On the Record...with Christian Gray

Christian Gray currently appears a "Bertie" in First Folio's JEEVES AT SEA and shares with us his top fivew albums on his playlist.

1. 1.) Album: U2: THE JOSHUA TREE

Original release date: 1987

Label: Island Records

What initially appealed to me: The music, the poetry, it's just a rockin' album. Blew me away when I first heard it. I believe I wore out 2 cassette tapes of this album.

Must-Listen Track: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

Why it's still on my playlist: Still one of the best albums of all time.

2.) Album: Paul Simon: GRACELAND

Original release date: 1986

Label: Warner Brothers

What initially appealed to me: Again, the whole album just blew me away. Another 'desert island' album. Plus it was my introduction to Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Must-Listen Track: "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"

Why it's still on my playlist: Who doesn't have this album on their playlist?

3.) Album: Count Basie and Duke Ellington: THE COUNT MEETS THE DUKE

Original release date: 1961

Label: Columbia

What initially appealed to me: Having been big fans of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, I ran across this album when it had been recently re-released. Dug it thoroughly!

Must-Listen Track: "Battle Royal"

Why it's still on my playlist: Must for big band swing era fans!

4.) Album: John Hiatt: SLOW TURNING

Original release date: 1988

Label: A & M

What initially appealed to me: A good friend of mine introduced me to this album. I had always trusted his taste in music (he's now a multiple award-winning sound designer), so it struck me as odd that he wanted me to listen to a 'rock-a-billy' album. I was shocked that I loved it! All but two songs on this album have been covered by other artists (Garth Brooks, Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, to name a few).

Must-Listen Track: "Feels Like Rain"

Why it's still on my playlist: Great songwriting, great band, John Hiatt's raspy voice.

5.) Album: The Nubile Thangs!: PORK CHOP EXTRAORDINAIRE

Original release date: 1990's

Label: Full Size Hut Records

What initially appealed to me: My aforementioned friend's band

Must-Listen Track: "This Music (Will Never Sell)".

Why it's still on my playlist: Funny Funk. If you don't like this band, there's something terribly, disturbingly, downright apocalyptically wrong with you.

JEEVES AT SEA runs through Feb 28 at First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st Street, Oakbrook. Tickets, $29 - $39. Call 630.986-8067.