Greatest debut al*** of all time

Although it's impossible to cite just one album as the "greatest debut album of all-time," this stunning debut is absolutely one of them:

Songs of Leonard Cohen



All best,
Fred

Just checked back to the thread and some great choices there. Particularly Kaleidoscope. Totally forgot about that one.

Never heard of Gryphon or Basia Bulat so will add to my list of purchases.

Thanks a lot guys.

The first Gryphon album is largely traditional music played by

Brian Gulland — Bassoon, Krumhorn, Recorder, Keyboards and Vocals
Richard Harvey — Recorder, Krumhorn, Mandolin, Keyboards and Vocals
Graeme Taylor — Guitars, Lute and Vocals
Dave Oberlé — Drums, Percussion and Vocals

"Kemp's Jig" (Trad. arr. Gryphon) – 3:07
"Sir Gavin Grimbold" (Trad. arr. Gulland) – 2:45
"Touch And Go" (Harvey/Taylor) – 1:29
"Three Jolly Butchers" (Trad. arr. Taylor) – 3:54
"Pastime with Good Company" (Henry VIII arr. Gryphon) – 1:31
"The Unquiet Grave" (Trad. arr. Gryphon) – 5:40
"Estampie" (Anon. arr. Gryphon) – 4:53
"Crossing The Stiles" (Taylor) – 2:25
"The Astrologer" (Trad. arr. Gryphon) – 3:12
"Tea Wrecks" (Anon. arr. Gryphon) – 1:06
"Juniper Suite" (Gryphon) – 4:49
"The Devil And The Farmer's Wife" (Trad. arr. Gryphon) – 1:55

Gryphon developed in to a standard fare prog-rock group, but the debut sounded really different. Richard Harvey has gone on to write film scores and TV themes.

Please click for a sample

obviously, the answer is Ten by Pearl Jam.

Two come to mind:

Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes

This is also unbeatable...

Cant say I agree with the OP about Led Zeppelin 2 being a better album that 1 so here is my offering

Led Zeppelin 1 - why, because Plant was still only 20 years old when this was recorded and had been playing in several no hope bands (Hobs tweedle, / Band of Joy), listening to his voice is just pure blues rock and the way the band gel together is incredible, secondly the album was done on a 4 track machine and recorded and mixed in some 14 days.

Sex Pistols - NMTB (stunning / raw and very different at the time)

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath


Cheers

Lee

quote:

Originally posted by Lee Henley:
Cant say I agree with the OP about Led Zeppelin 2 being a better album than 1

Neither can I.

Agree with Munch, and would add......

pearl jam - ten
big country - the crossing
uncle tupelo - no depression
runrig - play gaelic
mudhoney - superfuzz bigmuff

You're all forgetting this blinder...

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:
You're all forgetting this blinder...

Ha! The Buzzcocks. It's been years. Top reminder, many thanks, Paul

Some good nominations here already. I'd add "Naturally" JJ Cale, "Fresh Cream", "Days of Future Passed" Moody Blues, "Are You Experienced" Jimi Hendrix Experience, "The Doors", the first CCR album, "Crosby Still and Nash" and, come to that, "Neil Young".

Rickie Lee Jones
The Cars
Lynyrd Skynyrd

....and many more which don't come to mind just now.

It just has to be...

Another vote for Dire Straits ... and Led Zeppelin, Rickie Lee Jones, Leonard Cohen.

I'll add the first album by Crosby, Stills & Nash

Shawn Colvin - Steady On

On reflection I think Rickie Lee Jones first album would be my choice for this thread.

As for the best debut album, regardless of following albums, it is hard to pick against Led Zeppelin (I),and like many others I do prefer that to their second albums, but after that there came five of my very favourite albums ever.

Pearl Jam 'Ten' was another excellent debut, but they have been so consistent that it is hard to pick out any stand out album, although they have done a couple of lesser albums over the years.

Another one would be Underworld 'Dubnobasswithmyheadman', another very consistent band, but the first is a gem.

It is arguable that each of Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and Underworld (mk 2, as that version of the band is sometimes known) is really a debut album. If Led Zeppelin were still 'The New Yardbirds' would they count, Pear Jam had evolved from Mother Love Bone, and Underworld had existed as a four piece band prior to their change adding a DJ and shedding their old rhythm section.

Kate Bush, 'The Kick Inside'

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
Kate Bush, 'The Kick Inside'

Now I have to agree with that

Rickie Lee Jones would be possibly my first choice however what about Dire Straits 1st? There are so many.

quote:

Originally posted by ewemon:
Rickie Lee Jones would be possibly my first choice however what about Dire Straits 1st? There are so many.

Too many Ewen. A first album is often not bettered.

Joe

Sunhouse - Crazy on the Weekend

A debut album and unfortunately the only release from 'Sunhouse'. I think there have only been 3 people (Diccus, someone else) and myself that have posted this fabulous CD. I got so paranoid I bought a 2nd copy in case I damaged or lost my original. One of my top 5 purchases in the last 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Shawn Colvin - Steady On

Great album but unfortunately not her first. That was Live Tape which turned into Live 88 when re-released.