10 Classic Albums Every Vinyl Record Collector Should Own

There are certain albums that deserve to be in everyone’s record collection. Because they are just THAT GOOD! In this episode of Talking About Records I cherry pick 10 albums that I believe every collector should own. These are essentials. Timeless albums that have influenced generations of musicians over the past 50 years. From rock, to country, R&B, and dance…make sure these are all on your “Want List”.
✶ Talking About Records is presented by NTX Vinyl, a boutique vinyl record shop in Highland Village, Texas (2240 Justin Rd, 75077 - located inside Painted Tree Marketplace). Open 10am-8pm, 7 days a week ✶
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[@gregcooke1946]

Another great Video GI and some albums I will definitely check out. Would love to see another 10 and another 10 😆

[@denphillips3402]

Good to see Led Zeppelin in this list.... But 1965....🤔...... I think you meant 1975... Many odd choices, but, hey, we are all of different opinions, enjoying different groups and genres. From the point of view of an old geezer 10 albums that influenced and shaped my life..... 10. Supertramp - Crime of the Century 09. Steely Dan - Aja 08. Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak 07. Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run 06. Yes - Fragile 05. Deep Purple - Machine Head 04. Genesis - Nursery Cryme 03. Elton John - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy 02. Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells 01. Camel - Mirage Special mentions.... Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon Status Quo - Hello Golden Earring - Moontan Bob James - Sign of the Times Michael Jackson - Thriller Third World - Journey to Addis Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky Al Stewart - Year of the Cat Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene Led Zeppelin - Led Zep 2.. Could have been a top 20.. Interesting post 👍

[@NTXVinyl]

Ahhhh good catch! Total slip of the tongue on my part. Shocked nobody has called me out on it until now. And great list of essential albums! Choosing 10 is not easy. At all.

[@danthemanwhocancan]

Watching in the UK I spurted out my cup of tea that I was drinking. 1965! Wow they were ahead of their time! 🤣

[@davidbeeson9408]

Brilliant. 👌

[@Aprilseahorse]

Your right that "Must Have" lists are difficult. Most of the time I will not even watch those videos even if I watch others for the same people. But with that said, you did it right by bringing the artists in as intros to great work. My top 10 changes often with my moods and growth as I explore music and artists I am not familiar with. There is always jewels out there if you just open up to stuff outside of your zone.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@lifeofvinyl3003]

Great to see Physical Graffiti getting some love, it has long been my favourite Led Zep album. Couple on there I haven’t got (actually the first two) so will try to track them down thanks.

[@NTXVinyl]

My fav as well. Such a great album from start to finish.

[@lifeofvinyl3003]

Yep agree it’s a phenomenal album - probably the best studio double album in my opinion.

[@alex_g_wood]

@@NTXVinyl It was not released in 1965 as you said

[@pgh45rpms]

Physical Graffiti was released Feb. 24, 1975. Led Zepplin was formed in 1968.

[@thefleshexperience]

Great list! I have em all. Not exactly my list, but I can’t argue with any of your picks. I couldn’t agree more about Astral Weeks. My absolute favorite Van Morrison album without a doubt. I was fortunate enough to see him perform the album in it’s entirety with the original musicians at The Hollywood Bowl. It was pretty special. He released it as a live album and DVD too. I even won those tickets for free from an LA radio station.

[@NTXVinyl]

Very cool! Love that album. So chill. Perfect for a Sunday morning

[@mpw116]

Nice man. Wish you were here is my favorite album. Thanks for the other recommendations - most of these weren’t on my radar.

[@NTXVinyl]

Love that album as well! It's even on my Desert Island video...check that one out too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4PXYqmvqbKkd6M

[@tgssweden3964]

Really nice watch and interesting to hear about your personal preferences. Especially nice you mentioned The Band, their ”Brown album” is a true classic. Keep up the good work. //TGS from Sweden

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks! Love that self titled album by The Band. Timeless.

[@florian8020]

Trying to get Off the Wall for a few years at the fares... such a wonderful piece. Thank you for the video!

