Although several ‘in concert’ recordings have made it into the 74 FROM ’74 Countdown, there are lots that didn’t. Here are a handful. * BIRTHCONTROL — LIVE Almost a quintessential 70s prog rock band, Birthcontrol released this live double album to please their many German fans. It is energetic, with familiar songs getting extended treatments […]
#64 STEVIE WONDER — FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE Compared to the sharp-edged focus of Innervisions, FFF is a mellow affair. Working pretty much on his own, Wonder delivers a selection of fine songs which are broadly about relationships and the journey of connection. “Boogie on reggae woman” and “You ain’t done nothin’” are obvious standouts; surely […]
#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 […]
Although there are a few jazz-rock albums in the main 74 FROM ’74 list, I limited the jazz component to make the selection process more manageable. But here are ten (from the eighty or so) from the VC collection, albums I enjoy greatly. Plenty of variety, both in terms of style and relative fame of […]
#74 MACKENZIE THEORY — BON VOYAGE How fitting to begin another COUNTDOWN voyage with an album called Bon Voyage. How ironic saying “Hello” to another epic trek through more than six dozen albums (selected from a pool of around three hundred) with a ritual phrase of farewell. How ambivalent was your correspondent about attempting this […]
Transatlantic are a genuine progressive rock supergroup, albeit a part-time one. Comprising members of Spock’s Beard (Neal Morse) Dream Theatre (Mike Portnoy) Marillion (Pete Trewavas) and the Flower Kings (Roine Stolt), the band released its first album, SMPT:e in 2000. In February 2014 Kaleidoscope, their fourth studio album, appeared. Another huge opus blending symphonic prog […]
Through the 1970s, Texan trio ZZ Top played music blending the boogie of Canned Heat with elements of Southern rock to produce an infectious style of blues rock. With hits like the irresistible “La Grange” they became a popular live attraction as well as selling plenty of albums. But that was nothing compared to the […]
Creed Taylor’s CTI record label was founded in 1967, separating from parent company A&M in 1970. Specialising in a style of jazz that boasted instrumental excellence while keeping an eye on the pop and rock scenes, the label used staff arrangers such as Don Sebesky and Bob James to add orchestral silkiness to the jazz-based […]
It was on the airwaves during the Summer of ’73 and sounded like nothing else. A mysterious, beatless opening full of space buzzes and cosmic bird calls that built thrillingly into an infectious jazz-funk epic. No words but a riveting groove. That piano! At the time I had no idea what a Fender Rhodes was, […]
Tony Duhig and Jon Field created art rock band Jade Warrior at the birth of the 1970s. After three albums on Vertigo, they shifted to the Island record label and produced a fascinating quartet of albums between and 1974 and 1978. Characterised by an eclectic range of influences and instrumentation, their albums presaged ‘Fourth World’ […]
Saint Germain. A Parisian boulevard where Jean-Paul Satre strolled, or a football team from the same city. Perhaps the French liqueur made with elderflowers. Those of a theosophical persuasion will want to bend your ear with tales of Saint Germain, an eighteenth century mystic, philosopher and ascended master. Whatever that is. While all the above […]
Anthology Of The Blues was a twelve LP series that first appeared in 1969. Some of the albums feature a single artist (often a notable one) whilst others compile regional sides from lesser known performers. All feature portraits on the covers, giving the series a visual cohesion along side the genre focus. Vinyl Connection only […]
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