Daryl Hall & John Oates third album War Babies would be a real eye-opener for those who are only familiar with their hits from the early 80s. It's an anarchic, apocalyptic tour de force, brilliantly produced by Todd Rundgren who seems to have been given the freedom to make it sound as much like one of his own records as he wished.
I remember the mid-seventies being the first "Music isn't as good as used to be" era. At least for the boomers. Past, Present and Future by Al Stewart and Silver Morning by Kenny Rankin were two unsung albums of '74.
👍😄"Second Hand Car Spiv" is one of the best Ray Davies songs and best Kinks records ever made. Ray was really out on a high-wire, by himself, for those "Preservation" LPs, and you're correct: It may have taken 50 years to happen, but that's where we are, now. Terrific video, CF. Cheers, Buddy!
The kinks preservation act 2 is definitely among one of my favorite concept albums by the kinks it has some of my favorite songs of the era such as the rocking he's evil and the gem of an epic in nobody gives you're definitely right it's so ahead of its time also Jethro Tull's war child I'd put in fifth or sixth place in my Jethro Tull album ranking I really enjoy it can't understand all of the dislike towards it though
Tull fan here. War Child is definitely in my top 5. Skating Away is probably in my top 5 Tull songs as well. The critics basically panned all of JT's albums, so you really can't go by that.
I rank Warchild in the middle of their classic era of 1969 - 1979. I like it better than A Passion Play and on a par with Minstrel in the Gallery. The two hits make up for some less stellar tracks. It was to be a soundtrack but the film project was aborted. Kind of like how Too Old To Rock and Roll was to be a stage musical.
As per usual you took the road less traveled and to great effect. I always get inspired to check something out I’d neglected. Brian Auger, Hatfield of the North, The Leonard Cohen lp of which I’ve only heard one or two tracks. Never heard Exotic Birds and Fruit-love Procol Harum. Good stuff to look forward to digging up! Thanks, Tom
An interesting story about Jethro Tull is that they used to record albums their record company would love, so that they'd be able to follow it up with an album of music they actually wanted to play. The first line from their album "Thick As A Brick" (which was their way of poking fun at the executives at their label), was "Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper, your deafness a SHOUT". War Child was one of their albums for the label executives, because they knew there was a hit song on the album. The album before War Child was a masterpiece titled "Passion Play", and the album which followed War Child was a lesser selling album named "Minstrel In The Gallery", which I love completely. That was their style, they used the greediness of the record label to ensure that they would have the freedom to record the music they wanted to play. That's why Ive always enjoyed Jethro Tull.
They truly sound like no one else. There’s an interesting clip of them in ‘68 playing A Song For Jeffrey at The Rolling Stones Rock N Roll Circus with Tony Iommi. Even in that early stage they had a unique sound and vibe.
I gotta agree with you on Preservation Act. I bought both Acts when they came out & loved them. Then I got to see the show! WOW theatre in rock hall. Mary Ann Price is amazing from Dan Hick's band.
@@flamingroove That is so cool you saw that tour. Must have been incredible. I wish I had seen one of those shows from the concept period. The first time I saw them was at The Santa Monica Civic promoting Sleepwalker in 1977.
Absolutely correct about Preservation Act 2, it’s full of surprises and delights and we are living it today. Also a good call on SHF. His discography is so vast and varied that I wonder if Bob Dylan’s Planet Waves, which I think was successful and received generally positive reviews, gets the attention today that it deserves. Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour ‘74 is my favorite Rory Gallagher album of all time. But my favorite unsung albums of 1974 are Poco’s first two albums as a quartet following Richie Furay’s departure to form SHF. Seven, the first, opens with a thrilling bluegrass breakdown, and then showcases a depth of musicianship and adventurousness that wasn’t present when Poco chased hits on their first six albums (albums I love). Cantamos is also a sonic delight, as would be there subsequent albums featuring Cotton, Young, Grantham and Schmidt. Maybe the masterpieces were few and far between in ‘74, but they were there - On the Beach, Heart Like a Wheel, Fire on the Mountain, The Heart of Saturday Night, Grievous Angel and the others you discuss.
Preservation Act 2 is about Trump, that is who I think about when hearing that masterpiece album. I saw them on tour when this album was released, and they were outstanding! I disagree with the "music critics" (assholes) completely about this wonderful album!
Phoebe Snow was also featured on Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" the next year: "Gone at Last" made it to No. 9 on the Billboard charts, but she never cracked the Top Ten again.
(1) Appreciate you acknowledging the “Poetry Man” album, many standout songs. (2) I think “War Child” was the best album Tull did after 1970. (3) Don’t know if it was panned or unsung, but it’s not for everyone: “Tropic Appetites” by Carla Bley (1936-2023), free jazz movement, stellar lineup (Barbieri, Holland, Mantler, Motian, Tippetts and others). A personal all-time fave in a year I was growing weary of pop and prog rock.
Thanks for including Highway Call and SHF. I still play them often. Todd Rundgren's Utopia was originally panned and has been reevaluated as a stellar prog album.✌️
I haven't heard War Child in years, I need to give it another listen. Jethro Tull are one of the great '70s bands, and my personal favorite is Benefit, but I've liked War Child when I listened to it in the past, have always loved Bungle in the Jungle, Skating Away. Thanks to you, it's moved up the list of albums that I need to give another chance to.
Barbara Gaskin of the Northettes did a version of It's My Party with Dave Stewart which was a big UK hit in the early 80s. Good call on Dickey Betts too.
I have some history with some of those albums. The only time I saw Phoebe Snow, Jethro Tull, and David Bowie live, it was touring the albums you featured. Phoebe opened up for Jackson Browne on the Late For The Sky tour when I saw her (in the LMU gym!). War Child was the last Tull album that I bought, then I lost interest; that concert at The Forum (which I thought was great) was panned in the L A Times. And Bowie. . .I didn't realize that album was panned. My friends and I loved that album, and the concert at the Universal Amphitheatre was awesome. The first time I saw The Kinks was for the Preservation Act II tour. Although it's not my favorite Kinks album, the concert at the Santa Monica Civic was great. Thanks for another video that brings back lots of memories.
“Who By Fire” is being used as the theme music for “Bad Sisters” on Apple TV. Excellent series, and the track is brilliantly covered by P.J. Harvey. Anyway…I love 1974 great year for music and all your picks are top notch.
Saw Dicky with the Allmans at the Beacon in NYC and then at BBKings in NYC! A great guitar player!And he wrote some great songs like Rambling Man, sang and played great on it!
I did a 1974 theme for the background in my last video, and displayed a lot of the albums you mentioned: Lamb Lies Down, Exotic Birds & Fruits, Hatfield & the North, Warchild. 1974 was one of the BEST years for rock music.
