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I got a list of potential article topics from my corporate overlords at The Californian. I skimmed it. I generally tend to ignore input from anyone other than the voices in my head, but one of them stuck with me all week. "Scott Cox's essential albums." Excellent.

People listen to bad music a lot these days, and it's not entirely their own fault. They're stuck with what they get on the radio, and that's way too little to base one's collection on. Heck, my own wife suffered from that very problem when I married her, and after a couple of decades of exposure to off-the-path music, she's a regular hipster. So I thought I'd see if I couldn't help a few of you folks out of the radio rut.

I know what you're thinking: "How do you handle the awesome responsibility of improving the lives of everyone around you through every conceivable form of media?"

Excellent question.

All I can say in response is, I just do. Do you think Superman understands why he can fly?

Actually, he probably does, and if you know why that is, you are a nerd and need this article more than regular people.

So here's the deal: I have compiled a list of 20 albums that you should own. Bear in mind that it's not the 20 best albums ever -- you already know about "Led Zeppelin 4" and "The White Album." No, this is a list based on stuff you need but probably don't have.

So don't send any angry e-mails about why I didn't include "Dark Side of the Moon." I take that as a given. The albums are not in any particular order, as that would take an extra month and more patience than I possess. I started with ladies first, because that's the kind of gent I am.

"Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," Lucinda Williams: I actually feel sorry for people who don't know about Lucinda. A phenomenal talent. Sultry Southern drawl (she's from Louisiana), monster songwriting, and more soul than a thousand Taylor Swifts. Wait, I take that back. Make that 2,000. And 500 Carrie Underwoods. Lucinda had a new record out late last year called "Little Honey," and it's great, but 1998's "Car Wheels" is a global killer. Produced by Steve Earle, which only makes it cooler.

"Spyboy," Emmylou Harris: The best voice on the planet, great songs, guitars by the great Buddy Miller, and all backed up by an unstoppable rhythm section. No studio trickery here -- it's live. Don't expect a traditional country record either: This thing has a rich vein of funk throughout. Play it loud. (In the interest of fairness, it should be noted that I've had a crush on this woman since the eighth grade).

"Live," Alison Krauss and Union Station: Alison has more Grammys than any other female artist. Ever. She simply sings like what I would assume an angel does. If you find yourself in a bad mood, or just stressed out, listen to her sing and everything will be OK. Doctors should prescribe this album, but there's more money in dispensing anti-anxiety meds. One thing you need to try your best to do is to focus on the band. It's plenty hard with those vocals, but Dan Tyminski (George Clooney's stunt voice in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), Ron Block, who plays just about every stringed instrument with a virtuosity that frankly makes me mad, Barry Bales on bass, and Jerry Douglas on Dobro. Mr. Douglas is the world's greatest player of resonator guitars, and that is a scientific fact. Put it all together with some great production, and you get a live album that you have to hear to believe.

"Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings," Aretha Franklin: Look, I know this should be considered cheating -- this album has 86 tracks, but, hey, it's Aretha, and there's no way I'm narrowing THAT playlist. If you have a single album by any female singer who's ever been on "American Idol" and you don't own any of Aretha's music, please do yourself a favor and chuck your iPod into Lake Truxtun. And don't buy a new one until you develop a soul. If you haven't listened to anything by the Queen of Soul lately, pop any of the four discs in this set into your car's CD player, and see how long it takes for you to start singing along. If it's more than two blocks, go back home. Society is better off without you.

"Blues Deluxe," Joe Bonamassa: Holy cow. Joe is the man. If you're a fan of electric guitar music, this has to be in your collection. Joe has albums that rock harder, and are more musically complex, but this is the one that, for me, showcases the remarkable gifts of this young superstar. Plus, it's the best blues record made in the last decade, and Joe is working hard to keep the genre afloat. This is a kid who opened for B.B. King at the age of 12. His skills are all but unmatched these days. Eric Clapton came out onstage at Joe's landmark show at Royal Albert Hall, and honestly, he may not have been the best player at the show. Joe is that good. He's coming to the Fox in March, and take it from me -- I've seen Joe play a ton of times and I've been floored every time. Don't miss the show, and get this record.