[@bobgauthier1569]

Great stuff 😊

[@patsynott7687]

Love this channel!

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks Pat! We are new to this but it’s super fun 🙌

[@talbino7821]

Great list! I'm building my vinyl collection bit by bit over the last three or four years. As a massive soul and funk fan, the choice of Mothership Connection caught me off guard! A great one - but I wouldn't say it created or crafted something new. So many soul groups were trying out that space age vibe and themes around that time, the Undisputed Truth and Earth wind and fire for example... also I'd say it was records like Rock your Baby or Soul Makossa more influenced the evolution and growth of disco later on in the 70s. But great choice of album still !

[@mrhoffame]

Great Great list my friend!! I might substitute in Maggot Brain for Mothership lol. Maybe Moondance to replace Van Morrison. Didn't see Off The Wall coming. Great surprise there. Fun picks!

[@Bo-hb3eo]

I will make this very short and to the point…I couldn’t agree with you more about “ The Last Waltz “ I think I have at least three copies. Absolutely love it!

[@NTXVinyl]

Pure greatness

[@jeffreyallison771]

Again hard task except for our one overlap I cut most of yours to get to ten. Top10 Favorite Albums AC/DC Back in Black B.B.King Ridding with the King Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band Live Bullet Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Eric Clapton The Definitive 24 Nights Meatloaf Bat Out of Hell Nirvana Unplugged in New York Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here Rolling Stones Let it Bleed The Beatles Abby Road

[@bacarandii]

Well done! Just a couple clarifications, though (because I'm a Stax-Volt fanatic): Sam Cooke only wrote (or co-wrote) three of the songs on "Otis Blue" (see below). And, of course, "Respect" (Aretha Franklin's blockbuster 1967 hit) was written by Otis himself, making its first appearance on "Otis Blue" in 1965. When he heard Aretha's version, Otis supposedly said: "It's her song now." Also, a bit of trivia: "The Last Waltz" was of course directed by Martin Scorsese, Robbie Robertson's '70s Mulholland Drive roommate, who also worked as an editor on "Woodstock." "Otis Blue" tracks; Side one No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Ole Man Trouble" Otis Redding 2:55 2. "Respect" Redding 2:05 3. "Change Gonna Come" Sam Cooke 4:17 4. "Down in the Valley" Bert Berns, Solomon Burke, Babe Chivian, Joe Martin 3:02 5. "I've Been Loving You Too Long" Redding, Jerry Butler 3:10 Side two No. Title Writer(s) Length 1. "Shake" Cooke 2:35 2. "My Girl" Smokey Robinson, Ronald White 2:52 3. "Wonderful World" Cooke, Lou Adler, Herb Alpert 3:00 4. "Rock Me Baby" B.B. King 3:20 5. "Satisfaction" Mick Jagger, Keith Richards 2:45 6. "You Don't Miss Your Water" William Bell 2:53

[@NTXVinyl]

Appreciate ya watching!

[@jefft8858]

Great list! There is a handful of these I do not own. Shame on me! 😊 Loved the choices. Enjoyed your video., just subbed. I’ll check out more.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks so much!

[@roomfulofblues3173]

This is a thumbs up channel. Glad I discovered it.

[@NTXVinyl]

Really appreciate it! 👊🏻

[@chuckferguson5066]

You have great courage! And taste. If you put out a list like this one, everyone in the known universe is going to say, “but what about…”. It was great to hear Astral Weeks get the praise it deserves.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks Chuck! Love that album..my fav of his for sure

[@martinlarsson5254]

Good choices! The Last Waltz and Otis Blue! 🤎💙

[@grandduke2145]

Good list Roscoe, good list.

[@NTXVinyl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheRealDarklock]

Neat that I was actually watching The Last Waltz today and tagged this video to watch and sure enough...

[@NTXVinyl]

BEST LIVE CONCERT FILM EVER

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Great job brother. That’s a tough list to create

[@NTXVinyl]

You ain't lying! Happy with what I chose but could have done 100 instead of 10 easily! Thanks for watching Jason!

