Album Chart of 1970
| ← 1969 |  |
1971 → |
| Album Chart of 1970 |
72 tracks, runtime 5h 30m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
NICO'S ARTISTRY SKY-HIGH
Andy Warhol’s so-called “pop girl of ‘66” seemed like a dim and distant memory by the dawn of the 70s. Nico, a nomadic citizen of the globe, was back on European soil, and was, at this stage, a creative tour-de-force – in 1970 yet another fruitful association with John Cale easily set her apart as the world’s most intense and compelling artist from the alternative music scene. From the European avant-garde, she has cosmopolitan spirits this year in Köln's trance-rockers The Can, as well as Brittany's Brigitte Fontaine who unleashed the astonishing and wholly unique “Comme À La Radio” unto the world.
The many and varied strands of folk music account for no less than 9 of my favourite 15 LPs of the year with artists as diverse as the aforementioned Nico as well as Mr. Fox, Led Zeppelin, Loudon Wainwright III, Nick Drake, The Dubliners, Rodriguez, Simon and Garfunkel and T. Rex.
Laurel Aitken, Desmond Dekker and Bob Marley and The Wailers play key roles in helping to establish an album market for Reggae, whilst U-Roy brings the personality DJ craze to prominence on the LP format, toasting over last-gasps for the rocksteady beat.
The Beatles finally formalised their split and their final LP, the ho-hum “Let It Be”, suggests that was a good decision. Solo LPs are delivered by Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison; Lennon’s is best but fails to excite greatly, bar a couple of tracks. The popular Soft Rock / Adult Orientated Rock / Americana markets have started to spawn bores galore in fact, and the artists formerly known as the Fab 4 are far from being the worst offenders.
Following the tragic demise of 27 year-old Brian Jones in the summer of last year, music fans suffer a traumatic 4 weeks between September and October as Al ‘Blind Owl’ Wilson, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin all die separately aged 27 in similar drug-related circumstances. Just before his demise, Al’s fine parting gift is delivered via Canned Heat’s fifth LP, “Future Blues”.
Special mention must be made of The Last Poets, straight outta Harlem. They took their minimalistic African rhythm and Rap spiel straight to the Top 10 of the American album chart, lambasting white duplicity and black complacency in their key address to the black nation. Elsewhere, funk-soul brother Curtis Mayfield was re-enforcing the same message, encouraging the young, gifted blacks to move on up. With such raw and gritty passion on the agenda, music fans were winners.
The Jukebox Rebel
04-Mar-2016
revised 05-Jun-2016
Nico
Reprise Records RS-6424
“A classic” Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “All That Is My Own” (10) • “Mütterlein” (9.8) • “Janitor Of Lunacy” (9.6)
High art prevails on the fourth LP to bear Nico’s name, the second of her neo-classical trilogy. Having plundered Wordsw...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-75007
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Peace Frog” (10) • “Roadhouse Blues” (10) • “Waiting For The Sun” (8.9)
The ever-brilliant quartet opened the 70s with “Morrison Hotel”, their most muscular set to date. The album is divided i...more →
Laurel Aitken
Pama Records PSP-1012
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Landlords And Tenants” (9.9) • “Hailes Selaise” (9.5) • “Suffering Still” (9.5)
The High Priest Of Reggae? Around about this time it was no idle boast. 1969’s “Scandal In A Brixton Market” was a storm...more →
The Can
Liberty LBS 83 437 I
“Brilliant” Trance RockJukebox picks: “Mother Sky” (9.9) • “Don't Turn the Light on, Leave Me Alone” (9.2) • “Tango Whiskyman” (8.1)
Their second album of new music but not an album statement as such, being that it’s a compilation of tracks that they we...more →
Mr. Fox
Transatlantic Records TRA-226
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “The Gay Goshawk” (9.0) • “Mr. Fox” (8.9) • “Join Us In Our Game” (8.6)
Essentially the group was the husband and wife duo of Bob and Carole Pegg, borne of the Yorkshire Dales, and enticed dow...more →
Led Zeppelin
