Every episode we ask our keyboard playing guests to nominate their top 5 albums / desert island discs. Sometimes 6 are chosen, sometime less than 5 (and in one instance 10!), but in all cases a lot of thought has gone into the choices.
You can check out them all in one playlist right here, but browse the list below if you’re after some listening suggestions from your favourite players – each album is linked if you’d like to purchase a physical copy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, which helps keep this little boat afloat.
Episode 72: Mitch Towne, SRT Band / Terrace Martin / Aloe Blacc
Back to Oakland – Tower of Power
Episode 71: Dave Cohen, Nashville session player and producer
Live at the Vanguard – Bill Evans Trio
Waltz for Debby – Bill Evans Trio
Bringing Down the Horse – The Wallflowers
Episode 70: Tom Schuman, Spyro Gyra
Heavy Weather – Weather Report
My Funny Valentine – Miles Davis
Light as a Feather – Return to Forever / Chick Corea
Sunday at the Village Vanguard – Bill Evans.
Episode 69: Andy Alston, Del Amitri
Studio Kinda Cloudy – Keith Hudson
‘TIl I Can Make It On My Own – Tammy Wynette
A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry – Charles Mingus
Let The Music Play – Barry White
Stop Making Sense – Talking Heads
Episode 67: Marine Lacoste, Uncle Kracker / Corey Hart / Highway Hunters
Great Western Valkyrie – Rival Sons
Episode 66: Jenny Conlee-Drizos, The Decemberists / Black Prairie / KMRIA / Calobo
Security / Self-titled – Peter Gabriel
Without A Net – The Grateful Dead
Houses of the Holy – Led Zeppelin
Automatic for the People – REM
Episode 65: Steve Nathan, Tim McGraw / Mark Knopfler / Lionel Richie (Part 2)
Genius + Soul = Jazz – Ray Charles
Little Susie – Ray Bryant Trio
Dat Dere – Bobby Timmons
Any Herb Jeffries album
Episode 64: Steve Nathan, Tim McGraw / Mark Knopfler / Lionel Richie (Part 1)
See above
Episode 63: Ty Bailie, Heavy Chevy / Katy Perry / Dept of Energy
Episode 62: Jason Miles, Luther Vandross / Miles Davis / Solo Artist (Part 2)
East-West – Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Milton Nascimento – Clube da Esquina
The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 – Miles Davis
Episode 61: Jason Miles, Luther Vandross / Miles Davis / Solo Artist (Part 1)
See above
Episode 60: Bobby Cressey, Organist San Diego Padres / Solo Artist / Mighty Untouchables (Part 2)
Shine soundtrack – David Hirschfelder / Various Artists
If That’s What It Takes – Michael McDonald
Episode 59: Bobby Cressey, Organist San Diego Padres / Solo Artist / Mighty Untouchables (Part 1)
See above
Episode 58: David Bridie, My Friend The Chocolate Cake / Not Drowning Waving
Court and Spark – Joni Mitchell
The Correct Use of Soap – Magazine
Episode 57: David Rosenthal, Billy Joel / Robert Palmer / Rainbow / Enrique Iglesias (Part 2)
Anything by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Tomita and Uriah Heep
Episode 56: David Rosenthal, Billy Joel / Robert Palmer / Rainbow / Enrique Iglesias (Part 1)
See above
Episode 55: (Extra) Paul Gildea and Glenn Reither Talk ‘Music Business’
Not asked
Episode 54: Richard Hilton, Nile Rodgers and CHIC
Meet The Beatles – The Beatles
Are You Experienced? – Jimi Hendrix
The Inner Mounting Flame – Mahavishnu Orchestra
A Love Supreme – John Coltrane
Debut: The Clef / Mercury Duo Recordings 1949-1951 – Oscar Peterson
Episode 53: Chris Norton, Zappa Plays Zappa / Cirque Du Soleil
Whatever and Ever Amen – Ben Folds Five
A Wizard A True Star – Todd Rundgren
Waiting for Columbus – Little Feat
Original Soundtrack – Undertale
Episode 52: Francis Capistrano, Narf Sounds
Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite – Maxwell
Songs from the Big Chair – Tears for Fears
Power, Corruption and Lies – New Order
Episode 51: Martin Rebelski, Doves / Peter Hook and The Light / Echo and the Bunnymen
