From the time I first extracted the more than three hundred 1973 albums in the VC collection I knew that 73 FROM ’73 would be a challenging project. And that was before I’d even researched the holes in the stash. No New York Dolls! Betty Davis overlooked! Where’s Aerosmith? Oh, the shame.
Then I mulled over how dramatically music changed during the period I’ve covered with these countdowns (or similar endeavours). By 1973 clear genres had appeared, sub-genres were emerging, and no-one would claim for a millisecond there was a single entity called ‘rock music’.
As technology improved in the studio, so the rock palette widened; as recording in the field got better, so live albums proliferated. Your correspondent dabbled, his tastes developing, though sometimes this resulted in the unintentional exclusion of worthy artists or styles. Even for a layabout student there is only so much time for listening. Even for a shop assistant in a small record store there is only so much diversity being ordered from the local record distributers for suburban consumption.
The list itself was huge, an almost overwhelming challenge. How to cull 318 albums down to just 73? Should it be 173 FROM ’73? Cue hysterical laughter. And how to integrate those varied genres: rock, jazz-rock, jazz, progressive, folk-rock, heavy rock, etcetera?
By New Year’s Day 2023 it was obvious that the only sane way to proceed was to simply please myself, knowing that this time the list would be even more personal and idiosyncratic. Even so, some really tough choices had to be made as I attempted the ranking. A clutch of strong records sat at #80, my spreadsheet code for “Good, but is it good enough to displace something higher?”.
To kick things off, here is a selection of albums that did not make the Top 73, with some reflections that reveal a glimpse of the choice-making process.
As you read this and subsequent posts, you will doubtless have reactions and opinions. These are always welcome. Indeed, I encourage you to make your own list (there is a link below to get you started) and share a notional ranking for where you might place any particular album.
Let’s get it on!
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JACKSON BROWNE — FOR EVERYMAN
Often the album we first discover by an artist is the one that imprints. That’s what happened with me and Jackson Browne. Late For The Sky blew my emotionally under-developed mind with its broody mediations on love and yearning. As a result this very creditable predecessor never really got the time it deserved, despite having strong songs like “These Days” and the co-write with Glenn Frey, “Takin’ It Easy”. A good example of an album not making the list because I simply don’t know it as well as it deserves.
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BUCKINGHAM NICKS — BUCKINGHAM NICKS
The temptation to place this album in the top 73 was strong, partly as an excuse to show the alternative covers (again) but also because of its historical significance. This sole Buckingham-Nicks LP is pleasant and accomplished. Hearing Lindsey sing Stevie’s “Crystal” is fascinating; heretically, I prefer it to the later Fleetwood Mac version. The early version of “Don’t let me down again” is also cool. But historical interest was not, in the end, enough.
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MACKENZIE THEORY — OUT OF THE BLUE
A genuinely original progressive outfit from Melbourne, Rob Mackenzie’s instrumental band released two LPs, this one and a live recording called Bon Voyage. Built around Mackenzie’s floating, exploratory guitar and the electric viola of Cleis Pearce, the music shares some DNA with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, though it is less structured and lacks the ecstatic fire of John McLaughlin and Jerry Goodman’s best work. Despite those caveats it is a thoroughly enjoyable progressive album, one that deserves a wider audience. There is a level of Aussie pride in my proselytising of Mackenzie Theory and, perhaps reacting against this, I didn’t include it in the countdown.
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ROLLING STONES — GOAT’S HEAD SOUP
This is the album that signified the Stones slide out of greatness into a twilight world of ostentatious decadence. “Dancing with Mr D” sets the tone: a sleazy groove updating the story of Faust, but not very convincingly. “Angie” is fabulous, of course, and the LP—like all Stones albums—has its champions, yet it is difficult to argue a case for this being a memorable album.
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NEU! — NEU! 2
The first track on the second Neu! album, “Fur Immer”, is almost as good as the epochal “Hallogallo” that opened their debut. The groove, the motorik beat, the simple yet memorable melody fragments… it’s superb. In fact, the whole of side one is pretty good.
So why did’t it make the list? Because side two, assembled out of desperation when they ran out of studio time, is a piss take. Sure, it has two excellent tracks (“Super” and “Neuschnee”, released as a single) but the rest is a post-modern manipulation of those tracks to fill the space. This one sped up, that one slowed down, another generally fucked about with. It’s funny, but it’s still a con.
The reason I’ve included it at all is about continuity. Both the debut album and the one that followed are Top 10 in their respective years. [More on Neu! 2 here]
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MILES DAVIS — BASIC MILES
As my introduction to the music of Miles Davis, and indeed, jazz in general, this was a hugely significant LP for me. It is a 1973 compilation of mostly Fifties recordings, including the be-bop classic “Budo” (1955), “Miles Ahead” with the Gil Evans orchestra, and a couple of sides from a brilliant 1958 session featuring John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb (gathered on the famous Jazz Track album). It’s a great “early Miles” collection, but serious fans will want the session recordings in full rather than this compilation. Still, it feels good sharing it here to acknowledge the personal significance. And how cool is that cover?