Atlantic 2401002
“Brilliant” Folk Rock / Americana; RockJukebox picks: “Friends” (9.8) • “Hats Off To (Roy) Harper” (9.5) • “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” (9.1)
Following two neat albums in ’69, the third Led Zeppelin long player raised the game, and had some wholly terrific bount...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Atlantic SD-8260
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Black Uncle Remus” (10) • “School Days” (8.8) • “Ode To A Pittsburgh” (8.4)
The debut album from the newly-turned 24-year-old arrived in the fall of 1970 and straight away he’s reminiscing about t...more →
Van Morrison
Warner Bros. Records WS-1835
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Into The Mystic” (9.9) • “And It Stoned Me” (9.1) • “Everyone” (7.8)
Van’s third LP arrived in January 1970; Eschewing the freeform, often long-drawn nature of the songs on the preceding “A...more →
Nick Drake
Island Records ILPS-9134
“Brilliant” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Hazey Jane II” (9.6) • “Hazey Jane I” (9.2) • “One Of These Things First” (8.6)
The tone of the second Nick Drake LP is tangibly more hopeful than the preceding “Five Leaves Left” and is a beautifully...more →
The Dubliners
Tribune TRLP-1015
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “The Button Pusher” (9.7) • “The Bonny Boy” (8.6) • “Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha” (8.3)
The Dubliners second LP for EMI-Columbia, this time solely produced by Phil Coulter who actually plays some piano on the...more →
Otis Redding
ATCO Records SD 33-333
“Really good” SoulJukebox picks: “Wholesale Love” (9.0) • “I Got The Will” (8.8) • “Swingin’ On A String” (8.5)
There’s something quite beautiful about the fact that Otis continues to party on into the 1970s with a great new album. ...more →
Rodriguez
Sussex SXBS-7000
“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Like Janis” (8.8) • “Crucify Your Mind” (8.7) • “Sugar Man” (8.2)
Sixto Rodriguez was the sixth son of Mexican working-class parents. The Detroit-born lad was 27-year-old when he served ...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia KCS-9914
“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Keep The Customer Satisfied” (9.7) • “Cecilia” (9.2) • “The Boxer” (9.0)
The fifth and final serving from the duo arrived in January ’70 and proved to be hugely entertaining; packed with vitali...more →
Curtis Mayfield
Curtom CRS-8005
“Really good” SoulJukebox picks: “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go” (9.4) • “Move On Up” (8.5) • “The Other Side Of Town” (8.2)
The Impressions front-man stepped aside for this solo effort which arrived in September, 1970. It gave him the chance to...more →
Desmond Dekker
Trojan Records TBL-146
“Really good” Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Pickney Gal” (8.8) • “You Can Get It If You Really Want” (8.5) • “Peace Of Mind” (7.5)
With Desmond Dekker having taken up permanent residence in England in 1969, it was no great surprise when his third LP w...more →
T. Rex
Fly Records HIFLY-2
“Good” New Wave; Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “The Wizard [album version ’70]” (8.8) • “One Inch Rock [album version ’70]” (7.7) • “Seagull Woman” (7.6)
Arriving at the very end of 1970 was the 5th LP from the group which now lined up: Marc Bolan (23, vocals, guitar, bass,...more →
Tim Buckley
Straight STS-1064
“Good” ProgJukebox picks: “Song To The Siren” (10) • “Come Here Woman” (8.2) • “Moulin Rouge” (7.2)
Things get proper weird on the formless “Starsailor”. A freeform rampage ranging from the beatless to the 17 to the 13 w...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NSPL-18359
“Good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; RockJukebox picks: “Apeman” (9.7) • “Top Of The Pops” (8.2) • “Lola” (7.8)
Having been reduced to a quartet in the springtime of ’69 when founding member Pete Quaife had left to pursue his own pr...more →
The Stooges
Elektra EKS-74071
“Good” Proto-PunkJukebox picks: “1970” (8.3) • “T.V. Eye” (7.9) • “Dirt” (6.8)
No John Cale around for their second LP, this time produced in L.A. by former Kingsmen keyboardist, Don Gallucci. Iggy S...more →
