Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 6)
Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 6) |
BLACK ROSEː A ROCK LEGEND
Thin Lizzy
Vertigo 6360 169 (1979)
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Do Anything You Wanna Do” (6.1) • “S And M” (5.9) • “Toughest Street In Town” (5.6)

The ninth album from the London-based quartet was recorded in Paris in early '79 and saw release in April. They line-up:
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THE LONDON CHUCK BERRY SESSIONS
Chuck Berry
Chess CH-60020 (1972)
“Below average” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Reelin’ And Rockin’ [live]” (6.0) • “Johnny B. Goode [live]” (5.4) • “Mean Old World” (5.3)

Following in the footsteps of Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, Chuck headed for London to record with the
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EARTHSPAN
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9211 (1972)
“Below average” Folk
Jukebox picks: “Black Jack David” (6.5) • “Antoine” (5.5) • “Restless Night” (5.5)

The exoticism of previous works makes way for a more traditional brand of folk rock, with bluesy and jazzy touches here
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DESTRUCTION
Nkengas
Orbitone OTO-05LP (1973)
“Below average” Disco / Funk; Africana
Jukebox picks: “Nkenga Special” (6.2) • “Anyi Bundi Igbo” (5.7) • “Ube Frank Special” (5.5)

So, the story goes that Osita Osadebe was on a UK tour and financial hardship led to members of his Nigeria Sound Makers
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THE BLACK-MAN’S BURDON
Eric Burdon and War
MGM Records SE-4710-2 (1970)
“Below average” Soul
Jukebox 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
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HELEN OF TROY
John Cale
Island Records ILPS-9350 (1975)
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Rock
Jukebox picks: “Cable Hogue” (6.7) • “Pablo Picasso” (6.6) • “Engine” (5.9)

Often sounding tired and stuck in that horrid early to mid-70s sludge-rock sound, “Helen Of Troy” only occasionally deli
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EL VIOLENTO
Fruko y sus Tesos
Discos Fuentes 200868 (1973)
“Below average” Latin
Jukebox picks: “Mosaico Matancero: Vamos Pa’l Campo; La Nochebuena; Rumba En Navidad” (6.0) • “Tronco Seco” (5.8) • “El Violento” (5.7)

This Colombian salsa group were led strictly by multi-instrumentalist Julio Ernesto Estrada, commonly known as Fruko. Hi
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AMERICAN GOTHIC
David Ackles
Elektra EKS-75032 (1972)
“Below average” Crooner / Cabaret; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Midnight Carousel” (7.3) • “American Gothic” (6.6) • “Montana Song” (6.1)

Third album from the 35-year-old singer-songwriter-pianist, at best an expressive Jacques Brel at worst a maudlin Randy
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RUTH IS STRANGER THAN RICHARD
Robert Wyatt
Virgin V-2034 (1975)
“Below average” Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Sonia” (6.0) • “Soup Song” (5.6) • “Team Spirit” (5.5)

Robert plays keyboards and sings on this one, backed by a core group of Bill MacCormick (bass), Laurie Allan (drums), Ge
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INDIANOLA MISSISSIPPI SEEDS
B.B. King
ABC Records ABCS-713 (1970)
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox 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 →
MASTER OF REALITY
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 6360-050 (1971)
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Into The Void” (6.2) • “Sweet Leaf” (5.4) • “Lord Of This World” (5.4)

The 3rd Sabbath is mostly comprised of slower and heavier songs, interspersed with quieter acoustic songs written by Ton
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STREET-LEGAL
Bob Dylan
Columbia JC-35453 (1978)
“Below average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “No Time To Think” (6.6) • “Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat)” (6.5) • “Baby, Stop Crying” (5.4)

The unpredictable Bob Dylan of the 1970s continues to disappoint me – after the culturally brilliant French/Mexican deto
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THE MESSAGE DUBWISE
Prince Buster
Fab MS-7 (1972)
“Below average” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Jet Black” (6.2) • “Sata A Masa Gana [dub version]” (5.8) • “Java Plus” (5.6)

The last record that Prince Buster would himself push out as a new release sees him pioneering a new dub vision - 10 new
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A NOD IS AS GOOD AS A WINK… TO A BLIND HORSE
Faces
Warner Bros. Records K-56006 (1971)
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “That's All You Need” (6.6) • “Stay With Me” (5.7) • “Love Lives Here” (5.5)

