An Essential Guide to 70's Albums
K to M
Carole King - Tapestry
Along with husband, Gerry Goffin, one of the finest singer/songwriters
in the business. Tapestry contains prime examples of her work but
she is best celebrated for the number of hit songs they wrote for
others including The Drifters, James Taylor, The Animals and many,
many more.
King Crimson - In The Court of the Crimson King
A stunning album from October 1969 although it is rather dated now.
King Crimson was centred around the talents of Robert Fripp, Greg
Lake, Mike Giles, Ian McDonald and Pete Sinfield. They made much
use of the Mellotron in their compositions.
The Kinks - Golden Hour of the Kinks
Although the Kinks were to produce more conceptual albums they are
best remembered for their singles. Tracks such as Lola, You Really
Got Me, All Day and All of the Night, Sunny Afternoon, Dead-End
Street and many more emphasise their successes in the charts of
the 1960's and 1970's.
Led Zeppelin - Four Symbols
This album was never named and has taken its name from the symbols
on the album cover (it was also known as Runes for the same reason).
Zeppelin were a band of enormous popularity and carved a niche for
themselves in the annals of rock history. Any one of their albums
could be classified as essential but Four Symbols stands out for
the tracks Black Dog, Rock & Roll and Stairway To Heaven in
particular.
John Lennon - Imagine
This 1971 offering from the ex-Beatle is an essential for the title
track alone but is actually jam packed with goodies including a
song that was said to be a bitter attack on Paul McCartney entitled
How Do You Sleep?
Lindisfarne - Fog On The Tyne
Simple, almost folkish music this album, released in 1970, was widely
acclaimed and was arguably the group's best work. Most of the songs
were written by Alan Hull while he worked as a nurse in a psychiatric
hospital. The best two tracks were the ones that were hits as singles,
Lady Eleanor and Meet Me On The Corner.
Love - Forever Changes
An acclaimed psychedelic band from Los Angeles, Love released this
album in 1967. It contains the fabulous tracks Alone Again Or and
Andmoreagain. Soothing sounds of the "Summer of Love"
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd
This album is included purely on the basis of one track, the classic
Free Bird. Southern US rock at its best!
The Mama's and the Papa's - 20 Golden Hits
Quite simply a singles band consisting of Cass Elliot, John Philipps,
Michael Gilliam and Denny Doherty. Contains all their hit songs
including Monday, Monday, California Dreamin', It's Getting Better,
Creeque Alley, Dream a Little Dream and Dedicated to the One I Love.
Bob Marley (And the Wailers) - Natty Dread
This 1975 album showed the world that reggae could be enjoyed by
the masses and it spawned one of Marley's best songs No WOman No
Cry. Other tracks include Lively Up Yourself, Them Belly Full and
the title track.
John Martyn - Solid Air
A classic acoustic (the guitar does have an echoplex attached) album
from this mighty singer/songwriter whose hypnotising melodies are
a pleasure to listen to.
ONGOING PROJECT
|