The Last Poets
Douglas 3
“Good” Hip Hop / RapJukebox picks: “When The Revolution Comes” (8.7) • “New York, New York” (8.1) • “Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution” (7.6)
Martin Luther King and Martin X were dead, black anger was rising. The time was right for The Last Poets who were at the...more →
Swamp Dogg
Canyon Records LP-7706
“Good” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I Was Born Blue” (9.2) • “The World Beyond” (7.9) • “Redneck” (7.7)
Career turn for the 28-year-old producer/songwriter/performer Jerry Williams, dropping his birth name, adopting the Swam...more →
U-Roy
Treasure Isle TIS-079
“Good” Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Wear You To The Ball” (8.4) • “The Tide Is High” (8.0) • “Your Ace From Space” (7.7)
12 versions from creation. For your musical education. “Your Ace From Space” (version of “Broken Hearted” by Ken Par...more →
The Velvet Underground
Cotillion SD-9034
“Good” Alternative Country; New Wave; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Sweet Jane” (10) • “Rock And Roll” (7.5) • “Lonesome Cowboy Bill” (6.9)
After three stupendous LPs, the fourth, arriving in November ’70, was a big come-down for the punk-orientated within the...more →
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 6360-011
“Good” RockJukebox picks: “Paranoid” (9.3) • “War Pigs” (7.5) • “Hand Of Doom” (6.8)
The second album in seven months from these hard working class kids. And it’s even stronger than the first – I’m living ...more →
Canned Heat
Liberty LST-11002
“Good” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Let’s Work Together” (9.4) • “My Time Ain’t Long” (7.9) • “London Blues” (7.2)
Into the 70s, and the band were in good shape, notching up another big hit with a classic take on Wilbert Harrison’s “Le...more →
John Lee Hooker featuring Earl Hooker
Bluesway LP-6038
“Good” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Bang Bang Bang Bang [1969 version]” (7.9) • “I Don’t Care When You Go” (7.2) • “If You Take Care Of Me, I’ll Take Care Of You” (7.0)
Earl Hooker and his band backed his cousin John Lee Hooker on a series of club dates in California; afterwards John Lee ...more →
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Straight RS-6420
“Decent enough” Prog; Avant-Garde; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “The Smithsonian Institute Blues (Or The Big Dig)” (9.3) • “I Love You, You Big Dummy” (8.4) • “Space-Age Couple” (7.7)
Following on from “Trout Mask Replica” 18 months earlier, the mad gruff one and his crazy gang began the 1970s with “Lic...more →
Brigitte Fontaine, Areski Belkacem and The Art Ensemble of Chicago
Saravah SH-10006
“Decent enough” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Comme À La Radio” (9.2) • “Lettre À Monsieur Le Chef De Gare De La Tour Carol” (8.5) • “L'Été L'Été” (8.0)
The restless actress from Brittany, by now 31, had branched out into singing and composing several years earlier. Most o...more →
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Upsetter TBL-126
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Soul Rebel” (8.4) • “Try Me” (6.8) • “400 Years [1970 version]” (6.8)
Following LPs cut by Coxsone Dodd (1965) and Leslie Kong (1970) the Wailers moved on to work with Lee Perry who was, by ...more →
Syd Barrett
Harvest SHVL-765
“Decent enough” Alternative Folk; Lo-Fi; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “No Good Trying” (9.9) • “Terrapin” (9.3) • “Love You” (7.7)
Syd’s first solo LP was fairly more gentle than his Pink Floyd material, often willing to be exposed barely with his lyr...more →
The Renaissance
Ranwood RLP-8084
“Decent enough” PopJukebox picks: “Always Something There To Remind Me” (9.3) • “Do You Know The Way To San Jose” (7.9) • “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” (7.1)
Issued late in 1970. Snazzy orchestration that fairly injects some life into these Bacharach and David compositions. BSN...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra 2469 002
“Decent enough” Alternative Folk; FolkJukebox picks: “This Moment” (7.9) • “Black Jack Davy” (6.9) • “Pictures In A Mirror” (6.8)