[@why-why-whywhywhy]

*Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsys* *Sonny Sharrock - Ask The Ages* *Bad Company - Bad Company* *Gas - 1982 - 1986* *Hank Mobley - Soul Station* *Disclose - Tragedy* *Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath* *Carmen McRae - Carmen Sings Monk* *Marvin Gaye - What’s Going On* *Ramones - It’s Alive* Honourable mention : *Discharge - Live: The Nightmare Continues* *Curtis Mayfield - Super Fly* *Motörhead - Ace of Spades*

[@NothingLikeVinyl]

The only ones I don't have are "Shotgun Willie" and "Harvest". And I'm happy to see "Off The Wall" in your list. To me, it is much better than "Thriller", which always overshadows "Off The Wall" because of its status of best selling album of all time.

[@johnlamarca3339]

The Rolling Stones filmed the Waiting on a Friend video in front of the same building that’s featured on the cover of Physical Graffiti.

[@NTXVinyl]

I didn't know that! Very freakin cool. Next time I'm in New York I'm gonna seek it out! Heading there in the Fall to see Billy Joel at MSG! 🙌🏻

[@johnlamarca3339]

@@NTXVinyl It’s on St. Mark’s Place. Mick & Keith walked to the St. Mark’s Bar & Grill (no longer there) on the corner of St. Mark’s Place & 1st Avenue.

[@dawnpatrol700]

I'm from Connecticut. In the late 70s, main st in East Hartford had an abandoned building that someone spray painted the letters of Physical Graffitti on each boarded up window

[@garyrobinson8665]

Great selection. I also love Parliament. My favourite is the clones of Dr funkenstein. Its short no filler. Used to love led zep but i don't anymore unfortunately. Not sure why.

[@Boatzerama]

1975 Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti.

[@musamusashi]

Nice list and it starts with one of my all time favorite albums: Mothership Connection... surprised not to see Sgt. Pepper or one of the other iconic Beatles albums on the list, though.

[@NTXVinyl]

Impossible to choose only 10!

[@musamusashi]

@@NTXVinyl absolutely. 30 is my very least, and consider i have a lot of jazz and some classical.

[@josefbuckland]

Lol that’s why I’m not every vinyl collector. Great vid

[@brettthompson2743]

I’ll take a crack at it….. Bob Marley and the Wailers - Catch a Fire Funkadelic - Maggot Brain Talking Heads -Remain in Light The Clash - London Calling The Beatles- Rubber Soul Rolling Stones- Let It Bleed Ramones- Ramones XTC - Skylarking Elvis Costello & the Attractions - This Year’s Model Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life

[@NTXVinyl]

SOLID! Incredible list of LPs top to bottom

[@laudatosiadastra1218]

Nightwish - Showtime Storytime is my favourite vinyl in my collection. The greatest live performance I have ever seen and I just love the LP.

[@NTXVinyl]

Nice! I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for watching!

[@laudatosiadastra1218]

@@NTXVinyl kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2rIfH-GeMicjdk It is spectacular so I couldn’t recommend enough :)

[@Thevinylscavenger]

I'd agree, I've seen nightwish live few times they are definitely one of the best live bands I've ever seen and quite a back catalogue now. I am going to do a ten album review soon called something like 'dad rock' revisiting some of my past purchases from years ago.

[@laudatosiadastra1218]

@@Thevinylscavenger I will have to check it out :)

[@billymuellerTikTok]

I only have 3 of these (Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd & Michael Jackson) but I do have a bunch of other Willie Nelson albums and a few Van Morrison records (including his greatest hits) my ten albums from 60's & 70's (if I only choose one per artist - no greatest hits or live albums or various artists) based on the music and album artwork would be: 1- The Beatles - Abbey Road 2- Boston's debut album 3- The Doors - debut album 4- Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell 5- Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town 6- Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy 7- Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon 8- Beach Boys - Pet Sounds 9- ELP - Brain Salad Surgery 10- Billy Joel - The Stranger

[@jamiehess4211]

Interesting list. Like Zeppelin, but never liked Physical Graffiti. Astral Weeks is beyond essential-for jazz, folk and pop-rock. Just wish I could find a copy-no one has it. Surprised you didn't mention Stevie Wonder, though....Innervisions or Fulfillingness' First Finale are both pretty essential. I would add a female singer, though. Aretha Franklin or Bobbie Gentry maybe. Good video.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks! But how can you not like Physical Graffiti!?!? 🤯🤣

[@williamsmith8689]

Good list for individual preference,. What songs did Sam Cooke song first done by Otis Redding? What about Steve Perry (Journey LPs), Sam Cooke. Temptations greatest hits vol. 1.