"The Road To Ensenada," Lyle Lovett: This pick was brutal. Every record Lyle has made is a masterpiece, and I had to pick one. Lyle is one of those rare artists who can do it all -- this guy is a top-shelf songwriter. That's important. His voice is perfectly matched to the material. This guy knows what he's doing. Ask anyone who's ever seen him live. And, finally, the guy is a totally underrated musician. And he delivers it all with a wry sense of humor that makes this, and his other records so great. Seriously, get anything from his self-titled debut CD to "Natural Forces" that came out a couple of months ago, and see what I mean. But "Road To Ensenada" has "Don't Touch My Hat," and "Fiona." So it wins. For now. You music trivia buffs may be aware of this already, but here comes the weird part -- the artist who made next album on the list used to be Lyle's neighbor. In fact, they shared a house for a time, while they attended Texas A&M. What are the odds?

"The Party Never Ends," Robert Earl Keen: Now Robert Earl is distinctly different from Lyle. His voice isn't as smooth, and his arrangements aren't as fancy, but if you appreciate great songwriting, this cat stands nearly alone in the pantheon of the all-time greats of country songwriters. He's in Guy Clark/ Townes Van Zandt territory. This is also technically a greatest hits record, but too bad. It's epic. I chose it because it has what I feel is a great cross section of Keen's material. And it's got "The Five Pound Bass." Don't ask. Just get it. And while you're at it, grab his new record, "The Rose Hotel." You'll thank me later.

"Mule Variations," Tom Waits: I love me some Tom Waits. Sure, he's an acquired taste, but so is beer, and that stuff seems to be doing fine. All his albums are great, they just vary in strangeness. And "Mule Variations" is the perfect blend of strange and genius. He's got at least eight or nine records that I consider must-haves, from "Swordfish Trombones" to "Real Gone," but get this one first. Sometimes when you're in a weird mood, the best thing to do is make it weirder. Tom Waits will get you there.

"Live At Antone's," The Band Of Heathens: This is easily the best band you've never heard of. Three of Austin's premier musicians -- Ed Jurdi, Colin Brooks, and Gordy Quist somehow got talked into joining forces, and the Band Of Heathens was born. Any one of these guys is better than almost anything coming out of Nashville these days, and together they're just crazy good. Their last record, "One Foot In The Ether," might technically be better, but once you see these guys play live, you'll understand why I picked "Live From Antone's." Plus, I love Antone's. Buy this record and see how often you find yourself humming "Bumblebee." Or maybe it's just me. Better still, head out to Austin and see them live. Those guys are everywhere.

"Dig Lazarus, Dig," Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds: Nick Cave is the guy hip people aspire to be. And sometimes you need some tunes with a bit of a hip edge to it. This record totally delivers. It's bold, it's edgy, and it's addictive. Great for driving around. It makes running errands somehow cool. He's half poet, half rockstar, but he writes great songs and knows how to deliver them. My kid turned me on to this band. I should probably listen to his advice more often, but I'm not going to.

"Washington Square Serenade," Steve Earle: One of my favorite artists for longer than I can remember. I had to choose between this record and "Guitar Town." But this record is just so great from beginning to end, and it's typical Steve Earle -- unpredictable and awesome. I saw him do all these songs live in L.A. last year, and it was probably the best live show I've ever seen.

"Guitar Town," Steve Earle: What was I thinking, taking "Washington Square Serenade" over this? This record is a masterpiece! It changed country music forever! This album blew a gaping hole in the wall that was the Nashville establishment that so many other rebel artists followed him through. Waylon Jennings called it the birth of outlaw country. If you want to know what country music would sound like if Nashville hadn't worked so hard to ruin it every day since, get "Guitar Town." Soon.

