Tag: 1970s
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John Mayall, The Latest Edition, 1974 on Polydor
I collect lots of John Mayall – this followed the era of Mayall moving to the US in the late 60s, and the band here includes Larry Taylor, Red Holloway, Soko Richardson, Hightide Harris and Randy Resnick. Lots of jazz/fusion influence here with saxophone. Mayall is wearing a cast on the cover. Mayall passed unfortunately…
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Bob Marley & The Wailers, Babylon By Bus, 1978 on Island
Wonderful live album recorded (despite the maps on the inner sleeves showing the US leg of the tour) in Paris, Copenhagen, London, and Amsterdam. It’s 2xLP but not a gatefold. It’s die-cut in the front windows of the bus, so depending on the order you put the printed inner sleeves you determine what shows through.…
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John Mayall, Down The Line, 1973 on London Records
Compilation of songs previously released: First LP includes songs from Blues Breakers, A Hard Road, Crusade, The Blues Alone, Bare Wires, Blues From Laurel Canyon, and Looking Back, and the second LP is John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965) which was never released on vinyl in the US (and had not been issued in the…
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The Modern Lovers, The Modern Lovers, 1976 on Beserkley
Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers are part of the indie rock canon, especially here in greater Boston. They formed in Natick MA in 1970, and were active from 1970 to 1974, but most of their records came out later – this one in 1976. Jerry Harrison (of Talking Heads) gets credit for piano, organ,…
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Nilsson, Pussy Cats, 1974 on RCA Victor
I first came to discover Harry Nilsson via The Point!, the fable accompanied by an animated film adaptation that aired on ABC in 1971. (I was too young for it at the time but came upon it later). I then came to realize all the songs he was responsible for and how deep and broad…
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David Bowie, Stage, 1978 on RCA
Bowie’s second live album, following 1974’s David Live. It’s a 2xLP release, drawing on concerts from Boston, Providence, and Philadelphia. Playing with Bowie here are Carlos Alomar, Dennis Davis, George Murray, Adrian Belew, Simon House, Roger Powell, and Sean Mayes. (In essence the group that would be on Lodger). Got criticized at the time for…
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Oscar Peterson & Dizzy Gillespie, 1975 on Pablo
Pablo records, with a logo and name inspired by Picasso, was started by Norman Granz (who also produced this record) in the early seventies. There’s a ton of great Pablo jazz records—I generally pick them up whenever I see them. Recorded in 1974 in London, this release brings together two greats but it is not…
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John Prine, Sweet Revenge, 1973 on Atlantic
Prine is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. This was his third full-length, and third on Atlantic. Produced by Arif Mardin, it was mostly recorded in Nashville, with one track (“Dear Abby”) recorded live at SUNY New Paltz. Musicians include Steve Goodman and many of the folks who played on Prine’s debut album.…
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Lucinda Williams, Ramblin’ On My Mind, 1979 on Folkways
Attributed to “Lucinda” mono-nymically, this was Williams’ debut solo album, released in 1979 on Folkways (which became Smithsonian Folkways in 1987). She’s accompanied by John Grimaudo on 6-string guitar (she plays 12-string and sings), and the album was produced by Tom Royals, an attorney for whom this is the only producing credit – he was…
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The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette, 1979 on Chiswick
This was the third studio album from Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, and (new bassist) Algy Ward, collectively known as The Damned. Includes a cover of “Looking at You” by the MC5, as well as “Love Song” and “I Just Can’t Be Happy Today.” I believe this was only available as an import in…
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Willie Nelson, Phases and Stages, 1974 on Atlantic
This was Nelson’s 17th studio album and second (and last) of the Atlantic era, following Shotgun Willie, produced by Jerry Wexler and recorded at Muscle Shoals in Alabama. As the listening notes explain, while Nelson disclaimed the autobiographical elements of the record, “when you make . . . the most devastating divorce record of all…
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Randy Newman, Sail Away, 1972 on Reprise
Randy Newman’s third studio LP, including the title track and “You Can Leave Your Hat On” which became a big hit for Joe Cocker in the 80s. Quality of songwriting you expect from early Newman, including “God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind).” Musicians include Ry Cooder on guitar, and Earl Palmer, Gene Parsons, and…
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ZZ Top, ZZ Top’s First Album, 1971 on London / Warner Bros
Originally issued in the US on London Records (the American imprint of Decca) in 1971, ZZ Top‘s First Album was reissued by Warner Bros in 1978, likely based on the success of Tres Hombres, Fandango, and Tejas – their 1979 Degüello would be their first new album on Warner Bros. The original LP was not…
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Billy Joe Shaver, Old Five and Dimers Like Me, 1973 on Monument
This was Shaver’s debut album, produced by Kris Kristofferson. I know Shaver more through tributes (2022’s Live Forever) and other famous artists recording his songs more than I knew him. “Live Forever,” the song, was covered by Robert Duvall in the film Crazy Heart but was also done by the Highwaymen. This is the kind…
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David Bromberg, My Own House, 1978 on Fantasy
Bromberg’s 9th album as a solo artist, from 1978 – his first on Fantasy after three great Columbia records in the seventies. Bromberg is one of my favorite musicians I feel doesn’t get enough attention. Fewer guest stars here than some of his other albums, but still excellent music from Bromberg, including a number of…
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Supertramp, Breakfast in America, 1979 on A&M.
Though I imagine it’s the one Supertramp album most folks could name, this was their sixth LP. It’s got “The Logical Song” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Take the Long Way Home” – all Billboard Top 100 singles. Love the iconic cover with the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Kate Murtagh in statue-of-liberty-as-waitress pose.…
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Herbie Hancock, Sextant, 1973 on Columbia
1973’s Sextant was the last LP with the so-called Mwandishi-era sextet: Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson, Julian Priester, Buster Williams, and Billy Hart. It was also his debut on Columbia after Blue Note and Warner Bros. Columbia would also release Head Hunters later the same year. Great, funky collection – side 2 is one track, the…
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Labelle, Nightbirds, 1974 on Epic
Labelle were a trio including Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, and Sarah Dash, and grew out of Patti Labelle and the Bluebells. They are the original “Lady Marmalade” power trio – and this was their best-selling album. Allen Toussaint produced and The Meters supplement (replace?) Labelle’s usual band. My copy is the January 2024 Vinyl Me…