Music for 18 Musicians – Steve Reich
Selected Ambient Works – Aphex Twin
Episode 50: Toby Hounsham, The Stranglers / Mungo Jerry / Rialto
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi
Any good boogie woogie compilation album
Episode 49: Mike Schmid, Miley Cyrus / The Chainsmokers / Troye Sivan
Martinis and Bikinis – Sam Phillips
Episode 48: (Extra) Jim Daneker talks Backstage Pass and Re-Creating the 1980s
Not asked
Episode 47: Brother Paul Brown, The Waterboys
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
Feels So Good – Chuck Mangione
Red Headed Stranger – Willie Nelson
Sketches in Spain – Miles Davis
Chega de Saudade – João Gilberto
Episode 46: Dave Ross, Hindley Street Country Club
Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
Give Me The Night – George Benson
Aliens Ate My Buick – Thomas Dolby
Episode 45: (Extra) Matt Goodluck Plays The Prog Quiz
Not asked
Episode 44: Rubén Valtierra, Weird Al Yankovic Part 2
Light as a Feather – Return to Forever / Chick Corea
Pictures at an Exhibition – Sviatoslav Richter
Horowitz in Moscow – Vladimir Horowitz
Episode 43: Rubén Valtierra, Weird Al Yankovic Part 1
See above
Episode 42: Jim Daneker – Michael W Smith / Amy Grant / Paul Cardall
Welcome to the Real World – Mr Mister
No Jacket Required – Phil Collins
Episode 41: The Great Debates – Prog Rock
Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – Genesis
Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Episode 40: Bonus content: Josh Weinstein and Paul Bindig – A Tale of Two Floyds
Not asked
Episode 39:Lisa Coleman – Prince and The Revolution / Wendy and Lisa
The Legendary Lazar Berman Plays Liszt – Lazar Berman
anything from Sly and the Family Stone
A Simple Matter of Conviction – Bill Evans
Episode 38:Geoff Downes – Yes / Asia / The Buggles
In The Land of Grey and Pink – Caravan
Episode 37:Tom Brislin – Kansas
Christmas Album – The Ventures
Business As Usual – Men At Work
Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles
Episode 36:Oliver Wakeman – Solo Artist / Nolan & Wakeman / Yes
Who Do You Think We Are – Deep Purple
Episode 35:Josh Weinstein – Solo Artist
Answer: 5 albums that Josh hasn’t heard yet
Episode 34: Michael Whalen – Future Shock / Film and TV Composer
Greatest Hits Vol. 1 – Earth, Wind and Fire
Works Vol. 1 – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Episode 33: Veronica Lewis – Solo Artist
No discs, but a great discussion on playlists (Boogie woogie piano, rockabilly, classic country, Americana)
Episode 32: Alan Hewitt – The Moody Blues / Alan Hewitt & One Nation
Heavy Weather – Weather Report
Romantic Warrior – Chick Corea
Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Episode 31: Alan Clark – Dire Straits / Eric Clapton / Tina Turner
Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
The Melody at Night, With You – Keith Jarrett
Episode 30: Steve Porcaro – Toto
Brain Salad Surgery – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Episode 29: Glenn Reither – Jon Stevens, Icehouse, Little River Band
Aliens Ate My Buick – Thomas Dolby
Live – Alison Krauss and Union Station
Episode 28: Dan Walker – Heart
Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians
Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble
Episode 27: David K Mathews – Santana, Etta James, Tower of Power (Part 2)
Anything by Art Tatum
Elis and Tom – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Any of Jimmy Smith’s Blue Note releases
Albeniz: Iberia Suites – Alicia De Larrocha
Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles
Episode 26: David K Mathews – Santana, Etta James, Tower of Power (Part 1)
See above
Episode 25: Matt Johnson – Jamiroquai
Stompin’ at the Savoy – Rufus and Chaka Khan
Secrets of the Beehive – David Sylvian
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Outkast
Still Life (Talking) – Pat Metheny Group
