Album Chart of 1974
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| Album Chart of 1974 |
36 tracks, runtime 2h 54m. 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 
THE LION OF SOWETO ROARS
Small in stature, but a giant in the townships, it’s the great Mahlathini who rules the roost in my album chart of the year. By this stage, South Africa’s mbaqanga king is revelling in his new home at Satbel, and the glorious hits are flooding out, hard and fast. Apartheid effectively dictates that the world is oblivious to this phenomenon.
Not too far behind is Leonard Cohen – his long-awaited fourth LP finally arrives and is deliciously cooked to perfection, maintaining his faultless catalogue to date.
For the first time ever, there are no American LPs in my year-end Top 10. ‘Til now a dominant force, that country’s left-field output has declined greatly in the 1970s, so much so that Sparks even felt the need to get the hell out and make their latest album in England!
It’s AOR heaven over there if you’re into that kind of thing, with the likes of Eagles, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan being lapped up by the musically conservative masses. Jeez, whatever happened to the rock n roll revolution?
Thankfully, things are cookin’ in Germany; Nico, Kraftwerk and Can are killing it in my Top 10.
Generally speaking, the continuing downward spiral in 1974 is very disappointing; even Lou Reed and Bowie cannot be relied upon this time around.
The Jukebox Rebel
02-Jun-2016
Indoda Mahlathini
Soweto SWA-14007
“A masterpiece” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Baba-Ye” (10) • “Ilele Insizwa” (10) • “Kwasa Singalele” (9.8)
Arriving at the very tail-end of 1974 was this stunning long-player from the recently turned 36-year-old Simon ‘Mahlathi...more →
Leonard Cohen
Columbia C-33167
“Excellent” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Who By Fire” (10) • “Lover Lover Lover” (9.7) • “A Singer Must Die” (9.6)
Arriving in August ’74 was the 4th album from the 39-year-old, a set which continues his impeccable 7-year-run of sheer ...more →
Robert Wyatt
Virgin V-2017
“Brilliant” Avant-Garde; ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Little Red Robin Hood Hit The Road” (8.4) • “Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road” (8.2) • “Alife” (8.1)
The 29-year-old released his second LP in July ’74 – just one year after the terrible accident where a fall from a balco...more →
Nico
Island Records ILPS-9311
“Brilliant” Avant-Garde; Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “The End” (9.5) • “Secret Side” (9.2) • “You Forget To Answer” (8.7)
The final chapter in her brilliant neo-classical trilogy that began in 1969 with “The Marble Index” and continued in 197...more →
Richard and Linda Thompson
Island Records ILPS-9266
“Really good” Folk; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Down Where The Drunkards Roll” (9.3) • “Withered And Died” (8.8) • “The Great Valerio” (8.5)
Since leaving Fairport Convention on a hunch that he could forge a solo career as a songwriter and performer, Richard ha...more →
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-231
“Really good” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Autobahn” (10) • “Morgenspaziergang” (8.3) • “Kometenmelodie 2” (7.8)
Hello world, Düsseldorf calling again. After 4 years of dicking around inconsequentially, and perhaps spurred on by the ...more →
Eno
Island Records ILPS-9268
“Really good” New Wave; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Here Come The Warm Jets” (8.4) • “Blank Frank” (8.2) • “Baby's On Fire” (8.0)
In his mid-20s, Brian Eno wasn’t messing about. Now that he had committed himself to a career in music, he wasn’t about ...more →
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9281
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Talkin’ Blues” (9.0) • “Bend Down Low [1974 version]” (8.0) • “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” (7.8)
As is often the case with we humans, success breeds pressures and jealousies, and The Wailers were not immune. Sadly, th...more →
Can
United Artists Records UAS 29 673 I
