Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 5)
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| Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 5) |
Tom Paxton
Elektra EKS-74066 (1970)
“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 (1970)
“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 (1970)
“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 →
Tangerine Dream
Virgin V-2010 (1974)
“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 →
Warren Zevon
Asylum Records 6E-118 (1978)
“Average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Werewolves Of London” (10) • “Excitable Boy” (6.6) • “Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner” (6.2)
The third album from the 30-year-old wry-rocker gave him his only Top 10 success on the album front, and his only Top 40...more →
Bruce Springsteen
Columbia JC-35318 (1978)
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Factory” (7.7) • “Candy's Room” (6.6) • “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” (6.1)
Shockingly, legal wrangles delayed Springsteen's follow up to “Born To Run” for almost three whole years, but the highly...more →
Joni Mitchell
Asylum Records 7E-1001 (1974)
“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 →
Jimmy Reed
Blues On Blues BOB-10001 (1971)
“Average” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Help Me At Dinnertime” (6.8) • “Bright Lights, Big City [1971 version]” (6.6) • “Cold Chills” (6.4)
Jimmy's second LP of the 70s was issued on his old pal Al Smith's new label, Blues on Blues. By this stage, the 45-year-...more →
Faces
Warner Bros. Records K-56011 (1973)
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Cindy Incidentally” (8.3) • “My Fault” (7.0) • “Ooh La La” (6.1)
The final Faces album was released in the springtime of 1973 to a backdrop of group tensions – it’s reported that Rod St...more →
The Cure
Fiction Records FIX-1 (1979)
“Average” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “10.15 Saturday Night” (7.7) • “Accuracy” (6.7) • “Subway Song” (6.1)
The demo to “10:15 Saturday Night” had caught Chris Parry’s attention in 1978 and led him to sign the band to his ne...more →
Joan Armatrading
A&M Records SP-4588 (1976)
“Average” Cerebral Pop; PopJukebox picks: “Love And Affection” (9.2) • “Down To Zero” (7.4) • “Somebody Who Loves You” (5.5)
Breakthrough LP from the 25-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist, with experienced producer Glyn Johns (Steve Miller, Th...more →
Arrow
Arrow Records LPS-007 (1973)
“Average” CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Please Mr. Police” (6.3) • “Enjoy Yourself” (6.0) • “The Caribbean And The World” (5.9)
Enjoyable enough second album from the 23-year-old Calypsonian, Alphonsus Cassell, who come to be known as the first sup...more →
Cat Stevens
Island Records ILPS-9206 (1972)
“Average” Songwriter; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Angelsea” (7.1) • “Can’t Keep It In” (6.9) • “The Boy With A Moon And Star On His Head” (6.4)
I always hesitate to dive in for the full embrace - a bit too soft at times - but I've found him to consistently have so...more →
T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5005 (1977)
“Average” Pop; RockJukebox picks: “Jason B. Sad” (6.7) • “Soul Of My Suit” (6.5) • “Hang Ups” (6.2)
The twelfth, and final, LP from T. Rex arrived in March, 1977, and, with it, Bolan kept his decent record intact, never ...more →
Rod Stewart
Vertigo 6360 500 (1970)
“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 →
Curtis Mayfield
Curtom CU-5001 (1975)
“Average” R n BJukebox picks: “Billy Jack” (7.4) • “Hard Times” (6.3) • “When Seasons Change” (5.5)
What a cracking album cover! It was based on a famous photograph by Margaret Bourke-White and published in Life Magazine...more →
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9140 (1971)
“Average” FolkJukebox picks: “All Writ Down” (7.4) • “Waiting For You” (6.1) • “The Song Has No Ending, Pts. 1-9” (5.4)
They line up: Robin Williamson (bass, claves, fiddle, finger cymbals, gimbri, guitar, keyboard, mandolin, piano, sarangu...more →
Ouza et Les 4 Femmes Dans Le Vent
Disques Griot GR-7605 (1977)
“Average” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Duuga” (6.7) • “Pompiéé” (6.2) • “Mbaana” (5.9)
At this time, the Dakar-born multi-instrumentalist Ousmane Diallo is around 30-years-old. Newly formed by the bandleader...more →
