A-Z CDs - Day 29

239. The Impressions - The Greatest Hits (last listen: 0-3 months) - This album features the hits from the Curtis Mayfield-era Impressions (unfortunately nothing from the Jerry Butler era). "It's Alright" is a classic, and "People Get Ready" is a formidable Civil Rights Era anthem.
240. Inner Circle - Bad Boys (last listen: 5+ years) - You, of course, know Inner Circle for their megahit "Bad Boys," which is the theme song to Cops. And you may also remember their other radio "hit," "Sweat (A La La La La Long)," which is still catchy. Other than that, it's a laid back reggae album.
241. Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (last listen: 5+ years) - Obviously the 17-minute title track is legendary as a staple of the psychedelic era (and infamous for the stoned singer's inability to pronounce "in the garden of Venus") and thought to be the first heavy metal song. The rest of the album is solid acid rock.
242. Jackass the Movie (soundtrack) (last listen: 1-2 years) - This is a really good soundtrack. My favorites are "Hybrid Moments" by The Misfits, "We Want Fun" by Andrew W.K., and "Alright Alright (Here's My Fist Where's the Fight?)" by Sahara Hotnights.
243. Jackson 5 - Greatest Hits (last listen: 2-5 years)
244. Mick Jagger - Goddess in the Doorway (last listen: 2-5 years) - A decent solo effort from 2001. "God Gave Me Everything" is the best song off the album, in my opinion.
245. Elmore James - The Very Best Of (last listen: 3 months to 1 year) - A good compilation, showing why James is the "King of the Slide Guitar." His remake of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" is great, and I also enjoy "Shake Your Moneymaker," "The Sky is Crying" (later redone by Stevie Ray Vaughan), "Done Somebody Wrong" (redone later by The Allman Brothers Band), and "It Hurts Me Too."
246. Tommy James & The Shondells - The Very Best Of (last listen: 2-5 years) - These guys are often overlooked, but they had a string of solid hits in the mid to late '60s, including "Hanky Panky," "I Think We're Alone Now," "Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," and "Crystal Blue Persuasion." The album also features Tommy James's solo hit, "Draggin' the Line." My favorite song on the album is "Crimson and Clover," which is one of my favorite psychedelic era songs.
247. Wyclef Jean - The Carnival (last listen: 1-2 years) - Obviously "Gone Till November," "We Trying to Stay Alive," and "Guantanamera" are well-known, but the entire album is solid with its mix of rap, hip hop, reggae, and Caribbean music.
248. Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit & Other Hits (last listen: 2-5 years) - I always forget that I have this CD. "White Rabbit" is a fantastic, drug-encouraging tribute to Alice in Wonderland ("Remember what the door mouse said / Feed your head"). "Somebody to Love" and "Volunteers" are also good. I wish "We Can Be Together" was on it ("up against the wall motherfuckers"). I'm still not sure how this band morphed into Starship.
249. Jethro Tull - Original Masters (last listen: 1-2 years) - A solid collection from the foremost rock and roll flautist. "Locomotive Breath" is a great song, and I always enjoy the line "and the all-time winner has got him by the balls." Obviously "Aqualung" is a classic. Unfortunately, this album does not contain "Teacher" (my favorite Jethro Tull song) or "Cross Eyed Mary."