Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two...

Here they are, three at a time... If I had to identify a common theme it would be the feeling every man has from time to time to hit the open road....

#23 Simon and Garfunkel- Bridge over Troubled Water
No extremely profound comments about this album, except that I find the music very soothing and really enjoy the stories that they tell. My favorite song is the Boxer. I am holding out hope that someday I'll be able to use the phrase "pocket full of mumbles" in an everyday conversation.


#22 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Into the Great Wide Open
I must have listened to this album at least a thousand times. It includes perhaps my favorite song of all time- King's Highway. Many say that this is a simple tune with simple lyrics, but this is exactly why I like it so much. I think it captures a hope that we all have that someday things are going to get better- "I await the day/ good fortune comes our way/ and we ride down the King's Highway" Other songs of note- Into the Great Wide Open, Two Gunslingers, and You and I Will Meet Again.


#21 Billy Joel- Piano Man
An excellent album for a road trip. BJ explores themes of love, loneliness, and the need to hit the open road. The famous title track is exceptional- A budding musician lifting the spirits of a bunch of down-and-out bums at a run-down piano bar. His listeners, all having been disillusioned by life in some way or another, have their spirits lifted by his piano playing that is described as a "carnival"... The haunting conclusion gets me every time... "And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say "Man, what are YOU doing here?"" Other songs you won't want to miss- You're My Home, Stop in Nevada, and the Ballad of Billy the Kid.