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The Best Episodes of Classic Albums

Every episode of Classic Albums ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Classic Albums!

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A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Classic Albums Season 5 Episode 1 - Simply Red: Stars
    8.4/10(1929 votes)

    #1 - Simply Red: Stars

    S5:E1

    Simply Red, the loosely based group of musicians led by Mick Hucknall, take us into the studio to examine the making of this album. While not as commercially successful in the US, it was the biggest selling album in the UK in 1991, and shipped 8.5 million copies worldwide. The musicians who were with the group at that time runite and take us through the tracks. Included is an interview with songwriting legend Lamont Dozier.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Classic Albums Season 9 Episode 1 - Black Sabbath: Paranoid
    8.2/10(163 votes)

    #2 - Black Sabbath: Paranoid

    S9:E1

    With Paranoid celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the Classic Albums/Black Sabbath episode is particularly timely. Music buffs will relish at the 97-minute DVD that touches upon everything from Black Sabbath’s influences, the songwriting process behind tracks like “War Pigs and “Iron Man,” the band’s introduction into America, and even hands-on explanations of the riff work from Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. In stark contrast to the band’s self-titled debut album (recorded over two days and mixed in one), Paranoid was allowed an opportunity to be crafted in more accommodating studio environment. Those sessions bore a variety of intriguing stories, specifically one that details how “Paranoid” was written off-the-cuff after executives requested a “short song.”

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Classic Albums Season 10 Episode 3 - The Who: Tommy
    8.2/10(135 votes)

    #3 - The Who: Tommy

    S10:E3

    1968 was a time of soul-searching for the Who - with three badly performing singles behind them, they needed a big new idea to put them back at the top and, crucially, to hold them together as a band. Inspired by Indian spiritual master Meher Baba, Pete Townshend created the character of Tommy, the 'deaf, dumb and blind boy'. Broke and fragmenting when they started recording, the album went on to sell over 20 million copies. In this film, the Who speak for the first time about the making of the iconic album and how its success changed their lives.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Classic Albums Season 3 Episode 1 - Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast
    8.0/10(544 votes)

    #4 - Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast

    S3:E1

    Iron Maiden has been both criticized and praised for their unforgiving presentation of hard rock. This album took them to worldwide stardom, and awoke accusations of backward masking, subliminal messages, and Satanism. Producer Martin Birch dissects the master tapes with the five band members, who discuss the writing and recording of each song, while looking for the 'hidden' elements.

    Director:Tim Kirkby
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Classic Albums Season 10 Episode 9 - The Who Sell Out
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - The Who Sell Out

    S10:E9

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 4 - The Band: The Band
    7.9/10(245 votes)

    #6 - The Band: The Band

    S1:E4

    Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson discuss the making of their classic 1969 release. Each member explains how they achieved their distinct sound, with all of them often switching instruments. We hear from Eric Clapton and George Harrison on the influence the record had. Also included is a tribute to suicide victim Richard Manuel.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Classic Albums

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  7. Classic Albums Season 6 Episode 2 - The Who: Who's Next
    7.9/10(693 votes)

    #7 - The Who: Who's Next

    S6:E2

    Interviews with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, along with the late John Entwhistle, who reminisce about the failed attempt to present a rock musical stage show called Lifehouse, tell us how the project evolved into the 1971 classic, Who's Next. Some archival footage is presented, and we are shown by Pete how he developed the synthesized keyboard riffs that gave sonic charges to the album.

    Director:Bob Smeaton
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Classic Albums Season 10 Episode 1 - Primal Scream: Screamadelica
    7.9/10(576 votes)

    #8 - Primal Scream: Screamadelica

    S10:E1

    Primal Scream's seminal album Screamadelica was released in 1991, and synthesized the band's rock 'n' roll roots with the dance culture of that time; for many, the album's sound and imagery came to be regarded as quintessential symbols of the acid house era, perfectly catching the spirit and mood of the early 90s. Using rare archive footage and special performances, this film tells the story of Screamadelica and its hit singles and dance anthems Loaded, Movin' On Up, Come Together and Don't Fight It, Feel It. From the formation of the band in Glasgow to winning the first-ever Mercury prize, the band members explain the record's inception with insights from main producer Andrew Weatherall, Creation Records founder Alan McGee and many others involved with or inspired by this joyful record. Screamadelica both defines a generation and transcends its time, and is a true Classic Album.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 5 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland
    7.8/10(342 votes)

