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.
Music Corner w/ Archive 