#59
DAN FOGELBERG — SOUVENIRS
With Joe Walsh on guitars, Don Henley and Glen Frey guesting, plus backing vocals from Graham Nash, you could be forgiven for thinking Dan Fogelberg was a cut-price one-man Eagles. Except Souvenirs is no mark-down album, offering great songs in a melodic country-rock vein. This is an LP I taped in the shop where I worked at the time, and wore out the cassette. Haven’t listened to it for decades but am pleased to report that although it really is a souvenir of a particular 70s singer-songwriter sound, the album remains a very pleasant listen.
As an interesting footnote, Joe Walsh produced Souvenirs and Fogelberg toured the LP as a support to the Eagles. The following year, Walsh was invited to join the Eagles.
*
#58
PFM — THE WORLD BECAME THE WORLD
Italian prog tends to be BIG, with grand melodies and lush settings. This album by Premiata Forneria Marconi is no exception. Releasing both Italian and English language versions shows how they were keen on breaking into markets beyond their homeland. Having Pete Sinfield (King Crimson/ELP wordsmith) write English lyrics was a great strategy, while being released on Emerson Lake and Palmer’s Manticore label didn’t hurt either. This LP is a fine example of what PFM did… and still do.
*
#57
SPARKS — KIMONO MY HOUSE
With the flamboyance of Queen and the art rock affectations of Roxy Music, Sparks are Americans with a uniquely British eccentricity. It is no surprise that they have always been more popular in the UK than their homeland. This album opens with their biggest hit and is crammed with an invention and oddness that only the brothers Mael could concoct.
*
#56
VAN MORRISON — VEEDON FLEECE
There’s no doubt ‘spiritual’ Van is far preferable to grumpy ‘the-world-done-me-wrong’ Van, but ‘pastoral’ Van is my favourite. Veedon Fleece highlights that rich bucolic vein in Morrison’s work, from the cover onwards. There aren’t any ‘Moondance’ hits but the mood is reflective and relaxed and Van is in fine form. One for those who thought it was all downhill after Astral Weeks. News Flash: It wasn’t.
*
#55
WISHBONE ASH — THERE’S THE RUB
The fifth studio ‘Ash album is a solid, well rounded and well grounded rock album. The first to feature Laurie Wisefield, replacing Ted Turner on guitar, it has a harder edge and much less of a ‘progressive’ feel then earlier works. ‘Persephone’ is a gorgeous ballad pierced by twin guitar vapour trails, while FUBB (Fucked Up Beyond Belief, apparently) is an epic instrumental. It’s no Argus, but it’s good.
Cover by Hipgnoisis.
*
Would any of these be on your 1974 list?
vinylconnection.com.au 
The fact I’ve listened to at least some music by three of the five artists you covered here makes me feel relatively good: Dan Fogelberg, Van Morrison and Wishbone Ash.
I’ve always liked songs by Fogelberg like “Longer” and “Hard to Say” – some may dismiss it as easy listening, but I don’t care. The man had some beautiful songs! There’s nothing wrong with being a smooth operator.
Musically, we don’t need to further discuss Morrison – so much excellent stuff here. I just find it unfortunate that during COVID he joined others in spreading conspiracy theories.
Wishbone Ash is a name I had known for decades. Thanks to fellow blogger Darren Johnson, I finally listened to “Argus” the other day front to back and loved it. As such, I’m curious to check out “There’s the Rub.”
LikeLike
In this year’s diverse collection 3 from 5 is a decent hit rate, Christian!
Sadly there are several ‘legends’ whose later-life views simply make one shakes one’s head in disbelief. I stopped following Mssrs Morrison and Clapton some years ago now, but their salad days contain heaps of greatness.
Hope you enjoy the Wishbone Ash!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was more Sparks than anything else in this wee group, I was into Rory Gallagher and SAHB in 1974, so really the polar opposite of all kids with ‘superiority complexes’ who’d swan about the school playground with PFM and Yes albums tucked under their oxters.
But I do remember having a grudging ‘like’ for PFM who I must have heard on late night radio sometimes. 🙂
COLIN (LOUD HORIZON)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Colin. Thanks for dropping by. There is something both endearing and arch about Sparks, isn’t there? Do you still enjoy their (vast) catalogue?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah – I have a triple vinyl if theirs from a few years back. I also swa them (on TV) at Glastonbury a couple years back and they’ve still got it! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
And they did that amazing concert series playing a vast number complete albums across several nights. Amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, how have I missed that Sparks album, what cheesy fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They really are, um, unique. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Kimono, its a fireworks display of ideas and I do like the Wishbone Ash, you’re right though the problem is that it really isn’t Argus. Which seems like a bit of a mean thing to say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fireworks display of ideas. That is a really neat description of Sparks.
Argus is a classic example of the tyranny of the one great album, isn’t it? I really like the live Wishbone Ash albums (well, the two Live Dates ones, anyway). But if pushed, I’d be forced to concede that is due, in no small part, to the inclusion of tracks from (you guessed it) Argus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kimono My House and Veedon Fleece seem low too, but it is a crazy strong year. I should hear the Wishbone Ash album, as a cricket fan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely one for cricket fans, Graham. 🙂Follow up with Roy Harper’s ‘When an old cricketer leaves the crease’?
(And yes, ranking seems even more variable than previous years, partially due to the strength and partly the increasing diversity of styles/genres.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, already know that one. I find Harper frustratingly inconsistent, but he has some doozies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neat summary mate. (Roy makes a VC appearance very soon!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had my finger on the PFM trigger since they came around. Still havent pulled it. Am in in for some better late than never gems from them? The Sinfield thing has really peaked my interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so, CB. This and ‘Photos of Ghosts’ are the two I’d recommend, though the live album ‘Cook’ is excellent too. Although it is a big sound, it lacks the histrionics of some Italian prog so I reckon that when that trigger finger gets itchy, Go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Souvenirs” is Dan Fogelberg’s best album, IMHO. I always loved Joe Walsh’s guitar work (“As the Raven Flies” is a standout); I remember being shocked at the time that such a rocker was producing a mellow singer-songwriter artist. There’s really not a bad cut on the album. “There’s a Place in the World For a Gambler” was always a concert favorite. Great choice. – Marty
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really chuffed that this one struck a chord with you Marty (sorry for the bad pun). This and Netherlands were the only Dan I owned, but I sure enjoyed dusting this one off and agree with everything you say. 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] #59 — #55 […]
LikeLike