Mick Moloney
Transatlantic Records TRA-263 (1973)
“Average” FolkJukebox picks: “Belfast Town (Medley)” (9.2) • “Vi Skei Ikkje Sova Burt Sumar Natta” (6.8) • “Farewell To The Rhondda” (6.6)
Former Johnstones player with his solo debut....more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6015 (1973)
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Slaughter Theme” (6.9) • “Brother Rap” (6.6) • “Sexy, Sexy, Sexy” (6.5)
James Brown’s second Blaxploitation film soundtrack - and both in 1973. His was a busy crew. Bandleader Fred Wesley crea...more →
Cat Stevens
Island Records ILPS-9154 (1971)
“Average” Folk; Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Changes IV” (6.8) • “Moonshadow” (6.5) • “Tuesday’s Dead” (6.4)
A consistently likeable singer-songwriter, even if he sometimes veers towards the drippy a la “Morning Has Broken”. ...more →
Solomon Burke
MGM Records 1SE-35ST (1972)
“Average” Disco / Funk; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “The Bus” (7.0) • “Icbyatht W.T.” (6.7) • “PSR 1983” (6.1)
The 2nd of 3 albums for MGM. 1 back album track makes a re-appearance - “PSR 1983” (Electronic Magnetism, 1971). Despite...more →
Gil Scott-Heron
Flying Dutchman FD-10153 (1972)
“Average” Hip Hop / Rap; JazzJukebox picks: “Ain’t No New Thing” (8.7) • “The King Alfred Plan” (6.7) • “No Knock” (6.5)
An album of two distinct halves; the jazz-centric side one (4.70) carrying on where last years “Pieces Of A Man” left of...more →
Bryan Ferry
Polydor 2302-055 (1977)
“Average” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Tokyo Joe” (6.8) • “This Is Tomorrow” (6.7) • “In Your Mind” (5.8)
By this stage, Roxy Music were two years into their post-Siren hiatus, and Bryan Ferry pressed on with his busy solo car...more →
XTC
Virgin V-2108 (1978)
“Average” New Wave; DubbeatJukebox picks: “Meccanik Dancing (Oh We Go!)” (6.8) • “Battery Brides (Andy Paints Brian)” (6.7) • “Life Is Good In The Greenhouse” (6.1)
Their second album - and their second of 1978 - arrived in October, fronted by a wonderfully sarcastic mini-essay on the...more →
Dennis Wilson
Caribou Records PZ-34354 (1977)
“Average” Pop Ballad; RockJukebox picks: “Farewell My Friend” (8.7) • “Thoughts Of You” (7.9) • “Time” (6.7)
There’s some lame to average soft rockers on Dennis’ acclaimed solo LP, but so too there are some shimmering nuggets lur...more →
Spirit
Epic E-30267 (1970)
“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 →
T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5002 (1973)
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Left Hand Luke And The Beggar Boys” (6.9) • “Electric Slim And The Factory Hen” (6.2) • “Mad Donna” (6.0)
Much of the idiosyncratic T. Rex magic is diluted on “Tanx” as Bolan embraces a bit of American rock, soul and funk in s...more →
Chuck Berry
Chess CH-60032 (1975)
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Baby, What You Want Me To Do” (7.3) • “Don’t You Lie To Me” (6.4) • “Sue Answer” (6.0)
The all-important 17th album must be eponymously titled. Also, it must be the one which contains the most cover versions...more →
Automat
EMI 3C-064-18323 (1978)
“Average” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Mecadence” (6.2) • “Ultraviolet” (5.5) • “Droid” (5.3)
Italian composer Romano Musumarra was keen to get a pioneering album of electronica out into the marketplace, and with t...more →
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
United Artists Records UAS-9801 (1972)
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “Wildwood Flower” (8.4) • “Keep On The Sunny Side” (8.3) • “I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes” (6.9)
Their sixth album, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, was released in October, 1972. It was a very interesting affair which ...more →
Leonard Cohen
Warner Bros. Records BS-3125 (1977)
“Average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “I Left A Woman Waiting” (8.0) • “Don’t Go Home With Your Hard On” (7.0) • “True Love Leaves No Traces” (6.8)
And so it came to pass that, in 1977, the magical spell of non-stop Leonard Cohen excellence was finally broken. In a mo...more →
Gene Clark
A&M Records SP-4292 (1971)
“Average” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “For A Spanish Guitar” (7.8) • “Where My Love Lies Asleep” (6.9) • “The Virgin” (6.8)
Fourth album from the 26-year-old former Byrd, critically acclaimed in the country rock / folk rock realms, although it ...more →