“Good” DubbeatJukebox picks: “Dizzy Dizzy” (8.3) • “Come Sta, La Luna” (7.7) • “Chain Reaction” (7.4)
Following “Future Days”, the unpredictable Damo Suzuki got married to a Jehovah's Witness and left the group, once again...more →
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9303
“Good” Cerebral Pop; New Wave; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Bitter-Sweet” (8.5) • “If It Takes All Night” (7.7) • “All I Want Is You” (7.2)
The first post-Eno Roxy Music set was stylish, peppy and imaginative, if not quite as off-the-wall as previous efforts. ...more →
Ivor Cutler
Virgin V-2021
“Good” Poetry; Avant-Garde; StorytellingJukebox picks: “Dad’s Lapse” (10) • “Fremsley” (10) • “Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 1” (9.2)
Taking their left-field roster further left than ever before, Virgin Records signed up Ivor Cutler for a 3-album deal in...more →
Sparks
Island Records ILPS-9272
“Good” Cerebral Pop; New WaveJukebox picks: “Falling In Love With Myself Again” (8.2) • “Equator” (7.7) • “Amateur Hour” (7.6)
“Kimono My House”? Groan. I guess with the bona-fide front-cover Geisha randoms – who were plucked by chance from th...more →
Betty Davis
Just Sunshine Records JSS-3500
“Good” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Don’t Call Her No Tramp” (8.2) • “They Say I’m Different” (7.7) • “He Was A Big Freak” (7.3)
One year on from her debut and Betty was back with a whole new ensemble already – which, considering there are more than...more →
Amagugu
Skyline Jazz SK-80162
“Good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Chuchu Makgala” (8.4) • “Imvula” (7.6) • “Inyoni Emhlophe” (7.4)
In 1967, Sannah Mnguni, her sister Francina ‘Thopi’ Mnguni and Thoko Khumalo were three of the four founding members of ...more →
Neil Young
Reprise Records R-2180
“Good” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Revolution Blues” (8.2) • “Walk On” (7.5) • “See The Sky About To Rain” (6.8)
The pessimistic one is in very fine form here, evidenced immediately on “Walk On”, a coolly laid-back blues rocker w...more →
Bryan Ferry
Island Records ILPS-9284
“Decent enough” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” (8.2) • “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” (8.0) • “You Are My Sunshine” (6.8)
Predominantly another covers album from the smooth one, although he did write the title-track which closes the LP. T...more →
Billy Connolly
Polydor 2383-310
“Decent enough” Comedy; FolkJukebox picks: “Lucky Uncle Freddie [live ’74]” (8.4) • “Sergeant, Where’s Mine? [live ’74]” (8.1) • “Three Men From Carntyne [live ’74]” (7.9)
Recorded live at the Unicorn Leisure production “The Billy Connolly Show” in the Kings Theatre, Glasgow. He’s not yet a ...more →
Toots and The Maytals
Dynamic Sounds DY-3343
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Time Tough” (7.4) • “In The Dark” (7.3) • “Revolution” (6.6)
Recorded at Dynamic Studios in Kingston with Warwick Lyn, Neville Hinds and Carlton Lee on co-production duties. There’s...more →
Gregory Isaacs
Hit G.G. Stereo 004
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Sweeter The Victory” (7.5) • “Love Overdue” (7.3) • “Financial Endorsement” (7.0)
“In Person” was the debut album from the 23-year-old, although he was already 6 years in the business by now, and drivin...more →
Bowie
RCA Victor APL1-0576
“Average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Rebel Rebel” (8.9) • “Diamond Dogs” (7.1) • “Candidate” (6.1)
So now you're half man half dog? Er, right you are then. By this stage, it seems to me that Bowie is obsessed by larger ...more →
Harry Nilsson
RCA Victor CPL1-0570
“Average” Pop; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Old Forgotten Soldier” (6.8) • “Save The Last Dance For Me” (6.6) • “Don’t Forget Me” (6.4)
“Nilsson Schmilsson” got all the acclaim for Nilsson in the 1970s, but “Pussy Cats” is way cooler, albeit never too ...more →
Lou Reed
RCA Victor CPL1-0611
“Average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Kill Your Sons” (8.7) • “Billy” (6.6) • “Ride Sally Ride” (6.0)
Good grief – Lou Reed plays soft-rockers? All trust between us is blown 4ever. But wait a minute – Top 10 in the U.S. po...more →
Tangerine Dream
