20 albums from different times in my life, what they represent now, and my favourite song off each one.
The Gambler
Kenny Rogers
1985: I was about 5 years old. My dad had a 70's style Stereo cabinet (which began my love for music) and among my parents' many cassettes was this album. I remember listening to this cassette on that system. My earliest music memory.
FAVE SONG: The King Of Oak Street.
Comment by Derek Perry
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
1988: This album was the first CD I ever listened to. I was at a neighbour's house and had never even seen a cd before. I had the choice to listen to this or Brothers In Arms. I probably chose this based on the album cover to be honest.
FAVE SONG: All Through The Night
Comment by Derek Perry
All The Best
Elvis Presley
1992: My grandparents gave me $10 for my 12th birthday. I bought this album on cassette. This was my first ever music purchase. I still have a soft spot for The King. Not sure where the influence came from because my parents were mostly into country and folk. They had no Elvis albums at all. Somehow, he was my rebellion (30 years later than everyone else).
FAVE SONG: Kentucky Rain
Comment by Derek Perry
Greatest Hits
Queen
1993: I was the first in our house to get stereo with a CD player. This album was the first CD I ever bought. My wife and I disagree on a lot of music, but one thing we instantly connected with when we met was Queen.
FAVE SONG: Somebody To Love
Comment by Derek Perry
Traction
Supergroove
1994: Back in the days when bands had logos. This was my first ever concert. These guys were kind of like New Zealand's version of RHCP - mixing funk, rock, R'n'B, and Hiphop.... and they were pretty huge at the time. I was 14. I went with another 14 year old friend (RIP Robbie). We were unattended. Seems wild today.
FAVE SONG: Only The Rain
Comment by Derek Perry
Cross Road (The Best Of)
Bon Jovi
1995: We had moved to Australia and I was into this album at the time. It was a familiar comfort in a new country. A few years later I taught myself how to play drums by playing along to this album. Also fun to play some of these on guitar.
FAVE SONG: I'll Be There For You
Comment by Derek Perry
Unplugged: Enhanced Edition
Eric Clapton
1996: This album began my love for the blues. I remember lying on the loungeroom floor one day when I was about 16 and listening to my mum's copy of this on CD one day when I was having a "sick day" (sure!) from school. I had already heard Layla, Tears In Heaven, and Running On Faith, but listening to Hey Hey, Old Love, Walkin' Blues & Malted Milk stirred something in me. This was my Blues Portal.
FAVE SONG: Old Love
Comment by Derek Perry
Adore
The Smashing Pumpkins
1998: I was in my final year of Highschool. Myself and my 2 best friends had formed a garage band. We played about 5 songs off Adore. We also got to see them live when they toured for this album. For the record, Adore isn't my favourite Pumpkins album. Not even a top 5. But it holds a lot of fond memories of 3 potential rockstars (RIP Tony. I miss you everyday, brother).
FAVE SONG: Tear
Comment by Derek Perry
Blues Blues Blues
The Jimmy Rogers All-Stars
1999: I walked into my local music store and they were playing this album playing over the instore system. I walked straight up to the counter and bought a copy. This album got me hooked on Chicago Blues.
FAVE SONG: Blow Wind Blow
Comment by Derek Perry
Nevermind
Nirvana
2000: The album that started my record collection. I was walking past a pawnshop and saw it in the window for $10. I had been a fan for a few years and to be honest, there was something nostalgic about the thought of owning this album on vinyl. The copy was warped and scratched and has since been replaced, but this is where the record collection started. This is the source.
FAVE SONG: Breed
Comment by Derek Perry
The Door
Keb' Mo'
2001: The Door was my first ever blind-buy. I had told an acquaintance how I was getting into delta Blues and he told me I should check out Keb' Mo'. Good advice. Instant fan.
FAVE SONG: The Beginning
Comment by Derek Perry
Poetic Champions Compose
Van Morrison
2003: By now I had a pretty sweet Sony hifi system (LBT-LX6 with a PS-LX250H) and had moved out of my parents' house and gone to Melbourne to live in a sharehouse with some friends. This record was another early purchase and I loved how it echoed a little in that old house with high ceilings and wooden floors. A record that still stirs the feeling of freedom I felt all those years ago. A top-5 album for me.
FAVE SONG: Someone Like You
Comment by Derek Perry
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
2004: This was another part of my blues journey. Through Clapton, I had discovered Duane Allman and my love for slide/bottleneck guitar. This album has sent me down so many musical rabbit holes. Easily a top-3 album for me.
FAVE SONG: Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?
Comment by Derek Perry
Pride & Prejudice (Music From The Motion Picture)
Dario Marianelli, Jean-Yves Thibaudet
2005: I had moved to Queensland and met my (now) wife. This was (is) her favourite movie and I've seen it no less than 5 times. I don't mind. I love my wife and the score reminds me of a bit of Bach, Field, and Williams all rolled in to one.
FAVE SONG: Dawn
Comment by Derek Perry
Carry On
Chris Cornell
2007: I married the love of my life. Our musical preferences don't always align, but she actually likes Chris Cornell. My stepdaughter also likes Chris Cornell. (Even my 70 year old mother likes Chris Cornell!). His version of Billie Jean also helped me appreciate Michael Jackson as a story-teller.
FAVE SONG: Billie Jean
Comment by Derek Perry
Continuum
John Mayer
2008: This album solidified my respect for John Mayer. I had heard his radio hits and knew he was a good guitar player. But this album showed me how good he really is as a blues guitaristHe can do folk, pop, rock, blues, country and ballads without sounding like an imitation of anyone else.
FAVE SONG: Gravity
Comment by Derek Perry
To Be Loved
Michael Bublé
2013: My daughter was born and I must have been into Michael Bublé at the time because hearing him always reminds me of her when she was a baby.
FAVE SONG: Young At Heart
Comment by Derek Perry
Folk Songs Of The American Longhair
Brother Dege
2018: From my blues-rock journey, I stumbled down a side-path of bluegrass. This album reminds me of my drive home from a job I didn't particularly like. It was my way of winding down.
FAVE SONG: The Girl Who Wept Stones
Comment by Derek Perry
And It's Still Alright
Nathaniel Rateliff
2021: This album reminds me of another transition stage in our lives. We had moved towns, changed jobs etc and we were finally buying our own home. This album absolutely reeks of back-porch beers and sunsets.
FAVE SONG: And It's Still Alright
Comment by Derek Perry
Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)
Noah Kahan
2025: My wife had won her battle with cancer and got her spirit back. Noah Kahan has become another "Us" artist. And our daughter loves him too (even has a record of his for herself). Noah Kahan represents the happiest time in my whole life (and we're still living it).
FAVE SONG: The View Between Villages
Comment by Derek Perry