Bavon Marie Marie accompagne par Jules Celestin and L’orchestre Vox-Action
Ngoma J-33-012 (1971)
“Average” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Ba Famille Bakoti” (7.6) • “Succes Ya Ba Ndombe” (6.6) • “Sala Lokola Mobali” (6.4)
The younger brother of Franco Luambo Makiadi, one of Africa’s greatest musical icons, Bavon Luambo Siongo (more commonly...more →
Tangerine Dream
Ohr OMM-556-031 (1973)
“Average” AmbientJukebox picks: “Wahn” (6.2) • “Atem” (6.1) • “Circulation of Events” (5.0)
Fourth album from the West Berlin electronic trio who lined-up: Edgar Froese (mellotron, organ, guitar, voice), Peter Ba...more →
Chuck Berry
Chess LPS-1550 (1970)
“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 →
Magazine
Virgin V-2121 (1979)
“Average” New WaveJukebox picks: “Rhythm Of Cruelty” (6.4) • “Permafrost” (6.2) • “Talk To The Body” (5.7)
In the nine months since their debut, departing drummer Martin Jackson had been replaced, and the Manchester five-piece ...more →
Tony Joe White
Monument SLP-18142 (1970)
“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 →
Solomon Burke
MGM Records SE-4767 (1971)
“Average” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Bridge Of Life” (8.4) • “Together We’ll Light Up The World” (8.2) • “PSR 1983” (6.1)
The 1st of 3 albums for MGM. 2 back album tracks get a reworking - “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” and “No Man Wa...more →
The Kilfenora Céilí Band
Pickwick Records HPE-609 (1974)
“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 →
Deep Purple
Harvest SHVL-777 (1970)
“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 →
This Heat
Piano THIS-1 (1979)
“Below average” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Horizontal Hold” (8.5) • “Twilight Furniture” (8.3) • “24 Track Loop” (8.1)
On their September '79 debut this highly experimental group of multi-instrumentalists from London line-up: Charles Bulle...more →
Mott The Hoople
CBS S-69038 (1973)
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “I Wish I Was Your Mother” (7.7) • “All The Way From Memphis” (6.0) • “Drivin’ Sister” (5.9)
Sixth album from the Hertfordhsire glam-rockers, one of the best of the dubious genre, even if they do ham it up a bit t...more →
Kate Bush
EMI EMC-3223 (1978)
“Below average” Songwriter; Cerebral Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “The Man With The Child In His Eyes” (7.3) • “Wuthering Heights” (7.0) • “The Kick Inside” (6.6)
Debut album from the piano playing 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Kent, 8 years after she started writing songs. Wha...more →
Augustus Pablo
Message DSR-7108 (1978)
“Below average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Natural Way” (6.8) • “East Of The River Nile” (6.2) • “Chant To King Selassie I” (6.0)
2 years passed before Pablo delivered the follow-up to “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown”, in the meantime he was occupi...more →
Squeeze
A&M Records AMLH-68503 (1979)
“Below average” New Wave; PopJukebox picks: “Up The Junction” (10) • “Cool For Cats” (9.4) • “Slap And Tickle” (8.2)
13 months on from their debut, the London five continue to frustrate on their second long-player, delivered in April '79...more →
Gram Parsons
Reprise Records MS-2171 (1974)
“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 →
Chuck Berry
Chess CH-50043 (1973)
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Bio” (7.0) • “Talkin’ About My Buddy” (6.4) • “Aimlessly Driftin’” (5.6)
Backed by Stan Bronstein and Rick Frank’s band “Elephant’s Memory” (who had famously served as Lennon/Ono’s “Plastic” ba...more →
Funkadelic
Westbound Records WB-2007 (1971)
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Maggot Brain” (7.0) • “Wars of Armageddon” (6.1) • “Hit It and Quit It” (5.9)
Nicely crafted album from the cultish psychedelic rock groovers, if a bit dull in the middle. Ten minute opener “Maggo...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NSPL-18365 (1971)
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Cerebral Pop; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Dreams” (8.9) • “Completely” (6.4) • “Moments” (6.2)
The soundtrack album for the 1971 British comedy film based on a novel of the same name by Raymond Hitchcock. Plot: “E...more →
Jimmy Cliff
Reprise Records MS-2147 (1973)
