1975, What a Crazy Year in Music

SONGS

Nights on Broadway (Bee Gees). Was tempted to skip this one since Main Course already appears in Tim’s album list, and I’ve mentioned this track before in a previous theme. But this song has one of my favorite bridges, and, remember, I was a living, breathing, hardcore AM radio listener in 1975. This song takes me back like no other.

30 Seconds Over Tokyo/Heart of Darkness (Pere Ubu). How would my life be different if I’d picked up this single in 1975 instead of, what, America’s “Sister Golden Hair?” What would I have thought of it if I had? Can’t select one of these songs over the other, they are both so utterly ground-breaking. Not my favorite early Ubu single, that would be their next one released in early ’76, “Final Solution,” but this is close.

Shining Star (Earth, Wind, and Fire)

Love Rollercoaster (Ohio Players). Another one that took my head off in 1975.

Simple Twist of Fate (Bob Dylan). I have a hard time listening to the studio version of Blood on the Tracks ever since Bob sent me the boot of the New York recordings. Thought of listing that in albums, because it is one of my desert island records, but it wasn’t released as a boot until sometime in the 90s I think. This track is one of the five NY recordings that wasn’t re-recorded in Minneapolis, and appears on the original studio album. What a love song.

Desperadoes Waiting for a Train (Guy Clark)

Stranglehold (Ted Nugent). If you can get past the lyrics.

Muddy Mouse (c) which in turn leads to Muddy Mouth (Robert Wyatt)

Beat the Retreat (Richard & Linda Thompson)

Cortez the Killer (Neil Young)

ALBUMS

Bruce Cockburn–Joy Will Find a Way. 10 tracks delivered straight from heaven. And I’m not even religious.

Slapp Happy/Henry Cow–Desperate Straights. Like all the great ones, it took me a while to get this. Glad I did.

Julius Hemphill–‘Coon Bid’ness. The final 20 plus minute “Hard Blues” groove orgy turned me on to this initially. Have grown to appreciate the other tracks even more (“Skin,” “Lyric“), if that is possible. Two great groups that both include one of my favorite musicians of all time, Abdul Wadud, who always makes me wish the cello appeared more often in jazz, and that there was more of him on record. But you can be endlessly thrilled focusing on any of the musicians on this record, or the combination.

Eno–Another Green World

Joni Mitchell–The Hissing of Summer Lawns

Neil Young–Tonight’s the Night

Jerry Lee Lewis–Boogie Woogie Country Man. My favorite country album by the Killer.

Mary McCaslin–Prairie in the Sky. This album is a masterpiece of western country. I listened to one of Emmylou Harris’ 1975 releases and this one back to back. The songs on the much-lauded Elite Hotel don’t approach these. They really don’t.

Steely Dan–Katy Lied. I know they are not beloved by all here, especially their mid-70s records. I love everything about this and Aja. The studio precision and perfection and the incredible musicianship and arrangements don’t detract a bit from the great melodies and increasingly mature lyrics, they enhance them.

Budgie–Bandolier. To add a little balance this year that includes great music of every type, I’ve got to include one of the great hard rock albums here.

I tried to listen to every record in my collection released in 1975 last month, and might have made it had I not played these selections and others multiple times. There are dozens of other albums I might have listed on another day. I even tried to list my favorite 75 from 75, if you’re interested. I might have included any of the top 50 or so. Here’s every 1975 record in my collection, most rated on a scale of 1-5.

Mike’s Bs

Songs (in no particular order)

1. Carla Bley—”3/4“
2. Brothers Johnson—”Strawberry Letter #23“
3. Tony Bennett—”I Left My Heart in San Francisco“
4. Bon Iver—”Flume“
5. The Bee Gees—”Nights on Broadway“
6. Bonnie Prince Billy—”I See a Darkness“
7. Johnny Burnette—”Train Kept a Rollin’“
8. Beck—”Lonesome Tears“
9. Anne Briggs—”Go Your Way“
10. Kate Bush—“Mother Stands for Comfort”
11. David Bowie—“Heroes”
12. Toni Braxton—“Un-Break My Heart”
13. Lindsay Buckingham—“Surrender the Rain”
14. Buffalo Springfield—“Mr. Soul”
15. Buzzcocks—“Everybody’s Happy Nowadays”
16. The Byrds–“What’s Happening?“

