Pop, Country, Folk/Rock etc. singer Rita Coolidge released her first album in early 1971 on A&M records SP-4291.  She has also sung backup vocals with artists like Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Stephen Stills, Duane Allman and others.  From her debut album here is Second Story Window:

From late 1971 is Rita Coolidge's second release, Nice Feelin'.  Again this album was critically acclaimed, but did not become a commercial success for Rita. From her third release on A&M SP-4370, The Lady's Not For Sale, here is her cover of Dylan's song I'll Be Your Baby Tonight:

The Kids Are The Same, is the second album by Power Pop  L.A. band, Paul Collins' Beat.  From 1982, released on Columbia FC 36794, here is the title track:

Phil Collins debut solo album, Face Value, released in 1981, became an instant success selling over 5 million units in the States alone.  Phil Collins is one of only three artists to sell over 100 million albums, separately, both as a solo artist and as the principal member of a band.
My pick from this album is the cover of the Beatles song Tomorrow Never Knows:

From 1982 comes Hello, I Must be Going, another very successful release by Phil Collins which contains may hit singles like the cover of the Supremes song You Can't Hurry Love.  Not until 1985 did Phil Collins release another album, No Jacket Required, his third studio release, won three Grammy awards, including album of the year.  While these are both very good albums, they are a little too pop for my taste, and certainly sound like the 1980's.  That being said, I do really like Long Long Way To Go:   from No Jacket Required.

Serious Hits...Live! is just that; live recordings from Phil Collins 1990 Seriously, Live World Tour.  Instead of just recording the live show, this album is made up of his top hits, but recorded live.  This is an excellent representation of him live.  Well recorded, with great sound and all hits!

Chicken Skin Music, the fifth studio release by Ry Cooder, is an interesting mix of music styles and adaptation of traditional songs.  From early blues to Hawaiian gospel.  Here is a Hawaiian style version of Yellow Roses:

The Long Riders, is the soundtrack from the movie about the James-Younger Gang, released in 1980 on Warner Brothers XHS-3448.  Know for his interest in roots music and traditional instruments, Ry Cooder did a fabulous job on this album, giving it a very authentic feel.
Listen to I'm a Good Old Rebel:

Sometimes called the "Father of Soul", Sam Cooke had a large influence on future soul singers like Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and others.  I go to a lot of garage sales during the season, and this album, among other great soul classics, was at a rather out of the way sale.  I think the owner was as surprised by my selections as I was to find such great music.  It turned out his family moved from Philadelphia, and brought the records with them.  From 1961 on RCA Victor LSP-2392, here is Don't Get Around Much Anymore:

The self titled debut album by the Australian Pub band The Cockroaches, was released in 1987 on the independent record label, Regular Records, RML 53237.  Pop rock, bordering on rockabilly, this is a fun party/dance album.  Here is their cover of Double Shot (of my baby's love):

Songs of Leonard Cohen, his debut release on Columbia CS 9533, from 1967, will be a bit of a surprise if you have come to Leonard Cohen's music after the fame of Hallelujah, as his voice is still young. Not yet the whisky soaked deep voice of later recordings.
This singer/songwriter/poet, is truly a Canadian Icon and some of his songs are among my favourites.  Here is Sisters of Mercy followed by One of Us Cannot Be Wrong:

In his earlier music career, Leonard Cohen was much more popular in Europe than in North America.  Songs of Love and Hate, his 3rd studio album, reached #4 in the UK and only managed to climb to #145 on the billboard chart in the US.  Released on Columbia C-30103 in the US & CBS S-64090 in Europe (this copy is the latter) in 1971, I feel this an essential recording for any collector of Cohen.  Dark and beautiful at the same time.  This has two of his most enduring songs: Famous Blue Raincoat and Joan of Arc. 

