# The Three Greatest Double Albums Of All Time... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2005, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348 "2005-05-04T10:36:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/21 "2005-05-04T14:57:21Z")
I cannot just give a list. I can, however, tell you about the two double albums that had the biggest impact on me: 1. **Tommy** by the Who. It was released the year I was born and as far back as I can remember, this was my favorite record. I requested it constantly, until my dad finally taught me how to use the record player myself when I was six years old. Then I played it whenever I could. The discs were arranged so that one disc had sides one and four and the other disc had sides two and three, so that you could stack them and play sides one and two without having to change them manually, then flip the stack over and play sides three and four. Eventually this scratched the discs so badly that a couple of the songs were plain unlistenable. Finally, at about age ten, I got sick of it and put it away. Every few years, though, I would bring it out and play it again and it still sounded good, scratches and all. Last year I bought the CD and it sounded better than ever. I didn’t even miss the hisses, pops and skips that I had previously memorized. Playing it, as I did, semi-constantly through years of early brain development has made this album an integral part of my being. 2. **The Wall** , Pink Floyd. I wanted this album so bad that I persuaded my grandfather that what my dad wanted for his birthday, more than anything else, was a copy of it. I, by then a latchkey kid, then proceeded to play it every single day after school for almost two years. Eventually, I developed a silent pantomime, acting out every scene portrayed in the lyrics (as I understood them at the time), pretending to play every guitar solo note for note, and mouthing every lyric. I had been playing the piano for 4 years, and one night I dreamt I was playing the song “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II.” It was very exciting and vivid, and when I woke up I remembered the chords I had played in my dream. I ran to the piano and, lo and behold, I had learned the song by ear in my sleep! Nothing like that has ever happened since. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/22 "2005-05-04T15:13:26Z")
How about the Allman Brothers’ _Live at the Fillmore East_? ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/23 "2005-05-04T15:46:32Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > How about the Allman Brothers’ _Live at the Fillmore East_? As in post #3? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/24 "2005-05-04T15:58:58Z")
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life George Harrison - All Things Must Pass Bob Dylan - Blonde on BLonde ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/25 "2005-05-04T16:00:58Z")
**A Real Live Dead One** by Iron Maiden **The Glorious Burden** by Iced Earth **Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence** by Dream Theatre ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/26 "2005-05-04T16:05:14Z")
> [@ZeroGyro](#): > > George Harrison - All Things Must Pass [nitpick]That’s a _triple_ album.[/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/27 "2005-05-04T16:08:16Z")
Well, _I’d_ pick it as one of my top triple albums…along with the Dead’s _Europe '72_. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/28 "2005-05-04T16:12:03Z")
…but for double albums, I’ll add Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s [The Case of the 3-Sided Dream in Audio Color](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006GFAC/qid=1115223307/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_10/103-2641860-0422266?v=glance&s=music). ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/29 "2005-05-04T16:29:21Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > [nitpick]That’s a _triple_ album.[/nitpick] Yeah, messed up on that one. But I mainly listen to the first two LPs and ignore the “Apple Jams” one, so for me, it _is_ a double album. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/30 "2005-05-04T17:27:24Z")
_Chicago_ - Chicago (it’s now known as _Chicago II_) _Hot August Night_ - Neil Diamond _Greatest_ - Bee Gees. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/31 "2005-05-04T18:26:38Z")
