MOVING UP – Bob Seger & NIGHT MOVES
Bob Seger had long been a respected if unsung artist, but with ‘Live Bullet’ and then ‘NIGHT MOVES’ (1976) went from the margins to mainstream glory.
RANTS & REFLECTIONS
A FAIR(S) ASSESSMENT – English teams and the Fairs Cup 1955-1971
English teams and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Geordie and Triumphant – Newcastle United: Fairs Cup Winners 1968-1969
OUT OF AFRICA: Paul McCartney & Wings – BAND ON THE RUN
BAND ON THE RUN (1973): Paul makes his definitive post-Beatles statement – going to Africa in order to record it.
WE CAN BE HEROES (for more than one day) – Twenty great games of 1977-78
Twenty Great Games of 1977-78: Nottingham Forest – novelty leaders in November, authentic league champions the following April.
SONGS OF THE ASKING – Paul Simon & STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS (1975):
Reunited with Art Garfunkel on ‘My Little Town’ rarely has rock sounded so sophisticated and yet so sumptuous at the same time.
THE YEAR(S) OF THE CATT – EVERTON: The Harry Catterick era……….
In contrast to the guarded approach Catterick took to all other aspects of management, his finest Everton teams played in a fluid, expressive way.
TRICKY SITUATION – Rolling Stones & ‘STICKY FINGERS’ (1971)
The lyrical imagery is delivered amongst country, blues, funk and rock, but for all its variations Sticky Fingers never sounds in danger of losing its grip.
AN EAGLE TAKES OFF – Don Henley & ‘I CAN’T STAND STILL’ (1982)
‘Dirty Laundry’ is an indignant critique of an increasingly intrusive media and one of the most important rock songs of the 1980s.
The Empire and the States: The Kinks & ‘ARTHUR’ (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire);
‘ARTHUR’ (1969): Seeking out a song with more astute social comment than ‘Shangri-La’ is not worth the effort. It hasn’t been recorded.
WE’RE ON OUR WAY (More or less): ENGLAND – the Ron Greenwood era
The Ron Greenwood era: There is a sense it should be remembered more fondly, but only a handful of displays spring to mind as truly memorable;