FA CUP SIGHS – The Third/Fourth Place Play-Off (1970-74):
WHITTLE(D) DOWN TO THIS – Everton winger Alan scores against Stoke in the 1971 FA Cup 3rd/4th place play-off fixture
RANTS & REFLECTIONS
DEAR JOHN – Elton John & CARIBOU
CARIBOU (June 1974) was roundly criticised, not least by producer Gus Dudgeon, but Elton continued his winning streak as it reached number one around the world.
THROUGH THE PAST DARKLY – Neil Young & TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT
TONIGHT’S the NIGHT (1975) is a deep, disconcerting album, Young describing its themes as ‘The price tag of the 60s.’
STREET WISE – Rolling Stones & EXILE ON MAIN ST.
Equally Keith’s riotous album recorded in France and Mick’s L.A. studio creation, EXILE ON MAIN ST (1972) from either perspective is a dazzling listen.
THE HALF OF IT – English football in the middle of the 1970s:
English Football 1975: The Two Ronnies. Hard truth or fake news? ‘The crowd trouble was held up for 90 minutes when 22 players invaded the pitch.’
TWILIGHT ZONE – Bruce Springsteen & DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN
DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN (1978): Rather than clone ‘Born to Run’ Springsteen looks at his working class roots to find characters alienated and adrift.
ROSE TO THE TOP – Joni Mitchell & FOR THE ROSES
FOR THE ROSES (1972) finds Mitchell in questioning mood – the songs (and inner sleeve) revealing in more ways than one.
HOME DISCOMFORTS – The Home Internationals of 1975:
The 1975 Home Internationals: The Kennedy annihilation – Stewart concedes five as Scotland are routed at Wembley.
LOCK, STOCK and TAYLOR’S SMOKING BARRELS – The 1975 FA Cup Final:
West Ham v Fulham (3/5/1975): Bobby Moore beside himself to be back at Wembley – walking out along side many with whom he once played.
MOUNTAIN PASS – Joe Walsh & THE SMOKER YOU DRINK, THE PLAYER YOU GET
THE SMOKER YOU DRINK, THE PLAYER YOU GET (1973): With ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ Walsh creates a new found form of mellow-metal.