Virgin V-2010
“Average” AmbientJukebox picks: “Phaedra” (7.1) • “Movements of a Visionary” (5.6) • “Mysterious Semblance at the Strand of Nightmares” (5.1)
With the preceding LP “Atem” having been named “album of the year” by John Peel, the hipsters were all ears for Tangerin...more →
Joni Mitchell
Asylum Records 7E-1001
“Average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Raised On Robbery” (6.9) • “Twisted” (6.5) • “Help Me” (6.1)
“Court and Spark”, issued in January ’74, proved to be Joni’s most successful album; not only was it critically acclaime...more →
The Kilfenora Céilí Band
Pickwick Records HPE-609
“Average” FolkJukebox picks: “Coming Back To Miltown” (6.4) • “Double Jigs Medley - The Gold Ring / The Lucky Penny” (6.2) • “Belfast Town” (6.2)
A fine set of traditional jigs and reels from the 65-year-old band, best of which are the Double Jigs Medley “The Gold...more →
Gram Parsons
Reprise Records MS-2171
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “Brass Buttons” (7.5) • “Love Hurts” (6.5) • “Return Of The Grievous Angel” (6.4)
The final chapter of Gram’s Parsons self-proclaimed “Cosmic American Music” was delivered in January 1974 in very sa...more →
Intuthuko Brothers featuring Hensford Mthembu
Skyline Marabi SK-80163
“Below average” Africana; PopJukebox picks: “First Stop Durban” (7.4) • “Is’Gul’Egoli” (6.9) • “Ematimatolo” (6.8)
This group had started as Abafana Bentuthuko in the mid-60s and by now had now begun to trade as Intuthuko Brothers. Lon...more →
Swamp Dogg
Island Records ILPS-9299
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “My Hang-Ups Ain’t Hung-Up No More” (6.6) • “Did I Come Back Too Soon (Or Stay Away Too Long)” (5.9) • “Dr. M.L.G. (J.A.)” (5.6)
Swamp Dogg’s fifth album in five years takes a decided turn towards the funky pop disco and comes complete with a few ex...more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6039
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “All For One” (6.4) • “Further On Up The Road” (6.2) • “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” (5.8)
The vitality of 1972 seems a long way away already… he’s hanging on in there… the first half of the album offers some de...more →
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Mercury SRM-1-709
“Below average” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Happy Love Song” (7.0) • “New Electric Ride” (6.3) • “Upon The My-O-My” (6.0)
Just 18 months earlier, Captain Beefheart, together with his slaves, had delivered my album of the year with “Clear Spot...more →
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Strata-East SES-19742
“Below average” JazzJukebox picks: “H²Ogate Blues” (9.5) • “The Bottle” (8.7) • “Rivers Of My Fathers” (5.0)
After three albums on Flying Dutchman, a creative-control dispute led Gil Scot-Heron to pastures new, and a deal was str...more →
Frank Zappa
Discreet MS-2175
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Nanook Rubs It” (7.8) • “Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow” (6.0) • “St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast” (5.7)
Frank Zappa’s greatest commercial success, “Apostrophe (‘)” landed him an unlikely place in the U.S. Top 10. The set kin...more →
Tom Waits
Asylum Records 7E-1015
“Below average” JazzJukebox picks: “The Ghosts Of Saturday Night (After Hours At Napoleone’s Pizza House)” (7.4) • “Diamonds On My Windshield” (6.8) • “(Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night” (5.7)
Second album from the 24-year-old piano-playing singer-songwriter, now with added singspeak skills on display, namely on...more →
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Mercury SRM 1-1018
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Party Of Special Things To Do” (6.8) • “Pompadour Swamp” (5.9) • “Observatory Crest” (5.7)
Immediately after the recording of the preceding “Unconditionally Guaranteed” early in '74, the Magic Band, to a man, de...more →
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9270
“Poor” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Dreams Of No Return” (5.5) • “Cold February [live]” (5.1) • “Ithkos” (4.9)