Another fine LP from the quartet, described by Robin Williamson as a bit of a quickie. They lined up for this one: Robin...more →
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1013
“Decent enough” Alternative Folk; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Elemental Child” (7.8) • “Organ Blues” (7.6) • “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” (7.6)
With Steve Peregrin Took having been ousted as a result of artistic frictions, Marc appointed a new sideman and marched ...more →
Gil Scott-Heron
Flying Dutchman FDS-131
“Decent enough” Hip Hop / RapJukebox picks: “Comment #1 [live ’70]” (8.8) • “Introduction / The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [live ’70]” (8.7) • “Small Talk At 125th & Lenox [live ’70]” (7.2)
“A New Black Poet” proclaims the sleeve headline, missing a trick. “The Birth Of Rap” now that would have been a hea...more →
Joni Mitchell
Reprise Records RS-6376
“Decent enough” Songwriter; FolkJukebox picks: “Big Yellow Taxi” (10) • “Conversation” (7.4) • “The Circle Game” (6.7)
Third LP from the 26-year-old singer-songwriter, a lady of Laurel Canyon, a hub of counterculture in L.A. which was home...more →
The Wailers
Beverley's Records BLP-011
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Stop The Train [album version '70]” (7.7) • “Back Out” (7.0) • “Soul Shakedown Party” (6.9)
Largely recorded in May 1970 at Leslie Kong's Dynamic Sound Studios, backed by the house band, Beverly's All Stars. Agai...more →
MC5
Atlantic SD-8247
“Decent enough” Proto-PunkJukebox picks: “The American Ruse” (8.0) • “Looking At You” (7.6) • “Shakin’ Street” (7.4)
So I’ve now collected all three MC5 albums and my long-held view that they’re nowt special is confirmed; way too much bl...more →
David Bowie
Mercury SR-61325
“Decent enough” RockJukebox picks: “The Man Who Sold The World” (9.2) • “After All” (7.2) • “Saviour Machine” (6.6)
The ultimate pop chameleon turns rock for his third album, the Zep and the Sabbath now seemingly being the greatest thin...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra 2665 001
“Decent enough” Alternative Folk; FolkJukebox picks: “Bad Sadie Lee” (9.1) • “I Know You” (8.4) • “El Wool Suite” (8.1)
All the best groups are a bit bonkers and Incredible String Band certainly fit into that category. As the 60s turned int...more →
Syd Barrett
Harvest SHSP-4007
“Decent enough” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “It Is Obvious” (7.8) • “Wined And Dined” (6.7) • “Wolfpack” (6.2)
The second and final Barret album arrived in quick succesion to the first. A good record, but the unfortunate reality is...more →
Johnny Osbourne and The Sensations
Trojan Records TTL-29
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Warrior [1970 version]” (7.9) • “Come Back Darling” (7.5) • “Fish Mouth (He Who Keepth His Mouth)” (6.2)
Johnny Osbourne's first LP was recorded when he was in early 20s, just before he emigrated to Canada. Producer Winston R...more →
Eric Burdon and War
MGM Records SE-4663
“Average” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Tobacco Road : I Have A Dream” (8.7) • “The Vision Of Rassan : Roll On Kirk” (7.0) • “The Vision Of Rassan : Dedication” (6.7)
The first post-post Animals album, and the first of two to be created with War. The concept was simple and engaging and,...more →
Black Sabbath
Vertigo VO-6
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Black Sabbath” (7.7) • “N.I.B.” (6.4) • “The Wizard” (6.3)
The landmark debut album from the likeable Birmingham Four has been cited as a pioneer for heavy metal, stoner rock, doo...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia KCS-9943
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “To Beat The Devil” (7.6) • “Devil To Pay” (7.3) • “Route No. 1, Box 144” (6.6)
First foot into the 1970s for JC… and what a great title for an album. Surprised he hasn’t used it ’til now, what with...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-434
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “Everything’s Leaving” (7.6) • “The Hunter” (7.0) • “By The Time You Get To Phoenix” (6.4)
A strong set by recent standards, her best since “Blues In My Heart” 5 years earlier....more →
Parliament
Invictus ST-7302
