WHAM BAM THANK YOU GRAM – Gram Parsons & GP
Parsons blends Nashville influences and his own originality to create ‘GP’ (1973) – an album unlike any to have come before it.
RANTS & REFLECTIONS
STRONGLY WORDED – The Kinks & WORD OF MOUTH
WORD of MOUTH (1984) contains the most politically aware Kinks song of the era – one written by Dave Davies rather than brother Ray.
MERCIFUL REDEMPTION – Bob Dylan & OH MERCY
The stand out Dylan L.P. of the ’80s ‘OH MERCY’ (1989) is by virtue a defining album of that decade.
NES IS MORE – Michael Nesmith AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMIN’
An entirely acoustic record, the title maybe erroneous but ‘AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMIN’ (1972) is original on every other level.
THE LUNG ONES – Jethro Tull & AQUALUNG
Despite unusual subject matter for a rock album, big sales of ‘AQUALUNG ‘(1971) confirmed Jethro Tull as a major act of the era.
STREET CREDIBILITY – Van Morrison: HIS BAND and STREET CHOIR
While not at the same level of accomplishment of ‘Astral Weeks’ or ‘Moondance’ ‘HIS BAND AND STREET CHOIR’ (1970) is still an engaging, often serene album.
UNEVEN – The Byrds & UNTITLED:
UNTITLED (1970): Split into a ‘live’ and studio disc, this double-album is a curious mix of highlights and thin spots.
IN THE CITY – Wings & LONDON TOWN
LONDON TOWN (1978): With a running time of 51 minutes, some lukewarm tracks among the 14-song entity, give the album a lightweight, meandering feel.
ROCK STEADY – Bob Seger & LIKE A ROCK
LIKE A ROCK (1986): Mid-80s production traits and some average material make this a Bob Seger LP of the time rather than one of lasting resonance.
DREAMING BIG – Linda Ronstadt & SIMPLE DREAMS
Spending five weeks at Number One, ‘Simple Dreams’ was, after ‘Tapestry’, the second biggest selling album by a female artist in the ’70s.