    #9 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland

    S1:E5

    Jimi is recalled here with archival footage, and current interviews with Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, and engineer Eddie Kramer, explain the creative processes that went into the 1968 album. Jimi's manager, Chas Chandler, contributes some details, in what was to be his final interview.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Classic Albums Season 2 Episode 5 - Steely Dan: Aja
    7.8/10(328 votes)

    #10 - Steely Dan: Aja

    S2:E5

    Donald Fagen and Walter Becker delve into the master tapes to discuss the year-long effort that went into this, their biggest album. Well known as perfectionists in the studio, this labor of love is dissected layer by layer. Producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols help explain the craft and detail that the Dan, along with Michael McDonald and some other session players, spent on the Grammy-winning jazz-rock classic.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Classic Albums Season 4 Episode 2 - The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks
    7.8/10(351 votes)

    #11 - The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks

    S4:E2

    The Sex Pistols only released one album before breaking up, but it set off the punk movement, and turned the British music industry on its head. Featuring interviews with John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), Steve Jones and Paul Cook, plus original bassist Glen Matlock, along with producer Chris Thomas, Classic Albums looks at the way it was written and recorded. Also shown is some rare television footage from that time, and some concert performances by the groundbreaking band.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Classic Albums Season 4 Episode 4 - Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
    7.8/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

    S4:E4

    Engineers Chris Thomas and Alan Parsons peel layers off the master tapes from this 1973 masterpiece. The songs are dissected methodically, and Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright are on hand, (though separately), to demonstrate how simplistic some of the writing was.

    Director:Matthew Longfellow
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Classic Albums Season 8 Episode 1 - The Doors: The Doors
    7.8/10(176 votes)

    #13 - The Doors: The Doors

    S8:E1

    The Making of the Doors' Debut Album traces the history of the revolutionary 1967 album in a 90-minute package that features live footage and in-depth interviews with the three surviving band members members -- keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Kreiger and drummer John Densmore -- as they demonstrate the unique musical stylings that contributed to the making of this pivotal album. Others interviewed include engineer Bruce Botnick, and Doors-influenced musicians Henry Rollins and Perry Farrell.

    Director:Bob Smeaton
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 6 - Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
    7.7/10(553 votes)

    #14 - Fleetwood Mac: Rumours

    S1:E6

    The band's Grammy-winning 1977 album is given the Classic Albums treatment. We hear from all the band members, and technicians who worked on the project. Each track is examined and the master tapes are analysed. Included is some archival performance footage, along with some home movies.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Classic Albums Season 2 Episode 3 - Meat Loaf: Bat Out Of Hell
    7.7/10(329 votes)

    #15 - Meat Loaf: Bat Out Of Hell

    S2:E3

    In 1977, Marvin Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf, shocked the music world by releasing this 30 million-selling blockbuster. Previously little-known as an actor and singer , he hooked up with writer Jim Steinman, producer Todd Rundgren, and vocalists Ellen Foley and Carla Devito, to create one of the top five sellers of all time. Kasim Sultan and Max Weinberg, who also played on the album are heard from, and Todd isolates some of the masters to show how the sounds were created.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 2 - Grateful Dead: American Beauty
    7.6/10(212 votes)

    #16 - Grateful Dead: American Beauty

    S1:E2

    This 1970 release was an important step in the rise of the Grateful Dead to legend status. Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, along with some interviews with Jerry Garcia, discuss what went into the writing and recording.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Classic Albums Season 3 Episode 3 - Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)
    7.6/10(820 votes)

    #17 - Metallica: Metallica (Black Album)

    S3:E3

    Metallica's 12 million selling breakthrough album is examined in depth. Taped at One on One Studios, where it was recorded, Producer Bob Rock, along with all four band members, discuss the making of each song, and how they polished their sound to command a wider audience.