“Below average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Poor Slave” (7.0) • “Fundamental Reggae” (7.0) • “Under The Sun, Moon And Stars” (6.9)
Fully self-written fifth album from the Jamaican, recorded at Dynamic Sounds in Kingston. Blows hot and cold, despite fe...more →
Motörhead
Bronze BRON-523 (1979)
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Poison” (6.3) • “Step Down” (6.1) • “All The Aces” (5.8)
Arriving in October '79 was the second album of the year from the re-energized group, just 7 months after “Overkill”. It...more →
The Beatles
Apple Records PXS-1 (1970)
“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 →
John Cooper Clarke
Rabid Records NOZE-1 (1978)
“Below average” PoetryJukebox picks: “(I Married A) Monster From Outer Space [live]” (7.5) • “Film Extra’s Extra [live]” (7.0) • “Nothing [live]” (7.0)
The debut album from the 29-year-old John Cooper-Clarke aka the Bard of Salford aka the Punk Poet. The posh double-barre...more →
Intuthuko Brothers featuring Hensford Mthembu
Skyline Marabi SK-80163 (1974)
“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 →
Ken Nordine
Snail Records SR-1001 (1979)
“Below average” Crooner / Cabaret; PoetryJukebox picks: “Ballad Of The Final Page” (7.1) • “Seven Ways Of The Meek” (6.7) • “Scratch” (6.6)
“Silly silly me writing songs your ears can see, songs they are more said than sung, talking songs for solo tongue. So...more →
Dr. Feelgood
United Artists UAS-29880 (1975)
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Going Back Home” (6.8) • “Don't Let Your Daddy Know” (6.5) • “Back In The Night” (5.9)
The limited edginess of January’s debut LP is further eroded on the follow up just 9 months later, as the malpracticing ...more →
Cat Stevens
Island Records ILPS-9135 (1970)
“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 →
Swamp Dogg
Island Records ILPS-9299 (1974)
“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 →
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9229 (1973)
“Below average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “My Blue Tears” (7.1) • “Second Fiddle” (6.7) • “Explorer” (6.2)
Staring back at you from the cover of their eleventh LP (clockwise from top left) were: Gerard Dott, Mike Heron, Malcolm...more →
ABBA
Polar POLS-272 (1976)
“Below average” PopJukebox picks: “Knowing Me, Knowing You” (7.0) • “Why Did It Have To Be Me?” (6.8) • “Dancing Queen” (6.7)
Confounding those who predicted that they'd fade as quickly as their firework exploded, ABBA went from strength to stren...more →
Prince Buster
Melodisc MLP-12-156 (1972)
“Below average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Sata A Masa Gana [vocal version]” (7.1) • “Sister Big Stuff” (6.5) • “Young Gifted And Black” (6.5)
Prince Buster's recordings for “Sister Big Stuff” took place mostly in 1971; Mellodisc had the vision to put them out to...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Columbia KC-31462 (1972)
“Below average” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Drinking Song” (7.0) • “Muse Blues” (6.6) • “Needless To Say” (6.2)
A considerable dive-bomb after the brilliant start he made with his 1970 and 1971 long-players. Album opener, “Dead Sk...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia KC-30290 (1970)
“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 →
Simple Minds
Zoom Records SPART-1109 (1979)
“Below average” New WaveJukebox picks: “Changeling” (6.5) • “Premonition” (6.4) • “Factory” (6.2)
Just 7 months on from their debut, the second long-player from the Glasgow five-piece arrived in November, 1979, once ag...more →
Nina Simone
RCA LSP-4536 (1971)
“Below average” Cerebral Pop; Pop Ballad; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Just Like A Woman” (6.6) • “My Way” (6.5) • “Mr. Bojangles” (5.8)
In the RCA studios for a fully orchestrated covers set, simultaneously middle-of-the-road but nonetheless imaginative wi...more →
John Lee Hooker
Carson LP-3662 (1970)
“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 →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6039 (1974)
“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 (1974)
“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 (1974)
“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 →
The Human League
Virgin V-2133 (1979)
“Below average” New Wave; ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Almost Medieval” (6.7) • “Empire State Human” (5.8) • “The Path Of Least Resistance” (5.6)