[@abufletch]

Shotgun Willie was re-released on Vinyl Me Please this year.

[@NTXVinyl]

That’s a great pressing! Own that one as well.

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

GI rocks the USA

[@stephenjerome4135]

Great list. Picking out your top 10 is never an easy task when you have so many favourite albums. I have quite a few favourites in my collection but I think this would be my top 10 at the moment. Here goes... 10. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Elton John 9. Eliminator-ZZTop 8. Songs In The Key Of Life-Stevie Wonder 7. Tapestry-Carole King 6. Rumours-Fleetwood Mac 5. Appetite For Destruction-Guns N Roses 4. Sgt. Pepper-Beatles 3. Electric Warrior-T.Rex 2. Hotel California-The Eagles 1. Abbey Road-Beatles I do have some other favourite albums in my collection so my top 10 can sometimes change a little. But I think that's the good thing about these top 10 lists is it can be flexible and change at any given time.

[@Driver2616]

I’ve got five of these - Zeppelin, Floyd, Young, Morrison and Mitchell….

[@glennaustin37]

Taking a liberty with the word 'classic' 🤔

[@NTXVinyl]

No, I’m not actually

[@haj1909]

Apart from Otis and Van, these are all '70s albums. The '60s are usually more prominent in these kind of lists, but thankfully we're all different people with wide ranging tastes. I think 10 would take considerable time and effort to narrow down but 5 is much more manageable... 5. Kimono My House - Sparks 4. Never Mind The Bollocks... - Sex Pistols 3. Forever Changes - Love 2. Odessey & Oracle - The Zombies 1. Pet Sounds - Beach Boys

[@davidbeeson9408]

You joking, 5 would be much harder than 10. 10 is harder than 20, which is harder again than 30. Big Spurs fan myself. COYS.

[@davidbrown263]

An interesting factoid about Astral Weeks: the bands/artists in the top ten albums of 1968 in UK almost all voted it their favourite of the year in NME or melody maker.

[@NTXVinyl]

Well deserved!

[@centralscrutinizer9591]

Love Physical Graffiti and it's a tie for me as best Zep album with Zeppelin III and in no special order Fleetwood Mac - Rumours The Who - Who's Next Budgie - Bandolier Bowie - Ziggy Stardust ACDC - Let There Be Rock Deep Purple - Machine Head Black Sabbath - Paranoid Pink Floyd - Animals The Cars - Candy O

[@NTXVinyl]

Killer list!

[@centralscrutinizer9591]

@@NTXVinyl love your channel, keep up the great work.

[@davidbeeson9408]

All Brilliant. 🤟

[@MrPompanoman]

Actually off the wall and thriler where recorded at the same time. released at different times but recorded together according to Quincy Jones enjoyed your video thanks GI

[@NTXVinyl]

Oh that’s rad! Never knew that. Appreciate it Jon!

[@davidbeeson9408]

I never knew that either but there are definite parallels between the two.

[@gerardfitzpatrick60]

Beach boys Pet sounds, Fleetwood Mac Rumours, Stevie Wonder Songs in key of life, Who - who’s Next, Beatles Stg Peppers, Led Zepplin IV, Marvin Gaye What’s going on Pink Floyd DSOTM Bruce Springsteen Born to Run Clash London Calling

[@NTXVinyl]

Incredible list! I own all those and they are all deserving. Thanks for watching Gerard!

[@brettthompson2743]

London Calling has to be on any list of essential albums.