    Director:Matthew Longfellow
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Classic Albums Season 4 Episode 1 - Def Leppard: Hysteria
    7.6/10(282 votes)

    #18 - Def Leppard: Hysteria

    S4:E1

    Def Leppard labored for more than a year to record this, their follow-up to 'Pyromania'. Producer Mutt Lange and the group describe track by track what went into the writing, rehearsing, and recording. Layers are peeled away at the mixing board as we see and hear how their vocal sound, guitar effects, and drums are engineered. Also, they play acoustic versions of two of their biggest hits from the record. As a bonus, an early rendition of 'Love Bites', which thankfully was given a complete overhaul, is presented.

    Director:Matthew Longfellow
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 3 - Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life
    7.5/10(113 votes)

    #19 - Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life

    S1:E3

    Stevie's 1976 double album is looked at here. Stevie had already released the smash album, Innervisions, but as Berry Gordy explains, he took the experimentation to a new level. Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock are in the studio with Stevie, along with some other top musicians who contributed, as we examine the creation and recording process, of what many consider Stevie Wonder's finest hour.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Classic Albums Season 3 Episode 2 - Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road
    7.5/10(265 votes)

    #20 - Elton John: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road

    S3:E2

    Elton John, along with some of his past and present band members discuss the creation of his opus, 'Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road'. Producer Gus Dudgeon and engineer David Henschel pull up some of the original multi-tracks, and demonstrate how the music was played and sang. Bernie Taupin is also on hand to describe his lyric writing, and some rare footage of rehearsals, and photos shot in the studio, are presented.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Classic Albums Season 4 Episode 3 - Deep Purple: Machine Head
    7.5/10(260 votes)

    #21 - Deep Purple: Machine Head

    S4:E3

    The 1972 early metal classic is examined here. After a brief recount of Deep Purple's history prior, all five members of the group from that time recount the making of the album, and Jon Lord, Richie Blackmore, and Roger Glover isolate some of their parts, and play along live. Engineer Martin Birch also lends a hand, describing how the instrumental sounds were produced.

    Director:Matthew Longfellow
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Classic Albums Season 6 Episode 3 - Cream: Disraeli Gears
    7.5/10(185 votes)

    #22 - Cream: Disraeli Gears

    S6:E3

    Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, and Eric Clapton are interviewed in the studio for a track by track analysis of their 1967 classic. Each of them play acoustically, including Bruce on the piano, and some archival footage is presented. Lyricist Peter Brown discusses the creative process for 'Sunshine Of Your Love', among other things.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Classic Albums Season 7 Episode 1 - Frank Zappa: Apostrophe (')/Over-Nite Sensation
    7.5/10(203 votes)

    #23 - Frank Zappa: Apostrophe (')/Over-Nite Sensation

    S7:E1

    Tells the story of the recording of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention's "Over-Nite Sensation" and Zappa's solo album "Apostrophe (')".

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Classic Albums Season 9 Episode 2 - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Damn the Torpedoes
    7.5/10(159 votes)

    #24 - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Damn the Torpedoes

    S9:E2

    The latest addition to Eagle s critically acclaimed and highly successful Classic Albums series is Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 1979 breakthrough album Damn The Torpedoes . The band s third album defined their musical style and took them into the mainstream hitting No.2 on the US charts and spawning the top 10 single Don t Do Me Like That . The DVD features newly filmed contributions from the band members Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair and Stan Lynch along with co-producer Jimmy Iovine and engineer Shelly Yakus as they analyse the tracks from the original multi-track tapes and through new and archive performances. Damn The Torpedoes has stood the test of time as one of the great American rock albums of its era and is a worthy addition to the Classic Albums series.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Classic Albums Season 1 Episode 1 - Paul Simon: Graceland
    7.4/10(238 votes)

    #25 - Paul Simon: Graceland

    S1:E1

    This premiere episode spotlights Paul's 1986 Grammy-winning 'comeback' album. Introduced by Ringo Starr, each song is examined from the studio perspective. Paul considers the title track to be "The best I ever did". He describes how he came up with the musical and lyrical ideas, and we hear comments from the engineers and from prominent critics, and some of the South African musicians who contributed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Simply Red: Stars" is the best rated episode of "Classic Albums". It scored 8.4/10 based on 1929 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/7/2005. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Black Sabbath: Paranoid".