Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Let's stick with bands/artists that have 4 or more CDs (it's no great feat if they only have a couple).

I thought of this because of the Led Zeppelin album threads. I was a casual fan of their work, only knowing the hits. I only owned II and IV and for some reason the BBC Sessions. Then, a little while ago, I got the Complete Studio Recordings box and have listen to their entire catalog, in order, two or three times. I spread it over a couple of days, but they were the only thing I listened to during that time.

Another band I've done this for several times, when I'm in the mood, is Godspeed You Black Emperor. Their 5 CDs worth of material makes a very interesting 4+ hour aural experience- one long post-apocalyptic symphony ending with the climatically beautiful Yanqui U.X.O. album.

So who have you geeked out and done a marathon listening session with? Who would be the most interesting to try this with?

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I did this with Nine Inch Nails after The Slip came out. It was over the span of about two days though.

I almost did this when The Beatles remasters came out. I listened to Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles, Abbey Road and Let it Be. I then listened to Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale and Help!.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

The Beatles

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

When I was younger, my first car had a 10 CD changer in the trunk, and at least 7 of those were filled with the They Might Be Giants discography, in chronological order, up through Factory Showroom and including their b-side compilation Miscellaneous T. When the "Then" boxset was released, it combined 3 of the discs onto 2, which left more room for EPs and side projects.

Mind you, it was set up like that for months on end, if not years. So I'd listen to a few other CDs, but probably run through the entire discography at least once a month.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I've only done it twice and when I was much younger:

The Beatles and Led Zeppelin

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Well, The Beatles wouldn't be so cut and dried because of all those singles. I wouldn't feel like I listened chronologically if the "Masters" comp was played as if it was another album. Or do you just leave those out?

Although, I tagged each track on that disc by year instead of assigning one year for the whole thing. So, I could probably approximate it, but I don't think I'd bother to find out what month in which each single came out.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I've never done it, but it's an interesting idea! Maybe I'll start with Elton John. ;)

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Good Stuff. Too bad they aren't really putting out much good material anymore. No! was the last thing by TMBG that I thought was solid.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I used to drive a lot for work, so I've done this a lot.

Pink Floyd
Rush
Led Zeppelin
Dream Theater (up to Scenes from a Memory at the time)
Anthrax
Metallica

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I like going through artist entire discography in order, let's you see how certain bands progressed even though you couldn't do it when they were made.

I'm currently going through Genesis's discography but don't know if I want to continue past Duke

I've also done...
Phish
Bruce Springsteen
Talking Heads
Beatles
Metallica (I did skip St. Anger for good reasons)
Guns 'n' Roses
The Police
Ween

I tried to do Frank Zappa but there's too many records. I think i've listened to 25-30 of his albums and still have 20 to go.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I have every song from every Rush CD converted to mp3 and burned in chronological order onto 2 disks. Those disks have been in my car CD changer for about 2 years. I think it works out to about 30 hours of Goodness. It never gets old!

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I have did the Beatles over a two day period.

I have did The Rolling Stones over a few days.

I have did Tom Waits over 2 days.

I have did The Foo Fighters in one day.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I'm doing this with Iron Maiden right now. I started about three days ago. I'm going through all their studio albums. Even the Blaze Bayley ones. :) I'm up to 'Brave New World'. Only a couple more to go.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Hehe, I actually like the Blaze Bayley albums :)

Surprisingly I've never done this and never even thought of doing it. I don't like listening to the same artist for very long (other than when I get a new CD and listen to it 5+ times on repeat). Maybe I'll try it some time, but I have a feeling that after the 3rd or 4th album I'd be desperately craving to hear another band.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

When I get on a band kick, this is exactly what I do. I just wish my iPod would let me arrange albums chronologically, rather than alphabetically.

I know I could create a playlist, but I don't like having to do that.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

This

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I'm currently doing this with Sinatra. A friend loaned me

Complete Sinatra/Dorsey box set(5 discs)
Complete Columbia Recordings(12 discs)
Complete Capitol Recordings set(21 discs)
Complete Reprise Studio Recordings(20 discs)

I've been averaging one per day. Tonight it's Reprise disc 5

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

About 10 years ago, I took a day over the winter and listened to every George Strait album in order--including four hits compilations, two Christmas discs and a box set. I even threw in his cover of "Red River Valley" from The Horse Whisperer soundtrack when its chronological place came up.

I don't have nearly enough of his full discography to do this, but I have on occasion played all of Johnny Cash's American Recordings releases in order. It makes me feel morose, sad and exuberant doing that. I haven't done it since the release of American VI: Ain't No Grave.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Tom Waits over a weekend. Man, that was a good weekend.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Just recently listened to the entire Doors (Morrison) studio album discography, on vinyl. Man that was good. Prior to that, it was definitely the Beatles box set.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I should try the TMBG marathon. I've got everything by them including all the b-sides I can find, and I actually like The Spine and The Else. Apart from a couple tracks on Mink Car that I find unlistenable, I enjoy pretty much everything they've put out.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I did this recently with the Sex Pistols.

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Well that would be a long term project ;)

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

Van Halen (Just the Roth albums)
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
The Who
The Clash
The Monkees
Simon & Garfunkel (Including The Graduate)
The Velvet Underground
The Byrds

Re: Have you ever listened to an entire discography chronologically?
 

I can't think of many artists I have the complete discographies of besides R.E.M. I agree with KillerCannibal that it would be nice if my iPod would order albums chronologically. I've actually wondered lately what it would be like if I my iPod could organize all my songs in chronological order and play them like that every now and then.

I may have to visit my cd shelf and see what other artists I could do this with, maybe hit up the used CD store soon.

Just remembered, I do have all the Star Wars soundtracks, that might be neat to do sometime...