Songs of Love & Hate, here is one of each:

Containing the most famous song Leonard Cohen ever wrote, perhaps the most famous song ever written period, Various Positions,  released in late 1984 in Canada and early 1985 elsewhere, did not break any records for sales at the time.  But at some point the song Hallelujah started to gain recognition.  With over 300 covers having been done of this song, it is hard to think that everyone has not heard at least one version; whether from the movie Shrek, Jeff Buckley's beautiful version or K.D. Lang at the Vancouver Olympics.  In a conversation in Paris with Bob Dylan, talking about recent songs they had written, Dylan showed Cohen lyrics to the song  I and I, he had just written.  Leonard asked how long it had taken him to write the song; "fifteen minutes" Dylan replied, then asked how long he had spent on Hallelujah, which he had just shown Bob.  Leonard replied "a couple of years" too embarrassed to tell him the truth of 5 years.  Filling note books of lyrics for the song, Leonard pared it down to around 80 verses, of which he finally edited down to this:

This album has many other great songs, including one of my favourites, Dance Me to the End of Love and Coming Back to You.  An album well worth owning.

From 1969 comes the self titled second studio album by British rock and blues singer Joe Cocker, on A&M SP 4224.  With such a distinctive gritty voice, Cocker is easily recognised like on this cover of Leon Russell's Delta Lady:

Luxury You Can Afford, is the 7th studio album by Joe Cocker. Released in 1978 on Asylum 6E-145, his one and only album with this label.  This is an album entirely of cover songs, and although it did not get great reviews, I like most of it.  I do feel that his version of Procol Harums A Lighter Shade of Pale is too slow and I Heard it Through the Grapevine, just doesn't work.  My pick from this album is I Can't Say No:

Now with Island Records, Sheffield Steel was recorded at (Island Owner) Chris Blackwell's, Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, with house band, the Compass Point All-Stars, providing a smooth consistent rhythm throughout this superb album.
From the 1982 release on Island XILP 9750, here is Look What You've Done:

Although Civilized Man is a solid album, I feel it is a little overproduced, making it too slick.  This just doesn't quite jive with Cocker's gravely voice.  A good album, but not my favourite.  On Capitol label now, ST-12335, released in 1984, my pick from this album is Long Drag Off A Cigarette:

In The Falling Dark is the seventh album by Canadian Folk icon Bruce Cockburn, released in 1976 on True North records TN-26.  Folk is probably too narrow a description for this outstanding album; very musical with excellent songwriting as well.  Here is Gavin's Woodpile:

After a decade of recording, Bruce Cockburn finally broke into the US market with the hit song Wondering Where the Lions are from this album, Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws.  Another beautiful acoustic album, on True North TN-37, my pick from this album is Hills of Morning:

The debut self titled album by the punk band The Clash, originally released in the UK on CBS records in 1977, sold only as in import in the USA till this release on Epic JE 36060 in 1979, with early copies including a bonus 7" single.  This album actually became the second US release following Give 'Em Enough Rope.  The tracks on the two releases were quite different, sharing only 9 of the 14 songs from the original release.  This album was released in Canada in '77 with the UK track list, but with a blue border.  A hugely influential band, not just in the punk genre, The Clash was a talented group of musicians and singer songwriters, who, while playing well, sounded like they couldn't play, as was the trademark of punk; loud, poorly recorded and angry! Perfect punk rock!  Listen to White Man in Hammersmith Palais, then London's Burning:

London Calling the 1979 release by The Clash, on Epic E244025, is an amazing album!  Considered Post Punk, but really covering many musical genres, from Punk to Rockabilly, Reggae, R&B, you name it, its there.  It is hard to go wrong with this album, I don't think you could not like it, it is that good.  Among many other accolades, Rolling Stone magazine listed this album at number 8 of the top 500 albums of all time, & in 1999 Q magazine named it the fourth best British album of all time. Here is Jimmy Jazz,  Lost in the Supermarket  followed by Train in Vain.  In early pressing of this album, the track Train is Vain is not listed on the cover or label.  It was added in later pressings.

Black Market Clash is a compilation album of B-sides, previously unreleased in North America, which was originally released on a 10" LP in USA and Canada only.  It was subsequently released as a 12" LP (which this is). Epic/Nu-Disk 12EXP-304.  My pick from this album is the punk/reggae number bankrobber/robber dub:

Having just fired guitarist Mick Jones, and previously gotten rid of drummer Topper Headon for heroin use, then with the addition of three new musicians, Cut The Crap, was effectively released by a new band.
From 1985 on Epic FE 40017; as the name implies, they were attempting to get back to their roots of punk rock, but sadly it failed on this record.  With this being their final album, it was not a great way to end an otherwise brilliant musical career.  There are a couple of good songs on this album, Three Card Trick, Fingerpoppin' and This is England:

Perhaps the best place to start with such a prolific artist, The History of Eric Clapton, from 1972 on Atco SD 2-803.  Covering music from the Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, with Delaney & Bonnie, Derek & The Dominos as well as solo recordings; this is a great intro to Clapton's early musical career.  With around 100 albums in Clapton's repertoire, it would be expensive to have them all, so this may be a good start! With the Yardbirds here is I Ain't Got You:

Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert, was organised by Pete Townsend, a friend of Clapton's, partly as a way to get Eric working again after a 2 year musical slump and way too much heroin use.  The concert was a success and a start to recovery for Clapton.  I don't think there was an awful lot of rehearsing before this concert, as is evident in the songs! But a good album none the less. Playing with Clapton is Pete Townsend, Ronnie Wood, Rick Grech, Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Jimmy Karstein & Rebop. On RSO label, 2394-116 here is their cover of J.J. Cale's After Midnight:

The fifth solo album by Eric Clapton, Slowhand, is the favourite in my collection of Clapton's solo work.  On RSO RS 1-3030 from 1977, this album has three huge hits in Cocaine, Wonderful Tonight, Lay Down Sally and my picks from this great album  We're All The Way  and the bluesy  Mean Old Frisco:

Recorded on tour at the Budokan Theater in Tokyo in late 1979, Just One Night is a superb double live album.  If you like live albums this is the one to get of Clapton's. The band is awesome, the sound is good and the music selection is also great.  On RSO RS 2-4003 from 1980
here is the Otis Rush song Double Trouble:

Behind the Sun, from 1985 is Clapton's 9th solo album, and second on his Duck Label, distributed by Warner Bros.  Produced by Phil Collins, this album is very well done musically, but I feel it is missing something...passion perhaps.  Kind of feels like he is just going through the motions, not really into the music.  Listen to Knock on Wood and see what you think.

Eric Clapton's 11th solo studio release, Journey Man from 1989, was a far better album than his last few.  On his Duck Label, 92 60741, but now distributed by Reprise records, this is a return to the Clapton I admire, and I feel his best record since Slowhand.  Pretending, Bad Love, Before You Accuse Me...lots of great songs, but my pick is the song he wrote and performed with blues artist Robert Cray, Old Love: awesome guitar work on this song.

From the "King of The Twist" comes For Twisters Only, 1960 release on Parkway P 7002, but pressed by Quality Records of Canada and actually REO label (mostly known for 45's).  Here is Your Feets Too Big by Chubby Checker.

Your Twist Party by Chubby Checker from 1961 again on Parkway Label, P 7007, this time actually a Parkway label, but manufactured and distributed by Columbia Records Canada. Each of these albums has twelve songs, and 5 of them are the same on both records!  I guess there was only so many twist songs.  Here is The Twist

One of the longest running and most successful rock groups ever, Chicago, formed in 1967, is second only to the Beach Boys in number of Billboard charting singles.  From 1975 is their ninth album and first greatest hits release.  On Columbia PC 33900, by the self described Rock Band with Horns, here is Beginnings:

Jumping ahead almost a decade, we have Chicago 17 from 1984. Personally I prefer their earlier music. On this album the horns have moved to the background and the music has a much more pop, soft rock sound.  This is the second album with their new label Full Moon, on Warner Brothers Records and did really well for the band, reaching 6x Platinum! But I found it hard to pick a song worth playing from this album; here is Along Comes A Woman: 

Although he had an incredibly short career, Charlie Christian was a very influential figure in Jazz. Playing the electric guitar, which was just being experimented with in the late 30's, he became a key figure in the develpment of bebop.  Dead of tuberculosis at the age of 23 (1942), there is not a lot of music available from this very talented and influential artist.  Solo Flight, the genius of Charlie Christian, released in 1972 on Columbia G 30779, is a double album that contains many of the few recordings ever made by this artist.  A few tracks (like this one) are from privately cut acetates which had never be released before. Although the quality is not great, it demonstrates his extraordinay guitar playing.  Here is I Got Rhythm:

The fourth studio album by folk rock artist Harry Chapin, Verities & Balderdash was released in 1974 on Elektra 7ES-1012. This album contains his biggest hit Cat's in the Cradle, as well 30,000 lbs of Bananas, which is based on an actual truck crash in 1965 in Pennsylvania.

