#69
LOU REED — SALLY CAN’T DANCE
Eternally suspicious of, well, everything actually, Lou Reed was not exactly overjoyed by the unexpected success of Sally Can’t Dance. His acidic comment ran thusly: “It seems like the less I’m involved with a record, the bigger a hit it becomes. If I weren’t on the record at all next time around, it might go to Number One.” (Wikipedia) Many were underwhelmed by this LP, but I think it is much more interesting than history has it. The funk tropes of the title track, the bitter “Kill Your Sons”, the deathly weariness of “Ennui”… certainly not the place to begin exploring the NY street poet, but a solid LP none-the-less.
*
#68
FUNKADELIC — STANDING ON THE VERGE OF GETTING IT ON
Led by the inimitable George Clinton (Supreme Maggot, Minister of Funkadelia; vocals, maniac froth and spit. Behaviour illegal in several states… or so say the cover notes) Funkadelic were electrifying at their best. And Standing On The Verge is very good, crammed with funky jams that sometimes sound more psychotic than psychedelic. Could induce strange behaviour if played loudly and incessantly.
*
#67
DRAGON — UNIVERSAL RADIO
Moving across the Tasman from New Zealand to Aus in 1975, Dragon became one of the biggest bands on the local scene of their adopted homeland. But before the move, they released two LPs in NZ, of which this is the first. It is a far cry from the pop/rock they migrated to, but a very enjoyable and creative disc none-the-less. Oddly, the album meanders a little for the first two tracks, but picks up pace and focus with “Patina”, the first of the remaining four pieces that display strong progressive tendencies. This is particularly marked in the excellent keyboard work. If you can find “Graves” anywhere, have a listen, but be warned: you’ll need deep pockets if you want this one on vinyl. The Aztec CD re-issue has a great booklet and interesting bonus tracks.
*
#66
AYERS ROCK — BIG RED ROCK
I saw Ayers Rock at a Union Night in my first year at Melbourne Uni. They were very good; tight solos, great ensemble playing. The hit “Lady Montego” closed the show and opens this, their first LP.
Some of the music on Big Red Rock sounds of its time, a sensation not helped by the recording process—common in Australia at the time—of getting a few dozen friends and hangers on into the studio and setting up a live performance with the tapes running. Some of the content is dated too; “Crazy Boys” doesn’t hold up well lyrically, though the freakout jam in the second half is cool. In fact, the high points are terrific. The title track has outback ambience and a dreamy intensity while the cover of Weather Report’s “Boogie Woogie Waltz” is completely infectious. I still love the die cut album cover, too, despite the uncomfortable reminder of colonial domination embossed over Uluru’s famous profile.
Once again, the Aztec CD release includes some super bonus material, including a sizzling live version of “Boogie Woogie Waltz.”
*
#65
HAWKWIND — HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN GRILL
The follow-up to their live monster Space Ritual, this studio album by the UK’s finest space rockers is strong from nose cone to rocket exhausts. Led by chief wizard Dave Brock, the team for this adventure includes Lemmy (bass; lead vocals on “Lost Johnny”) Nik Turner (sax and other woodwinds) Del Dettmar on synths, joined by violinist Simon House (also on keyboards) and powerhouse drummer Simon King. Opening cut “The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear In Smoke)” delivers exactly what the title suggests and it unfolds around the twin suns of Brock’s guitar and House’s synths from there to infinity and beyond.
*
Any favourites amongst this group?
vinylconnection.com.au 
Hey Bruce, I would definitely have Hall Of The Mountain Grill higher up my countdown – but I guess that you guessed that already. ‘Psychedelic Warlords’ is an all-time ‘wind track for me. I’m also a massive fan of Funkadelic’s ‘Standing On the Verge’ not top ranking Funkadelic, but pretty damn amazing nonetheless. Also I confess to having never listened to Sally Can’t Dance – mostly because of the Godawful cover I suspect!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not a triumph of album cover art, that one of Lou’s.
This year the rankings are even more unreliable, Joe. The diversity makes ordering them on ‘merit’ rather dodgy.
I really think I could have had “60 albums really worth a listen”, then a top 14.
So, yeah. “Hall” could easily be at thirty on another day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hall is a classic. That vertigo label is awesome and a band called Dragon wow must hear
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yeah, that Hawkwind album is great. Picked it up on CD a few years ago with bonus tracks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hawkwind I just found in the past few years…I’ve loved what I’ve heard from them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a big catalogue to explore, Max! But lots of fun. This and Warrior On The Edge Of Time are both excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks man! I’ll put those down to start with.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Sally Can’t Dance” was never a Lou reed highlight for me. Some good moments, but quickly forgotten.
LikeLike
I was still quite in thrall to Lou when it came out, and I think some of that has persisted across the years. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t remember that Reed LP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blonde hair was a good disguise!
LikeLike
Sure, if you like “Transformer” and “Berlin” then you find enough to appreciate “Sally Can’t Dance”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funkadelic and Hawkwind. What a strange intersection between the 60s and 70s, this…
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was a strange decade, producing strange people. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah was grateful to be counted one of them myself, 11/30/70.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bwah ha ha (that the evil laugh)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m 3 days late and a dollar short, but this was my thought also as I finished the post. “Funkadelic and Hawkwind…. Now That’s What I Call Music! 😆 – Marty
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, something like chocolate and peanut butter perhaps, that winning combination! Far out, as it were…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Never ‘late’ here, Marty. Whenever you arrive is perfect.
LikeLike
A ‘like’ for Funkadelic…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hawkwinds Hall of the Mountain grill. Days of RMIT and beanbags at the Student Union! Bliss
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bruce – I like “You’d Better Believe It” on the Hawkwind album, like a Moody Blues anthem. You ‘70’s folks certainly had some great options for spacey/elevated experiences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was the time, maa aa ann.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard any of these. I never really see early Dragon discussed, even as a NZer. I should really get to that Funkadelic album sometime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Dragon is such an interesting and enjoyable album, G. Shame it is kind of forgotten.
I was delighted with how good this particular Funkadelic album was. Cosmic Slop had been a bit, well, sloppy. This is tight and infectious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Some good selections there. Haven’t listened to Dragon in years. That’s not Lou’s best album but as you say there’s a few things to enjoy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of points for just knowing Dragon! Are you Australian/NZ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, Australian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] #69 — #65 […]
LikeLike