An Essential Guide to 70's Albums
A to D
Shown below are brief biographies and album notes about
the essential of the late 1960's and 1970's albums that would grace
any record collection. Whilst these are personal views they also
take into account the general acceptance of the music press from
that era as to the label 'classic'.
Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading.
Originally born in the Caribbean, Joan was brought up in the
Midlands before moving to London to further her musical career.
This album was released in 1976 and contains one of her hit
singles 'Love And Affection.
As a singer-songwriter Joan writes clever, jazz tinged songs
that stand the test of time and this album is well worth a
listen.
The Band - The Band
Once backing band to Bob Dylan this album saw them gain recognition
in their own right, especially with the writing of Robbie
Robertson. The groups second album 'The Band' saw them
at their peak with Robbie Robertsons songwriting, based upon
American folk legend, and the general musicianship of the
band creating an album that lived up to all the promise that
their contemoraries had forecasted.
Barclay James Harvest - Live
An underrated band with a hard core following, especially
in Germany. From the Delph area in the Pennine foothills twixt
Huddersfield and Oldham BJH were early exponents of the Mellotron
and created some fine songs, especially Mockingbird. Self-described
as the 'poor man's Moody Blues' the best of their albums has
to be the double 'Live' album which contains a number
of extremely strong songs including Medicine Man and Mockingbird.
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
The masterwork of Brian Wilson with help from lyricist Tony
Asher. Apart from the superb array of songs contained within
the album it is also notable for the arrangement and production
techniques that were used by Wilson. Contains the classic
track Good Vibrations.
The Beatles - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club
Band
Although this album has not aged very well it has to remain
a tour de force for the innovations that were used in its
making. From the arrangements right through to the album sleeve
design this was a ground-breaking album that sent pop music
spiralling off in a completely new, more experimental direction.
Worth purchasing alone for the track 'A Day In The Life'.
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Goth Rock with heavy occult undertones this band were best
remembered for the title track from Paranoid which was a massive
single hit. Fronted by the flamboyant Ozzie Ozbourne they
were the heavy metal band of the early 1970's.
T Rex - Electric Warrior
Marc Bolan was one of the founders of the glam-rock movement
and his lyrics for the T Rex songs were exotic to say the
least. Although the band started out as electric folk exponents
this album saw them make the transition into full blown rock
and roll and also gather widespread acclaim and chart success.
Bonzo Dog (Doo Dah) Band - Gorilla
Surreal, 1920's-style trad jazz, comical, eccentric? All of
those words have been used to describe the Bonzo's but this
album gave us a glimpse of the sheer genius that gave the
group their appeal. Neil Innes, Viv Stanshall, Roger Ruskin
Spear, Rodney Slater and 'Legs' Larry Smith all offered their
individual talents to make their music funny, listenable and
satirical.
Viv Stanshall's solo album 'Men Opening Umbrellas
Ahead' must also receive a mention here for it sheer genius.
David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
Bowie has produced so much brilliant work that it is hard
to actually specify just one album that is a 'must have'.
Space Oddity, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs and Young
Americans were all works of genius but Aladdin Sane is worth
purchasing for two tracks alone, Jean Genie and Drive-In Saturday.
Canned Heat - Cookbook
A compilation from this American band which includes 'On The
Road Again' and 'Going Up The Country'. A white blues oriented
band with the central character being the giant Bob 'The Bear'
Hite this they vaished into obscurity after the death of Hite
in 1970.
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
First solo album after Clapton's fight against drugs and depression
and one of the best. Recorded in Miami and featuring Yvonne
Elliman. Includes the hit single 'I Shot The Sherrif' plus
'Wonderful Tonight'.
Leonard Cohen - Songs Of Love And Hate
Canadian poet, singer, songwriter and author Cohen created
an album full of melancholy and subtle lyrics and is not to
everyone's taste. 'Suzanne' and 'So Long Marianne' are just
two of the songs that make this album a must.
Cream - Disraeli Gears
What was supposed to be a blues band eventually turned out to be
an improvisational rock band based around Eric Clapton's guitar
virtuosity. Could be called the first ever 'supergroup' had such
hits as 'Sunshine of Your Love' and 'Strange Brew'.
Crosby Stills and Nash - Crosby Stills and Nash
A highly acclaimed debut album from this trio of musicians (Neil
Young joined a year later). Great melodies, acoustic guitars and
some fine harmonised singing from Crosby and Nash.
Deep Purple - Made In Japan
A fine live set from these English rockers featuring Ian Gillan
on vocals and covering a few of their hits from the studio albums.
Especially good is Smoke On The Water where Gillan jousts with guitarist
Ritchie Blackmore.
The Doors - The Doors
A smash debut album from Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger
and John Densmore which includes the superb tracks Light My Fire
and The End. A mention should also be made of L.A. Woman as this
excellent album contains some good rock and roll and the track Riders
On The Storm.
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
The album that arguably contains Dylan at his most creative and
including such tracks as Like A Rolling Stone and Desolation Row.
It also caught Dylan just after he had moved from acoustic to electric
guitar.
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