Wow -- I haven't even heard most of those records, so I have some catching up to do! Thanks. But in addition to the Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Big Star and Genesis albums you mention in your intro, 1974 saw the release of Ry Cooder's "Paradise and Lunch," Randy Newman's "Good Old Boys," Tom Waits' "The Heart of Saturday Night," Bob Marley's "Natty Dread," Rufus's "Rags to Rufus" AND "Rufusized" (feat. Chaka Khan), The Meters' "Rejuvenation," Stevie Wonder's "Fulfillingness' First Finale," David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs," Elton John's "Caribou," Little Feat's "Feats Don't Fail Me Now," Parliament's "Up For the Down Stroke," Shuggie Otis's "Inspiration Information" (which I didn't discover until the '90s), Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets" and "Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy," Van Morrison's "Veedon Fleece," Funkadelic's "Standing on the Verge of Getting It On," Miles Davis's "Get Up With It" (an album I fell in love with for the first time only last year), Frank Zappa's "Apostrophe," Richard & Linda Thompson's "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight," Gram Parson's "Grievous Angel," Neil Young's "On the Beach," Tomita's "Snowflakes are Dancing," Kraftwerk's "Autobahn"... and most of those aren't even among the year's top-sellers (by the likes of Eric Clapton and Queen and ELO and the Eagles and Supertramp and...). The '70s were like that. Those of us who were in high school or college thought we were living in a dull decade after the pop/rock youth culture explosion of the '60s. We thought we'd missed out. Little did we know we were living in another pop culture golden age we hadn't recognized yet. Is there another year in the last 40 that has produced as much enjoyable, ambitious, enduring stuff as 1974? (I think the studio-slick overproduction trend reached its peak/nadir in 1975 -- which is what made the cleansing rawness of punk necessary.) Thanks again for another thought-provoking video...
As far as Jethro Tull goes, I love War Child, but they have so many albums that I like a bit more (Aqualung, Benefit, Stand Up Thick As A Brick, etc.). War Child would be in the top 10 though.
Preservation Act was such a fantastic project from the Kinks. Anyone who has a problem with those 2 records isnt really a Kinks fan in my opinion. War Child and Minstrel in the Gallery were the last 2 great Jethro Tull albums, dont understand why they were panned. Fantastic stuff. Exotic birds and fruit became my favourite Procul Haram record. Salty Dog is the only other one that is possibly better. Thanks for letting me know that Dicky betts put out solo material, I had no idea. A worthy substitute for tbe fallen Allman....and that alone puts him up there with the greats. David Bowie Live is one of the best live albums ever, and live albums in general are difficult to like. And New skin for the old Ceremony is the only Leanord Cohen I listen to recently, its a gem. 1974 was a great year apparently! Bell bottoms!
Cockney Rebel's second album Psycomoto. Cockney Rebel were a british glam band popular for couple of years in england. Their first 2 albums are amazing!
Hail to the Capo Chief for hailing Preservation Act 2. I totally agree with your assessment there. I was in my time much influenced by all those killjoys and -joes who lambasted this pearl agead of its time. As you say too, it descrobes what is going on "right now!. Cheers.
Good list. Jethro Tull fan here. I also like War Child a lot. I think it's probably the most pop of their albums. The songs are accessible, melodic and strong. I'd rank it about midway within their '70s catalog: I think it has less character than some of their very best, but it's a satisfying listen throughout. I also agree about the Kinks' Preservation albums, and that they continued to put out fine albums throughout their career, with only a couple of duds.
Journey was great that year, still several years before getting strong armed by Columbia records to have to add a stand up lead singer. Their first album was still not released but they were great live and had many good tunes.
I'm absolutely with you about David Live and have always rated it highly, and which I also had on cassette and used to play turn and turn about with my only other cassette at that time, the best of Country Joe.
I was waiting to see... and was kind of surprised that Gene Clark's No Other... didn't make an appearance here. It is probably my favourite album in general from the year 1974.
@@GeeAitch-r1r I’ve tried various times to like it, but somehow never connected with that album. Love his early work with the Byrds and the White Light album and The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark.
"David Live" was the first album I ever bought. I agree that those versions are in some instances better than the originals. I heard "Sweet Thing-Candidate-Sweet Thing" on this album before I heard the "Diamond Dogs" version and prefer it. David Sanborn is majestic on these tracks. It has puzzled me for years why so few people like this incredible album.
Yes...... You said it..... Richard Betts "Highway Call" deserved a better response than it received. Probably overshadowed by the Allman Bros. at the time. One of my fav. tracks was on side 2 was "Hand Picked". Great jam with some of the best pickers. Cheers! (from Joni's hometown.)
I guess Betty Davis - They Say I’m Different, Sweet, ‘Desolation Boulevard’, Mott the Hoople - 'The Hoople', Chicago 6 and because it has its moments and was used (maybe not always with permission) THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN James Bond soundtrack could be on the Panned & Unsung Albums list for a better year than people remember.
@@tomrobinson5776 And she lived near me before she passed away. On GOLDEN GUN< I meant to say it had been used on a hundred or so cheap karate/kung-fu films without permission. As for 1974, music was better that year than any recent ones and people quickly forget.
I don't know if It's Only Rock and Roll counts as a panned or unsung album, it certainly doesn't get the love it deserves in my opinion. I actually like it better than Goat's Head Soup, which is less consistent. IORR has the iconic title track, the atmospheric Time Waits for No One and the funk of Fingerprint File, among other gems. People criticize Dance, Little Sister for being repetitive but I think it's a great Stones rocker. It's in my top seven Rolling Stones albums, and I make no apologies for that!
I agree Chris. It’s a great 70’s Stones album. Some fantastic deep cuts like Short And Curlies, Till The Next Goodbye, Fingerprint File. I like Goats Head Soup as well, but It’s Only Rock N Roll has treats galore.
You don't like these albums, but I decided to remind you of them anyway: the work of David Bowie's friend - Edgar Froese: "Aqua", and the album of the band Tangerine Dream, whose leader was Edgar Froese: "Phaedra". In 1974, these two albums opened new areas for the imagination and sensitivity of music reception in the second half of the twentieth century. A pioneering work of electronic music. For me personally, these are unforgettable masterpieces. You can easily not worry about the opinions of music critics. They are always wrong.
Steppenwolf/ ''Slow Flux'' Michael Fennelly/ ''Lane Changer'' Doug Sahm/''Groovers Paradise'' Brinsley Schwarz/''The new favorites of'' Alvin Lee and Mylon/''On the road to freedom'' Savoy Brown/''Boogie Brothers''.
I think all of these choices are better left unsung say for David Live. The Kinks Preservation Act is an interesting study though... the concept far outshines the music, which is a shame, it's such a great concept. But its good to dust these off, there are nuggets of greatness in them hills!
@@tomrobinson5776 Nektar's whole catelog is pretty much unsung, but they were a pretty frequent listen in our circles back in the day. BTY great mention of 'Exotic Birds and Fruit'. It's made it into my top 3 Procol releases, and that's saying a lot. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Tom. Interesting topic. So, I've tried 3-4 times to listen to Hatfield and the North's second album, and really don't get it. Must be me. Totally agree with you on the 'concept' period of the Kinks.
