Tag: 1970s
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Armed Forces, 1979 on Columbia
Costello’s third LP and second with The Attractions (but the first to credit them on the cover). My favorites here are “Oliver’s Army” and of course “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” (forgiving the lack of an Oxford comma). Produced by Nick Lowe, who famously wrote the latter. My copy—via Vinyl Vault in…
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The Beatles, The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, 1977 on Capitol
Recorded in 1964 and 1965, restored by George Martin for release in 1977, and then re-released in 2016 with four additional tracks and fully remastered by Giles Martin as Live At The Hollywood Bowl. It’s been out of print for a long time so I was happy to find a copy in the used market.…
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Ry Cooder, Into The Purple Valley, 1972 on Reprise
This was Cooder’s second studio album, with some great legacy American music, including “How Can You Keep On Moving (Unless You Migrate Too)” and Woody Guthrie’s “Vigilante Man.” You can’t go wrong with Ry Cooder. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Jim Dickinson. My copy—via a private sale—is a Pitman pressing on orange Reprise labels with…
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The Band, The Last Waltz, 1978 on Warner Bros
Album from the move documenting The Band’s “farewell concert appearance” with a stellar set of guests including Dylan but also Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young (along with many others). There are songs in the soundtrack album here that are not in the film – and the soundtrack reportedly went…
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Thelonious Monk, The London Collection Volume 3, 1989 on Black Lion
Recorded at Chappell Studios in London Nov 15th, 1971 but not released until the late 80s on Black Lion, these recordings are from near the end of his recording and performing career. Monk’s joined by Al McKibbon on bass and Art Blakey on drums. There are at least 3 volumes in the London Collection as…
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Leo Kottke, Self-Titled, 1976 on Chrysalis
Kottke’s first album on Chrysalis (after six on Capitol): a fully instrumental album produced by Denny Bruce with arrangements by Jack Nitzsche My copy via the Salem Flea Marketplace is a 1977 pressing on Chrysalis labels.
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Oscar Peterson, “Motions and Emotions,” 1970 on MPS
Oscar Peterson covering “popular” tunes, including “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and “Ode to Billy Joe.” I know some folks will find this schmaltzy but as an Oscar Peterson fan I really enjoy it. My copy is the 2018 reissue in the Ambassadors for MPS series, on 180g vinyl pressed at Optimal GmbH and an insert reproducing…
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Nina Simone, Baltimore, 1978 on CTI
The inimitable Nina Simone recorded in Brussels in January 1978 – her first and only record with CTI (Creed Taylor Inc). Apparently she and Creed Taylor did not find good creative collaboration and she disclaimed any choice of material or creative control. “Baltimore” is the Randy Newman song from Little Criminals. Quincy Jones’ version of…
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Bobby Hutcherson, Montara, 1975 on Blue Note
Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson’s ~13th album on Blue Note – west coast Latin jazz. Recorded in LA (Record Plant) in August 1975 and produced by Dale Oehler. Hutcherson passed in 2016. My copy is part of the Vinyl Me Please Anthology The Story of Blue Note Records (2024 edition) which reproduces the mid-70s Blue Note labels.
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Bob Marley and the Wailers, Shakedown, 1979 on ALA
This was originally released in August 1971 with the title The Best of the Wailers on Beverley’s Records – but it is not a greatest hits album. It was recorded in 1970 with Leslie Kong and has been reissued many times with many different labels. Here it is called Shakedown on the cover and Shake…
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Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True, 1977 on Columbia
Costello’s debut album, coming roaring out of the gate with a new mix of punk, rockabilly, new wave, and British pub rock. Produced by Nick Lowe and recorded in Islington, London. Out on Stiff Records originally in the UK, then Columbia in the US. The original US version added “Watching the Detectives” but this version…
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The Wailers, Burnin’, 1973 on Island
Sixth LP from Marley and the Wailers, recorded at the same time as Catch a Fire. The front cover credits The Wailers, but this modern reissue credits Bob Marley & The Wailers on the labels. This was the last album before Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer all pursued solo careers. What a fantastic album,…
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Bob Marley and The Wailers, Live!, 1975 on Island / Tuff Gong
Recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in London, July 1975, and released by Island Records. Fantastic live album. The only thing wrong with this album is that isn’t a 2xLP or longer. My copy—not sure where I picked this up—is a post 2015 reissue by UMe on Tuff Gong labels, including a fold-out poster.
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The Cars, The Cars (Self-Titled), 1978 on Elektra
Debut album from Boston’s own The Cars, out in 1978 on Elektra, and produced by Thomas Baker. Killer debut, with “Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Good Times Roll,” and “Moving In Stereo.” Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, Elliot Easton, David Robinson, and Greg Hawkes in the original lineup. My copy, via a private…
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Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – Live at the Forum, 1970 on Lid
Widely bootlegged live album recorded at the LA Forum June 26th, 1970. Some performances from this night (and many from this tour) were on Four Way Street. My copy—via a private sale—is on purple “LID” labels, and has “Find the Cost of Freedom” at the end of side A rather than side D as on…
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Oscar Peterson, Oscar Peterson in Russia, 1976 on Pablo
Peterson recorded November 17, 1974 in Tallinn, Estonia (listed as Tallinn Russia) with Niels Pederson and Jake Hanna. I love finding these 70s era Pablo recordings. My copy—via Crossroads Records in Portland OR—is a 1976 RCA Indianapolis pressing 2xLP gatefold.
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Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks, 1975 on Columbia
One of the must-haves for any Dylan collector, Blood was Dylan’s return to Columbia after a couple albums on Asylum. “Tangled Up in Blue,” “Simple Twist of Fate,” and “Shelter From The Storm” are my favorites but there’s no shortage of great songs here. Dylan’s autobiography claims the songs are inspired by Checkov, but Jakob…
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Mose Allison, Western Man, 1971 on Atlantic
Mose Allison from 1971 with Chuck Rainey and Billy Cobham, recorded at Atlantic Studios and Regent, and produced by Joel Dorn. Great versions of “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” and “If You’ve Got The Money (I’ve Got The Time)” plus nine originals by Allison. My copy, via Crossroads Records in Portland OR, is…