My last post about the 25 books that influenced me the most (see How to Get into my Good Books), has led, predictably, to requests that I compile a similar list for musical influences.  These requests also reveal an interesting correlation between the age of the writer and the recording format of choice.  Troglodytes of my generation mostly sought my favorite “records” or “albums;" while younger writers sought the corresponding “songs” or “tracks.” 

I am going to go with albums and adopt the rules that (i) no more than one album per artist/group and (ii) no greatest hits albums.  As with my list of books, this musical compilation is not an attempt to list the “best” 25 albums of all time, nor even my current or all-time favorites; but rather, the music that has had the most important influence in my life, for a variety of ultimately idiosyncratic reasons.

With those ground rules in mind:

Bach, Goldberg Variations (Gould)

Beethoven, 9 Symphonies (von Karajan)

Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique (Dutoit)

The Clash, London Calling

Coldplay, X&Y

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue

Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited

Genesis, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Getz/Gilberto, Live at Carnegie Hall

Grateful Dead, Europe '72

Jimi Hendrix, Are you Experienced

Keith Jarrett, The Koln Concert

Kool and the Gang, Wild and Peaceful

Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II

Georges Moustaki, Moustaki

Nirvana, Nevermind

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon

R.E.M., Automatic for the People

Bruce Springstein, Greetings from Asbury Park

Talking Heads, Remain in Light

U2, The Joshua Tree

Bob Weir, Ace

George Winston, December

Neil Young, After the Gold Rush

Yes, Close to the Edge