Difficult because I'm unsure which albums were/are unsung and/or panned and by whom. In any case, Phoebe Snow was a fresh sounding album and considered to be a great debut at the time. I suspect it still sounds good, bluesy-jazzy. Where was the popular music roller coaster in 1974? It is, or was, cliche that Punk would become the antidote to Prog, but I think also to bluesy Rock. Ronnie Wood's 'I've Got My Own Album to Do' seemed kind of thrown together but was still a likable "hang-out" album, very much of it's time (just before he joined the Stones, the Stones joined him for this album.) Shuggie Otis's 'Inspiration Information' and Ry Cooder's 'Paradise and Lunch' still sound pretty good to me, timeless? There was 'Hoople' and 10CC's 'Sheet Music' while T Rex and Bowie were working out who might be first to fuse Glam and Disco. Rod Stewart's 'Smiler' was a decent album, just not as good as his first 4 solo albums, so he soon latched on to disco for the win. ($$$)
Hi Tom. I couldn't resist commenting on War Child. Where do I place it? In the middle somewhere. To me, their second third and fourth albums are their best. Most of the rest seem to be a matter of personal taste. Lately I am listening to Heavy Horses an album that sat around here for years. It has moved up in my esteem. If you watch Tull ranking videos they tend to be all over the place. That is what I mean by personal taste. PS I am having trouble offering a thanks as they want me to log in to Google. I haven't done that in years and some type of glitch has developed. I gave initially without difficulty but no Google log in was requested. I will work it out.
You pique my curiosity about the Procul Harum album, and I will see if I can find it. I have never even heard of it. By 1974 there was hardly anything in pop, rock or soul that I liked, and I was listening mostly to medieval & renaissance or to British folk. This was also the year I permanently discontinued my personal favorite top 20 singles of the month as I could no longer find even 10 singles I liked. I later took fresh interest when punk/new wave/new romantic/synth pop hit the scene. I again lost interest once again after 1985, but fell in love with Indie music (mostly British) after 2000. I'm having a hard time coming up with a 1974 album I really loved. Carole King's "Wrap Around Joy" (a Billboard #1) had some good stuff but lacked the deep cuts of "Tapestry" or "Thoroughbred". Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" is OK. I still hold a grudge against ELO for "El Dorado", which I thought (aside from the single) was a load of shit which I tossed out. A really thin year for me. '75 was better with "Main course" and "Blue Jays" (now THERE is an unappreciated masterpiece).
Hayward & Lodge's "Blue Jays" album! That is an underappreciated masterpiece! In regard to ELO's "Eldorado," I think the album was mixed rather poorly. The following year's "Face The Music," I think, is superior. At least it sounds better!
1974 was a bad year? Not for me, maybe because it was the year I graduated high school and went to college. I checked Wikipedia and counted at least 63 albums from 1974 that I have on vinyl. Critics got it wrong a lot back then. On the Beach was panned and now it’s considered a masterpiece. Here’s a few “panned” albums from 1974 that I’d add to your list: Traffic’s When the Eagle Flies, Fleetwood Mac’s Heroes are Hard to Find, Jefferson Starship’s Dragon Fly (especially Grace Slick’s Hyperdrive), and Mike Oldfield’s Hergest Ridge (which I like even more than Tubular Bells). I even remember Eric Clapton’s best solo album ever, 462 Ocean Boulevard getting bad reviews. Btw, the Hatfield and the North, Phoebe Snow, Procol Harum, and the Brian Auger LPs are all favorites of mine. You’re right, not enough people talk about Brian. And also, not enough people talk about his female vocalist Julie Driscoll (later Tippetts). She had an incredible voice. Her vocals on Encore, Open, Streetnoise, and their Best of compilation are phenomenal. Finally concerning Jethro Tull, I’m a big fan and I’d place War Child respectfully somewhere in the middle; they can’t all be five star masterpieces. My favorite unsung album of 1974 is I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight by Richard and Linda Thompson. Linda was another phenomenal singer
Julie Driscoll (Tippetts) is without question one of the greatest unsung singers of all time. Those vocals on Streetnoise are phenomenal. Her version of Rope Ladder To The Moon on Encore is stunning. The Richard and Linda Thompson Bright lights album is excellent.
I'm psyched to see "David Live" on here. I was 13 at the time and that was the first Bowie album I ever heard. But it rocketed Bowie to the top of my list of favorite artists. No, it's not his best, nor is it even a great live album, but it will always be special because it introduced me to Bowie, who became an obsession
I recently completed my Fester's Lucky 13: 2024 Year-End Summary. Cappo Fetish made my Lucky 13 for UA-cam channels! Here's a curated list of albums just for you. Lucky 13 page linked in my profile for all the extensive genre lists and blurbs. 1. The Sea Kings - Fear is All Around 2. Rosalie Cunningham - To Shoot Another Day 3. The Blinders - Beholder 4. Meatbodies - Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom 5. The Mystery Lights - Purgatory 6. White Denim - 12 7. Caldwell - Caldwell 8. Redd Kross - Redd Kross 9. The Resonars - Electricity Plus 10. Peter Perrett - The Cleansing 11. The Galileo 7 - You, Me and Reality 12. Susan James - Time is Now 13. The Blank Tapes - Good Ol’ Days Bubbling under: The Ar-Kaics, Ty Segall (which of course I know you have and love), Mary Timony, Jane Weaver, Shadow Show, The Prisoners, Charles Moothart, Valley Lodge, The Courettes.
.....'worst' year? Not HARDLY.....War Child is in MY Top 5 Tull albums (along with Stormwatch, Broadsword, and YES, Under Wraps - a MUCH-better album than MANY, would assert) - to these ears, Beth Orton is the ONLY female singer-songwriter who EVER evoked Phoebe & "Poetry Man" - a LOT.....agree on the Harum MIGHTILY!
I'd have to throw "It's Only Rock & Roll" by the Stones in there. Savaged by the critics, but why?? It's a fucking great record! And Mick Taylor's last. Time Waits For No One is epic, Luxury, Dance Little Sister, Fingerprint File. They're all highlights IMO.
@@senatorjimdracula1603 I agree 100 percent and I almost threw it on the list. Don’t know why it’s underrated. Till The Next Goodbye, Short And Curlies, Luxury & Fingerprint File are some of my fave Stones deep cuts from the 70’s period.
Aside from "Tommy", what other LP telling a story has ever been a critical or popular success? To most people they come off as pretentious. Look at Sinatra's "Watertown" (1970), which told the story of a man who went through a divorce. Co-written by Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes, strong songwriters, it was Sinatra's only LP between 1964 and his death to fail to make the top 100. Albums that tell a story hardly ever are commercially successful.
Phoebe Snow's 1974 is "unsung"??? Dude, it's a gold record and reached #4 on the LP charts. It got heavy airplay at the time. I recall purchasing it and being bored to death. Not my kind of music.
"Rock Journalism is People Who Can’t Write Interviewing People Who Can’t Talk for People Who Can’t Read" (Frank Zappa) Why has Phoebe Snow been so undervalued in rock history? Well basically, because it is obviously a WOMAN singing, not some adolescent-sounding female, which seems to be what most (male) critics want to salivate over (and yes, the masses out there should bear some of the blame. (And maybe, the late Ms. Snow never equaled her debut release, the reason from what I gather, had to do with really bad management.)
