YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
By far Bob Dylan’s most controversial work, his 1970 double album Self Portrait seemed to be designed to upset his fanbase – including the opening track, in which Dylan doesn’t sing. That said, the string instrumentation and vocals from Hilda Harris, Albertine Robinson and Maeretha Stewart are sublime.
Something that I concocted over the weekend… a retrospective of 1977 in the form of my favourite sounds, in no particular order.
###
Honourable mentions also go to: Bill Conti for ‘Gonna Fly Now‘; Fela Kuti & The Africa ’70 for ‘Zombie‘; Loleatta Holloway (feat. The Salsoul Orchestra) for ‘Run Away‘; Marvin Gaye for ‘Got To Give It Up‘; Iggy Pop for ‘Lust For Life‘; Suicide for ‘Cheree‘; Barry White for ‘Playing Your Game, Baby‘; Neil Young for ‘Like A Hurricane‘; Peter Gabriel for ‘Solsbury Hill‘; Parliament for ‘Flash Light‘; Fleetwood Mac for ‘You Make Loving Fun‘; Electric Light Orchestra for ‘Mr Blue Sky‘ and so many more (see 1977 – it was a great year).
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
The story goes that Wings were under huge pressure, recording at EMI’s studio in Lagos, having just lost drummer Denny Seiwell and guitarist Henry McCullough. With Paul McCartney playing bass, drums and most of the lead guitar, the remaining trio were able to produce much of the band’s best work. The unmistakable intro to ‘Jet’ has always sounded like a call to arms to bands like The Clash and The Police.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
A double header this morning to make up for the holidays. While Ric Ocasek and pals were still ploughing their new wave furrow of synth-pop, Bill LaBounty was extending the breezier world of yacht rock. So successfully established by the likes of Christopher Cross, Gerry Rafferty and The Doobie Brothers, classic examples included smooth blue-eyed soul vocals (check), high-end production qualities (check) and a load of sax (check). ‘Livin’ It Up’ features on LaBounty’s self-titled album, released in 1982.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
I’ve recently been asked to pull together a list of guilty pleasures. More specifically, five favoured songs that are so awkward for me that I would rather turn off the volume in public. I am not sure that most of Coldplay’s first album Parachutes applies, because pleasure is a criterion. However, ‘Shiver’ definitely makes the long list. The lifting of Jeff Buckley‘s vocal style is so apparent and the instrumentation is such an homage that, in fact, I think it would have been a great Buckley track, and undoubtedly much better in his gilded hands.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
I had not realised that The Polyphonic Spree were still doing their thing when they released an album last year. In truth, their eighth studio album Salvage Enterprise comprises the troupe’s first new material for a decade. On the pared down ‘Section 46 (Give Me Everything)’, singer-songwriter Tim DeLaughter bares his soul. Have a great week.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
Undeniable classic. Van Morrison sings “And it stoned me to my soul” for the opening song for his 1970 album Moondance. Have a great weekend.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
‘Let It Rain’ was written and released by Eric Clapton and Bonnie Bramlett, appearing on Clapton’s 1970 self titled debut long player. Produced and arranged by Bonnie’s other half, Delaney Bramlett, the song boasts an array of talent, including: Stephen Stills and Rita Coolidge on vocals; Leon Russell on piano; and a trio of Derek and the Dominos – Bobby Whitlock on organ, Carl Radle on bass and Jim Gordon on drums. To me, the song is all about the Clapton’s riff and Russell’s piano outro. Others have taken inspiration from different parts of the song. Ringo Starr and George Harrison’s ‘It Don’t Come Easy’ (1971) shares a melody. Dinosaur Jr.’s ‘Get Me‘ (1993) features a lifted guitar squiggle.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
More retro sounds. Produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Head In The Dirt is the second album by Hanni El Khatib. The title track is a stomping garage rocker.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
Good morning. ‘Follow The Leader’ is the opening track off Foxygen’s 2017 LP Hang. As with the duo’s best work, Sam France and Jonathan Rado do a great job at recreating 1970s rock gold. Have a great week.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
Supergrass is one of those bands that I really miss. It’s not just the music, but something bigger. Until they split in 2010, they continued to represent an era, a vibe, an excitement. So, this time last year, it was great to see frontman complete 10 years as a solo artist with his fourth solo album. Alongside 2018’s World’s Strongest Man and 2015’s Matador, the latest LP Turn The Car Around completes a trilogy. It features the heartfelt single ‘Don’t Say It’s Over’; indeed.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
Good evening folks. Chad Allen & The Silvertones became Chad Allan & The Reflections and then Chad Allan & The Expressions, before finally settling on The Guess Who in 1965. After that roundabout, the Canadian band released their LP Wheatfield Soul in 1969. It kicks off with the ageless single ‘These Eyes’. Have a great week.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
I have to say, I wasn’t expecting to post any contemporary Peter Gabriel in 2023. His latest LP i/0 is his tenth studio album and first in a dozen years. I’ve been pleased by the Randy Newman inspired ‘Playing For Time’. I hope it serves as a new direction – unlike some of his peers, his unmistakable voice is still holding up and is good to hear again. The story goes that Gabriel has been working on this album for over 20 years. To stop the vacillation, he commissioned several mixes of most songs on the album. This Dark-Side Mix is by Tchad Blake; there’s also one from Mark ‘Spike’ Stent (Bright-Side Mix) and Hans-Martin Buff (Atmos In-Side Mix). Take your pick.
YouTube – Spotify – Apple – Discogs
Good morning all. This hymn about Martin Luther King Jr. is the final track on U2’s LP The Unforgettable Fire. After some time spent in Chicago, the band had been inspired by MLK’s legacy and his message of peaceful protest. Bono wrote and sang the lyrics – his vocal style and beliefs were lacking no confidence in 1984. Have a great week.
Samuelsounds 