Third album from the London five-piece who lined up: Rod Stewart (lead vocals, harmonica), Ronnie Lane (bass, acoustic g
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DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP
AC/DC
Albert Productions APLP-020 (1976)
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Rocker” (7.1) • “Ride On” (6.8) • “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” (6.2)

Palatable, even for a non-rock-head like me, sometimes a bit bluesy, sometimes a bit punky, but very much in their own u
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SWEET BABY JAMES
James Taylor
Warner Bros. Records WS-1843 (1970)
“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
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SWEET AMERICA
Buffy Saint-Marie
ABC Records ABCD-929 (1976)
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop
Jukebox picks: “I Been Down” (6.9) • “Starwalker” (6.7) • “I Don’t Need No City Life” (6.4)

The album includes three covers within the first four tracks; “
Sweet America” (Greenfield, 1971), “
Wynken, Blynken...more →
FUNKENTELECHY VS. THE PLACEBO SYNDROME
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7084 (1977)
“Below average” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Flash Light” (7.5) • “Funkentelechy” (6.5) • “Bop Gun (Endangered Species)” (5.9)

My uneasy relationship with Parliament continues on their sixth long-player, probably best illustrated via the great “
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TAPESTRY
Carole King
Ode Records SP-77009 (1971)
“Below average” Pop; Pop Ballad; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Way Over Yonder” (7.2) • “You've Got a Friend” (6.2) • “I Feel the Earth Move” (6.0)

The second album from the newly turned 29-year-old singer-songwriter arrived in February, 1971. She's obviously an amazi
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NEVER A DULL MOMENT
Rod Stewart
Mercury 6499 153 (1972)
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Angel” (5.7) • “I’d Rather Go Blind” (5.7) • “You Wear It Well” (5.3)

“Never A Dull Moment” eh? He's living his best life, fair play to the man, but the 27-year-old's albums are already losi
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TAPESTRY
Don McLean
Mediarts 41-4 (1970)
“Below average” Songwriter; Folk
Jukebox 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,
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NKENGAS IN LONDON
The Nkengas
Orbitone OTO-06LP (1973)
“Below average” Africana
Jukebox picks: “Anaedo Special” (5.7) • “Unzulu Onye Ige’gpubi” (5.3) • “Asa Mpete Special” (5.2)

The on-tour Nkengas were unknown outside of their homeland when they were introduced to Clinton 'Sonny' Roberts, a Manch
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IF SOMEBODY LOVES YOU
The Dave Clark Five
Columbia SX-6437 (1970)
“Below average” Cerebral Pop
Jukebox 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
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MANIFESTO
Roxy Music
EG 2310-651 (1979)
“Below average” Cerebral Pop; New Wave; Pop
Jukebox picks: “Angel Eyes” (6.7) • “Trash” (6.4) • “Manifesto” (6.3)

The sixth Roxy album was delivered in March, '79, almost 4 years on from “Siren”. The very fine start of “
Manifesto”
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FROM HERE TO MAMA ROSA
Chris Farlowe with The Hill
Polydor 2425 029 (1970)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral Pop
Jukebox 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
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THE CLONES OF DR. FUNKENSTEIN
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7034 (1976)
“Poor” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Gamin’ On Ya!” (6.0) • “Do That Stuff” (5.8) • “Funkin’ For Fun” (5.7)

Another succesful US Top 20 album from the ever-ambitious larger-than-life wide-eyed funksters, trading at their commerc
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STATION TO STATION
David Bowie
RCA Victor APL1-1327 (1976)
“Poor” Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “Golden Years” (7.2) • “TVC 15” (5.2) • “Station To Station” (4.6)

“
The return of the Thin White Duke, Throwing darts in lovers' eyes” warns Bowie in the very opening barb of the
ti...more →
NEXT
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Vertigo 6360 103 (1973)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Next” (7.1) • “Swampsnake” (5.3) • “The Faith Healer” (5.0)