Albums (in no particular order)

1. The Beatles—White Album
2. Kenny Baker—Plays Bill Monroe (“Lonesome Moonlight Waltz“, “Brown County Breakdown“,  “Jerusalem Ridge“). Totally transcends genre, but “progressive rock” works as well as “bluegrass” as a genre descriptor.
3. Richard Buckner—Bloomed (“Desire“, “Blue and Wonder“). One of the great guitar records of all-time, no percussion on the album, just a whole bunch of acoustic strings that makes you wonder why anyone country bothers with drums, a voice that resonates in your bones, and lyrics as true as anything this side of Dylan.
4. Anthony Braxton—Willisau Quartet (not online)
5. Tim Berne—Diminutive Mysteries (Mostly Hemphill) (not online)
6. Harry Belafonte—Swing Dat Hammer (“Bald Headed Woman“). As far from the light calypso/pop confectionary that dominated his career as you can get. Here are classic and incredibly obscure chain-gang and work songs. Tender, delicate and sensitive (Diamond Joe, Another Man Done Gone) to impassioned and powerful (Rocks and Gravel), Belafonte sings with incredible sensitivity or strength throughout, a perfect setting for his remarkable voice. Soul shattering.
7. Black Sabbath—Paranoid (“Fairies Wear Boots“)
8. Jack Bruce—Harmony Row (“Can You Follow?“, “Escape to the Royal Wood (on Ice)“, “Folk Song“)
9. Beach Boys—Smile (“Surf’s Up“)
10. David Byrne—Music for The Knee Plays (“Tree“, “In the Future“)

John Peacock’s 1970 List

Albums:

1. George Harrisson – All Things Must Pass

The White Album may be my favorite Beatles album, but this is a close second. The music speaks for itself. I love every note. It rocks. It laments. It brings joy and tears. Beautiful. Haunting. Amazing. Definitely an all-time top-10 album. The title track is one of my favorite songs ever. Standouts: All Things Must Pass, Beware of Darkness, If not for you, I Dig Love, I’d Have You Anytime, Isn’t It a Pity, Wah Wah, What Is Life, My Sweet Lord. The out-take I Live For You is also totally amazing.

2. Emitt Rhodes – Emitt Rhodes

This is the album that we all expected Paul McCartney to deliver when he went solo. Beautiful, polished pop gems with amazing delivery and hooks. Another perfect album. No flaws. I love every song and every note. Standouts: Promises I’ve Made, You Should Be Ashamed of Yourself, Somebody Made for Me, Lullabye

3. Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection

I should probably be worried that I might be coming off as a bit of an Elton John nut on this blog. With two albums from him on this list alone, it might be true. But let me cleanse the pallet by saying “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (the album) is easily one of the most bloated and over-rated albums of all time, and hardly anything Elton did after 1975’s “Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy” is even worth listening to. But with that being said, Elton was on fire in 1970. He and Bernie Taupin were making mature, beautiful albums of Americana in the best sense of the word. Elton’s voice sounds great. The productions are fantastic. And those songs… Those heart-breakingly beautiful songs. Standouts: Come Down In Time, Country Comfort, Ballad of a Well Known Gun, Love Song, Amoreena, Burn Down The Mission, My Father’s Gun

4. The Bee Gees – Cucumber Castle

It’s only in a year that has this many strong albums that Cucumber Castle could fall 4th on my list. This album is awesome. Only 2 Bee Gees on this record, as Robin is absent. Barry really gets to shine. Just in case you aren’t totally up on this band’s history, there is no proto-disco to be found on this album. And if you are familiar with their first three (arguably great) poppy, though often somber, albums, this isn’t quite that either. But this is a truly emotionally charged set of well-crafted, and slightly bizarre, pop gems, with more than just a hint of a country influence on several tracks. Standouts: The Chance of Love, I Was The Child, If I Only Had My Mind On Something Else, The Lord, Don’t Forget To Remember Me

5. The Beach Boys – Sunflower

Would you believe this is my favorite Beach Boys Record? Truthfully, not counting “Smile,” it very well may be. Brian made a very special record with Pet Sounds, but this is a very different band, from a different era: The Brothers era. No more attempts at Phil Spector production, or songs of teenage love. Or surfering or cars, for that matter. This is honest songwriting with dry and immediate production. It’s not your parent’s Beach Boys, nor is it the Beach Boys of the indie/hipster crowd. It’s out of step with it’s own time, but I don’t know during what time this album would have felt in step. Yeah, it’s mostly soft rock, but I think you’ve begun to see that I don’t shy away from that. It’s great hear all of the talented writers step forward as Brian steps backwards. Especially the overlooked Bruce Johnston, and of course Carl. Standouts: Tears in the Morning, Slip On Through, Forever, This Whole World, Our Sweet Love, Cool, Cool Water.

6. The Beatles – Let It Be

See the post on this from my Beatles picks. I Dig a Pony. I Me Mine.

7. Harry Nilsson – Nilsson Sings Newman

Harry Nilsson was a gift. Great voice. Great songs from the fledgling Randy Newman. Strange and beautiful record. Living Without You, Love Story; Outtake: Snow

8. Elton John – Elton John

This record announced that Elton was here. “Your Song” may be a bit over-played at this point, but it’s still a pretty remarkable and magical little composition. Then there’s Take Me To The Pilot, Border Song, No Shoe Strings On Louise and The Cage.

9. Chicago – Chicago (II)

Two words: Terry Kath. He sings and plays his ass off on this record. So much soul. RIP. The drumming on this record deserves special notice as well. Six more words: Ballet for a Girl In Buchannan.

10. Bill Fay – Bill Fay

I had a hard time selecting my 10th album, as my first 9 were no-brainers for me. No Dice, Bitches Brew, Bryter Layter, Mona Bone Jakon, Tea for the Tillerman, Signed Sealed Delivered, The Carpenters… These and others were all contenders. And on another day they may have even been better choices. But I went for something less obvious. There are some duds on this Bill Fay debut, but there are also quite a few treasures. If you’ve not yet been initiated, here are a couple of said treasures: Be Not So Fearful, Garden Song

Songs:

1. Donny Hathaway – This Christmas

That’s right. I’m topping my singles list from 1970 with a Christmas song. So good. Donny was never able to record songs this great on his own albums for some reason, but this songs really clearly proclaims all of his promise. Just listen to that bass! Or the honky tonk-ish piano solo… Or Donny’s vocals… Or those horns… It’s always Christmas when this song is on.

2. The Free Design – Bubbles

This is what pure joy sounds like.

3. Candi Staton – You Don’t Love Me No More

I love how raw Candi’s early records sound. A recent discovery for me. It’s a delight to find things like this after so much time.

4. Badfinger – Midnight Caller

My favorite Badfinger song is constantly changing. But this is it for me right now. I especially love the “Nobody” call and response vocals on the outro.

5. Ruby Andrews – Help Yourself Lover

Nearly the end of the singles era, here is a great slice of independent soul. A great artist with several other late 60s gems worth seeking out.

6. Freda Payne – Band of Gold

I’ve got Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered” on this list too… I think this made a similar musical statement, but just a little bit better. The B-side of this record is nearly as awesome.

7. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed

“Junk” from the album McCartney is another one that almost made the list. Among his best solo tracks…

8. Stevie Wonder – Signed Sealed Delivered

I forget how much I love this song until I hear it. Really, the first 4 tracks off this album are pretty great. A taste of what was to come once he received creative control 2 years later. Only 20 years old on this record. What was I doing at 20?!

9. The Carpenters – We’ve Only Just Begun

Everything makes this track. It rocks in it’s own way. And so does the tambourine on the chorus. Lots of great Bacharach covers to supplement this song’s greatness on the band’s accompanying album.

10. The Jackson 5 – The Love You Save

My favorite Jackson 5 single. They really sound like a band here. Michael and Jermaine’s back and forth on the bridge is perfection.