Episode 24: Clive Nolan, Arena / Pendragon / Shadowland
The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table – Rick Wakeman
Symphonie Fantastique – Berlioz
Phantom of the Opera – Andrew Lloyd Webber
Episode 23: Roddy Bottum – Faith No More / Imperial Teen / Crickets
20 Jazz Funk Greats – Throbbing Gristle
Episode 22: Peter-John Vettese – Jethro Tull / Simple Minds / The Bee Gees
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles
Tarkus – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Can’t Buy A Thrill – Steely Dan
Forest of Feelings – David Sancious
Episode 21: Jeff Babko – Jimmy Kimmel / Martin Short / James Taylor / Neil Young
The Golden Age of Wireless – Thomas Dolby
Seven Steps to Heaven – Miles Davis
Episode 20: Jan Pulsford – Cyndi Lauper and Chico Freeman
The Lark Ascending – Vaughan Williams
Anything by Miles Davis
Anything by John Martin
Episode 19: Loren Gold – The Who and Roger Daltrey
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – Elton John
Episode 18: Arden Altino – Wyclef Jean, Melissa Etheridge, Wonda Music
Jay-Z (specific album not mentioned)
Biggie Smalls (specific album not mentioned)
Episode 17: Samuel B.Lupowitz – Noon Fifteen
Original Concept Album – Jesus Christ Superstar
Episode 16: Lachy Doley – Lachy Doley Group, Jimmy Barnes and Powderfinger
Green Onions – Booker T and the MGs
Greatest Hits – Parliament / Funkadelic
Funky Good Time – James Brown and the J.B.’s
Episode 15: Bonnie McIntosh – Selena Gomez and Melanie Martinez
The Battle of Los Angeles – Rage Against The Machine
Self-Titled – The Dresden Dolls
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City – Kendrick Lamar
Episode 14: Kevin Hearn – Barenaked Ladies and Lou Reed
Kaya – Bob Marley and The Wailers
A Meeting By The River – Ry Cooder and V.M. Bhatt
Greatest Hits – Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark
Episode 13: Darren Heinrich – Darren Heinrich Trio
Episode 12: Stefano Intelisano – The Bodeans and Jason Mraz
Live in Hamburg – Esbjorn Svensson Trio
It’s Snowing on my Piano – Bugge Wesseltoft
anything by Bach
Time Warp – Chick Corea Quartet
In The Jungle Groove – James Brown
Episode 11: Mark Baron – Gloria Gaynor and The Duprees
Pictures at an Exhibition – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Tarkus – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin
Episode 10: Andy Burton – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul / Cyndi Lauper
Everyone Digs Bill Evans- Bill Evans
Dr John Plays Mac Rebennack (The Legendary Sessions) – Dr John
The Power and the Glory – Gentle Giant
Episode 9: Ellen Reid – Crash Test Dummies
The Roches (self-titled)
Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony
Episode 8: Sandy Soon – Unlocking The Doors
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
Stone Age Romeos – Hoodoo Gurus
Episode 7: Lisa Bella Donna – Composer and Synthesist
Night of the Living Dead Soundtrack
Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Sandy Denny and The Strawbs – All Our Own Work
Episode 6: Andrew Farriss – Solo Artist and INXS
Not asked
Episode 5: Paul Bindig – Echoes of Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 – Midnight Oil
Episode 4: Eric Doucet – Carter and the Capitals
Gently Disturbed – Avishai Cohen Trio
La vallée des réputations – Jean Leloup
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen – Mo Hippa Live
Episode 3: Ben Lewis – Lt. Dan Band
Art of the Trio Volume 1 – Brad Mehldau
Shadow Theatre – Tigran Hamasyan
By A Little Light – Matt Ulery
Piano Concerto No. 2 – Rachmaninoff
Episode 2: Dave Bryce – Rabbit Valet
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
Lamb Lies Down on Broadway – Genesis
Martha Argerich Plays the Piano – Margaret Argerich
Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
Episode 1: Chris Gallagher – Man & The Echo
Not asked