The sixth Alex Harvey album - the second as the Sensational Alex Harvey Band - arrived in November, 1973. Delivering the
...more →
SABOTAGE
Black Sabbath
NEMS 9119-001 (1975)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Hole In The Sky” (7.1) • “Symptom Of The Universe” (6.4) • “Don’t Start (Too Late)” (5.4)

Starts off strongly with the chunky “
Hole In The Sky”, but deteriorates into theatrical territories best left to the
...more →
YOUNG AMERICANS
David Bowie
RCA Victor RS-1006 (1975)
“Poor” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Fame” (6.5) • “Across The Universe” (6.4) • “Young Americans” (6.3)

Pop's great chameleon re-invents once more, this time he's gonna be a soul man, transporting himself and his family unit
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IF I COULD ONLY REMEMBER MY NAME
David Crosby
Atlantic SD-7203 (1971)
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “What Are Their Names” (6.3) • “Laughing” (5.6) • “Music Is Love” (5.3)

Listed second on the Vatican's “Top 10 Pop Albums of All Time”. THIS REALLY HAPPENED. In 2010, the official newspaper of
...more →
BILLION DOLLAR BABIES
Alice Cooper
Warner Bros. Records BS-2685 (1973)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Unfinished Sweet” (6.6) • “Elected” (6.2) • “Generation Landslide” (6.1)

An improvement on the last couple I've heard, but any good is still outweighed by the bad to my ears. Their brand of Ame
...more →
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
Nash The Slash
Cut-Throat Records CUT-2 (1979)
“Poor” Electronica
Jukebox picks: “Blind Windows / Countervail” (6.2) • “Moon Curse” (6.0) • “Islands” (5.4)

Debut album from the 31-year-old Toronto musician, Jeff Plewman, introducing the rather off-putting surgical bandage loo
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THE ALBUM
ABBA
Polar POLS-282 (1977)
“Poor” Pop
Jukebox picks: “The Name Of The Game” (9.2) • “Take A Chance On Me” (8.4) • “I’m A Marionette” (6.0)

Sweden got the scoop just in time for Christmas '77, but the rest of the world had to wait patiently until the new year
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WHO’S NEXT
The Who
Track Record 2408 102 (1971)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (6.5) • “Baba O'Riley” (6.5) • “Bargain” (5.4)

Power Rock! Yeah! Not really. Some of this noodling and screaming does my nut in tbh. Popular opinion holds that The Who
...more →
FAVOURITE TV THEMES VOLUME TWO
Ray Martin and his Orchestra
Decca SPA-391 (1975)
“Poor” Film Score / Incidental
Jukebox picks: “Hawaii Five-O” (6.5) • “Ironside” (6.4) • “Mission Impossible” (6.0)

Following on from the first volume in '73, it's the usual high quality instrumentation and arrangement from Ray, with at
...more →
RALF UND FLORIAN
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-197 (1973)
“Poor” Electronica
Jukebox picks: “Elektrisches Roulette” (5.2) • “Tanzmusik” (5.2) • “Ananas Symphonie” (5.1)

Once again they record as a duo, and the suitably titled “Ralf und Florian” was issued in October '73 featuring: Ralf Hü
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I WOULDN’T WANT YOU ANY OTHER WAY
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-11096 (1972)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox picks: “The More You See Me Less” (8.2) • “Crazy” (6.8) • “I’ll Be Whatever You Say” (6.2)

A mixed bag from Wanda, from the dire to the fantastic. Includes her two 45s from last year, “
Back Then” and “
I Al...more →
GUILTY!
Eric Burdon and Jimmy Witherspoon
MGM Records SE-4791 (1971)
“Poor” Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “I’ve Been Driftin’ / Once Upon A Time” (5.3) • “Have Mercy Judge” (5.3) • “Steamroller” (5.1)

In September 1970, Jimi Hendrix died after a jam session with Eric Burdon & War at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. T
...more →
ALL DIRECTIONS
The Temptations
Gordy GS-962L (1972)
“Poor” Soul
Jukebox picks: “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” (9.5) • “Run Charlie Run” (6.1) • “I Ain’t Got Nothing” (4.5)

The singing quintet - now without David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks - released “All Directions” in July, 1972, and it did
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BONGO ROCK
The Incredible Bongo Band
Pride PRD-0028 (1973)
“Poor” Pop
Jukebox picks: “Let There Be Drums” (7.3) • “Apache” (5.5) • “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (5.2)

