I'll start, and this is by no means definitive:
On Led Zep, much as 'I' is my favorite album, it is blues driven, and 'II' is really more hard rock. So the nod goes to 'II.'
On Cream, toss up, Disraeli Gears or Fresh Cream?
Blind Faith may squeak in, only on the strength of two or three tracks, but I'd put that in honorable mention, rather than top albums. (It is also a terrible recording, but if we were grading sonics, I'm afraid Layla would fall off the list).
Layla- is this open to dispute?
Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore East
Hendrix- Are you Experienced?
I'm confining the list to 'Classic' which, by my definition is 60's-70's (maybe into the 80's).
Here's some that may be controversial, and not on everyone's list:
Steely Dan- Can't Buy a Thrill- I know the Dan has other albums that people like more, but this one has it all, and was their debut.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer- the self-titled album.
Tull- much as I like the early albums (Stand-up, Benefit, This Was), I think the nod has to go to Aqualung as the most influential of their albums.
Deep Purple- I'll leave this open, I'm a little ambivalent, I liked Ian Gillian's voice on 'In Rock,' but probably MachineHead.
Spirit- 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus- not just because of Nature's Way, but because the entire album is an interesting mix of hard and psychedelic, e.g. 'Street Worm.'
Eagles- Love em or hate 'em, they were huge and influential- while I prefer a few tracks from the early albums, probably Hotel California.
ZZ Top- probably Tres Hombres, but I'm not going to argue about it.
Bowie- Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Jeff Beck- Truth- profoundly pre-Zep, wonderful, bad recording, a snapshot in time, not a top contender, but must get an honorable mention.
I left off The Band because I don't really see them as Classic Rock, much as I love them.
Same thing on Van Morrison, though if I had to pick it would "His Band and Street Choir," or St. Dominic's Preview.
Dire Straits- I like the music on Love Over Gold more than Brother in Arms, which usually gets the kudos.
Doobie Brothers- Toulouse Street- maybe second tier, but a great album.
I'll leave the rest to you.....
On Led Zep, much as 'I' is my favorite album, it is blues driven, and 'II' is really more hard rock. So the nod goes to 'II.'
On Cream, toss up, Disraeli Gears or Fresh Cream?
Blind Faith may squeak in, only on the strength of two or three tracks, but I'd put that in honorable mention, rather than top albums. (It is also a terrible recording, but if we were grading sonics, I'm afraid Layla would fall off the list).
Layla- is this open to dispute?
Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore East
Hendrix- Are you Experienced?
I'm confining the list to 'Classic' which, by my definition is 60's-70's (maybe into the 80's).
Here's some that may be controversial, and not on everyone's list:
Steely Dan- Can't Buy a Thrill- I know the Dan has other albums that people like more, but this one has it all, and was their debut.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer- the self-titled album.
Tull- much as I like the early albums (Stand-up, Benefit, This Was), I think the nod has to go to Aqualung as the most influential of their albums.
Deep Purple- I'll leave this open, I'm a little ambivalent, I liked Ian Gillian's voice on 'In Rock,' but probably MachineHead.
Spirit- 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus- not just because of Nature's Way, but because the entire album is an interesting mix of hard and psychedelic, e.g. 'Street Worm.'
Eagles- Love em or hate 'em, they were huge and influential- while I prefer a few tracks from the early albums, probably Hotel California.
ZZ Top- probably Tres Hombres, but I'm not going to argue about it.
Bowie- Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Jeff Beck- Truth- profoundly pre-Zep, wonderful, bad recording, a snapshot in time, not a top contender, but must get an honorable mention.
I left off The Band because I don't really see them as Classic Rock, much as I love them.
Same thing on Van Morrison, though if I had to pick it would "His Band and Street Choir," or St. Dominic's Preview.
Dire Straits- I like the music on Love Over Gold more than Brother in Arms, which usually gets the kudos.
Doobie Brothers- Toulouse Street- maybe second tier, but a great album.
I'll leave the rest to you.....