Phoebe Snow was always acclaimed by critics, but had a tragic personal life. Her daughter was born in 1976 with severe brain damage and she insisted on caring for her herself at home. She continued to record, but it made it almost impossible to tour. Her daughter died in 2007 and Phoebe died in 2011.
I don't recall 1974 being "one of the worst years in Rock" but it's possible memory just doesn't serve me well. Back then I was listening extensively to the two King Crimson records released that year, along with the late '74 release by Yes, _Relayer_ . Gentle Giant released _The Power And The Glory_ that year, and The Who released a fantastic retrospective called, _Odds & Sods_ , with some great material compiled by The Ox himself. Philip Catherine released _September Man_ that is more Jazz than Rock but it's a killer... , and ELP released _Welcome Back My Friends_ , which is a record I literally wore out, and is still one of my favorite live albums of all time. 1974 was a year where the music critics got it wrong, just as they do in any other year.
I don't know. 1974 seems a very mediocre year in music to me, and I often confuse it with the much better 1973. In addition, I have trouble deciding what is unsung, since the things I like seem to have gained in reputation so much, and the things I didn't like are so easy to forget. And I no longer have ANY idea what was panned. I looked up some artists that I still like; you tell me if they are "unsung" or what: One of John Cale's best, Fear, was released that year, likewise Brian Eno's Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), and Sparks' Propoganda. Are they unsung? Not by me and their many other fans, they aren't. Compared to, I don't know, Linda Ronstadt or The Eagles, I suppose so. Let's take a look at some artists that I liked, who put out records in 1973, and what they did in 1974. Kevin Ayers released The Confessions of Dr. Dream, a so-so album with some rehash material. Gong concluded the Planet Gong trilogy with its least entry, You, after which Daevid Allen left the band, which continued in a different direction. Hawkwind released Hall Of The Mountain Grill, a disappointment, amid the firing of Lemmy and other personnel changes. Better days were to come. These examples got about the respect I thought they deserved. What can I tell you? If there's something that belongs in this post, that I haven't mentioned, I've probably forgotten it forever.
On reflection, here's another mixed bag. King Crimson put out two records that year: Starless And Bible Black, which I think was definitely underrated, and Red, which got plenty of attention. Blue Oyster Cult released their third album, Secret Treaties, which the fans liked, but seems overlooked in retrospect (all the first-time listeners on UA-cam start with the post-Reaper material). And Frank Zappa released Apostrophe ('), which got loads of attention (and a hit single), and Roxy And Elsewhere, a much better live album that generated less interest at the time but continues to build in reputation with the decades. Oh, and Lou Reed put out a piece of crap called Sally Can't Dance, which I do remember as being panned by some of his biggest fans. And there's Velvet Underground Live '69, which is right up there with the best VU albums but is rarely mentioned in band overviews.
@tomrobinson5776 CBS was looking for more sales volume and picked the producer. The title song is a Charlie Rich number. There's also material from Al Kooper and Dan Folgleberg. Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman sing backup.
Another fantastically enjoyable and informative show. Every suggestion interesting. Keep em coming!
Daryl Hall & John Oates third album War Babies would be a real eye-opener for those who are only familiar with their hits from the early 80s. It's an anarchic, apocalyptic tour de force, brilliantly produced by Todd Rundgren who seems to have been given the freedom to make it sound as much like one of his own records as he wished.
@@richardfurness7556 I’ve heard similar opinions. Must check it out at some point.
I'm so glad you brought up Brian Auger. He never gets the recognition he deserves.
1974- David Bowie "Diamond Dogs", Aerosmith "Get Your Wings", Blue Oyster Cult "Secret Treaties" are some of my favorites of that year.
Warchild would rank in my top 5 Tull albums. Fond memories of playing it almost every morning getting ready for school (11th grade).
I remember the mid-seventies being the first "Music isn't as good as used to be" era. At least for the boomers.
Past, Present and Future by Al Stewart and Silver Morning by Kenny Rankin were two unsung albums of '74.
Kenny Rankin , awesome!
War Child id my favorite Tull album along with MITG
Warchild is my favourite Tull album. Not their best, but definitely my favourite.
Good to see some love for Jethro Tull! I put Warchild right up there behind my favorite, Songs From The Wood.
Always enjoy your videos. Thanks, Tom.
@@deadfdr Thank you. Much appreciated. 😉
👍😄"Second Hand Car Spiv" is one of the best Ray Davies songs and best Kinks records ever made. Ray was really out on a high-wire, by himself, for those "Preservation" LPs, and you're correct: It may have taken 50 years to happen, but that's where we are, now.
Terrific video, CF. Cheers, Buddy!
@@total.stranger Thanks 😉
I agree about The Kinks 70’s albums, they are gems.
The kinks preservation act 2 is definitely among one of my favorite concept albums by the kinks it has some of my favorite songs of the era such as the rocking he's evil and the gem of an epic in nobody gives you're definitely right it's so ahead of its time also Jethro Tull's war child I'd put in fifth or sixth place in my Jethro Tull album ranking I really enjoy it can't understand all of the dislike towards it though
Good video. Some sound selections. There's a six-LP Brian Auger box set I'm tempted to pull the trigger on. Your mention of him has got me interested!
Tull fan here. War Child is definitely in my top 5. Skating Away is probably in my top 5 Tull songs as well. The critics basically panned all of JT's albums, so you really can't go by that.
I rank Warchild in the middle of their classic era of 1969 - 1979. I like it better than A Passion Play and on a par with Minstrel in the Gallery. The two hits make up for some less stellar tracks. It was to be a soundtrack but the film project was aborted. Kind of like how Too Old To Rock and Roll was to be a stage musical.
As per usual you took the road less traveled and to great effect. I always get inspired to check something out I’d neglected. Brian Auger, Hatfield of the North, The Leonard Cohen lp of which I’ve only heard one or two tracks. Never heard Exotic Birds and Fruit-love Procol Harum. Good stuff to look forward to digging up! Thanks, Tom
Zappa / Mothers: Roxy & Elsewhere
Yes! ……Dummy up.
An interesting story about Jethro Tull is that they used to record albums their record company would love, so that they'd be able to follow it up with an album of music they actually wanted to play. The first line from their album "Thick As A Brick" (which was their way of poking fun at the executives at their label), was "Really don't mind if you sit this one out. My words but a whisper, your deafness a SHOUT".
War Child was one of their albums for the label executives, because they knew there was a hit song on the album. The album before War Child was a masterpiece titled "Passion Play", and the album which followed War Child was a lesser selling album named "Minstrel In The Gallery", which I love completely.
That was their style, they used the greediness of the record label to ensure that they would have the freedom to record the music they wanted to play. That's why Ive always enjoyed Jethro Tull.
They truly sound like no one else. There’s an interesting clip of them in ‘68 playing A Song For Jeffrey at The Rolling Stones Rock N Roll Circus with Tony Iommi. Even in that early stage they had a unique sound and vibe.