"Everything That Happens Will Happen Today," David Byrne and Bryan Eno: These guys wrote, produced, performed and recorded this record. And released it themselves via the Internet. Of course if any artists are capable of this kind of innovation, these are the guys. The songs have just enough Talking Heads feel to suck you in. You'll play it a lot.

"Hard Again," Muddy Waters: Back in 1977, not only was blues legend Muddy Waters about out of gas, but blues in general was in danger of extinction. Then he came roaring back with a great album with a few of his longtime bandmates like James Cotton and Pinetop Perkins. And he took it to 11 by bringing in Johnny Winter. The results speak for themselves. It not only put Muddy back on the map, it gave blues fans hope for the future.

"Never Ending Train," Big House: This album made the list for two reasons: 1. It's great. 2. Everyone in the band knows where I live. I assume most people in Bakersfield are familiar with Big House. Once upon a time they were one of the biggest acts in country music. Then they broke up and got on with their lives. Eight years after "Woodstock Nation," the guys decided to get back in the studio. There's nothing like really good musicians making music for the love of it. And it really comes through on this album. Monty Byrom actually sings better now than he did back when he had his original hair color. David Neuhauser is just ridiculously good. He's the brains of the operation. At least I hope he is. Tanner Byrom, Chuck Seaton, Sonny California, and Ron Mitchell haven't lost a thing as far as I can tell. Great songs, great production, great record.

"The Live Anthology," Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers: This thing just came out before Christmas, and it's crazy good. Tom Petty is better live than in the studio, and that's the best compliment I can think of. He and the band just keep getting better. This collection costs 25 bucks plus, but it's got every great Petty song ever. Getting to hear Mike Campbell and the guys stretch out musically on all these classics is something you only get on a live record. If you're a young person as yet unfamiliar with Tom Petty, it's a great way to get acquainted with one of the all time greats. Because all new bands suck.

"Bring The Family," John Hiatt: The first CD I ever bought, thanks to Pat at World Records, who had it in stock. John Hiatt has tons of great records, but this one stands out as the best ever. Amazing songwriting, lots of soul, and Sonny Landreth on guitars. You just can't beat that.

"Trouble in Mind," Hayes Carll: I was in a record store in New Braunfels, Texas, last year, and this CD was playing. I walked up to the counter and told the nice lady that I wasn't leaving without the CD. She laughed and said she'd been hearing that all day. We listened to that thing nearly all the way home. It's nothing fancy -- just a bunch of fun, simple songs that anyone can relate to and enjoy. Plus, "Girl Downtown" is about a girl named Katie, and that's my daughter's name.

"Get Behind Me Satan," The White Stripes: Probably the most commercially successful record on the list, but I'm including it on the off chance that there's anyone who hasn't heard it. Jack White is a master of taking simple arrangements and turning them into songs of remarkable character and depth. Plus, it's just plain fun to listen to. It's one of those drive-home-on-Friday albums. It will send you back for all the other White Stripes records. Which you will also love.

"Snake Farm," Ray Wylie Hubbard: The greatest day of my life, far better than the birth of my children, was a couple of year's ago, when Ray Wylie played Fishlips. Ask anyone who was there, and they'll regale you with tales of his greatness. My boy got to play some shows with Ray, and the whole family are all just huge fans. His songs are amazing. They're all deep and troubling and funny and they tell wonderful stories. His new record is great, all his old records are great, but "Snake Farm," for reasons I cannot even explain, is simply the greatest record ever made. You just get addicted. I think it may be a form of hypnosis. Even if it's not, one thing is clear -- Ray Wylie Hubbard has powers beyond the grasp of mortal man.

So there you have it -- 20 eclectic records everyone should own. If there's one I forgot, drop me an e-mail and let me know. In the meantime, the next time you're itching to expand your music collection, try one or more of these records. Or blow the budget and buy them all. Cut this article out and stick it on the refrigerator for future reference. Most importantly, remember that many of the most talented artists around don't get airplay, and they're worth seeking out. Make the effort.

-- These are Scott's must-haves. What are yours? Let Lifestyles Editor Jennifer Self know: jself @bakersfield.com