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1. Pet Sounds - Beach Boys

Not much can be said. Brian Wilson is a genius. The way he could combine a melody and a chord progression were just out of this world. His arrangements were stunning. He had a way of placing two instruments together - that would not normally be together - to create a whole new sound.

2. Abbey Road - The Beatles

Every Beatles record has influenced me and it is tough to choose one. This particular record really showcases the songwriting and arrangements of the band. When this album came out on vinyl, the second side was created pretty much as a whole. Up until then, this had never been done.

3. Graceland - Paul Simon

This is an amazing record. The way Paul Simon was able to integrate South African music with American pop created a whole new sound.

4. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco

Wilco was able to take folk rock songs, deconstruct them and recreate them in a complete left-of-centre manner. This album takes a couple of listens, but it is a new chapter in today's recording process.

5. Band of Gypsies - Jimi Hendrix

Hendrix was one of the greatest guitar players who walked the face of the Earth. This album showcases that. It's a compilation of concerts circa New Year's Eve 1970 that displays Jimi's prowess on the guitar.

6. Alive - Kiss

A great live record. To this day (some 30-odd years later), when you put the album on you feel like you are one of the kids at the concert. They set out to achieve something and they did. They were/are the kings of showmanship and this record captures that spirit.

7. Words of Earnest - Goose Creek Symphony

This is a very rare record. If you can find it, it meshes the sounds of a rock band with a horn section and two violins, all led by a folk singer. Musically and arrangement-wise, very solid. Lyrically, a very interesting, simple and honest take on life.

8. Desire - Bob Dylan

This record introduced me to Dylan, who is one of the greatest songwriters of our time. As a bonus, Emmylou Harris sings harmony on the majority of the record.

9. Déjà Vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Four amazing songwriters in their own right, angelic vocal harmonies -and Stephen Stills was a major influence in my learning guitar.

10. 500 Pounds - Big Sugar

Gordie Johnson is the King of the Feedback Guitar and brings this album to life. Songs like '500 Pounds,' 'Wild Ox Moan' and 'I'm A Ram' really opened my mind to songwriting and arrangements on guitar.