The story goes that Michael Viner, head of the short-lived MGM subsidiary label Pride, was commissioned to produce chase
...more →
THE TRAIN I’M ON
Tony Joe White
Warner Bros. Records BS-2580 (1972)
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Sidewalk Hobo” (7.6) • “Beouf River Road” (6.2) • “As The Crow Flies” (5.9)

Not that I was ever a committed fan, but Tony Joe's soulful pop rock groove schtick is wearing thinner than ever before,
...more →
FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO SOUTH CAROLINA
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AL-4044 (1976)
“Poor” R n B
Jukebox picks: “Johannesburg” (6.2) • “Beginnings (The First Minutes Of A New Day)” (5.5) • “The Summer Of ’42” (5.0)

Now firmly settled in to their new home at Arista, this set gains a whole point on its predecesor, “The First Minute Of
...more →
CLOSE TO THE EDGE
Yes
Atlantic K-50012 (1972)
“Poor” Prog
Jukebox picks: “Close To The Edge: The Solid Time Of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up, I Get Down / Seasons Of Man” (5.1) • “And You And I: Cord Of Life / Eclipse / The Preacher, The Teacher / The Apocalypse” (4.9) • “Siberian Khatru” (4.5)

The band's greatest commercial success, reaching #3 in the US and #4 in the UK. They lined up: Jon Anderson (lead vocals
...more →
SLOW DAZZLE
John Cale
Island Records ILPS-9317 (1975)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “The Jeweler” (8.0) • “Guts” (6.8) • “Heartbreak Hotel” (6.5)

To my sensitive ears, “Slow Dazzle” is mostly an album of session muso sludge that Jools Holland would be proud of. Amaz
...more →
BLUEJEANS AND MOONBEAMS
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Mercury SRM 1-1018 (1974)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox 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 →
JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE
Traffic
Island Records ILPS-9116 (1970)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox 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 →
COMIN’ THRU
Quicksilver
Capitol Records SMAS-11002 (1972)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Doin’ Time In The U.S.A.” (6.4) • “Chicken” (4.8) • “Forty Days” (4.6)

For their 7th LP in 5 busy years, classically trained keyboardist Mark Naftalin is replaced by funster Chuck Steaks, as
...more →
I’VE GOTTA SING
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-669 (1971)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox picks: “Those Were The Days” (6.5) • “Love Of The Common People” (6.3) • “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (5.9)

The latest from the 33-year-old country star arrived in February, 1971, and was “
packed with power-sales power” acco
...more →
WE’RE ALMOST HOME
Solomon Burke
MGM Records SE-4830 (1972)
“Poor” Soul
Jukebox picks: “Drown In My Own Tears” (6.2) • “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (5.3) • “The Things Love Will Make You Do” (5.0)

The 3rd and final LP for MGM. 1 back album track repeats - “
We’re Almost Home” (Cool Breeze, 1972). Nothing interest
...more →
TRES HOMBRES
ZZ Top
London Records XPS-631 (1973)
“Poor” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Jesus Just Left Chicago” (6.0) • “La Grange” (5.8) • “Have You Heard?” (5.4)

The breakthrough album from the Texan trio was delivered in July, 1973, placing them as a Top 10 album act. Considering
...more →
THE WALL
Pink Floyd
Harvest SHDW-411 (1979)
“Poor” Rock; Prog; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “The Trial” (7.2) • “Mother” (6.7) • “Another Brick In The Wall [album version, part II]” (6.2)

Following on from “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975) and “Animals” (1977), the eleventh Pin
...more →
THE END OF AN EAR
Robert Wyatt
CBS 64189 (1970)
“Poor” Avant-Garde
Jukebox 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 →
DÉJÀ VU
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Atlantic SD-7200 (1970)
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; Rock
Jukebox 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 →
THE BOOMTOWN RATS
The Boomtown Rats
Ensign ENVY-1 (1977)
“Poor” New Wave
Jukebox picks: “Lookin’ After Number 1” (6.5) • “Joey’s On The Street Again” (5.9) • “(She’s Gonna) Do You In” (5.3)

