A selection of compilation albums from 1974.
*
YES — YESTERDAYS
Released in late 1974 in the USA and early 1975 in the UK, Yesterdays was the first Yes compilation. As it only covers the first two LPs, the main attractions for Yes fans are the inclusion of their cover version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “America” and “Dear Father”, the b-side of the “Sweet Dreams” single. Talking of covers, the album artwork is another drawcard; it was the last Roger Dean cover for the band until 1980’s Drama.
*
CHAIN — THE HISTORY OF CHAIN
For fans of Aussie blues-rock band Chain, 1974’s The History of Chain is a corker. No simple collection of album tracks, this double LP had non-album singles, b-sides, and six previously unreleased cuts. Whilst there are spirited versions of songs by Elmore James (“Dust my blues”) and Robert Johnson (“32/20”) most of the material was written by the band, in particular guitarist Phil Manning and gnarled front man Matt Taylor. A live version of the band’s biggest hit, “Black and Blue” is a lure for those of a certain age, but this collection would be enjoyed by anyone wanting a dose of authentic Downunder electric blues.
*
SANTANA — GREATEST HITS
Santana’s first compilation album covers their first three releases. As all of those albums are excellent and deserving of their own place on a record collector’s shelves, this is not by any means an essential collection. Great cover though.
*
DUANE ALLMAN — ANTHOLOGY VOLUME 2
A second double album of Duane Allman work, most of it as a session musician. While not as sparkling as the first volume (1972), this is still a highly entertaining set. Artists compiled for this volume include King Curtis, Wilson Picket, Boz Scaggs and (unsurprisingly) The Allman Brothers. There is some great music, including the brilliant Johnny Jenkins version of “I walk on gilded splinters” which is, in my opinion, worth the price of admission on its own. Another highlight is the cut from jazz flautist Herbie Mann’s Push Push; brilliant. Overall, a varied reminder of what a fabulous guitarist Duane was.
*
BONZO DOG BAND — HISTORY OF THE BONZOS
In Vivian Stanshall and Neil Innes, the Bonzos had both a deeply eccentric and strangely charismatic frontman plus a high quality songwriter. (Innes went on to pen a folio of delightful Rutles songs.) Probably a certain Anglophilia is required to fully embrace the antics of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, so this double album—though a lovingly curated career summary—is a niche market. But still, who can resist an LP disguised as a book with a pretend newspaper inside?
*
ALICE COOPER — GREATEST HITS
This 1974 compilation has fun cover by Drew Struzen and Bill Garland whose theme continues inside the gatefold, providing hours of ‘spot the star’ entertainment for Mum and Dad. Meanwhile, locked in his bedroom, Mickey is wailing along to ‘School’s Out’ and ‘I’m Eighteen’. This is a serviceable compilation, though coming so soon after Muscle of Love, it’s a bit cheeky to have two songs from that album on the Hits disc.
*
Any of these made an impact at some point?
vinylconnection.com.au 
My nine year old self was given the Alice Cooper album cover by my uncle, as he knew I would love it, but he kept the record for himself. He was right, I studied that cover for hours, but it wasn’t until high school that I learned who Alice Cooper was. Still one of my favorite album covers, though.
And that was my pointless anecdote for this afternoon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a terrific anecdote, GR. I was amused and appalled that said uncle hung onto the record itself but delighted that you enjoyed it so much.
I agree, btw. It’s a corker of an album cover, flying in the face of ‘hits’ compilations of the era that often slapped any old design on an album to get it out before Christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These picks pretty much all sound intriguing to me. I’d like to call out Santana’s Greatest Hits, which goes back to the very beginning of my music journey when I was 7 or 8 and still living in Germany. It was among the records my 6-year-older sister was listening to at the time, unknowingly introducing me to a good deal of music I love to this day! Sure, if you have actual first three albums by Santana, you don’t need that compilation. Still, this brings back some great memories.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I believe you’ve hit the nail on the head, Christian. There is something about formative albums that stays with us, like you with this Santana comp. For me (having a few more kilometres on the clock) it is a memory of my first job in a record store as a clueless late-teen. I’m sure that’s why I (a) bought this particular LP a decade or so ago, and (b) keep it despite it being utterly superfluous in terms of the contents!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guess maybe Alice Cooper to a degree. Funny story. Several years ago, I made reference to an Alice Cooper song and my kids both said “Huh?” It turns out that they know Alice Cooper as a DJ on a major syndicated radio show that they had been listening to for years, and never knew he was a rock star.
LikeLiked by 2 people
…Which speaks to a marvellous career re-alignment by the chap known to his mum as Vincent Damon Furnier. Great anecdote Jeff. Thanks.
LikeLike
You’ll never break my spirit, even when my body’s black and blue…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Spoken like a true middle-aged house modifier, DD. Hope it’s going OK, and thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Middle-aged – I can live with that
LikeLiked by 2 people
😅
LikeLike
It seems like that Yes LP came out yesterday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😅
LikeLike
Yes is a good one for so many reasons. Someone recently gave me another copy of the Santana album . Cant lose. Duane of course. Will have to do Chain on your recommendation (you never let me down). Same for the Bonzos. More time for them. the early Alice is catchy and worth putting the needle on. Good stuff Bruce. I’m a sucker for these mashes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always welcome your quick post-it note connections, CB. Gotta say, my regard for the first half dozen Santana albums has only grown over the years. (They have one more appearance to make this year.)
I do spend time thinking of sneaky ways to work more albums into the XX from 19XX lists! LOL. Got one more excursion this year (as well as the rest of the countdown, of course). You’ll need your passport.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was given a recent “Greatest” of Santana on CD. You know I don’t make a habit of saying to much negative about music (Respect for the listener and the enjoyment they get out of what moves them and not me) but this one starts out strong for the first half and then loses me pretty fast.
Is “passport” a hint?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to have a long rambling conversation with you (over a beer or two) about long-haul bands and how that works quality-wise and for fans.
Yes it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would enjoy that and I’m sure we could get up to some other foolishness as well.
I’m onto the “passport” thing. I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the Alice Copper songs is relevant to people in the states considering the event happening in early November.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. The final couplet is rather chilling:
Everybody has problems
And personally, I don’t care
LikeLike
Love this one particularly Bruce, although I had never heard of Chain before. I love the Cooper artwork (and content, obvs) and the Santana one does get a play every so often, you are right it is a perfect LP cover.
Beast of all though are the Bonzos, I’m biased though I imbibed their sounds along with my mother’s milk and it is the beneficiary of another great LP cover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Bonzo’s cover is a corker, isn’t it? Yes, I do feel I should try harder with Viv and the lads, but comedy often doesn’t date well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] HITS AND HISTORIES […]
LikeLike