Richard Thompson "Doom and Gloom from the Tomb, vol 1" (1985)

Originally created as a bonus for fan club members, this is by definition non-essential.  It is outtakes & live recordings from the late 70s/early 80s.  Given the plethora of live RT currently available, this is even less essential.

The Knitters "Poor Little Critter on the Road" (1985)

This was an absolutely groundbreaking album for me.  Like so many kids, I had rebelled against the country influences that seemed to surround my childhood.  I loved X.  And then they made this country record.  Yeah, it's not that country.  But to my ears in 1985 or whenever I heard it, this was country as hell.  I mean, there are MERLE HAGGARD songs here.  What did it mean that cool people like X liked that stuff?

In retrospect, it's clearly one of those generational albums that introduce people to country music.  I don't think my own story is particularly special in that regard.  And it's also interesting at how it foreshadows so much of John Doe's solo career.