[@brettthompson2743]

I’ve tried for 45+ years to get into Pink Floyd, but they just don’t do it for me. Glad to see The Band included, though I would have gone with their other live album Rock of Ages. Was it a conscious decision not to include any post-70s albums?

[@NTXVinyl]

for me personally, I kinda define the "classic" era of modern music as the 60s/70s so that's kinda where my head was at. Huge Floyd fan, but you're not the first person I've run into who doesn't enjoy them.

[@markyamakaitis6272]

@@NTXVinyl h

It's hard to choose only 10 albums but you did it. It would take me hours to choose 10 albums only but Prince and David Bowie I would choose an album, definitely.

[@NTXVinyl]

Not easy at all! Could easily included some Bowie and Prince. Both legends of course. Thanks for watching!

[@timolebeck6405]

I‘m more into modern rock… so my „classics“ don’t stop after the 70s (I‘m born in 85^^) Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Dire Straits - Money For Nothing Bryan Adams - Reckless Nirvana - Nevermind The Offspring - Smash Incubus - Make Yourself Jimmy Eat World - Bleed America Foo Fighters - Greatest Hits Rise Against - Appeal To Reson Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

[@NTXVinyl]

solid list!

[@michaelpyatt831]

My top ten Queen - a night at the opera Kate bush - the hounds of love Elton John - goodbye hello brick road Led zeppelin- 4 Beatles - rubber soul Sade - debut Tears for fears - the hurting Heart - dreamboat Annie Fleetwood mac - rumours Prince - 1999 Maybe some obvious there. You cannot deny though these albums still sound fantastic today. If each band had released them today, they still would be bulldozing the crap we seem to have more of today.

[@NTXVinyl]

Killer list!

[@LutherusPandragon]

Depends on personal taste. For me non of this albums means anything while for my parents they maybe could get some kick. My holly grail is first press Judas Priest Panikiller, Iron Maiden seventh son of seventh son, Led Zepellin 1

[@begbis]

Something is wrong when someone is telling what everyone should own (or like, think, say, etc) :)

[@Tonyjones175]

Man I wish I keep my vinyl.and turntable.aw heck.I’ll buy another turntable start my collection again.

[@stephensuddick274]

1 . Marvin Gaye- What's Going On 2. The Who - Who's Next 3. The Band - Rock of Ages 4. Stones - Let it Bleed 5. The Beatles - Pepper's 6. Zep - Presence 7. Joni - Court and Spark 8. Allman Brothers - Brothers and Sisters 9 . Aretha - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You 10. Al Green - Call Me

[@NTXVinyl]

Killer list!

[@staggerlee6794]

That list is mental. I mean mental good!

[@johnnyalander81]

Want to know if 1951 guy Mitchel is worth anything

[@krishnarajballie6294]

Interesting list, especially "Physical Graffiti" released in 1965"? You must have meant a decade later.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah they were way ahead of their time 🤣

[@krishnarajballie4609]

@@NTXVinyl LOL.

[@alanbratt3022]

Ok, here goes - in no particular order:- 1) Fleetwood Mac - Mirage 2) Dire Straits - Dire Straits 3) Pink Floyd - everything from Meddle through to Animals. 4) The Doors - LA Woman 5) Mary Wells - Vintage Stock 6) Bobby Womack - The Poet 7) The Patti Smith Group - Easter 8) Carole King - Tapestry 9) The Four Tops & The Supremes- The Magnificent 7 10) The Hesitations - Soul Superman. This list can change at any given moment, apart from 4 selections being the Floyd albums, Mary Wells, Bobby Womack & The Hesitations.

[@romeroflores5559]

Yes, Zeppelin released in 1975...

[@vinylrecordplayer]

Just as a correction, Sam Cooke never covered any Otis Redding songs. He was dead by 1963.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks. Likely misspoke on that one

[@bicyclejoe]

I don’t think Physical Graffiti was released in 1965. Might want to check that.

[@NTXVinyl]

I don't think it was either, but I clearly misspoke. 👌🏻

[@richardmurray1682]

Did you say 1965 for Physical Graffiti?