“//The League would like to positively affect the future by close attention to the present, allying technology with huma...more →
Buffy Saint-Marie
Vanguard VSD-79312 (1972)
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PopJukebox picks: “Not The Lovin' Kind” (8.9) • “Mister Can't You See” (6.7) • “You Know How To Turn On Those Lights” (6.1)
Buffy's battle with the Vanguard label continues, and the ongoing pop concessions in “Moonshot” leave her in no man's la...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Columbia KC-32710 (1973)
“Below average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry” (7.7) • “I Am The Way (New York Town) [live]” (6.4) • “Dilated To Meet You” (6.0)
Loudon's fourth was recorded with Nashville session men and largely fails to catch-a-fire with me, although his semi-rem...more →
Michael Mantler with Robert Wyatt, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Jack DeJohnette and Terje Rypdal
WATT Works WATT-4 (1976)
“Below average” ProgJukebox picks: “The Hapless Child” (6.5) • “The Remembered Visit” (6.4) • “The Doubtful Guest” (5.4)
An ambitious project co-ordinated by the Austrian Jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Michael Mantler, who pays tribute to th...more →
The Flying Burrito Brothers
A&M Records SP-4258 (1970)
“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 →
The Beach Boys
Reprise Records MS-2118 (1973)
“Below average” Cerebral Pop; Folk Rock / Americana; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “California Saga: California” (7.4) • “California Saga: The Beaks Of Eagles” (6.9) • “Steamboat” (6.6)
Rated as one of their best by many fans, their latest Randy-Newman-inspired sound is a bit of a hit-or-a-miss for me, bu...more →
Juan Polo Valencia
Tropical LD-1588 (1970)
“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 →
Frank Zappa
Discreet MS-2175 (1974)
“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 →
John Lennon
Apple Records PAS-10004 (1971)
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop Ballad; RockJukebox picks: “Imagine” (7.7) • “Gimme Some Truth” (6.8) • “I Don't Want To Be A Soldier” (5.8)
I find it's best not to expect much from the ex-Beatles, and the latest from the 30-year-old John Lennon certainly doesn...more →
Isaac Hayes
Enterprise ENS-2-5002 (1971)
“Below average” Disco / Funk; Cerebral Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Do Your Thing” (7.1) • “Theme From Shaft” (6.9) • “Walk from Regio's” (6.6)
There's not too much to get excited about on this sprawling, almost inevitably patchy, double album set. Largely ins...more →
Joni Mitchell
Asylum Records 7E-1051 (1975)
“Below average” Jazz; SongwriterJukebox picks: “The Jungle Line” (8.7) • “Harry's House / Centerpiece” (7.2) • “The Hissing of Summer Lawns” (5.5)
By this stage, the pop sensibilities of “Ladies of the Canyon” (1970) and “Blue” (1971) were a thing of the past as Joni...more →
ABBA
Polar POLS-262 (1975)
“Below average” PopJukebox picks: “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do” (8.3) • “SOS” (7.7) • “So Long” (7.6)
The European Cup winners of 1974 continued their good form into ’75 with their classic 1-2-2 formation – with Stig at th...more →
The Tulips
Ring RG-K-1025 (1978)
“Below average” Africana; PopJukebox picks: “Mama Ka Sibongile” (7.0) • “Sofasilahlane” (6.5) • “Uskhandamayeza” (5.9)
In the disco era, an mbaqanga-soul fusion is proving to be popular in South Africa, and this release on the EMI subsidia...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-11161 (1973)
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “Tennesee Women’s Prison” (6.9) • “I Don’t Believe I’ll Fall In Love Today” (6.4) • “I Don’t Know How To Tell Him” (6.2)
Only in March, and already Wanda has her second LP of '73 in the shops. The prolific and hard-working artist has had a n...more →
Bra Sello
Soweto SWA-14014 (1975)
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Butterfly, part 1” (5.3) • “Butterfly, part 2” (5.2)
Recorded at the Satbel Recording Studios in Johannesburg, engineered by Paul Dobbe and produced by Cambridge Matiwane. T...more →
Quicksilver
Capitol Records SW-819 (1971)
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Rebel” (8.5) • “I Found Love” (7.0) • “Fire Brothers” (5.5)
Membership of the group continued to fluctuate; John Cipollina and Nicky Hopkins left after the chaotic recording experi...more →
Neu!