Three of the four remained from last years “No Ruinous Feud”, Gerard Dott not being involved this time around. Three new...more →
George Jones
Epic KE-33083
“Poor” CountryJukebox picks: “The Grand Tour” (7.2) • “Pass Me By (If You're Only Passing Through)” (5.9) • “She'll Love the One She's With” (5.0)
“Step right up, come on in, If you'd like to take the grand tour, Of a lonely house that once was home sweet home”. ...more →
Bob Dylan
Asylum Records 7E-1003
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “On A Night Like This” (6.0) • “Wedding Song” (5.9) • “Dirge” (5.8)
After 12 years and 13 albums with Columbia Records this was Bob Dylan’s first venture on a different label, L.A. based A...more →
Randy Newman
Reprise Records MS-2193
“Poor” CountryJukebox picks: “Naked Man” (5.5) • “Guilty” (5.5) • “Marie” (5.2)
Breakthrough album for the 30-year-old, cracking the Billboard Top 40 after several years of trying. His musical beds ar...more →
Solomon Burke
ABC/Dunhill Records DSX 50161
“Poor” Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I Ain’t Gonna Give Up (Till I Find A Way)” (8.4) • “Looking For A Sign” (5.4) • “Now Is The Time” (5.0)
He left MGM for ABC-Dunhill Records in 1974, recording the one-off album, "I Have a Dream", a rather schmaltzy tribute t...more →
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7002
“Poor” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Up For The Down Stroke” (6.2) • “The Goose” (5.9) • “I Can Move You (If You Let Me)” (5.0)
It took 4 years for George Clinton's Parliament to follow up their “Osmium” LP of 1970, the main man having been more co...more →
The Eric Burdon Band
Capitol Records ST-11359
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “Ring Of Fire [1974 album version]” (5.5) • “Letter From The County Farm” (5.5) • “It’s My Life” (5.2)
Covers a few Animals originals. As far as the Burdon solo catalogue goes, only “Ring Of Fire” (Love Is, 1968) is a r...more →
Queen
EMI EMC-3061
“Lame” Rock; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)” (6.6) • “Killer Queen” (5.4) • “Stone Cold Crazy” (5.2)
Queen delivered their second long-player of '74 in November, just 8 months after “Queen II”. The core quartet remain: Fr...more →
Cold Blood
Warner Bros. Records BS-2806
“Lame” Disco / Funk; SoulJukebox picks: “Ready To Live” (5.5) • “Consideration” (5.5) • “Simple Love Life” (5.0)
5th album in 6 years from the Californian soulsters, who seem to be heading towards “the Lydia Pense Show” in the billin...more →
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Vertigo 6360 112
“Lame” RockJukebox picks: “Hot City Symphony part 2: Man In The Jar” (5.8) • “Hot City Symphony part 1: Vambo” (4.9) • “Sergeant Fury” (4.6)
The seventh Alex Harvey album - the third as the Sensational Alex Harvey Band - was delivered in October, 1974. The unch...more →
Memphis Slim, Canned Heat and The Memphis Horns
Blue Star 80.607
“Lame” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Five Long Years” (5.0) • “Paris” (5.0) • “Trouble Everywhere I Go” (4.5)
In Paris, on September 18, 1970, Canned Heat went into the studio at the request of French music producer Phillipe Rault...more →
Eric Clapton
RSO 2479-118
“Lame” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Get Ready” (6.3) • “I Shot the Sheriff” (5.3) • “Motherless Children” (5.2)
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist was off the heroin, but still drinking heavily. He's now living with George ...more →
ABBA
Polar POLS-252
“Lame” PopJukebox picks: “Waterloo [english version]” (7.4) • “Waterloo [swedish version]” (7.0) • “Suzy-Hang-Around” (6.5)
Staring back at you from the cover of their '74 debut as ABBA were the two couples (l to r): Anni-Frid Lyngstad (28, voc...more →
Gene Clark
Asylum Records 7E-1016
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Strength Of Strings” (5.1) • “Silver Raven” (4.6) • “Some Misunderstanding” (4.5)
The former Byrd, now 29, delivered his ambitious sixth album in September, 1974. Over $100,000 in the making, the west c...more →
Supertramp
A&M Records AMLS-68258
“Terrible” ProgJukebox picks: “Dreamer” (5.0) • “Crime Of The Century” (4.8) • “School” (4.6)