I gotta agree with you on Preservation Act. I bought both Acts when they came out & loved them. Then I got to see the show! WOW theatre in rock hall. Mary Ann Price is amazing from Dan Hick's band.
@@flamingroove That is so cool you saw that tour. Must have been incredible. I wish I had seen one of those shows from the concept period. The first time I saw them was at The Santa Monica Civic promoting Sleepwalker in 1977.
love war child. probably my 6th fave tull album. saw them twice on that tour.
I turned ten years old in 1974, the music was ubiquitous
Absolutely correct about Preservation Act 2, it’s full of surprises and delights and we are living it today. Also a good call on SHF. His discography is so vast and varied that I wonder if Bob Dylan’s Planet Waves, which I think was successful and received generally positive reviews, gets the attention today that it deserves. Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour ‘74 is my favorite Rory Gallagher album of all time. But my favorite unsung albums of 1974 are Poco’s first two albums as a quartet following Richie Furay’s departure to form SHF. Seven, the first, opens with a thrilling bluegrass breakdown, and then showcases a depth of musicianship and adventurousness that wasn’t present when Poco chased hits on their first six albums (albums I love). Cantamos is also a sonic delight, as would be there subsequent albums featuring Cotton, Young, Grantham and Schmidt. Maybe the masterpieces were few and far between in ‘74, but they were there - On the Beach, Heart Like a Wheel, Fire on the Mountain, The Heart of Saturday Night, Grievous Angel and the others you discuss.
Preservation Act 2 is about Trump, that is who I think about when hearing that masterpiece album. I saw them on tour when this album was released, and they were outstanding! I disagree with the "music critics" (assholes) completely about this wonderful album!
So cool you saw the Preservation tour. Must have been incredible. Too bad it wasn’t filmed in its entirety back in the day.
Ligertwood was with Santana for over 10 years at least . Saw him at spaghteenis jazz club in seal beach great vocalist and musician.
Alex wouldn't be added for another few years as they had Leon Patillo in 74 and then Great Walker .
Agreed about Poetry Man - it’s in my song lists to listen to. Might have to check out that live Bowie LP.
Phoebe Snow was also featured on Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years" the next year: "Gone at Last" made it to No. 9 on the Billboard charts, but she never cracked the Top Ten again.
David Live was a favorite of mine. Moonage Daydream is awesomely played! Long guitar solo!
(1) Appreciate you acknowledging the “Poetry Man” album, many standout songs.
(2) I think “War Child” was the best album Tull did after 1970.
(3) Don’t know if it was panned or unsung, but it’s not for everyone: “Tropic Appetites” by Carla Bley (1936-2023), free jazz movement, stellar lineup (Barbieri, Holland, Mantler, Motian, Tippetts and others). A personal all-time fave in a year I was growing weary of pop and prog rock.
1974 was a pretty rough year for rock. Feats Don't Fail Me Now - Little Feat should be in there somewhere ahead of most of the LP's you mentioned. Thx
But that one's generally held in high regard, not panned or unsung.
Hello? Kung Fu Fighting? Hello! 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for including Highway Call and SHF. I still play them often. Todd Rundgren's Utopia was originally panned and has been reevaluated as a stellar prog album.✌️
At least some of that album sounds amazingly like early 70s King Crimson.
@@jimalaimo8467 I need to explore more of the Utopia catalog.
Thanks, Tom. 🎶
I haven't heard War Child in years, I need to give it another listen. Jethro Tull are one of the great '70s bands, and my personal favorite is Benefit, but I've liked War Child when I listened to it in the past, have always loved Bungle in the Jungle, Skating Away. Thanks to you, it's moved up the list of albums that I need to give another chance to.
I own 3 copies of that Southern Hillman Furay 2 still sealed.Back in the 70's I saw them open fou The Eagles. Great show!
Barbara Gaskin of the Northettes did a version of It's My Party with Dave Stewart which was a big UK hit in the early 80s. Good call on Dickey Betts too.
I have some history with some of those albums. The only time I saw Phoebe Snow, Jethro Tull, and David Bowie live, it was touring the albums you featured. Phoebe opened up for Jackson Browne on the Late For The Sky tour when I saw her (in the LMU gym!). War Child was the last Tull album that I bought, then I lost interest; that concert at The Forum (which I thought was great) was panned in the L A Times. And Bowie. . .I didn't realize that album was panned. My friends and I loved that album, and the concert at the Universal Amphitheatre was awesome. The first time I saw The Kinks was for the Preservation Act II tour. Although it's not my favorite Kinks album, the concert at the Santa Monica Civic was great. Thanks for another video that brings back lots of memories.
“Who By Fire” is being used as the theme music for “Bad Sisters” on Apple TV. Excellent series, and the track is brilliantly covered by P.J. Harvey. Anyway…I love 1974 great year for music and all your picks are top notch.
Saw Dicky with the Allmans at the Beacon in NYC and then at BBKings in NYC! A great guitar player!And he wrote some great songs like Rambling Man, sang and played great on it!
Big up Canterbury - in my home county of Kent and went to university there for a time! We've made it, boys!
I did a 1974 theme for the background in my last video, and displayed a lot of the albums you mentioned: Lamb Lies Down, Exotic Birds & Fruits, Hatfield & the North, Warchild. 1974 was one of the BEST years for rock music.
@@michaelpdawson There were some truly monumental albums in ‘74.
Wow -- I haven't even heard most of those records, so I have some catching up to do! Thanks. But in addition to the Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Big Star and Genesis albums you mention in your intro, 1974 saw the release of Ry Cooder's "Paradise and Lunch," Randy Newman's "Good Old Boys," Tom Waits' "The Heart of Saturday Night," Bob Marley's "Natty Dread," Rufus's "Rags to Rufus" AND "Rufusized" (feat. Chaka Khan), The Meters' "Rejuvenation," Stevie Wonder's "Fulfillingness' First Finale," David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs," Elton John's "Caribou," Little Feat's "Feats Don't Fail Me Now," Parliament's "Up For the Down Stroke," Shuggie Otis's "Inspiration Information" (which I didn't discover until the '90s), Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets" and "Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy," Van Morrison's "Veedon Fleece," Funkadelic's "Standing on the Verge of Getting It On," Miles Davis's "Get Up With It" (an album I fell in love with for the first time only last year), Frank Zappa's "Apostrophe," Richard & Linda Thompson's "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight," Gram Parson's "Grievous Angel," Neil Young's "On the Beach," Tomita's "Snowflakes are Dancing," Kraftwerk's "Autobahn"... and most of those aren't even among the year's top-sellers (by the likes of Eric Clapton and Queen and ELO and the Eagles and Supertramp and...).
The '70s were like that. Those of us who were in high school or college thought we were living in a dull decade after the pop/rock youth culture explosion of the '60s. We thought we'd missed out. Little did we know we were living in another pop culture golden age we hadn't recognized yet. Is there another year in the last 40 that has produced as much enjoyable, ambitious, enduring stuff as 1974? (I think the studio-slick overproduction trend reached its peak/nadir in 1975 -- which is what made the cleansing rawness of punk necessary.) Thanks again for another thought-provoking video...