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For those who’d like to play along at home, here is an extensive ranking of 1973 albums.
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vinylconnection.com.au 
I love how you start the list with what didn’t make it to the list, that’s brilliant. And good on you for calling BS on that Neu!. Can released Future Days in 73. That one might not make the cut for me for similar reasons, for kind of falling apart and not holding up like the previous ones.
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Thanks Bill. Funny you should mention Future Days. Over the past, ahem, few days it has popped in and out of the lower reaches of the list. I’m still not certain where it fits; kraut-lounge, anyone?
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I do like the long buildup of the first number but that’s my favorite moment on the record I think. The waning Damo days as it were. Before whatever weirdness it was that followed. And not good-weird but weird-weird, IMO.
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It’s totally weird that you put a link to AOTY cuz about four or five years ago me and my friend both made lists there, even though we thought that site was kind of weird, But I can’t remember the name I used there. It’s probably one of those names that I don’t use anymore. I had about 66,000 different ones that I used all over the place, and you know how you forget them sometimes? But I do remember that after I made a bunch of lists there i never really went back and I kind of forgot about it. Maybe my friend will remember, or have me as one of his followers or friends or whatever it is they have there. I’ll probably just put a list here from one of the other sites.
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Go for it! Our lists tend to change over time, anyway, so an update is always good.
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BTW, I think the rankings on that list are no more valid than any individual’s, but what it does provide is an extensive list of the year’s releases.
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I share your angst. 1973 is the year I began following ‘popular’ music and buying albums (later evolving in to record collecting).
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Like the sequence, Richard. Following, buying, collecting.
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How could I assert that Mackenzie Theory deserves to be in the top 73 without seeing that list? Blast your cunning plan VC; locked in for another year.
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Bwah Ha Ha!
(Being your perspicacious self, DD, you probably immediately clocked that this was a way of sneaking a few more albums into the mix. Further sneakiness is planned)
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The Greatest Albums of 1973
https://rateyourmusic.com/list/bobbyb5/favorite-albums-of-1973-2/
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Suitably diverse and interesting, kingclover!
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I’m glad you put that link there though cuz when I looked at it I saw things I forgot to put like NY Dolls and Stooges and stuff. I always think things are from a different year than I thought they were for some reason. I hate that.
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Yes, me too. I started my spreadsheet in the pre-internet days and there are errors scattered through it that I only find out about too late!
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I agree with you on Goats Head Soup…I do like it but…it didn’t match up with the previous 4. I’m in the minority but my favorite out of that 5 album stretch is Beggars Banquet.
Well tomorrow I’m posting a list…I’m ranking Beatle albums…to my own tastes of course. I’ve remade it many times.
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Everybody loves a list, Max. 🙂
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The thought of ranking 73 albums gives me heartburn, Bruce. I’m simply ranking challenged.
Earlier this week, I did a preview of albums turning 50 this year (i.e., 1973 albums). I called out six I like in particular: Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd), Countdown to Ecstasy (Steely Dan), Innervisions (Stevie Wonder), (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John) and Band on the Run (Paul McCartney and Wings). I also included a playlist that in addition to tunes from these six albums included tracks from 34 additional records.
Just don’t ask me to put these albums in order! 🙂
BTW, that Jackson Browne album “For Everyman” includes a song I’ve come to dig: “Red Neck Friend”.
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Five of your six are in the ’73 Countdown, Christian. Not to mention a number of German artists!
(I liked ‘Red Neck Friend’ too).
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You know which other one I like on that Jackson Browne album? Ready or Not. And the other two songs I like are of course These Days and Take it Easy, which I wouldn’t like nearly as much if I didn’t already love the much better versions by Gregg Allman and Eagles. Ain’t it?
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Those Browne, Buckingham-Nicks, and Rolling Stones albums are solid but all three artists have much stronger records. I’m fine with them missing the 73.
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Excellent. First bullet dodged!
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Oh dear 1973 what a list, completely overwhelmed by the brilliance of albums released this year.
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Me too.
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Guess what? I finally found my 73 list on AOTY and it was under the username that’s probably my most obvious one, but for some reason I didn’t think to try it. I must have been having a psychotic episode or something. lol. You were right that it’s probably changed in four or five years but really not that much. It’s not as long as the newer one either. The more recent one is better. You can see.
https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/bobbyb5/list/11547/my-top-albums-of-1973/
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I dunno Bruce. Goat’s Head Soup – I think Star Star carries the album. It’s a banger.
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It is a very sensitive tribute to, er, ladies of the road, Jeff. Perhaps you’re right.
