Ten Favorite Arkansas Albums
(These are all by artists who were born, raised, lived, or continue to live in Arkansas. Some of them are easily found; some were released decades ago on vinyl or cassette and have since become rare. I’ve arranged them in chronological order.)
Extra Soul Perception by Monk Higgins
Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
Sex Beyond the Door by Elton and Betty White
Fishwagon by Fishwagon
Pictures and Paintings by Charlie Rich
My Life by Iris DeMent
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams
This Is the Way the World Ends by Boondogs
Something Like Nostalgia by The Abbasi Brothers
The Last Pale Light in the West by Ben Nichols
Bonus Entry: Thomas East would have made this list if he had released a proper album. His 45s are amazing—listen, for instance, to “Sister Funk”—and I wish someone would issue a compilation of them.
— February 22, 2021