The self titled debut album by singer/songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 on Elektra E1- 60774, sold over 1 million copies in just two weeks after its release.  This is a great album,  simple acoustic sound with intelligent lyrics. It's no wonder it has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.  Here is She's Got Her Ticket followed by For You:

Originally released in October '78 in Japan only, Cheap Trick at Budokan, sold so well as an import in North America, it was release there in early '79 and became their best selling album.  At Budokan is the fourth album rock/power pop band from Illinois since their start in 1973; on Epic PE-35795.  Sounding less like a pop band and more like the rock band they were becoming, here is their first recording of Surrender:

From 1979 comes the follow up album to At Budokan, Dream Police, the of which the title track became a top 30 hit. Another good album by this band, and probably the last really good one, at least for the next couple of decades. Here is Gonna Raise Hell: 

Twist Along with Cal Carter, from 1962, on Vee Jay records, LP-1041.  This is an instrumental version of popular songs of the time.  Calvin Carter, producer for Vee-Jay, is the brother of the founder of Vee Jay records, Vivian Carter, who along with husband Jimmy Bracken formed the label, named from their combined initials.  Semi-collectible, with a book value of around $100 in NM condition (although I doubt I would ever see that).  This album would be VG+.
Here is the cover or Ray Charles song, What'd I Say:

The Fabulous Johnny Cash, from 1958, is the third album by this huge country star, and his first with Columbia Records CL-1253, after leaving Sun Records. Next to At Folsom Prison, this is up there with his best recordings with Columbia.  Here is Don't Take Your Guns To Town:

From 1965, on Columbia CS-9102, comes Orange Blossom Special, the 21st record by Johnny Cash.  With the hit The Long Black Veil, as well as three Dylan covers, including Mama, You Been On My Mind, not yet released by Dylan, this album was a hit on the Pop charts as well as Country charts. Here is Mama, You Been On My Mind:

Since writing Folsom Prison Blues in 1955, Johnny Cash wanted to preform at a prison, and in 1968 finally got his wish.  Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Columbia CS-9639, is an essential album for anyone interested in his music.  I feel this is his best album, at least in my collection; here is Folsom Prison Blues followed by Cocaine Blues:

Following the success of the live recording at Folsom Prison, a larger plan developed for a concert at San Quentin, which was also to be televised. Recorded in early 1969 on Columbia CS-9827, Johnny Cash's 31st album went to #1 on both the country and pop charts; and spawned the hit song A Boy Named Sue.

 The final two Cash albums in my collection are both compilations. This is Johnny Cash on Harmony HS-11342 from 1969 and Understand Your Man also on Harmony KH-30916 from 1971.
Having released something in the neighbourhood of 100 records on various labels, there is a lot of Johnny Cash records out there.  In my opinion his best music is from pre 1970, until his work with Rick Rubin on the American recordings from 1994 - 2010. These are not typical Johnny Cash recordings, but great music. I don't have any... yet.

Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcmbFKstspk

George Carlin, FM & AM, Class Clown & An Evening with Wally Londo, from 1972, '72 & 1975 are recordings of this comedian & social critic, who was extremely popular during the '70's.

  From Class Clown, here is Seven words you can never say on Television:


(warning, recommended for adult listening)

From 1978 comes the debut self titled album by the American new wave rock band, The Cars on Elektra 6E-135.  Almost a greatest hits album, this record is an all time rock classic, with songs like Good Times Roll, My Best Friends Girl, Just What I Needed and my pick from this album I'm in Touch With Your World:

The follow up to their smash hit debut album is Candy - O, released in 1979, proved the band was not a one album wonder with many solid songs on this album as well.  The cover art, done by famous pin up artist Alberto Vargas makes a very cool 50's look.  Here is the title track:

 Panorama, The Cars third studio album, was a distinct change in musical style from their first two albums. With less catchy pop like tunes, this album is darker and more experimental.  Despite being a less commercially successful album, the song Touch and Go became their highest charting hit to date.  Released in 1980 on Elektra X5E-514, here is Up and Down:

Heartbeat City, the 1984 release by The Cars, became their most successful album to date, with five top 40 hits and two top 10 hits with Drive and You Might Think.
It's Not The Night is my pick from this album: