Mike’s 1977

I agree with Tim, 1977 is one of the great years in recorded music history. A complete list of the 1977 records I own is available here, and my top 77 from 77 too.

Albums:

1. Talking Heads–Talking Heads: 77. An album to nod along with, rather than head bang to. Love Byrne’s optimism.
2. Television–Marquee Moon. Well, we all know this one by heart, don’t we? Even if I hadn’t already seen Tim’s list, I would have bet that many of the same albums would appear this month. And I would have also bet on this one appearing most often. I have a hard time imagining a list of the most-beloved 77 records without this one. Hard for me to pick any one song over another, which makes for a pretty great album, I’d say.
3. Keith Jarrett–The Survivors’ Suite. As with so many of his works, just intensely lovely and melodic. This is by far my favorite. Doesn’t seem to be available online.
4. The Clash–The Clash. I find that I don’t pull this one out very often, but each time I do I sure am glad I’ve done so. Just noticing now that four of these 10 albums are first releases. I agree with Tim on his selections, but this is another one where every last song is brilliant. Allow me to just add “Police and Thieves.”
5. Brian Eno–Before and After Science. Prefer the second side, which I would regard as some of the most beautiful music of the 20th Century. I mean, seriously, “Here He Comes,” “Julie With,” “By This River,” “Through Hollow Lands,” and “Spider and I” one after the other.
6. Joni Mitchell–Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter. Criminally underrated. Joni, and her band, at an entirely other level. Nothing else quite like it that I’ve ever heard. Have you noticed yet that each time I list this, or something from it, I don’t write anything. I find it indescribable, really.
7. The Stranglers–Stranglers IV (Rattus Norvegicus). “Jet” was nearly forty when this was recorded. Heh.
8. Van Der Graaf–The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome. I take it that many VDGG fans loathe this release, I suppose in much the way that some Genesis fans dislike post-Gabriel Genesis. Shorter songs, that may be more accessible, as though that were a bad thing in itself. Still plenty progressive, I’d say, however you want to define it. “Siren Song.”
9. David Bowie–Low
10. Pink Floyd–Animals. What a kick to be able to turn a son on to the Floyd. “Comfortably Numb” and the Wall is where it is at for him right now, as it was for me too initially. He’ll get to this and the early stuff on his own one day, I’m sure of it.
11. Tompall Glaser–Tompall Glaser and his Outlaw Band. Couldn’t restrain myself from listing one more album. Try the great Tennessee Blues.

Songs:
1. Anthony Phillips–“God if I Saw Her Now.” Hard as I’ve tried, I can’t say I really love any other Ant song. This is timeless.
2. The Motors–“Dancing the Night Away”
3. AC/DC–“Whole Lotta Rosie.” So juvenile, and thank god, I can’t help but continue to get a huge kick out of it.
4. NRBQ–“Call Him Off Rogers”
5. X-Ray Spex–Oh Bondage Up Yours/I’m a Cliche
6. Al Green–“Belle”
7. Bill Evans–“A Child Is Born”
8. Donna Summer–“I Feel Love”
9. Phil Manzanera/801–“Island”
10. Electric Light Orchestra–“Standing in the Rain”
11. Sex Pistols–“Anarchy in the U.K.” I admit it, I don’t ever play the entire album. I pull it out to play a specific cut or two, including, always, this one.

Brent’s 1973

Albums

1)  Larks’ Tongues In Aspic – King Crimson – (LTIA Pt. 1 – LTIA Pt. 2)

Nothing like LTIA!

2)  Raw Power – The Stooges (Search And Destroy – Penetration)

Ageless…right?

3)  Betty Davis – Betty Davis (Come Take Me – Your Man My Man)

Understood “Come and Take Me” isn’t on the original Lp…but god…how funky it it?

4)  Black Beings – Frank Lowe – (In Trane’s Name – Bother Joseph)

Frank at his most fierce lays down a free jazz classic.

5)  Lou Reed – Berlin (Caroline Says II – The Bed)

Gorgeous and harrowing.

6)  Quadrophenia – The Who (The Punk And The Godfather – Sea And Sand)

7)  Faust IV – Faust (Krautrock – It’s A Bit Of A Pain)

8)  Indent – Cecil Taylor (Part 1 – Part 2)

Well…A Master.

9)  Conference Of The Birds – Dave Holland Quartet (See-Saw – Interception)

10)  Selling England By The Pound – Genesis (Dancing With The Moonlit Knight – Firth Of Fifth)

Genesis at they’re most commercial? Seriously!

 

Songs

1)  Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?) – David Bowie – Aladdin Sane

Mike Garson’s contributions here can’t be overstated.

2)  Khalid of Space, Pt. 2 Welcome – Larry Young – Lawrence Of Newark

James Blood Ulmer is so right on here and an uncredited Pharaoh Sanders blows!

3)  Jesus Is Waiting – Al Green (Call Me)

His delivery is so moving…make me a believer?

4)  Rain Dance – Herbie Hancock (Sextant)

Herbie steps into the future, or another dimension?

5)  Dolphins – Tim Buckley (Seforina)

Long in his live set…not sure how I missed this on the covers theme…

6)  La Grange – ZZ Top (Tres Hombres)

7)  The Night Comes Down – Queen (Queen)

Honestly not sure if Freddie ever laid down a better vocal track.

8)  They’re Making A Monster – Copperhead (Copperhead Feat. John Cippolina)

9)  Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory – Traffic (Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory)

What a groove!

10)  Fur Immer – NEU! (NEU 2)

Mike’s Streaks

Sorry folks, been traveling for a few weeks and did a pretty good job of limiting the tech so this is very late. I won’t repeat other’s selections, but will indicate agreement in their posts.

Albert Ayler (1965-1968): Spiritual Unity, Spirits Rejoice, Lorrach/Paris 1966, in Greenwich Village, Love Cry.

Tim Berne (1987-2002): Fulton Street Maul, Sanctified Dreams, Fractured Fairy Tales, Pace Yourself, Diminutive Mysteries, Nice View, Bloodcount (all 6 or so), and can’t restrict myself to five, going to have to keep going to include the first couple Paraphrase albums, the duos, Open Coma, Shell Game, Science Friction.

Genesis (1971-1976): Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, A Trick of the Tail.

Al Green (1971-1973): Gets Next to You, Let’s Stay Together, I’m Still in Love with You, Call Me, Livin’ for You.

Andrew Hill (1964-1966): Black Fire, Judgement!, Point of Departure, Compulsion, Smokestack

Waylon Jennings (1973-1975):Lonsome, On’ry and Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes, This Time, The Ramblin’ Man, Dreaming My Dreams.

The Kinks (1966-1970): Face to Face, Something Else, Are the Village Green Preservation Society, Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire, Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneyground.

Myra Melford (1992-1999): Now & Now, Alive in the House of the Saints, Even the Sounds Shine, The Same River, Twice, Above Blue.

Joni Mitchell (1974-1977): Court and Spark, Miles of Aisles, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter.

Van Morrison (1968-1972): Astral Weeks, Moondance, His Band and the Street Choir, Tupelo Honey, Saint Dominic’s Preview.

Roxy Music (1972-1974): Roxy Music, For Your Pleasure, Stranded, Country Life, Siren.

Steely Dan (1972-1977): Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam.

Talking Heads (1977-1980): 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food, Fear of Music, Remain in Light, The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads.

King Crimson (1973-1982): Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, Red, Discipline, Beat.

Miles Davis (1968-1971): Nefertiti, Filles de Kilimanjaro, In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, A Tribute to Jack Johnson.

Thin Lizzy (1976-1979): Jailbreak, Johnny the Fox, Bad Reputation, Live and Dangerous, Black Rose

Velvet Underground (1967-1970): Not five but close and an entire career deserves note here: The Velvet Underground and Nico, White Light/White Heat, The Velvet Underground, Loaded.