SOUL PURPOSE – Marvin Gaye and ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’
‘WHAT’S GOING ON’ showed how intense soul music could be, standing as key text in 70s expressionism.
RANTS & REFLECTIONS
NO GAP YEAR – contrary to claims 1974 produced some great albums…..
‘1974 brought brilliant work from Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young so has plenty to recommend it’
THE WARREN COMMISSION – Warren Zevon & ‘EXCITABLE BOY’……
With ‘Werewolves of London’ becoming a hit single, ‘Excitable Boy’ rose steadily up the US album charts.
ON THE BANDWAGON – with the only group good enough to be called simply The Band
A handful of artists have begun their careers with two great albums – but only The Band kick off with two masterpieces.
THE POUR BOYS: smiles return thanks to the FACES
For aggro and anger it was the Stones or The Who – but for raucous revelry the Faces were the only party in town.
PEOPLE ARE ON THE PITCH, THEY THINK THE WHO ARE ALL OVER: Wembley Stadium – August 1979
Wembley Stadium – August 1979: With closed eyes, for a few seconds it was if nothing had changed. But opening them brought back the harsh reality Keith was gone.
THE WRONG ONE – Eagles fall to earth with ‘The Long Run’
If ever an album cover reflected the state of a group the tombstone sleeve of ‘THE LONG RUN’ could not have been more appropriate.
NOTHING TO LEARN? BECOMING CHAMPIONS – Netflix documentary (review)
‘The take on ’66 is baffling to say the least. George Cohen provides insight, but more time is given to the ’86 defeat against Argentina.’
STILL(S) AMAZING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS – Stephen Stills & ‘MANASSAS’
On ‘MANASSAS’ (1972) Stills incorporates blues, rock, bluegrass, funk and Latin-shuffles into a sprawling, nigh-on faultless collection.
STRINGS ATTACHED – The Clash & ‘GIVE ‘EM ENOUGH ROPE’ (1978):
‘Give ‘Em Enough Rope’ (1978) is not the finest work of The Clash – but when it soars they are still the most essential rock band around.