
back at Young's remarkable career. |
|
| 25. |
|
 |
Sundown
Gordon Lightfoot (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
This album
wasn't Lightfoot's breakthrough recording, but it was both a
demonstration of the rocking electric turn most folkies would make
after Dylan's revolution and a commercially successful marriage of
soulful, R&B sensibility with folk narratives. |
|
| 26. |
|
 |
Fully Completely
The Tragically Hip (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Widely
considered the Hip's finest recorded moment, Fully Completely simmers
with singer Gord Downie's passionate lyrics and delivery supported by
the bands honest, gritty approach. |
|
| 27. |
|
 |
Fly by Night
Rush (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Released in
1975, Fly By Night marks the first record by Rush featuring the line
up of Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. This album sees them
transition away from the music that helped shape their early sound --
ala Cream and most notably, Led Zeppelin . . |
|
| 28. |
|
 |
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Sarah Mclachlan
(Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Pre-Lilith Fair,
McLachlan had critical acclaim and a cult following but was otherwise
just another hard-working female singer/songwriter--one who wasn't
blasting down doors with overt sexuality or popping along in front of
a male Svengali. |
|
| 29. |
|
|
Bachman Turner Overdrive: Not Fragile |
|
| 30. |
|
|
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette (Artist)
|
From Amazon.co.uk
You could argue that
Jagged Little Pill is the commercialised face of grunge. You
could argue that Morrisette is just a cynical businesswoman, courting
controversy with a few carefully placed, risqué references. |
|
| 31. |
|
|
Souvenirs
Stompin Tom Connors (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Every Canadian
household should have at least one album by Dr. Stompin' Tom Connors.
This best-of is the obvious choice. And yes, it does include "The
Hockey Song"-- S. Duda |
|
| 32. |
|
|
Mass Romantic
The New Pornographers (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
The debut of
this Vancouver indie supergroup led by Zumpano's Carl Newman sent
critics scrambling to the early 80s and mid 60s for power-pop
forebears, and it sent everyone else bouncing down the street and
shouting out car windows. I |
|
| 33. |
|
|
Goodbye Enemy Airship the Landlord Is Dead
Do
Make Say Think (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Moody, cathartic
and cinematic are just a few words used by critics who were sent
scrambling to their thesaurus upon the release of this album.
Combining elements of jazz, ambient, and progressive rock, Do Make Say
Think were quickly identified as part of Canada's highly-touted
"post-rock" scene . . . |
|
| 34. |
|
|
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Cohen hits his
mid-career peak on I'm Your Man. Though still dark, there are touches
of black humour and irony throughout and Cohen's voice was never a
deeply rich. -- S. Duda |
|
| 35. |
|
|
You Forgot It in People
Broken Social Scene
(Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
This
Juno-award-winning sophomore effort seemed to legitimize Canada's
much-discussed and highly touted "post-rock" scene. Drawing on a
revolving cast of 11 members, Broken Social Scene's guitar driven,
orchestral and amazingly diverse rock entranced hipsters and rock fans
alike . . . |
|
| 36. |
|
|
Failer
Kathleen Edwards (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
With this, her
2003 debut, Kathleen Edwards' was hailed by critics and fans as the
next Lucinda Williams. Her gutsy, tough, country/rock songs struck an
instant chord with fans across North America appreciative of Edwards’
frank lyrics and honest musicianship. -- S. Duda |
|
| 37. |
|
|
Surfacing
Sarah Mclachlan (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
There's the
requisite number of gorgeously melodic and deeply heartfelt songs
here--the addictive ""Sweet Surrender,"" the Hollywood-style ballad
""I Love You,"" the sad, profound ""Angel,"" the flat-out spectacular
""Witness."" McLachlan's not prolific, but this short, bittersweet
album proves . . . |
|
| 38. |
|
|
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
The son of
Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, Rufus Wainwright has music
in his genes. His debut, Rufus Wainwright, introduces listeners to a
