60 RICK WAKEMAN — THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII
Classically trained and ambitious in musical vision, Rick Wakeman shot to progressive prominence with Yes. This, his first solo album, takes as its notional concept the astonishing sequence of royal liaisons embarked upon by Henry VIII in his search for a god-given heir. Holy shit, Henry, maybe it wasn’t the women who were the problem! Anyway, this virtuoso suite of instrumental pieces soars, rocks and soothes. As a piano player (of sorts) it entranced me then and brings a smile of pleasure to this day. [Released January 1973]
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59 ASH RA TEMPEL — JOIN INN
Two tracks presenting the two sides of Ash Ra Tempel. “Jenseits” offers drifting ambience of gossamer fragility; a space dream for a distant, dazzling Milky Way. “Freak ’n’ Roll” is, as the title suggests, a psychedelic wig-out of epic proportions. Powered by Klaus Schulze on drums (as well as organ and synths), it provides an industrial strength platform for the guitar explorations of Manuel Göttsching. One of my first ‘krautrock’ purchases, it remains a favourite. In passing, it should be noted what a busy year it was for Manuel and Ash Ra. This was the second of three albums released in 1973.
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58 WALLENSTEIN — COSMIC CENTURY
One of my earliest krautrock discoveries, this particular Wallenstein album is a fine example of symphonic progressive rock with a distinctly German flavour. Strong melodies, neatly constructed parts, great playing and good quality vocals… it is a record I often return to and it still brings a smile decades on.
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57 KEITH JARRETT — SOLO CONCERTS: BREMEN / LAUSANNE
The famed pianist is heard at his improvisational best during these two concerts, recorded in March and July ’73. Although the pieces are long, neither interest nor invention falter. This marvellous set was originally released as a three record boxed set (3 sides per concert) but the listening experience is better served by the 2CD version, where each disc contains its’ respective concert. [Released November 1973]
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56 CARLOS SANTANA / MAHAVISHNU JOHN McLAUGHLIN — LOVE DEVOTION SURRENDER
A gem of an album that was sort of passed over at the time… oh, the Santana guy; oh, the Mahavishnu Orchestra guy. Yet it has aged very well. A collaborative yet highly charged meeting of two great guitarists on a record lit by genuine spiritual fire. [Released June 1973]
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55 ARIEL — A STRANGE FANTASTIC DREAM
The opening cut was the single, “Jamaican Farewell”, a reggae suicide-note. After that it gets odd, spanning skewed blues to progressive experimentalism. It was the debut album from Ariel and it has the works. You may not like it all, but you certainly won’t be bored. A longer appreciation can be found here.
54 GAL COSTA — INDIA
With Gilberto Gil as her musical director, Brazilian singer Gal Costa made this much lauded album in 1973. Her voice is versatile, misted with romanticism and occasionally tickled by mischief, while the arrangements swirl and dance around her like the perfect Tropicalia cocktail.
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53 CHICK COREA — LIGHT AS A FEATHER
Flora Purim’s vocals soar over and through this accessible, beautifully nuanced album. Fabulous compositions such as the title track and “500 Miles High” are welcoming; the soloing is stellar. One of the most played albums in the entire Vinyl Connection collection. It was in my top five 1973 Jazz albums until all charts were collapsed into this one. [Released January 1973]
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52 WEATHER REPORT — SWEETNIGHTER
Funky jazz-rock at its best. The playing is masterful, the grooves seductive, the atmosphere joyful. [Released April 1973]
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51 GREGG ALLMAN — LAID BACK
Younger than his brother Duane by a year, Allman Brothers singer and keyboard player Gregg was recording his first solo album in parallel with the band writing and recording Brothers And Sisters. Not surprisingly, this created tensions rather at odds with the title of Gregg’s LP. Still, it’s a strong album with perhaps a little more variety than the Brothers aimed for. There’s a Jackson Browne cover, for instance, and a version of the soul classic “Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing”. The cover art by Mati Klarwein is striking. [Released October 1973]
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73 FROM ’73
vinylconnection.com.au 
Another batch where I know music from some of the artists but not the specific album. The only exception is Gregg Allman’s “Laid Back”, which I dig. I’ve listened to some of Weather Report’s music, and they were great! Based on your description, the “Jenseits” side from Ash Ra Tempel’s “Join Inn” caught my attention, so I sampled some of it – I think this spacey music that makes you feel like you’re floating should be up my alley!
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Yes indeed, “Jenseits” is one of my favourite pieces of space ambience. So glad you dig it Christian.
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I can now confirm I do, Bruce. I tested it out in bed with headphones last night – great music to relax! 🙂
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👏🏻
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What can I say? I recommended Rick Wakeman’s THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII to someone today.
