Sadly, Can The Can doesn’t get a guernsey. Still, there are a number of other LPs that deploy the humble tin can on their covers. Here is a selection. * The debut from Britain’s blues outfit came out in 1968 and reached #12 on the UK albums chart. The band were formed by Stan Webb […]
US AND THEM: WHY ‘DARK SIDE OF THE MOON’ IS STILL IMPORTANT First published at Discrepancy Records; updated December 2023. * GENESIS David Gilmour, guitarist and latter day captain of the dreadnought known as Pink Floyd, remembers a gathering at Nick Mason’s home in November 1971. The meeting was memorable as it was when Roger […]
5 JOHN MARTYN — SOLID AIR In the fist draft of the 73 From ’73 list, Solid Air was somewhere in the 30s. That was based on memory; I hadn’t spun it for a few years. Listening again, I was entranced. Such variety of mood and texture, held together by Martyn’s gravely voice and exceptional […]
10 HERBIE HANCOCK — HEADHUNTERS Just four tracks but many moods, brilliantly realised. The brass driven Uber-funk of “Chameleon”, “Watermelon Man” with its irresistible groove, the languid beauty of “Vein Melter”. A creative jazz-rock-funk vision fully realised. [Released October 1973] * 9 HAWKWIND — SPACE RITUAL The second live album in the ’73 Top 20, […]
20 ALLMAN BROTHERS — BROTHERS AND SISTERS These days I might rate the 2nd Allman Brothers album higher in an “all eras” list, but even allowing for “first love” bias, this excellent example of Southern rock would poll well. From high octane opener “Wasted Words” through to the acoustic “Pony Boy”, this is a quality […]
30 ROXY MUSIC — STRANDED Don’t tell anyone, but I think I accidentally reversed this and For Your Pleasure (#72) in a moment of spreadsheet/red wine confusion. Such things can happen when you’re scrambling to write 70+ reviews and take all those photos. Oops. In sum, this third album is terrific but I think its […]
40 MIKE OLDFIELD — TUBULAR BELLS A poll of my favourite Mike Oldfield albums would not have this debut on the podium, but it certainly made an impression as the very first release by Virgin Records. Made an impression when used in a film, too. As a multi-instrumentalist’s calling card Tubular Bells really does take […]
50 RINGO STARR — RINGO Forget “Now and Then”, this was the last Beatles record. It has songs by John, Paul, George, and of course Ringo. They are all alive, and all play and sing. As do guests including Harry Nilsson, Marc Bolan and members of The Band. Good songs, great atmosphere, and Ringo’s amiable vocals […]
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, […]
70 CAN — FUTURE DAYS There is a sinuous groove throughout Future Days that is beguiling and cool as fuck. Though I do miss the forceful, controlled-explosion energy of the earlier albums. Kraut-lounge? Jägermeister on ice? [Released August 1973] * 69 PETER BANKS — TWO SIDES OF PETER BANKS With Steve Hackett (Genesis) and John […]
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