The debut long-player from the County Dublin sextet, now based in London, arrived in September, 1977. They lined up: Bob
...more →
AMERICAN PIE
Don McLean
United Artists Records UAS-5535 (1971)
“Poor” Folk; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Till Tomorrow” (6.4) • “The Grave” (6.1) • “Babylon” (5.5)

Don McLean's luck was in when Mediarts was taken over by United Artists Records; the “promotion” was just the shot-in-th
...more →
MACHINE HEAD
Deep Purple
Purple Records TPSA-7504 (1972)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Smoke On The Water” (6.6) • “Space Truckin'” (6.1) • “Lazy” (4.9)

The hard-rocking first album on their own Purple Records label did a roaring trade, hitting #1 in the UK and #7 in the S
...more →
HARD ROPE AND SILKEN TWINE
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9270 (1974)
“Poor” Folk; Songwriter
Jukebox 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 →
FRAGILE
Yes
Atlantic 2401019 (1971)
“Poor” Prog
Jukebox picks: “The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)” (7.2) • “Mood for a Day” (6.5) • “Heart of the Sunrise” (6.3)

Arriving in November, 1971, was the second album of the year from the ambitious and hard-working Yes. Spurred on by the
...more →
C’EST CHIC
Chic
Atlantic SD-19209 (1978)
“Poor” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “I Want Your Love” (7.1) • “Le Freak [12" version]” (6.6) • “(Funny) Bone” (6.3)

The big production on their second long-player gave the stylish New Yorkers their biggest album success, hitting #4 in t
...more →
THE CARS
The Cars
Elektra 6E-135 (1978)
“Poor” New Wave
Jukebox picks: “My Best Friend’s Girl” (7.2) • “Just What I Needed” (5.9) • “I’m In Touch With Your World” (4.7)

The debut album from the Boston 5-piece arrived in June '78, trading in that quintessentially Amercian brand of new wave
...more →
DYLAN
Bob Dylan
Columbia PC-32747 (1973)
“Poor” Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Ballad Of Ira Hayes” (7.1) • “Big Yellow Taxi” (5.9) • “Lily Of The West” (5.4)

Following mutual dis-satisfaction, Bob Dylan split from Columbia Records, his lifelong label to this point. Before he co
...more →
COAT OF MANY COLORS
Dolly Parton
RCA Victor LSP-4603 (1971)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox picks: “My Blue Tears” (6.9) • “Here I Am” (5.9) • “She Never Met A Man (She Didn't Like)” (5.1)

Dolly's status and reputation was undoubtedly boosted by this key release, all originals, including the hit singles “
M...more →
A LEGEND IN HER OWN TIME
Doris Duke
Mankind 200 (1971)
“Poor” Soul; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “If She’s Your Wife (Who Am I)” (5.3) • “It Sure Was Fun” (5.1) • “He’s Everything I Need” (5.0)

By the fall of 1970 independent producer Jerry Williams had moved from the Capricorn Studios team to Quin Ivy’s Quinvy S
...more →
WHAT ABOUT ME?
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Capitol Records SMAS-630 (1970)
“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 →
HANDFUL
Betty
Thin Man Records AFP 703 1-2 (1971)
“Poor” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Learn How To Boogie” (6.8) • “Just For Fun” (6.2) • “Harley Perdoo” (5.9)

Betty were blues rockers from Los Angeles who made 200 copies of “Handful” just for a lark! Got to love that. They’re no
...more →
PIECES OF THE SKY
Emmylou Harris
Reprise Records MS 2213 (1975)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox picks: “Too Far Gone” (6.3) • “Bluebird Wine” (5.7) • “Queen of the Silver Dollar” (5.0)

The second LP from the 27-year-old arrived in February '75, underlining her folk-singer-turned-country-gal position, fiv
...more →
HEAD HUNTERS
Herbie Hancock
Columbia KC-32731 (1973)
“Poor” Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Vein Melter” (5.7) • “Sly” (4.6) • “Watermelon Man” (4.4)

Recorded September 1973. Released on October 26, 1973. Includes 1 reworking - “Watermelon Man” (Takin' Off, 1962) but I'
...more →
SIEMBRA
Willie Colón and Rubén Blades
Fania Records JM-537 (1978)
“Poor” Latin
Jukebox picks: “Ojos” (5.2) • “Dime” (5.0) • “Plástico” (4.8)