fully- formed personality with a unique musical vision. Wainwright's
music can be anything from painfully romantic to nostalgic . . . |
|
| 39. |
|
|
Triptych
The Tea Party (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
On Tryptych, the
Tea Party deliver the coherent, fulfilling statement hinted at in
earlier albums. The band's lush sound finally feels settled and
complete, and with that foundation, the band is able to take sound
grand leaps. -- S. Duda |
|
| 40. |
|
See picture |
You've Never Seen Everything
Bruce Cockburn
(Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Ever evolving,
Bruce Cockburn has been one of Canada's most compelling voices since
his debut in 1970, mixing folk with his introspective songs. On You've
Never Seen Everything, however, we see yet another new side to
Cockburn. |
|
| 41. |
|
|
Clumsy
Our Lady Peace (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
No sophomore
jinx here. Following up on their debut, Naveed, Our Lady Peace brought
their full arsenal of solid rock riffs to the table for this 1997
release. The sound here is more mature, with the and smoothing out the
rough spots and adding body to their sound. -- S. Duda
|
|
| 42. |
|
|
We Were Born in a Flame
Sam Roberts
(Performer) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Riding an
early-century surge in Canadian singer/songwriter talent, Sam Roberts'
second LP struck a chord all across North America with his mellow
hooks and laid-back melodies. We Were Born In a Flame succeeds not
because of its toe- tapping feel, but rather because below it's
Beatle-esque sheen . . . |
|
| 43. |
|
|
You Were Here
Sarah Harmer (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Harmer, the
former singer for Weeping Tile gained well-deserved attention with her
second effort. You Were Here is a meticulously crafted album full of
the singer/songwriter's pensive, emotionally charged compositions. |
|
| 44. |
|
|
Up
Great Big Sea (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Blending
high-energy Celtic and Newfi influences with charged rock, Great Big
Sea hits on all cylinders on this 1996 release. While adding a bit
more muscle to their sound on UP, Great Big Sea still retained the
power of tradition. |
|
| 45. |
|
|
The McGarrigle Hour
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
(Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
To say the
least, the eighth album by these French Canadian folk singing sisters
is decidedly a family affair. Like one of those old Osmond family TV
specials that the album's title parodies, the McGarrigles rally their
kinfolk . . . |
|
| 46. |
|
|
Come on Over
Shania Twain (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
C'mon Over
defined the crossover country album upon its release in 1997 and it's
infectious, sing-along female-power songs quickly became a Nashville
formula. Twain had to have been doing something right. C'mon Over sold
close to 40 million copies. -- S. Duda |
|
| 47. |
|
|
Love Tara
Eric's Trip (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
The first
Canadian band signed to grunge standard-bearer Sub Pop, Eric's Trip
emerged from the same scene as Sloan. Released in 1992, Love, Tara
blended the band's low-fi pop leanings with a noisy, guitar-fueled
spirit much more reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine than Sonic Youth. |
|
| 48. |
|
|
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Kid Koala (Artist)
|
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
On his debut
album, turntablist Kid Koala stunned listeners with his densely
packed, witty sound pastiches. The Kid's work is both sweet and funky
ear candy while also a marvelously intricate, skilled display of
turntable skills. Skipping through decades of musical samples with
razor sharp beats . . . |
|
| 49. |
|
|
Shine
Daniel Lanois (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
A sensuous,
beguiling album of surprising depth and grace from an artist better
known for producing albums (The Joshua Tree) than performing on them.
Lanois' songs are subtle and textured, with the additions of Emmylou
Harris and Bono on vocals for two tracks working like a charm. |
|
| 50. |
|
|
Absolute Torch and Twang
k.d. lang and the
Reclines (Artist) |
Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
This 1989 album
was k.d. lang's generous farewell to the country music world that had
given her the cold shoulder after her stellar collaboration with
legendary producer Owen Bradley on Shadowland. |
