The Top 100 Canadian Albums [Hardcover]

Straight from the heart of the music industry, a book that answers a question that has nagged music fans across the nation. What are the best Canadian albums of all time? A unique panel of those who live and breathe Canadian music was assembled. Musicians, broadcasters, club owners, retailers, roadies, and more — literally hundreds of people across the country cast their votes in this unprecedented poll. Rush’s Neil Peart, Ron Sexsmith, Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, Holly Cole, Kim Stockwood, Sass Jordon, Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, Saturday Night Blues host Holger Peterson, and The Vinyl Café’s Stuart McLean are just a few of the people who voted for their favourite albums. Who will make the top 10? Neil or Joni? Rush or The Hip? Leonard or Gordon? The Band or Arcade Fire? The countdown in on! A groundbreaking book, The Top 100 Canadian Albums features cover reproductions and descriptions for each of the albums that make it onto the list, as well as documentary photographs, in-depth interviews, fascinating facts, and musician-contributed sidebars.

Look no further. Straight from the heart of the music industry comes the ultimate guide to Canadian music, featuring the best albums that Canadian musicians have ever produced. An unprecedented book, The Top 100 Canadian Albums includes the finest albums in Canadian music history chosen by a blue-ribbon panel. More than 600 singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, columnists, and collectors cast their votes for this first-time-ever poll. Rush’s Neil Peart, Ron Sexsmith, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Holly Cole, Sass Jordan, Ryan Peake of Nickelback, Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, George Pettit of Alexisonfire, Saturday Night Blues host Holger Peterson, and The Vinyl Café’s Stuart McLean are just a few of the people who voted for their favourite albums. The results span every decade and every genre of music, from the fifties until the first decade of the 21st century, from classical to pop, from heavy metal to hip-hop. Between the covers, you’ll find the results, from 1 to 100. Along the way, you’ll discover behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the albums and the history of Canadian music, as told by the musicians themselves. Find out how Gordon Lightfoot helped get Blue Rodeo back to Canada. Learn about the song that connects The Guess Who to The Tragically Hip. Meet Simply Saucer, the band that waited 30 years for its album to become a hit. Connect the dots between Don Messer and Music from Big Pink. Sure to spark debate about what is and isn’t on the list, The Top 100 Canadian Albums is the essential book on Canadian music.

Bob Mersereau is a music columnist and long-time arts reporter for CBC Television in New Brunswick. Since 1982, he’s been reporting on the East Coast music scene for CBC Radio, CBC Television, and the Telegraph-Journal. Nicknamed Rockin’ Bob by the last Peter Gzowski, Bob’s been a frequent guest on CBC programs such as Morningside and Sounds Like Canada.