Yeah man, "Paradise and Lunch." My fave Ry Cooder.
As far as Jethro Tull goes, I love War Child, but they have so many albums that I like a bit more (Aqualung, Benefit, Stand Up Thick As A Brick, etc.). War Child would be in the top 10 though.
Great video Tom
Preservation Act was such a fantastic project from the Kinks. Anyone who has a problem with those 2 records isnt really a Kinks fan in my opinion. War Child and Minstrel in the Gallery were the last 2 great Jethro Tull albums, dont understand why they were panned. Fantastic stuff. Exotic birds and fruit became my favourite Procul Haram record. Salty Dog is the only other one that is possibly better. Thanks for letting me know that Dicky betts put out solo material, I had no idea. A worthy substitute for tbe fallen Allman....and that alone puts him up there with the greats. David Bowie Live is one of the best live albums ever, and live albums in general are difficult to like. And New skin for the old Ceremony is the only Leanord Cohen I listen to recently, its a gem. 1974 was a great year apparently! Bell bottoms!
I bought dickie Betts right when it came out . Excellent country jazz rock album
Loved Exotic Birds and Fruit. Side one is oustanding. Side two is passable but the first side is worth the price of the entire album.
Always loved "Preservation". A shame it was never staged and filmed.
Cockney Rebel's second album Psycomoto. Cockney Rebel were a british glam band popular for couple of years in england. Their first 2 albums are amazing!
@@rossmiller9326 I need to check them out. I’ve heard the name for years, but never explored the music.
@@tomrobinson5776 Definately check them out, start with their first album Human Menagerie.
Hail to the Capo Chief for hailing Preservation Act 2. I totally agree with your assessment there. I was in my time much influenced by all those killjoys and -joes who lambasted this pearl agead of its time. As you say too, it descrobes what is going on "right now!. Cheers.
@@Raydahr-5 Cheers 😉
Good list. Jethro Tull fan here. I also like War Child a lot. I think it's probably the most pop of their albums. The songs are accessible, melodic and strong. I'd rank it about midway within their '70s catalog: I think it has less character than some of their very best, but it's a satisfying listen throughout. I also agree about the Kinks' Preservation albums, and that they continued to put out fine albums throughout their career, with only a couple of duds.
Journey was great that year, still several years before getting strong armed by Columbia records to have to add a stand up lead singer. Their first album was still not released but they were great live and had many good tunes.
I'm absolutely with you about David Live and have always rated it highly, and which I also had on cassette and used to play turn and turn about with my only other cassette at that time, the best of Country Joe.
Martha Reeves first solo album post Motown/Vandellas “Martha Reeves” is excellent!
@@timothyreynolds890 Sounds cool. Gotta hear it. 😉
Can’t wait to see this one!
I was waiting to see... and was kind of surprised that Gene Clark's No Other... didn't make an appearance here. It is probably my favourite album in general from the year 1974.
Totally Agree
Absolutely
@@GeeAitch-r1r I’ve tried various times to like it, but somehow never connected with that album. Love his early work with the Byrds and the White Light album and The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark.
Don’t know what people think is so great about the Gene Clark album. I absolutely love the songs he wrote with the Byrds.
Highway Call so true really great underrated unknown to many record so melodic. Same w P Act 2,Kinks
"Highway Call" as well as Elvin Bishop's "Let it Flow" & "The Gregg Allman Tour" got me through 1974.
@@onethumbpicker I really regret not seeing Gregg Allman live. That voice was just incredible.
"David Live" was the first album I ever bought. I agree that those versions are in some instances better than the originals. I heard "Sweet Thing-Candidate-Sweet Thing" on this album before I heard the "Diamond Dogs" version and prefer it. David Sanborn is majestic on these tracks. It has puzzled me for years why so few people like this incredible album.
Yeah baby David Sanborn. His playing on "Suffragette City"! WOW!
@@Wayner71 I don’t get it either. The band is on fire and David is in fine voice.
Yes...... You said it..... Richard Betts "Highway Call" deserved a better response than it received. Probably overshadowed by the Allman Bros. at the time. One of my fav. tracks was on side 2 was "Hand Picked". Great jam with some of the best pickers. Cheers! (from Joni's hometown.)
I guess Betty Davis - They Say I’m Different, Sweet, ‘Desolation Boulevard’, Mott the Hoople - 'The Hoople', Chicago 6 and because it has its moments and was used (maybe not always with permission) THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN James Bond soundtrack could be on the Panned & Unsung Albums list for a better year than people remember.
@@nicholassheffo5723 I gotta hear that Betty Davis album. I’ve heard it mentioned many times, now I’m curious.
@@tomrobinson5776 And she lived near me before she passed away. On GOLDEN GUN< I meant to say it had been used on a hundred or so cheap karate/kung-fu films without permission. As for 1974, music was better that year than any recent ones and people quickly forget.
I don't know if It's Only Rock and Roll counts as a panned or unsung album, it certainly doesn't get the love it deserves in my opinion. I actually like it better than Goat's Head Soup, which is less consistent. IORR has the iconic title track, the atmospheric Time Waits for No One and the funk of Fingerprint File, among other gems. People criticize Dance, Little Sister for being repetitive but I think it's a great Stones rocker. It's in my top seven Rolling Stones albums, and I make no apologies for that!
I agree Chris. It’s a great 70’s Stones album. Some fantastic deep cuts like Short And Curlies, Till The Next Goodbye, Fingerprint File. I like Goats Head Soup as well, but It’s Only Rock N Roll has treats galore.
Also check out album straight ahead by Brian auger fantastic came out 74
You don't like these albums, but I decided to remind you of them anyway: the work of David Bowie's friend - Edgar Froese: "Aqua", and the album of the band Tangerine Dream, whose leader was Edgar Froese: "Phaedra". In 1974, these two albums opened new areas for the imagination and sensitivity of music reception in the second half of the twentieth century. A pioneering work of electronic music. For me personally, these are unforgettable masterpieces. You can easily not worry about the opinions of music critics. They are always wrong.
@@pawehohmann8171 You got that right. Phaedra is an awesome album.
They didn't like the David Live album because he took control of the music back from the machine and the critics.
The "David Live" version of "Cracked Actor" is one of my all-time favorite Bowie recordings.
@@bacarandii Earl Slick is a fucking beast on that song (and on the whole record, IMO).
@@bacarandii Hell yeah 👍
@@davidhartz5301 Indeed 😉
Fear by John Cale, I don’t like it all but when it’s good , it’s really good, Country Life by Roxy Music as well, great album.
I believe it’s from 74 John Dawson Winter by Johnny Winter one off my favorites 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
@@NicholasANappiNick I don’t have that one. Love Winter’s playing. That first album The Progressive Blues Experiment is an all time fave of mine.
Steppenwolf/ ''Slow Flux'' Michael Fennelly/ ''Lane Changer'' Doug Sahm/''Groovers Paradise'' Brinsley Schwarz/''The new favorites of'' Alvin Lee and Mylon/''On the road to freedom'' Savoy Brown/''Boogie Brothers''.