[@NTXVinyl]

I did! 🤦‍♂️

[@bochristensen1969]

The black album

[@TheBeatsandblends]

I have 4 out of 10.

[@davidbeeson9408]

Great list but not sure it’s 10 albums every collector should own, more like your favourite 10 albums. I mean, where are - ‘Exile on main street’, ‘Ziggy stardust’, ‘Revolver’, ‘Blonde On Blonde’, ‘Travelling Wilburys’, ‘The Hurting’, ‘This is the sea’ Etc Etc Etc ???

[@NTXVinyl]

All classics of course. Was attempting to choose some that aren't totally obvious to most people.

[@davidbeeson9408]

@@NTXVinyl yeah, that’s fair. It is VERY VERY hard & I didn’t mean to come across though I was criticising. Same as the ‘Desert island disc’ thing, how do you choose 10. Anyway, great list & you gave me two to add to my want-list, so thanks for that. 🤟

[@NTXVinyl]

@@davidbeeson9408 awesome to hear!

[@davidsalyers234]

I think you mistaken on the release of physical graffiti you said 1965??

[@NTXVinyl]

Indeed

[@davidsalyers234]

@@NTXVinyl sorry I should have read the comment and see someone already stated it it must be irritating hearing it after a year

[@NTXVinyl]

@@davidsalyers234 it’s all good! Need to just pull the video down cause that slip up is all anyone ever notices 🤣

[@darrenrogan1387]

I really don’t get the whole Willie Nelson thing.

[@NTXVinyl]

Maybe a Texas thing? Certainly a legend in my mind. Thanks for watching!

[@bryanmcfadden4071]

Read Willie's books

[@bryanmcfadden4071]

@@NTXVinyl he's big up North and especially Maine

[@kdrkdr5123]

Willie Nelson is the man! Great songwriter and talent with a chill attitude.

[@williamgoldstein4877]

Discogs you can get everyone of those albums

[@michaelbell75]

Cant really argue any of these as its entirely subjective but no Beatles, Stones or The Who? Ouch. Revolver or Abbey Road, Sticky Fingers or Exile and Who's Next or Tommy should for sure be in most top 10 lists for must have records. I would also swap Physical Graffitti for Zeppelin II or IV. Abbey Road was my first record by the way.

[@NTXVinyl]

Yeah....was certainly an attempt to avoid the obvious. Could have done Top 100 and still ran out of room. :)

[@kamil.maciej]

I think it depends on your taste in music what you 'should' have or not.

[@cbr9914]

i will never understand the love for that "band" record, or the artists who guest on it (with the exception of robbie robertson, VERY select clapton and you can't go wrong with mitchell. each to their own, i guess.

[@NTXVinyl]

looove The Band. True roots rock I never tire of.

[@bbutler5090]

PG is ‘75, not ‘65.

[@NTXVinyl]

Correct

[@albumswithandy3561]

I'm not a Beatles or Elvis guy. I think if you believe you HAVE to own it you might not want to listen to it, then don't waste your time buying stuff others say you have to have. Everyone has different tastes. That's my two cents.

[@Chaturanger]

Excellent...but using the word "classic" is ???

[@NTXVinyl]

Is…..what?

[@christenuta3743]

No Beatles albums? Why a MJ album???

[@NTXVinyl]

Not easy to choose 10.

[@soloperformer5598]

Why?

[@NTXVinyl]

Why not?

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Refreshing to see someone include recordings other than the predictable same narrow blinkered white male pale and stale crusty rock/prog genre.

[@NTXVinyl]

Right on! Did my best to think somewhat outside the box. 👌🏼

[@imsoright6884]

Or you could just listen to this all online right now for free. Or physically buy the superior CD format. That you can make perfect copies for all your friends. And not waste time collecting inferior moldy overpriced trash to put in your home. And possibly ruin your health. I would also advise dancing to Parliament in your living room as opposed to the record player version. Record players don't handle any vibrations very well.

[@NTXVinyl]

You do you. 👌🏼 I’ll spin records.