> [@Chance the Gardener](#): > > Lenny Bruce in blue suede shoes… Nitpick: Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes, Smiling at the Majorettes, smoking Winston cigarettes. Broadway Melody of 1974, 3rd track. I can’t limit myself to the three best albums, but I’ll pick three that haven’t been mentioned so far: - **Four Way Street** - Crosby Stills, Nash & Young. - **Made in Japan** - Deep Purple - **Roxy and Elsewhere** - Zappa. Double albums seem to be a 70’s thing, and live albums feature a lot. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/32 "2005-05-04T19:49:15Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > As previously nominated: > > \*\*Zeppelin: \*\* _Physical Graffiti_ > > **Prince:** _Sign ‘O’ the Times_ > > My addition, a transcendent live album. > > **Thin Lizzy** Live and Dangerous. I would agree with Zep and Prince. For my third, I would probably go with **Pink Floyd’s The Wall**. For my guilty pleasure, I would go with **UFO’s Strangers in the Night** (much better than **Kiss Alive)** I also have fond memories of **Skynyrd’s One More From the Road…** ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/33 "2005-05-04T20:03:43Z")
“Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis (I tried to count once - did he release, like 10 double albums between 1969 - 1980?) “Electric Ladlyland” by Hendrix “Freak Out!” by Frank & The Mothers and honorary “4 Way Street” by CSNY Man - were the early 70’s heavy or WHAT? mm ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/34 "2005-05-04T20:33:59Z")
> [@Ukulele Ike](#): > > Well, _I’d_ pick it as one of my top triple albums…along with the Dead’s _Europe '72_. Beat me to it. Also, **Woodstock**. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/35 "2005-05-04T22:53:05Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > [nitpick]That’s a _triple_ album.[/nitpick] Yeah, _triple_ albums get a thread of their own: any takers for The Clash’s _Sandinista_? Anyone? Hello? ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/36 "2005-05-04T23:11:42Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > We seem to be on a musical kick here at the moment, which is all to the good, so your nominations please for the three greatest DOUBLE albums of all time - double vinyl for preference, but there _are_ exceptions… > > 1/ The Rolling Stones: _Exile On Main Street_ > The winner by a nose, if only for Ventilator Blues, the best {read: nastiest} song they ever recorded. From down and dirty bluesy rock {Rip This Joint} to gospel-flecked tenderness {Shine A Light}; it’s all here, and guaranteed to make you feel better. > > 2/ The Clash: _London Calling_ > Rock’n’Roll, Ska, Reggae, Punk, Rockabilly: it’s all in here, folks, as Joe and the boys turn their backs on cheap punk sneering to explore their musical roots, and come up trumps with the likes of Jimmy Jazz and Lost In the Supermarket. Not a bad track on the album, and bonus points for the coolest album cover ever. > > 3/ Wilco: _Being There_ > Kicking it Old Skool, with a glorious blend of country, rock, and alt-punk: put the Stones, Neil Young, The Replacements and Social Distortion in a blender, and hit “pulse”. The album for people who think they don’t make albums like that anymore. Extra credits for releasing it as a _proper_ double album on two CD’s, when they could have stuffed it all on one and ruined the pacing. 😛 The White Album. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Watcher_of_the_Skies)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/37 "2005-05-04T23:40:52Z")
Yes - **Tales From Topographic Oceans** Fleetwood Mac - **Tusk** Tom Waits - **Nighthawks at the Diner** ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/38 "2005-05-04T23:54:49Z")
> [@ZeroGyro](#): > > Yeah, messed up on that one. But I mainly listen to the first two LPs and ignore the “Apple Jams” one, so for me, it _is_ a double album. 🙂 Yeah, I classify it as a double album, with an extra bonus disc of instrumental foodling around. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/39 "2005-05-05T00:05:33Z")
> [@Watcher of the Skies](#): > > Yes - **Tales From Topographic Oceans** > Fleetwood Mac - **Tusk** > Tom Waits - **Nighthawks at the Diner** Wow - how does someone with your screen name not pick **The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway**? It seems almost disloyal. 🙂 **Mamboman** - great picks, but [nitpick]Freak Out predated the 70’s by several years[/nitpick]. it would be one of my choices as well, along with the White Album and, ummm, either Electric Ladyland or Tommy. ---
**Author:** ![Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@Watcher\_of\_the\_Skies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Watcher_of_the_Skies)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348/40 "2005-05-05T00:18:59Z")
> [@Kilvert's Pagan](#): > > Wow - how does someone with your screen name not pick **The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway**? It seems almost disloyal. 🙂 You’re right, I definitely would consider that great Genesis album as one of the best, but it had already been mentioned, and since the earlier posts listed so many great double albums, I wanted to add three more great ones that hadn’t been mentioned yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-greatest-double-albums-of-all-time/302348.md?page=3)