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Star Star is one of the good ones on that album, although I think the only three truly great ones are all in a row: Heartbreaker, Angie, and Silver Train. That album is kind of like Black and Blue, they’re both better than most people think they are. Black and Blue also has three great ones, and then a couple more that really aren’t too bad. That’s what I think anyway. And Some Girls I just don’t like.
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We all have our favourites. That’s the way it should be! 🙂
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I’m on for this ride, Bruce! I’m glad to see that three of my favorites are likely to be on your list (based on your reply to Christian’s comment…)
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Ah, I’ve dropped clues too early, JDB! But where on the list, where?!
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Glad to see the return of the countdown, Bruce – Aladdin Sane / Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Innervisions would be near the top of mine, I’ll be keen to see if there’s any overlap!
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Excellent albums, all of those Geoff. In fact, quite a long wait to see them here. (That’s a hint, isn’t it?)
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’tis!
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I realized that the last time I had a nice bowl of goats head soup = the last time I enjoyed hearing “Angie” = never, and generally it seems ok to skip the album. But despite the grim storyline, I’m always ready to crank up “Heartbreaker.”
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There are a couple of votes for ‘Heartbreaker’, suggesting it is the key track (for those who don’t swoon for Angie). Maybe there’s a sub-list in there somewhere: Albums with one stand-out track. Feel free to go for that one, RP. 😉
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I’d snap up that Mile’s record in a minute.
(Bruce if you get a chance watch the new Ron Carter doc. You wont be disappointed)
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Will seek out that doco, CD. Ron played with everyone, forever!
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Does thinking Goats Head Soup isn’t totally shit make me a champion of it? I don’t like Angie much but I love the sleazy, groovy nastiness of Star Star and I have soft spots for Silver Train and Mr D too.
I’m totally with you on Neu 2 though.
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Enjoy the soup, Joe, with my blessing. 😗
All I was really saying is that it’s not in my top 73. And that others might have it in theirs. TBH, as someone who has built a (blogging) career championing sleaze in all its musical manifestations, I’d be most disappointed if you didn’t rate GHS!
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Well, a lot of times if an album has three or four great ones on it I’ll just call it a good album, considering that most albums don’t have ANY good ones on it. As long as a few of the other tracks are at least okay. If you only listened to albums where the whole thing was great you wouldn’t have much to listen to, ain’t it? ha ha
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True!
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Can I spoil all the tension in the 73 by revealing the winners here and now?
Space Ritual, followed by Billy Cobham’s Spectrum, For Your Pleasure, Innervisions and then Dark Side, or Tres Hombres. There you go Bruce, have all this year’s free time back. You’re welcome.
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Thanks for that labour-saving summary, Joe.
You opt for ‘For Your Pleasure’ over ‘Stranded’? I’m kinda torn.
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Stranded is marginally lesser for me, I sort of forgot about Aladdin Sane too. Oops.
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And Tales From Topographic Oceans, too. I’m certain that would be in your Top 3.
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Yes? no.
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Aw, come on. Surely you are out as a prog-head by now.
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Although thanks to inheritance from my uncle I do now own a copy of it. I tried to play it too.
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🤣
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[…] the lively conversation about Goats Head Soup, I thought I’d better redeem myself with a truly timeless collection of early Rolling Stones […]
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[…] diversity, or clanification if you will, of popular music. In the end, after a bold and confident introductory post in January, I gave up and shelved the whole […]
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VC Cheers for the prompt! January 7th a most auspicious date my 🎂 birthday although the cake would need to be much larger to fit the candles now. Mackenzie Theory had the pleasure of attending their performances on numerous occasions, including Sunbury. Cleis taking off on violin, Rob Mackenzie’s double necked guitar blasting into infinity. Gil Matthews replaced the original bassist so the rhythm section dramatically tightened up. After the promise of Out of the Blue, Bon Voyage Rob Mackenzie who many thought would be the next guitar god. He simply disappeared into the ether. Cleis persisted on home shores with a later musical incarnation.
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Sunbury was a much more exotic venue than the North Court at Melbourne Uni where I saw Rob McK and the crew. Great memories you’ve shared, thank you.
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PS> I really hope to wrap up 73 FROM ’73 before your next birthday, Woody!
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VC just like to add an erratum regarding my previous post. Concerning the identity of the ex-Aztec bassist joining Mackenzie Theory on reflection it may have been the bespectacled Paul Wheeler not Gil Matthews as previously reported. Whilst here the NEU! second album is a Michael Rother gem. A terrific LP cover conceptualisation immediate, luminous and distinctive. The music recorded in Conny Plank’s studio sounds as distinctive and fresh now as it did in its release year. A forgotten masterpiece of the so called kraut-rock genre.
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Not forgotten in Vinyl Connectionland, Woody! Neu! have featured several times, including a two-part series back in the day and an appearance by their debut in the highest reaches of the 72 FROM ’72 series.
As for Neu!2, I’d absolutely agree that side one is “Super”. After that, things get complicated.
Enjoying the dialogue.
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