Dez's 5 Star Records: The H's and I's

There are some real revolutionaries in this edition. Michael Hedges and Jimi Hendrix both changed the way acoustic and electric guitars, respectively, could be played. Herbie Hancock is a jazz giant who has been on the innovative forefront of the music since the 60’s, and blues masters Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin’ Hopkins were two early practitioners of acoustic blues who influenced generations. George Harrison was kinda important too.

Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters (1973): One of jazz fusion’s biggest records, Hancock and his band ride the everpresent groove throughout, which rests as much on funk and R&B as it does jazz.

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass (1970): George Harrison had the misfortune as a songwriter to come into his own within a band that also featured John Lennon and Paul McCartney; so it is not surprising that his first solo record is overflowing with great stockpiled tunes that had been unfairly dismissed by his former bandmates.

Colin Hay – Peaks and Valleys (1992): Men At Work’s former leader has forged a respectable if low key post-Men career, but his powers as a vocalist and guitarist are best exhibited in the solo acoustic setting.

Michael Hedges – Aerial Boundaries (1984): It is rare to find a guitarist who can truly revolutionize technique, especially this late in the game, but Michael Hedges did just that with the acoustic guitar.

Michael Hedges – Live on the Double Planet (1987) (live): This is the most accessible and entertaining introduction to Hedges and his revolutionary guitar playing, it is a fun mix of eclectic covers (from Dylan via Hendrix, where he makes one of the most tired and covered songs fresh again, to Sheila E.) and his stunning originals.

Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced? (1967): My candidate for the greatest debut record in rock history; any way you slice it, the American version, the British version or the current CD hybrid version, there is enough on this debut to outdo most full careers.

Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland (1968): Most double records are excessive and need trimming, but Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland is an exhilarating journey through styles and bold experimentation that defies mere mortals.

The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America (2006): This is probably the best record I’ve heard put out in the last decade or so, it is brimming with great hooks and fantastic lyrics.

Lightnin’ Hopkins – Lightnin’ (1960): Texan Hopkins’s brew of simple yet engaging acoustic blues is on full display on this near perfect blues album.

Mississippi John Hurt – The Complete Okeh Recordings (1928/1996): I simply cannot believe that these tunes were recorded in the 1920’s, they are full of interesting turns, stellar and complex acoustic guitar fingerpicking and witty lyrics that would still engage to this day. NOTE: 1928 was before “albums” were available, these recordings were all done in the same session or sessions and released as singles. So even though I generally do not include compilations on this list, this is an exception because in the album era (starting in the 50’s), these tracks would have been all collected and released as a full album.

INXS – Listen Like Thieves (1985): Follow-up Kick was the mega-seller, but I’ve always preferred this one, as it best demonstrates the charisma of Michael Hutchence as well as the band’s wonderful way with a dance groove and hooks.

Chris Isaak – Heart Shaped World (1989): Chris Isaak’s retro-50’s noir sound has changed little over the decades, and his commercial breakthrough from ’89 best exemplifies that sound and, to be honest, it bests many of his influences he is trying to emulate.


ABOVE: I’ve got some friends who swear that Hendrix’s sophomore effort is his best, Axis: Bold As Love. They are on crack. Are You Experienced? and Electric Ladyland are both far better. But we are talking Hendrix here, so it is kind of like arguing over which panel in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is the prettiest.