But there are many beauties on your list, so there will be no quibbling about rank order from me.
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Oh, go on. Quibbling is what it’s all about!
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That Keith Jarrett set is just right for winding down at the end of the week.
thanks
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Right on, DD. Glad you gave it a listen and enjoyed it. I actually prefer this to Köln.
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Man the Jarret, Weather Report, Carlos/John and the Return were all high on the rotation. I alwyas try the ones you introduce me too (I need more music)
Bruce I love Wakeman’s work with Yes. His solo efforts never grabbed me the same way. On your take I’ll give this another go after many moons away from it.
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It was a very good year for progressive music, CB. And some of us were there (or at least our ears were). Six Wives is certainly the one to try again; less grandiose than what followed but still a bit ‘look at moi, I’m a virtuoso’!
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Im giving it a listen right now. I dont mind the “look at moi” (Emerson was the same). He had the chops. There were so many good key guys back then. As I’m listening I forgot that I liked this one more than the following two (I will give them a go also). I think it was the Narration and the vocals that didnt catch my ear/imagination as much. Enjoying this more this time around. Like they say I’m listening with a “New set of ears”. Thanks for helping me rediscover this one.
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That’s brilliant, CB. Love it when these things unfold. Absolutely agree: the next two are OTT. Bits of the music are terrific, but you have to sign on for a rather ropey narrative (especially for King Arthur; Jules Verne knew how to tell a yarn).
I actually like some of Rick’s later ‘New Age’ piano work too; very relaxing late at night.
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Now that ive reconnected I will try some of the “late night” listening. When I listen to this kind of music now I am still taken by it. Just so much going on for me to take in. Keep it coming Bruce. Works for me.
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Listened to the “Jules Verne” inspired piece. I got caught up in the story and the music. It all came back and I enjoyed i. Forgot about Hemmings doing the narration. He and Burton sound a lot a like to my ear. I do like a good story. The King Arthur, well I’ll leave that opinion in your capable hands.
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When we get to the pointy end >>>
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Sound thinking. Why waste precious quibble energy on the merely ‘very good’?
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Save that righteous pointillism for when it’s needed most.
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😂
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One thing I regret from the three years we lived in Brazil at the beginning of the century was my failure to take advantage to build up my local music library. Not only did I fail on that front, it was in Brasilia that I sold off the bulk of my LPs in a ill-considered effort to reduce the volume of stuff we were hauling from country to country. All this to say I love me some Gal Costa. In my grad school summer Portuguese electives, the teacher used to play Gal Costa for us because her voice was so beautiful and clear. Kudos on posting about India and just letting that intriguing album cover speak for itself.
I’m six for ten this go round, VC (not the Gal unfortunately). I have really become a fan of Keith Jarrett in recent years, and this one along with Koln rank high for me. The Wakeman and Allman are no brainers, both beloved here. Neither Feather nor Sweetnighter are top Return or Report respectively for me but each does get an occasional spin. And finally, the Santana/McLaughlin was a very early pick-up, maybe even while in junior high. It seemed ‘important’ to young VotF back then, and nowadays gets enjoyed on CD with the alt. versions.
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As you know, Vic, I love such contextual stories. Re India, I did enough research to discover that Gal Costa is highly regarded in Brazil but stopped short of researching the album cover. With only a few words to play with in these ‘reviews’ I considered silence to be golden.
That’s good polling, sir. And you know, I’m not surprised Love Devotion Surrender made an impression. I fear I was too callow a youth to make much of it at the time, but regard has grown.
My calculations suggest that the two German and one Aussie albums are those missing from the Fury Folio. Of those, I think you’d appreciate the dark humour and generally anti-establishment sentiments of Strange Fantastic Dream more than the electronic/guitar Ash Ra or Wallenstein’s symphonic prog!
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Laid Back is one of my favourite albums. More than most of the Allman Bros stuff actually. So far that and the ZZ Top are the only albums from your countdown that I have heard!
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There will be a couple more in the HMO collection, I’m sure of that!
(Parcel of Rogues was in, but got the chop to make way for some jazz when I collapsed all my ’73 lists into one. I mention this because I know we share a love of UK folk-rock).
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I keep a list of my important albums from each year so will be interesting to see what ones make your list and what ones don’t (you’re down one already cause of Parcel Of Rogues)!
You certainly know way more from this year than I do… I’d struggle to do a Top 20 to be honest.
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I heard syphilis was King H8’s problem. I have a lot of time for that record.
I had no idea about that Santana/McLaughlin record.
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Quite possible, eh?
Love Devotion and Surrender is def worth checking out.
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