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Oh Lord, Why Lord / Prayer” (9.2) • “Little Ole Country Boy” (7.9) • “Moonshine Heather” (6.6)
Debut album from the expansive psychedelic funk collective, a loose cast twelve to fifteen strong, depending on whose co...more →
John Lennon
Apple Records PCS-7124
“Average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Working Class Hero” (10) • “God” (6.5) • “Isolation” (6.2)
Arriving just in time for Christmas 1970 was the 4th long player from the 30-year-old singer-songwriter, his first pro...more →
Tom Paxton
Elektra EKS-74066
“Average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Jimmy Newman [original 1970 version]” (9.4) • “Annie’s Going To Sing Her Song” (7.4) • “Cindy’s Cryin’” (7.0)
The sixth album from the 36-year-old Chicagoan, a bit of a hit and a miss for me, but with some great stuff to commend i...more →
Neil Young
Reprise Records RS-6383
“Average” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “After The Gold Rush” (7.7) • “Tell Me Why” (6.9) • “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (6.7)
Nice to have Neil Young back in focus after his 'orrible but successful dalliance with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Starts s...more →
Ananda Shankar
Reprise Records RS-6398
“Average” DesiJukebox picks: “Sagar (The Ocean)” (7.7) • “Dance Indra” (7.3) • “Metamorphosis” (6.5)
“Sagar (The Ocean)” is, for me, the highlight track from the 27-year-old's acclaimed debut set. The piece builds slo...more →
Rod Stewart
Vertigo 6360 500
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Only A Hobo” (7.5) • “Gasoline Alley” (6.8) • “Jo's Lament” (6.2)
Credible second set from the 25-year-old rocker, still working with some of his Faces mates....more →
Spirit
Epic E-30267
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Prelude – Nothin' to Hide” (7.2) • “Morning Will Come” (7.0) • “Life Has Just Begun” (6.3)
Fourth album from the psychedelic rockers from Los Angeles, more than decent in places. They lined up: Jay Ferguson (voc...more →
Chuck Berry
Chess LPS-1550
“Average” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Have Mercy Judge” (6.0) • “I’m A Rocker” (5.9) • “Instrumental” (5.8)
After several years with Mercury Records, Chuck Berry returned “Back Home” to Chess Records in November 1969, re-united ...more →
Tony Joe White
Monument SLP-18142
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Stockholm Blues” (7.0) • “Widow Wimberly” (6.7) • “Boom Boom” (6.4)
His third album was once again recorded in Nashville and Memphis and he maintains the decent standards set in his previo...more →
Deep Purple
Harvest SHVL-777
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Hard Lovin' Man” (6.5) • “Child In Time” (6.4) • “Speed King” (5.6)
The fourth album from the Hertfordshire 5-piece, featuring a new vocalist and bassist, as they seek (and succeed) to roc...more →
The Beatles
Apple Records PXS-1
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Get Back” (7.1) • “For You Blue” (6.8) • “Two Of Us” (6.6)
Most of “Let It Be” was recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the album “Abbey Road”. Unhappy wi...more →
Cat Stevens
Island Records ILPS-9135
“Below average” Songwriter; FolkJukebox picks: “Where Do The Children Play?” (6.8) • “Sad Lisa” (6.1) • “Wild World” (6.0)
The fourth album from the multi-talented Londoner who wrote all the songs, sang, played all sorts of guitars and keyboar...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia KC-30290
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Day Of The Locusts” (6.7) • “If Not For You” (6.4) • “Three Angels” (6.2)
The second Bob Dylan LP of 1970 came four months after “Self Portrait” and it was a small bounce back. The strange put-o...more →
John Lee Hooker
Carson LP-3662
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Dazie Mae” (6.5) • “I Feel Good” (5.9) • “Roll And Tumble” (5.7)
Recorded in Paris - a city that loved it's blues at the time - in October '69. It's a small band set up with John Lee Ho...more →
The Flying Burrito Brothers
A&M Records SP-4258
“Below average” Country; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Image Of Me” (7.5) • “Farther Along” (7.2) • “Older Guys” (6.5)