David Live is great- it is an album though with studio overdubs but what a version Moon Age Daydream
Absolutely 😉
"Natural Progressions" by the Bernie Leadon and Michael Georgiades Band.
Had it on vinyl. Very hard to find in the CD/streaming era.
@@davidhartz5301 I did not see any CD's on eBay, lots of vinyl.
Sounds like an interesting album..
Picked it up at a thrift shop and loved it !
I think all of these choices are better left unsung say for David Live. The Kinks Preservation Act is an interesting study though... the concept far outshines the music, which is a shame, it's such a great concept. But its good to dust these off, there are nuggets of greatness in them hills!
Uriah Heep Wonderworld.
I'll have to go with Nektar, and their 1974 album 'Down to Earth'.
@@keithkarlinsky6632 Never heard that one. Another one to add to my listening list. 😉
@@tomrobinson5776 Nektar's whole catelog is pretty much unsung, but they were a pretty frequent listen in our circles back in the day. BTY great mention of 'Exotic Birds and Fruit'. It's made it into my top 3 Procol releases, and that's saying a lot. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Tom. Interesting topic. So, I've tried 3-4 times to listen to Hatfield and the North's second album, and really don't get it. Must be me. Totally agree with you on the 'concept' period of the Kinks.
Difficult because I'm unsure which albums were/are unsung and/or panned and by whom. In any case, Phoebe Snow was a fresh sounding album and considered to be a great debut at the time. I suspect it still sounds good, bluesy-jazzy. Where was the popular music roller coaster in 1974? It is, or was, cliche that Punk would become the antidote to Prog, but I think also to bluesy Rock. Ronnie Wood's 'I've Got My Own Album to Do' seemed kind of thrown together but was still a likable "hang-out" album, very much of it's time (just before he joined the Stones, the Stones joined him for this album.) Shuggie Otis's 'Inspiration Information' and Ry Cooder's 'Paradise and Lunch' still sound pretty good to me, timeless? There was 'Hoople' and 10CC's 'Sheet Music' while T Rex and Bowie were working out who might be first to fuse Glam and Disco. Rod Stewart's 'Smiler' was a decent album, just not as good as his first 4 solo albums, so he soon latched on to disco for the win. ($$$)
Hi Tom. I couldn't resist commenting on War Child. Where do I place it? In the middle somewhere. To me, their second third and fourth albums are their best. Most of the rest seem to be a matter of personal taste. Lately I am listening to Heavy Horses an album that sat around here for years. It has moved up in my esteem. If you watch Tull ranking videos they tend to be all over the place. That is what I mean by personal taste. PS I am having trouble offering a thanks as they want me to log in to Google. I haven't done that in years and some type of glitch has developed. I gave initially without difficulty but no Google log in was requested. I will work it out.
@@jackruth2733 Thank you. Another Tull album I’ve always liked is Songs From The Wood. Pretty consistent throughout.
Yay, another Capo Fetish has dropped!!😊
You pique my curiosity about the Procul Harum album, and I will see if I can find it. I have never even heard of it. By 1974 there was hardly anything in pop, rock or soul that I liked, and I was listening mostly to medieval & renaissance or to British folk. This was also the year I permanently discontinued my personal favorite top 20 singles of the month as I could no longer find even 10 singles I liked. I later took fresh interest when punk/new wave/new romantic/synth pop hit the scene. I again lost interest once again after 1985, but fell in love with Indie music (mostly British) after 2000.
I'm having a hard time coming up with a 1974 album I really loved. Carole King's "Wrap Around Joy" (a Billboard #1) had some good stuff but lacked the deep cuts of "Tapestry" or "Thoroughbred". Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" is OK. I still hold a grudge against ELO for "El Dorado", which I thought (aside from the single) was a load of shit which I tossed out. A really thin year for me. '75 was better with "Main course" and "Blue Jays" (now THERE is an unappreciated masterpiece).
Hayward & Lodge's "Blue Jays" album! That is an underappreciated masterpiece! In regard to ELO's "Eldorado," I think the album was mixed rather poorly. The following year's "Face The Music," I think, is superior. At least it sounds better!
@rickwhiteley1705 I still listen to Blue Jays.
KISS first two albums in 74. Self Titled and Hotter Than Hell.
@@WThomas66 I have them both as part of The Originals re-release from 1976. 😉
1974 was a bad year? Not for me, maybe because it was the year I graduated high school and went to college. I checked Wikipedia and counted at least 63 albums from 1974 that I have on vinyl. Critics got it wrong a lot back then. On the Beach was panned and now it’s considered a masterpiece. Here’s a few “panned” albums from 1974 that I’d add to your list: Traffic’s When the Eagle Flies, Fleetwood Mac’s Heroes are Hard to Find, Jefferson Starship’s Dragon Fly (especially Grace Slick’s Hyperdrive), and Mike Oldfield’s Hergest Ridge (which I like even more than Tubular Bells). I even remember Eric Clapton’s best solo album ever, 462 Ocean Boulevard getting bad reviews. Btw, the Hatfield and the North, Phoebe Snow, Procol Harum, and the Brian Auger LPs are all favorites of mine. You’re right, not enough people talk about Brian. And also, not enough people talk about his female vocalist Julie Driscoll (later Tippetts). She had an incredible voice. Her vocals on Encore, Open, Streetnoise, and their Best of compilation are phenomenal. Finally concerning Jethro Tull, I’m a big fan and I’d place War Child respectfully somewhere in the middle; they can’t all be five star masterpieces. My favorite unsung album of 1974 is I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight by Richard and Linda Thompson. Linda was another phenomenal singer
Julie Driscoll (Tippetts) is without question one of the greatest unsung singers of all time. Those vocals on Streetnoise are phenomenal. Her version of Rope Ladder To The Moon on Encore is stunning. The Richard and Linda Thompson Bright lights album is excellent.
I'm psyched to see "David Live" on here. I was 13 at the time and that was the first Bowie album I ever heard. But it rocketed Bowie to the top of my list of favorite artists. No, it's not his best, nor is it even a great live album, but it will always be special because it introduced me to Bowie, who became an obsession
I couldn't get into Bowie's live Philadelphia album. The Santa Monica album is good.
Doobies vices album a classic
That Kinks album is sensational. They really didn’t get the appreciation they deserved in the 70s.
@@GoneButNotGone No doubt about it. 😉
I recently completed my Fester's Lucky 13: 2024 Year-End Summary. Cappo Fetish made my Lucky 13 for UA-cam channels!
Here's a curated list of albums just for you. Lucky 13 page linked in my profile for all the extensive genre lists and blurbs.
1. The Sea Kings - Fear is All Around
2. Rosalie Cunningham - To Shoot Another Day
3. The Blinders - Beholder
4. Meatbodies - Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom
5. The Mystery Lights - Purgatory
6. White Denim - 12
7. Caldwell - Caldwell
8. Redd Kross - Redd Kross
9. The Resonars - Electricity Plus
10. Peter Perrett - The Cleansing
11. The Galileo 7 - You, Me and Reality
12. Susan James - Time is Now
13. The Blank Tapes - Good Ol’ Days
Bubbling under: The Ar-Kaics, Ty Segall (which of course I know you have and love), Mary Timony, Jane Weaver, Shadow Show, The Prisoners, Charles Moothart, Valley Lodge, The Courettes.
