72 tracks, runtime 5h 30m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube
NICO'S ARTISTRY SKY-HIGH
Andy Warhol’s so-called “pop girl of ‘66” seemed like a dim and distant memory by the dawn of the 70s. Nico, a nomadic citizen of the globe, was back on European soil, and was, at this stage, a creative tour-de-force – in 1970 yet another fruitful association with John Cale easily set her apart as the world’s most intense and compelling artist from the alternative music scene. From the European avant-garde, she has cosmopolitan spirits this year in Köln's trance-rockers The Can, as well as Brittany's Brigitte Fontaine who unleashed the astonishing and wholly unique “Comme À La Radio” unto the world.
The many and varied strands of folk music account for no less than 9 of my favourite 15 LPs of the year with artists as diverse as the aforementioned Nico as well as Mr. Fox, Led Zeppelin, Loudon Wainwright III, Nick Drake, The Dubliners, Rodriguez, Simon and Garfunkel and T. Rex.
Laurel Aitken, Desmond Dekker and Bob Marley and The Wailers play key roles in helping to establish an album market for Reggae, whilst U-Roy brings the personality DJ craze to prominence on the LP format, toasting over last-gasps for the rocksteady beat.
The Beatles finally formalised their split and their final LP, the ho-hum “Let It Be”, suggests that was a good decision. Solo LPs are delivered by Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison; Lennon’s is best but fails to excite greatly, bar a couple of tracks. The popular Soft Rock / Adult Orientated Rock / Americana markets have started to spawn bores galore in fact, and the artists formerly known as the Fab 4 are far from being the worst offenders.
Following the tragic demise of 27 year-old Brian Jones in the summer of last year, music fans suffer a traumatic 4 weeks between September and October as Al ‘Blind Owl’ Wilson, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin all die separately aged 27 in similar drug-related circumstances. Just before his demise, Al’s fine parting gift is delivered via Canned Heat’s fifth LP, “Future Blues”.
Special mention must be made of The Last Poets, straight outta Harlem. They took their minimalistic African rhythm and Rap spiel straight to the Top 10 of the American album chart, lambasting white duplicity and black complacency in their key address to the black nation. Elsewhere, funk-soul brother Curtis Mayfield was re-enforcing the same message, encouraging the young, gifted blacks to move on up. With such raw and gritty passion on the agenda, music fans were winners.
The Jukebox Rebel
04-Mar-2016
revised 05-Jun-2016
DESERTSHORE Nico Reprise Records RS-6424 “A classic”Alternative Folk
Jukebox picks: “All That Is My Own” (10) • “Mütterlein” (9.8) • “Janitor Of Lunacy” (9.6) High art prevails on the fourth LP to bear Nico’s name, the second of her neo-classical trilogy. Having plundered Wordsw...more →
MORRISON HOTEL The Doors Elektra EKS-75007 “Excellent”Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “Peace Frog” (10) • “Roadhouse Blues” (10) • “Waiting For The Sun” (8.9) The ever-brilliant quartet opened the 70s with “Morrison Hotel”, their most muscular set to date. The album is divided i...more →
THE HIGH PRIEST OF REGGAE Laurel Aitken Pama Records PSP-1012 “Brilliant”Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Landlords And Tenants” (9.9) • “Hailes Selaise” (9.5) • “Suffering Still” (9.5) The High Priest Of Reggae? Around about this time it was no idle boast. 1969’s “Scandal In A Brixton Market” was a storm...more →
CAN SOUNDTRACKS The Can Liberty LBS 83 437 I “Brilliant”Trance Rock
Jukebox picks: “Mother Sky” (9.9) • “Don't Turn the Light on, Leave Me Alone” (9.2) • “Tango Whiskyman” (8.1) Their second album of new music but not an album statement as such, being that it’s a compilation of tracks that they we...more →
