We've searched our extensive music library and put together a list of essential artists and composers we think every serious music lover should know. Our list spans decades and styles, genres and movements, cataloging the greats from the greatest. Each list shows the artist's best works and is ranked by what Amazon's customers favor most--so the No.1 album is the one customers love best--a good place to start if you're discovering something new.
We've also created a special Essentials Forum just for debating the list, since what's the fun in making a list if you can't discuss it? Participate in the conversation and help us grow our list of Essentials by telling us what you like, don't like, and would like to see.
Spotlight on Ralph Stanley
Born February 25, 1927 in the Clinch Mountains of Dickenson County, Virginia, (where he still resides) Ralph learned to play the banjo from mother Lucy. It was her inspiration, coupled with Ralph’s natural ability, which led Ralph and his older guitar-playing brother, Carter, to form the Stanley Brothers in 1946. Later Stanley became the very personification of traditional Appalachian mountain music. Along the way he has recorded over 200 albums, won numerous Grammy awards, been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music, and most recently was honored with a National Medal of Arts.
›See Ralph Stanley's Essential Albums