Doesn’t have the same emotional grip as the preceding “The Gilded Palace Of Sin”. It proved to be Gram Parsons final Bur...more →
Juan Polo Valencia
Tropical LD-1588
“Below average” LatinJukebox picks: “El Provincianito” (6.7) • “No Puedo Aparentar” (5.4) • “Mi Sombrero Blanco” (5.4)
“El Legendario” proclaims the cover, quite rightly, as the 51-year-old singer-accordionist is revered in Colombia. It's ...more →
Eric Burdon and War
MGM Records SE-4710-2
“Below average” SoulJukebox picks: “They Can’t Take Away Our Music” (7.3) • “Beautiful New Born Child” (6.8) • “Gun” (6.8)
The second of two 1970 albums by the group before Burdon left and the remaining band continued as War. The album’s title...more →
B.B. King
ABC Records ABCS-713
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Hummingbird” (6.5) • “Chains And Things” (6.0) • “Go Underground” (5.7)
I've always instinctively kept B.B. King at arms length, old chinese proverb say “never trust a man who wants to be th...more →
James Taylor
Warner Bros. Records WS-1843
“Below average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Steamroller Blues” (7.0) • “Oh Baby, Don’t You Loose Your Lip On Me” (6.4) • “Oh! Susanna” (6.0)
The second LP from the musically matured 21-year-old, if he's boring me with Americana motifs favoured by the Band, Cros...more →
Don McLean
Mediarts 41-4
“Below average” Songwriter; FolkJukebox picks: “Orphans Of Wealth” (6.7) • “General Store” (6.6) • “Tapestry” (6.2)
After a whole lot of label rejection (reportedly 72 times!), Don McLean's debut album was finally delivered in October, ...more →
The Dave Clark Five
Columbia SX-6437
“Below average” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “How Do You Get To Heaven” (8.3) • “I Am On My Own” (6.7) • “It Ain’t What You Do” (6.6)
“If Somebody Loves You” (EMI Columbia SCX 6437) was released in the UK in 1970 – for the first time it’s the second DC5 ...more →
Chris Farlowe with The Hill
Polydor 2425 029
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Mama Rosa” (6.8) • “Black Sheep” (6.5) • “Are You Sleeping” (5.3)
It had been 4 years since the last Chris Farlowe album so he was probably quite pleased to be hired by The Hill as the l...more →
Traffic
Island Records ILPS-9116
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “John Barleycorn (Must Die)” (6.4) • “Glad” (6.2) • “Freedom Rider” (5.1)
Having sown his wild oats with Blind Faith, Steve Winwood reconciled with his old mates from Traffic and “John Barleycor...more →
Robert Wyatt
CBS 64189
“Poor” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “To Caravan And Brother Jim” (6.1) • “Las Vegas Tango part 1” (6.0) • “To Nick Everyone” (5.1)
Taking a beak from his busy schedule with Soft Machine, the 25-year-old Robert Wyatt delivered his first solo album at t...more →
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Atlantic SD-7200
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; RockJukebox picks: “4 + 20” (6.4) • “Helpless” (5.7) • “Déjà Vu” (5.2)
Second album from the popular combo, slightly more enjoyable than the first, and now including Neil Young as a fourth qu...more →
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Capitol Records SMAS-630
“Poor” Cerebral Pop; Country; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Baby Baby” (6.9) • “What About Me” (5.5) • “Local Color” (5.4)
Founding member Dino Valenti had returned to the band after a stint in prison on drug charges and wasted no time in gett...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia C2X 30050
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; Songwriter; Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Country; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Copper Kettle” (7.3) • “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) [live ’69]” (6.9) • “Woogie Boogie” (6.1)
Dylan takes the namby-pamby tone of “Nashville Skyline” and manages to lower it further still with such embarrassments a...more →
George Harrison
Apple Records STCH-639
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk Rock / Americana; Rock; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Wah-Wah” (6.9) • “What Is Life” (6.5) • “Isn't It A Pity (Version One)” (6.4)
