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If you haven't picked up Out's October music issue you're missing out on over 125 pages of rock & roll photo shoots, interviews, fashion and our first ever Top 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums of All Time. We compiled the list by asking over 100 musicians, filmmakers, writers, and critics to send us their top 10 choices for the best and queerest albums ever and then ranking the most popular picks.
Because there wasn't enough room in the magazine to feature the top 10s themselves, all month long Popnography has been dedicated to running some of our favorite famous friends' lists. Today's list comes from Murray Hill. The celebrated drag king can frequently be found in New York's East Village hosting events like Ms. Lez and drag bingo, as well as routinely emceeing concerts for bands like Le Tigre and The Gossip.
Murray Hill's top 10 Greatest, Gayest Albums of All Time:
10. Saturday Night Fever original motion picture soundtrack
9. Tina Turner, Private Dancer
8. Etta James, At Last
7. Liza Minnelli, Liza with a Z
6. Gypsy original motion picture soundtrack
5. Judy Garland, Judy at Carnegie Hall: What can you say about my pal Judy that hasn't been said before! This record is what showbiz used to be, it's all razzle dazzle and the most poignant singing you'll ever hear.
4. Le Tigre, This Island: Le Tigre hit a grand slam with this record! I emceed the West Coast
tour for this album at The El Rey in LA and The Fillmore in SF, and the gigs were my favorite showbiz gigs ever. Seeing their audience of young, queer kids screaming at the top of their lungs, dancing, and having the time of their lives was so inspirational. Le Tigre got 'em dancing and sent a positive and hopeful message at the same time.
3. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now: For a guy my age and of my stature, I'll tell you something that I've told no one else -- this record brings me to tears. It's so moving, beautiful, it just packs an emotional punch. The kid's a genius.
2. The Gossip, Standing in the Way of Control: I've had the honor to emcee some of their concerts and be in their "Listen Up" video, and I will say, hands down, this is the greatest, most important band playing today. They have a voice that is so needed for the queer community. Beth Ditto's pipes are of steel and she's fearless both on and off-stage -- a true trailblazer. Not to mention, the music gets me off my La-Z-Boy and on to the dance floor!
1. Frances Faye, Caught in the Act: Frances Faye was one of the greatest lounge singers ever to hit Las Vegas in the '50s. She had a huge gay following and her "assistant" was her partner! Sadly, she's been left out of history books. This record has influenced me more than anything else in my showbiz life. The songs are swinging, but the hilarious campy banter is the bomb. If you listen closely, you can hear all the double-entendres and gay references, especially on "Frances and Her Friends."
There's a whole lot more where that came from -- continue to check back here for more top 10s and head over to Out.com for all the highlights from Out's October music issue.
Previously > Ari Gold's top 10 > Bitch's top 10 > Nate Berkus' top 10
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