@@Fastnbulbous1969 Thanks for the list. I’ll check these out when time permits. And thanks for including my channel in your lucky 13. 😉
I guess i was very much into The Eagles then - 10th grade. 1974 seems an athanema. Perhaps i was not as much into albums then.
On the Border--don't know if it was '74, but that's their best album.
.....'worst' year? Not HARDLY.....War Child is in MY Top 5 Tull albums (along with Stormwatch, Broadsword, and YES, Under Wraps - a MUCH-better album than MANY, would assert) - to these ears, Beth Orton is the ONLY female singer-songwriter who EVER evoked Phoebe & "Poetry Man" - a LOT.....agree on the Harum MIGHTILY!
where did you get those record shelves?
@@kwd-kwd My dad made them back in the early 80’s. He was big on woodwork in his spare time. These shelf’s were built to last. Super thick.
War Child is great - Bungle In The Jungle is the weakest track, and Ladies really shows Anderson's ability to write beautiful music.
dire straits made "brothers in arms". the allman brothers made "brothers and sisters".........i had no idea david bowie covered the ohio players!
ua-cam.com/video/FelpHTqUKkQ/v-deo.html
one of your favorite singers here!
I caught Tom's boo boo on the ABB album
@@WayneScank i replayed the video and for a second thought he'd said it right and i was the one making the boo boo. it's not as though it matters!!!
@@marcyfan-tz4wj Ooops! I realized that error afterward. Don’t know why I was thinking Dire Straits in that millisecond. 😉
@@tomrobinson5776 a millisecond is about the longest time interval that you're wrong about music!
I'd have to throw "It's Only Rock & Roll" by the Stones in there. Savaged by the critics, but why?? It's a fucking great record! And Mick Taylor's last. Time Waits For No One is epic, Luxury, Dance Little Sister, Fingerprint File. They're all highlights IMO.
@@senatorjimdracula1603 I agree 100 percent and I almost threw it on the list. Don’t know why it’s underrated. Till The Next Goodbye, Short And Curlies, Luxury & Fingerprint File are some of my fave Stones deep cuts from the 70’s period.
Sorry rambling Poco cantamos top 3 for them . A perfect country rock album second without furay .
Aside from "Tommy", what other LP telling a story has ever been a critical or popular success? To most people they come off as pretentious. Look at Sinatra's "Watertown" (1970), which told the story of a man who went through a divorce. Co-written by Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes, strong songwriters, it was Sinatra's only LP between 1964 and his death to fail to make the top 100. Albums that tell a story hardly ever are commercially successful.
@@GeraldM_inNC You have a point 😉
Phoebe Snow's 1974 is "unsung"??? Dude, it's a gold record and reached #4 on the LP charts. It got heavy airplay at the time. I recall purchasing it and being bored to death. Not my kind of music.
SHF excellent saw them at Santa Monica civic . Second album mediocre
"Rock Journalism is People Who Can’t Write Interviewing People Who Can’t Talk for People Who Can’t Read" (Frank Zappa)
Why has Phoebe Snow been so undervalued in rock history? Well basically, because it is obviously a WOMAN singing, not some adolescent-sounding female, which seems to be what most (male) critics want to salivate over (and yes, the masses out there should bear some of the blame. (And maybe, the late Ms. Snow never equaled her debut release, the reason from what I gather, had to do with really bad management.)
Phoebe Snow was always acclaimed by critics, but had a tragic personal life. Her daughter was born in 1976 with severe brain damage and she insisted on caring for her herself at home. She continued to record, but it made it almost impossible to tour. Her daughter died in 2007 and Phoebe died in 2011.
@@Slotnikoff Zappa was the king of great one liners. 😉
I don't recall 1974 being "one of the worst years in Rock" but it's possible memory just doesn't serve me well. Back then I was listening extensively to the two King Crimson records released that year, along with the late '74 release by Yes, _Relayer_ . Gentle Giant released _The Power And The Glory_ that year, and The Who released a fantastic retrospective called, _Odds & Sods_ , with some great material compiled by The Ox himself. Philip Catherine released _September Man_ that is more Jazz than Rock but it's a killer... , and ELP released _Welcome Back My Friends_ , which is a record I literally wore out, and is still one of my favorite live albums of all time. 1974 was a year where the music critics got it wrong, just as they do in any other year.
I agree 100 percent. The critics are full of shit most of the time. Odds And Sods is an excellent compilation with some of the greatest deep Who cuts.
I don't know. 1974 seems a very mediocre year in music to me, and I often confuse it with the much better 1973. In addition, I have trouble deciding what is unsung, since the things I like seem to have gained in reputation so much, and the things I didn't like are so easy to forget. And I no longer have ANY idea what was panned.
I looked up some artists that I still like; you tell me if they are "unsung" or what:
One of John Cale's best, Fear, was released that year, likewise Brian Eno's Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy), and Sparks' Propoganda. Are they unsung? Not by me and their many other fans, they aren't. Compared to, I don't know, Linda Ronstadt or The Eagles, I suppose so.
Let's take a look at some artists that I liked, who put out records in 1973, and what they did in 1974. Kevin Ayers released The Confessions of Dr. Dream, a so-so album with some rehash material. Gong concluded the Planet Gong trilogy with its least entry, You, after which Daevid Allen left the band, which continued in a different direction. Hawkwind released Hall Of The Mountain Grill, a disappointment, amid the firing of Lemmy and other personnel changes. Better days were to come. These examples got about the respect I thought they deserved.
What can I tell you? If there's something that belongs in this post, that I haven't mentioned, I've probably forgotten it forever.
I can look back on '74 and discover some good music, but at the time I thought the year was pretty weak. In a way I still do.
On reflection, here's another mixed bag. King Crimson put out two records that year: Starless And Bible Black, which I think was definitely underrated, and Red, which got plenty of attention. Blue Oyster Cult released their third album, Secret Treaties, which the fans liked, but seems overlooked in retrospect (all the first-time listeners on UA-cam start with the post-Reaper material). And Frank Zappa released Apostrophe ('), which got loads of attention (and a hit single), and Roxy And Elsewhere, a much better live album that generated less interest at the time but continues to build in reputation with the decades. Oh, and Lou Reed put out a piece of crap called Sally Can't Dance, which I do remember as being panned by some of his biggest fans. And there's Velvet Underground Live '69, which is right up there with the best VU albums but is rarely mentioned in band overviews.
Roger McGuinn - Peace On You
@@thomasrobinson182 Never heard that McGuinn album. I’ll check it out.
@tomrobinson5776 CBS was looking for more sales volume and picked the producer. The title song is a Charlie Rich number. There's also material from Al Kooper and Dan Folgleberg. Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman sing backup.
Rock'n'roll fans were pretty rigid.