The third album from the 27-year-old was released in November, 1970, his first to be released after the Beatles split wa...more →
Miles Davis
Columbia GP-26
“Poor” JazzJukebox picks: “Bitches Brew” (7.0) • “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down” (5.7) • “Spanish Key” (4.7)
A sensory challenge over the course of 4 sides and 95 minutes, with an expanded rhythm section being a key feature. Mile...more →
We Five
Vault SLP-136
“Poor” PopJukebox picks: “Milkcow Blues” (6.1) • “Catch The Wind” (5.9) • “Come And Sit Down Beside Me” (5.8)
Some good source material for this covers album, but you’ve got to ask - what’s the point?...more →
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Capitol Records SMAS-498
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Just For Love, Pt. 2” (5.3) • “Wolf Run, Pt. 1” (5.0) • “Cobra” (5.0)
As the wiki informs, founding member Dino Valenti returned to the band after a stint in prison on drug charges, and was ...more →
Richie Havens
Stormy Forest Records SFS-6005
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; SongwriterJukebox picks: “End Of The Seasons” (5.3) • “Here Comes The Sun” (5.0) • “Girls Don’t Run Away” (5.0)
Another soul rocker on the slide, at least as far as my sensibilites are concerned. It's the bending of the strings all ...more →
The Jackson 5
Motown MS-709
“Poor” Soul; PopJukebox picks: “ABC” (9.3) • “The Love You Save” (5.0) • “(Come ’Round Here) I’m The One You Need” (5.0)
The second LP from the singing Jackson brothers outta Indiana; Jermaine (15), Jackie (19), Tito (16), Marlon (13) and Mi...more →
Stephen Stills
Atlantic SD-7202
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Love The One You're With” (6.9) • “Black Queen” (5.2) • “Cherokee” (5.1)
The 4th album bearing the name of the 25-year-old singer-songwriter and the first to be solely billed to him alone, alth...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-554
“Poor” CountryJukebox picks: “The Dirt Behind My Years” (6.9) • “I’d Fight The World” (6.8) • “Stand By Your Man” (5.6)
Her second LP of 1970, a short set of ten, and not as tough on the preceding “Wanda Jackson Country”. Pleasing many no d...more →
Bow Street Runners
B.T. Puppy 1026
“Poor” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Leaving Grit America” (6.2) • “Watch” (5.3) • “Another Face” (4.6)
Jefferson Airplane and Doors vibes all over what would prove to be the North Carolina quintet’s only LP for 30 years. So...more →
Soft Machine
CBS S-64080
“Poor” ProgJukebox picks: “Out-Bloody-Rageous” (5.0) • “Facelift” (4.8) • “Slightly All The Time: Noisette / Backwards / Noisette Reprise” (4.2)
Whilst it's far from unbearable, this progressive rock-jazz fusion leaves me cold. Wikipedia succinctly paints the factu...more →
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-058
“Lame” Avant-Garde; ProgJukebox picks: “Ruckzuck” (6.2) • “Megaherz” (4.8) • “Stratovarius” (3.4)
After their previous band, Organization, had split, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider-Esleben formed Kraftwerk (German f...more →
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Fantasy 8402
“Lame” Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Up Around The Bend” (5.7) • “My Baby Left Me” (5.3) • “Run Through The Jungle” (4.7)
The fifth album from the group was released in the summer of 1970 and was another massive hit for them, topping the albu...more →
The Beach Boys
Reprise Records RS-6382
“Lame” PopJukebox picks: “Slip On Through” (5.7) • “This Whole World” (5.4) • “Add Some Music to Your Day” (5.2)
Pah, seems like the preceding “20/20” offered false hope. “Sunflower” is universally acclaimed as one of their very fine...more →
Four Tops
Motown MS-704
“Lame” SoulJukebox picks: “Reflections” (5.2) • “It’s All In The Game” (5.0) • “Everybody’s Talkin’” (4.5)
The Four Tops began the 1970s with a slightly new sound. The cheesy covers prevalent on “Yesterday’s Dreams” were kept a...more →
The Hollies
Parlophone PCS-7116
“Lame” PopJukebox picks: “Separated” (7.4) • “Too Young To Be Married” (5.2) • “Survival Of The Fittest” (4.8)