Disillusioned with their lack of success, Supertramp's original group members had deserted the cause, leaving songwriter...more →
Shuggie Otis
Epic KE-33059
“Terrible” R n B; JazzJukebox picks: “Not Available” (5.2) • “Aht Uh Mi Hed” (5.0) • “XL-30” (4.7)
Sly-Stone-inspired album of space-age-funk from the 20-year-old, almost 3 years in the making. Impressively, he plays ev...more →
Queen
EMI EMA-767
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Seven Seas Of Rhye” (5.8) • “The March Of The Black Queen” (4.6) • “Funny How Love Is” (4.2)
The second album from London's more thoughtful heavy-glam rockers arrived in March '74. They line up: Freddie Mercury (2...more →
Steely Dan
ABC Records ABCD-808
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Charlie Freak” (5.6) • “With A Gun” (4.7) • “Barrytown” (4.6)
The arbiters of taste dictate that this is the one you should all be raving about in 1974. Album-of-the-year in the NME,...more →
Bad Company
Island Records ILPS-9279
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Seagull” (4.8) • “Can't Get Enough” (4.2) • “Bad Company” (4.1)
Hugely succesful debut album from the Led-Zepp supported hard-rock supergroup, reaching #1 in the States and #3 in the U...more →
10cc
UK Records UKAL-1007
“Terrible” Pop; Prog; Rock; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Clockwork Creep” (5.5) • “Hotel” (4.7) • “The Worst Band In The World” (4.4)
The second album from the inventive Stockport four was delivered in May, 1974, on Jonathan King's UK Records label. The ...more →
Traffic
Island Records ILPS-9273
“Terrible” Prog; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Walking In The Wind” (5.6) • “Dream Gerrard” (4.2) • “Memories Of A Rock N' Rolla” (3.6)
Well, drummer Roger Hawkins and bassist David Hood, from the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio house band, didn't last long. On...more →
Genesis
Charisma CGS-101
“Terrible” Prog; RockJukebox picks: “It” (4.6) • “The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging” (4.5) • “Cuckoo Cocoon” (4.3)
Just one look at the costumed Peter Gabriel in “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” tour pretty much tells you all you need ...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T6-332S1
“Dire” R n BJukebox picks: “Boogie On Reggae Woman” (4.5) • “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” (4.0) • “Bird Of Beauty” (2.8)
Super tame servings in this new fangled R n B style, almost as if recoiling from the semi-bravery of the preceding “Inne...more →
The Wombles
CBS 80191
“Dire” Novelty; PopJukebox picks: “Wimbledon Sunset” (4.1) • “Remember You’re A Womble” (3.6) • “Minuetto Allegretto” (3.0)
Following last year's scene-setting album of character songs, this was the first proper Wombles LP according to group le...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor APL1-0475
“Dire” CountryJukebox picks: “I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby” (3.0) • “My Boy” (2.9) • “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” (2.6)
Elvis' appalling 1970s form continues in this Sydney Devine inspired affair....more →
Hallmark Records House Band
Hallmark Records SHM-865
“An embarrassment” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us” (3.6) • “Sugar Baby Love” (2.0) • “Waterloo” (1.8)
The sleeve notes of this June '74 issue read: “Well, Kids, Teenagers, Wombles, Mums and Dads we’ve cracked it - we hop...more →
Max Bygraves
Hallmark Records HMA-265
“Pathetically abysmal” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Medley : A) Little Drummer Boy, B) Winter Wonderland, C) White Christmas” (0.9) • “Medley : A) Away In A Manger, B) Silent Night, C) The 23rd Psalm” (0.8) • “Medley : A) We Wish You A Merry Christmas, B) O Come All Ye Faithful, C) Once In Royal David’s City, D) While Shepherds Watched, E) The First Noel, F) Good King Wencelas, G) Hark The Herald Angels Sing” (0.6)
I know it’s cliched to be cynical at Xmas, but this is pooh of the strongest odour....more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1974 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
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“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