Regarded as an essential classic by salsa and latin aficionados, and one of the greatest selling LPs of all-time in thos
...more →
SELF PORTRAIT
Bob Dylan
Columbia C2X 30050 (1970)
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; Songwriter; Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Country; Pop Ballad
Jukebox 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 →
VOULEZ VOUS
ABBA
Polar POLS-292 (1979)
“Poor” Pop
Jukebox picks: “Does Your Mother Know” (7.1) • “Voulez-Vous” (6.4) • “Chiquitita” (6.0)

A flirtation with disco informs the April '79 long-player from the Swedish quartet, where, true to form, the good qualit
...more →
HOBO’S LULLABY
Arlo Guthrie
Reprise Records MS-2060 (1972)
“Poor” Country; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “1913 Massacre” (7.4) • “Hobo's Lullaby” (6.5) • “Lightning Bar Blues” (4.8)

I struggle to enjoy this one quite so much - it's just a bit too safe sounding for me. His cover of “
City Of New Orlea...more →
TOYS IN THE ATTIC
Aerosmith
Columbia PC-33479 (1975)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Round And Round” (5.9) • “Uncle Salty” (5.5) • “Walk This Way” (5.2)

With their third album in three years the Boston rockers made a breakthrough in Canada (#7) as well as heightening their
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THE GRAND TOUR
George Jones
Epic KE-33083 (1974)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox 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 →
ALL THINGS MUST PASS
George Harrison
Apple Records STCH-639 (1970)
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk Rock / Americana; Rock; Songwriter
Jukebox 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
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OTHER VOICES
The Doors
Elektra EKS-75017 (1971)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Tightrope Ride” (6.5) • “Down On The Farm” (5.1) • “In The Eye Of The Sun” (5.0)

Just 3 months after Jim Morrison’s death from a heart attack in Paris, the trio of Ray Manzarek (vocals, keyboards), Rob
...more →
WISH YOU WERE HERE
Pink Floyd
Harvest SHVL-814 (1975)
“Poor” Prog
Jukebox picks: “Wish You Were Here” (6.1) • “Welcome To The Machine” (5.6) • “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I–V)” (4.8)

30 months on from “Dark Side Of The Moon”, the quartet's highly-anticipated follow up finally arrived in September '75.
...more →
BITCHES BREW
Miles Davis
Columbia GP-26 (1970)
“Poor” Jazz
Jukebox 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 →
PLANET WAVES
Bob Dylan
Asylum Records 7E-1003 (1974)
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox 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 →
#1 RECORD
Big Star
Ardent Records ADS-2803 (1972)
“Poor” Songwriter; Rock
Jukebox picks: “In The Street” (6.1) • “Thirteen” (5.9) • “The Ballad Of El Goodo” (5.6)

Much revered album from the Memphis quartet, digging on the Beatles, the Byrds and the Stones, whilst introducing strang
...more →
HEAVEN TONIGHT
Cheap Trick
Epic JE-35312 (1978)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Surrender” (5.9) • “Heaven Tonight” (5.8) • “Auf Wiedersehen” (5.5)

Released in May 1978, this was the third album from the power-pop quartet outta Illinois, beloved of Joey Ramone. I coul
...more →
RING RING
Björn Benny and Agnetha Frida
Polar POLS-242 (1973)
“Poor” Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Ring Ring [engelsk version]” (9.4) • “Ring Ring [bara du slog en signal]” (8.5) • “He Is Your Brother” (6.8)

Staring back at you from the cover (l to r) were engaged couple Benny Andersson (26, piano, keyboards, mellotron, vocals
...more →
CATCH THE WIND
We Five
Vault SLP-136 (1970)
“Poor” Pop
Jukebox 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 →
JUST FOR LOVE
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Capitol Records SMAS-498 (1970)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Folk; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox 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 →
GOOD OLD BOYS
Randy Newman
Reprise Records MS-2193 (1974)
“Poor” Country
Jukebox 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 →
HOME IS WHERE THE MUSIC IS
Hugh Masekela
Blue Thumb Records BTS-6003 (1972)
“Poor” Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Uhome” (7.1) • “Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song)” (6.0) • “Maesha” (5.7)