Brain brain-1028 (1973)
“Below average” Avant-Garde; Trance RockJukebox picks: “Lila Engel” (9.5) • “Neuschnee” (9.2) • “Für Immer” (9.0)
The seemingly language-less “Lila Engel” (“Lilac Angel”) was typical of Neu!, Klaus Dinger style – ugly, aggressive ...more →
Randy Newman
Reprise Records MS-2064 (1972)
“Below average” Crooner / Cabaret; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Burn On” (8.0) • “Old Man” (6.0) • “Lonely at the Top” (5.9)
Keeping up his record of a new LP every two years, the third new music album from the 28-year-old singer-songwriter arri...more →
King Floyd
Cotillion SD-9047 (1971)
“Below average” SoulJukebox picks: “Groove Me” (7.6) • “Messing Up My Mind” (6.9) • “Let Us Be” (6.2)
Patchy album from the 26-year-old New Orleans soul singer and songwriter, commendable for featuring his great Top 10 hit...more →
Tom Waits
Asylum Records 7E-1015 (1974)
“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 →
Webert Sicot et son Ensemble
Mini Records MRS-1058 (1977)
“Below average” CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Caponage” (6.8) • “Gina” (6.5) • “Gladys” (6.2)
Cadence, Compas, Meringue, Zouk, call it what you want, it all sounds the same to me to be honest. Suffice to say these ...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T-326L (1973)
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Higher Ground” (6.7) • “Living For The City” (6.4) • “He’s Misstra Know It All” (6.2)
A Stevie Wonder that gets my full-on thumbs up seems pretty much an impossibility, but “Innervisions” comes closest of a...more →
Joni Mitchell
Asylum Records 7E-1087 (1976)
“Below average” JazzJukebox picks: “Blue Motel Room” (6.4) • “Coyote” (6.1) • “Amelia” (5.5)
The 8th album from the newly turned 33-year-old, considered by critics and fans as one of her very best. The album's nam...more →
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7014 (1975)
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Chocolate City” (6.4) • “Let Me Be” (6.0) • “Bigfootin’” (5.7)
A black majority now inhabited Washington, D.C. and the term “Chocolate City” was banded about positively by many, most ...more →
Joan Armatrading
A&M Records AMLH-64732 (1978)
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Let It Last” (8.0) • “Bottom To The Top” (8.0) • “What Do You Want” (6.2)
Arriving in September '78 was Joan Armatrading's fifth long-player, in collaboration with producer Glyn Johns for the th...more →
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Shelter Records SRL-52006 (1976)
“Below average” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll” (6.9) • “Mystery Man” (5.9) • “American Girl” (5.7)
Following the break-up of his previous group, Mudcrutch, in late 1975, Tom Petty dusted himself down and, at the record ...more →
Squeeze
A&M Records AMLH-68465 (1978)
“Below average” New Wave; RockJukebox picks: “Take Me I'm Yours” (9.1) • “The Call” (5.8) • “Get Smart” (5.5)
Debut album from the London five-piece, jokingly named after the oft-derided fifth Velvet Underground LP. Are they a tri...more →
Groundhogs
United Artists Records UAG-29237 (1972)
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Death Of The Sun” (6.8) • “Music Is Food Of Thought” (5.9) • “Earth Is Not Room Enough” (5.5)
Socially conscious sixth album from the gritty London trio who line up: Tony McPhee (guitars, mellotron, harmonium, voca...more →
The Who
Track Record 2657 013 (1973)
“Below average” Rock; ProgJukebox picks: “Doctor Jimmy” (6.7) • “I’ve Had Enough” (6.2) • “The Dirty Jobs” (5.9)
Great film, shame about the soundtrack. Since when did the Mods dig bombastic Prog and Rock? Someone will need to explai...more →
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AB-4147 (1977)
“Below average” R n B; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “We Almost Lost Detroit” (6.7) • “Racetrack In France” (5.7) • “Vildgolia (Deaf, Dumb And Blind)” (5.5)
For my tastes, the subtle change from the jazzy to the funky since signing to Arista has been very welcome, and the rela...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s |
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