Tag: 1970s
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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…
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Bessie Smith, Any Woman’s Blues, 1970 on Columbia
This is was the second in a series of five 2xLP releases on Columbia in 1970-1972 that covered Smith’s recordings for the label. These recordings were made between September 1923 and March 1930, all recorded in New York. Piano by Fletcher Henderson, Clarence Williams, Irving Johns, James Price Johnson, and Jimmy Jones. Other musicians include…
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Nick Lowe, Labour of Lust, 1979 on Columbia
Second album released under the Nick Lowe name, recorded with the same personnel from Rockpile and in the same year as Dave Edmunds’ Repeat When Necessary. The US and UK versions have different track list – this is the US version, including “American Squirm” as track A4. This has “Cruel To Be Kind” which became…
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Tom Waits, Closing Time, 1973 on Asylum
Tom Waits’ debut album, after David Geffen met him performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Amazing how fully-formed Waits is here, kicking off his debut album with “Ol’ 55” and “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” – all originals. Tom Waits always feels to me like he could have come…
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Nick Lowe, Pure Pop for Now People, 1978 on Columbia
Issued as Jesus of Cool in the UK and elsewhere, but as Pure Pop for Now People in the US and Canada. this was NIck Lowe’s solo debut. The track list also differs between the North American and European releases. Yep Rock put out an expanded reissue in the US in 2008 under the name…
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Specials, Specials, 1979 on Two-Tone
Ska greats The Specials (later renamed The Special AKA) in their debut full length on Coventry label Two-Tone, started by Jerry Dammers (of the Specials). The Specials included Terry Hall, Neville Staple, Dammers, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, Horace Panter, John Bradbury, Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez. This album was produced by Elvis Costello, and features…
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Willie Nelson, Willie Nelson and Family, 1971 on RCA Victor
Nelson’s 12th studio album, while he was still at RCA Records, before moving to Atlantic. Some covers – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down,” “Fire and Rain,” and “Today I Started Loving You Again” – as well as some Nelson originals like “I Can Cry Again” and “That’s Why I Love…
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The Police, Outlandos D’Amour, 1978 on A&M
Outlandos D’Amour was the debut album by The Police, released on A&M in 1978. You’ll find cover variations with red, yellow, and green lettering – I don’t think there’s any logic to that, just variety. Love this whole album from the jump: “Next To You” / “So Lonely” / Roxanne” And “Hole in My Life”…
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Junior Walker and the All-Stars, Anthology, 1974 on Motown
While many folks only know Walker and the All-Stars via their first and biggest hit, “Shotgun,” this 2xLP release collects recordings from 1965-1973 – good way to get to know more of their catalog. Motown issued a whole series of Anthology releases in the mid-seventies – mostly 2xLP releases of collections from their best selling…
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Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Roadwork, 1972 on Epic
Double LP, recorded live at three venues: The Apollo Theater and the Academy of Music in NYC, and the Whiskey a Go Go in LA. The band here includes Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter (a “special appearance”), Rick Derringer, Jon Smith, Randy Hobbs, Jerry Lacroix, Bobby Ramirez, and Mike McClellan. Great 17 minute version of “Tobacco…
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Various Artists, Heavy Soul, 1972 on Atlantic
Great compilation of early seventies soul on Atlantic, including luminaries like Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, and King Curtis but also some lesser known folks (at least for me), including Dionne Warwick’s sister Dee Dee Warwick (as Dede) and The Beginning of the End – something of a one-hit wonder with “Funky Nassau. “ Love…
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David Porter, . . . Into A Real Thing, 1971 on Enterprise
Porter was the staff songwriter for Stax – this was his second full length LP issued under his name, following up Gritty, Groovy, & Gettin’ It. Enterprise was a sub-label of Stax, which also released the early Isaac Hayes solo albums. (Apparently label president Al Bell was a Star Trek fan). Wonderful early 70s Stax/Volt…