Acclaimed double album set from the 32-year-old brass player, largely entrenched in the realms of soul-jazz. There are t
...more →
OUT OF THE BLUE
Electric Light Orchestra
Jet Records UAS-1100 (1977)
“Poor” Pop; Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “Mr. Blue Sky” (7.0) • “It's Over” (5.8) • “Believe Me Now” (5.7)

The ambitious seventh long-player from the orchestral arena-rockers arrived in October '77 as a two-disc 70 minute set,
...more →
HIGH TIME
MC5
Atlantic SD-8285 (1971)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Skunk (Sonicly Speaking)” (6.2) • “Gotta Keep Movin'” (5.5) • “Baby Won't Ya” (5.2)

Any promise that was shown on the preceding “Back In The USA” is all but gone here on this wholly RAWK affair; their rev
...more →
BLACK SABBATH, VOL. 4
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 6360-071 (1972)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “St. Vitus’ Dance” (5.4) • “Laguna Sunrise” (5.1) • “Cornucopia” (5.0)

Recorded over 3 months at a studio in Los Angeles - what a difference from the “all in a days work” approach of the debu
...more →
TARKUS
Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Island Records ILPS-9155 (1971)
“Poor” Prog
Jukebox picks: “Bitches Crystal” (7.5) • “Infinite Space (Conclusion)” (7.3) • “Jeremy Bender” (4.1)

John Peel once famously described them as “
a waste of electricity” which was probably true more often than not. Howe
...more →
SLOW TRAIN COMING
Bob Dylan
Columbia FC-36120 (1979)
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Man Gave Names To All The Animals” (5.8) • “When He Returns” (5.6) • “Gotta Serve Somebody” (5.0)

Bob Dylan’s final LP of the 1970s was his first since becoming a born-again Christian, and all of the songs either expre
...more →
HISTORICAL FIGURES AND ANCIENT HEADS
Canned Heat
United Artists Records UAS-5557 (1971)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Rockin’ With The King” (5.8) • “Long Way From L.A.” (4.7) • “Cherokee Dance” (4.6)

The first Canned Heat record without Al Wilson and, boy oh boy, the formulaic boogie blues here is sure missing his char
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I HAVE A DREAM
Solomon Burke
ABC/Dunhill Records DSX 50161 (1974)
“Poor” Soul Ballad
Jukebox 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 →
RISQUÉ
Chic
Atlantic SD-16003 (1979)
“Poor” Disco / Funk; R n B
Jukebox picks: “Good Times” (7.9) • “My Forbidden Lover” (6.5) • “My Feet Keep Dancing” (4.9)

Third album three years from le groupe très chic, including three singles; “
Good Times” (US #1), “
My Forbidden Lov...more →
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Tony Joe White
Warner Bros. Records BS-2708 (1973)
“Poor” Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Backwoods Preacher Man” (5.7) • “Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana” (5.4) • “Lazy” (5.2)

This is where I get off the Tony Joe express; what excited me with his “Continued” LP of '69 has slowly been eroding awa
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SCHOOL’S OUT
Alice Cooper
Warner Bros. Records BS-2623 (1972)
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” (5.5) • “Blue Turk” (5.4) • “School's Out” (5.1)

Fifth album from the Phoenix, Arizona shock-rockers who line up: Alice Cooper (vocals), Glen Buxton (lead guitar), Micha
...more →
ALARM CLOCK
Richie Havens
Stormy Forest Records SFS-6005 (1970)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Songwriter
Jukebox 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 →
DAVE CLARK AND FRIENDS
Dave Clark and friends
Columbia SCX-6494 (1972)
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “If You’ve Got A Little Love To Give” (8.1) • “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” (6.5) • “Paradise (Is Half As Nice)” (6.0)

With economics dictating to group leader and paymaster Dave Clark, The DC5 were officially disbanded in 1970, with guita
...more →
ABC
The Jackson 5
Motown MS-709 (1970)
“Poor” Soul; Pop
Jukebox 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
Stephen Stills
Atlantic SD-7202 (1970)
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox 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
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Album Charts by year
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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
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