Into the 70s and The Hollies are still game and still in vogue after their smash hit “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” a...more →
Paul McCartney
Apple Records PCS-7102
“Lame” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “That Would Be Something” (5.3) • “Hot As Sun / Glasses” (5.2) • “Valentine Day” (4.7)
“La-la-la-la-la-la lovely Linda, with the lovely flowers in the hair”. Ten seconds was all it took to realise this L...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla TS-304
“Lame” Pop; SoulJukebox picks: “Sugar” (5.1) • “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (4.7) • “I Can’t Let My Heaven Walk Away” (4.6)
Opens with all four of the album's singles: “Never Had A Dream Come True” (#26), “We Can Work It Out” (#13), “Si...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor LSP-4445
“Lame” Crooner / Cabaret; Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “I Just Can’t Help Believin’ [live]” (5.0) • “How The Web Was Woven” (5.0) • “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ [live]” (4.7)
Released in November, 1970, simultaneously with his documentary film of the same name, chronicling his August 1970 conce...more →
Derek and The Dominos
Polydor 2625 005
“Terrible” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Layla” (5.8) • “Key To the Highway” (5.6) • “Keep On Growing” (4.9)
Formed in the spring of 1970 after Blind Faith had split, Eric Clapton teamed up with some of his new musician mates to ...more →
Santana
Columbia KC-30130
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Oye Como Va” (5.2) • “El Nicoya” (5.0) • “Singing Winds, Crying Beasts” (4.9)
Much lauded LP from the San Franciscan Latin rock sextet who line up: Carlos Santana (lead guitar, backing vocals), Greg...more →
Music For Pleasure House Band
Music For Pleasure MFP-1414
“Terrible” NoveltyJukebox picks: “Yesterday Man” (5.0) • “Rock ’n’ Roll March” (4.2) • “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman” (4.0)
Tell you what, when the MFP stable see a gap in the market they go for it. What the world needs, thought some feckless e...more →
Grateful Dead
Warner Bros. Records WS-1893
“Terrible” Folk Rock / Americana; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Truckin'” (4.8) • “Brokedown Palace” (4.3) • “Friend of the Devil” (4.0)
In the style of Crosby, Stills and Nash this time. All the rage....more →
Jerry Butler
Mercury SR-61269
“Terrible” SoulJukebox picks: “I Could Write A Book” (3.8) • “A One Woman Man” (3.8) • “Something” (3.6)
Another tedious album of soul for the middle classes. Comes complete with a handy Beatles cover to help retailers shift ...more →
The Bugaloos
Capitol Records SW-621
“Terrible” PopJukebox picks: “Fly Away With Us” (5.0) • “If You Become A Bugaloo” (4.8) • “The Senses Of Our World” (4.1)
Childrens TV show soundtrack which strangely delivers on Carpenters / schlager type big pop productions, complete with s...more →
Genesis
Charisma CAS-1020
“Dire” ProgJukebox picks: “The Knife” (4.6) • “Looking For Someone” (3.2) • “White Mountain” (2.9)
Drummer John Silver left the band in the late summer of '69, and was replaced by John Mayhew. They were now free of thei...more →
Boffalongo
United Artists Records UAS-6770
“Dire” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Dancing In The Moonlight” (4.5) • “Sleepy Time Guy” (4.3) • “Pioneer Song” (3.8)
A lightweight country-rock affair, most noticeable for housing the original “Dancing In The Moonlight” which would p...more →
Carpenters
A&M Records SP-4271
“Dire” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Crescent Noon” (4.8) • “Mr. Guder” (4.3) • “Help” (4.2)
Second album from the California-based siblings, Richard (24) and Karen (20), featuring their massive breakthrough hit “...more →
Majella and The Royal Tartan Highlanders
Marble Arch Records MALS-1367
“An embarrassment” FolkJukebox picks: “Stop Yer Tickling Jock [live]” (3.4) • “I Belong To Glasgow [live]” (2.9) • “The Scottish Soldier [live]” (2.4)
Majella's no' a bad chanter to be fair, but this naff band o' plastic folkies are the pits. I doubt very much it's as au...more →
| 1-100 101-200 |
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1970 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s