MR. FOX Mr. Fox Transatlantic Records TRA-226 “Brilliant”Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Gay Goshawk” (9.0) • “Mr. Fox” (8.9) • “Join Us In Our Game” (8.6) Essentially the group was the husband and wife duo of Bob and Carole Pegg, borne of the Yorkshire Dales, and enticed dow...more →
LED ZEPPELIN III Led Zeppelin Atlantic 2401002 “Brilliant”Folk Rock / Americana; Rock
Jukebox picks: “Friends” (9.8) • “Hats Off To (Roy) Harper” (9.5) • “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” (9.1) Following two neat albums in ’69, the third Led Zeppelin long player raised the game, and had some wholly terrific bount...more →
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III Loudon Wainwright III Atlantic SD-8260 “Brilliant”Folk
Jukebox picks: “Black Uncle Remus” (10) • “School Days” (8.8) • “Ode To A Pittsburgh” (8.4) The debut album from the newly-turned 24-year-old arrived in the fall of 1970 and straight away he’s reminiscing about t...more →
MOONDANCE Van Morrison Warner Bros. Records WS-1835 “Brilliant”Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Into The Mystic” (9.9) • “And It Stoned Me” (9.1) • “Everyone” (7.8) Van’s third LP arrived in January 1970; Eschewing the freeform, often long-drawn nature of the songs on the preceding “A...more →
BRYTER LAYTER Nick Drake Island Records ILPS-9134 “Brilliant”Folk; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Hazey Jane II” (9.6) • “Hazey Jane I” (9.2) • “One Of These Things First” (8.6) The tone of the second Nick Drake LP is tangibly more hopeful than the preceding “Five Leaves Left” and is a beautifully...more →
REVOLUTION The Dubliners Tribune TRLP-1015 “Really good”Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Button Pusher” (9.7) • “The Bonny Boy” (8.6) • “Sé Fáth Mo Bhuartha” (8.3) The Dubliners second LP for EMI-Columbia, this time solely produced by Phil Coulter who actually plays some piano on the...more →
TELL THE TRUTH Otis Redding ATCO Records SD 33-333 “Really good”Soul
Jukebox picks: “Wholesale Love” (9.0) • “I Got The Will” (8.8) • “Swingin’ On A String” (8.5) There’s something quite beautiful about the fact that Otis continues to party on into the 1970s with a great new album. ...more →
COLD FACT Rodriguez Sussex SXBS-7000 “Really good”Folk Rock / Americana; Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “Like Janis” (8.8) • “Crucify Your Mind” (8.7) • “Sugar Man” (8.2) Sixto Rodriguez was the sixth son of Mexican working-class parents. The Detroit-born lad was 27-year-old when he served ...more →
CURTIS Curtis Mayfield Curtom CRS-8005 “Really good”Soul
Jukebox picks: “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go” (9.4) • “Move On Up” (8.5) • “The Other Side Of Town” (8.2) The Impressions front-man stepped aside for this solo effort which arrived in September, 1970. It gave him the chance to...more →
YOU CAN GET IT IF YOU REALLY WANT Desmond Dekker Trojan Records TBL-146 “Really good”Ska / Rocksteady
Jukebox picks: “Pickney Gal” (8.8) • “You Can Get It If You Really Want” (8.5) • “Peace Of Mind” (7.5) With Desmond Dekker having taken up permanent residence in England in 1969, it was no great surprise when his third LP w...more →
T. REX T. Rex Fly Records HIFLY-2 “Good”New Wave; Alternative Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Wizard [album version ’70]” (8.8) • “One Inch Rock [album version ’70]” (7.7) • “Seagull Woman” (7.6) Arriving at the very end of 1970 was the 5th LP from the group which now lined up: Marc Bolan (23, vocals, guitar, bass,...more →
STARSAILOR Tim Buckley Straight STS-1064 “Good”Prog
Jukebox picks: “Song To The Siren” (10) • “Come Here Woman” (8.2) • “Moulin Rouge” (7.2) Things get proper weird on the formless “Starsailor”. A freeform rampage ranging from the beatless to the 17 to the 13 w...more →
FUN HOUSE The Stooges Elektra EKS-74071 “Good”Proto-Punk
Jukebox picks: “1970” (8.3) • “T.V. Eye” (7.9) • “Dirt” (6.8) No John Cale around for their second LP, this time produced in L.A. by former Kingsmen keyboardist, Don Gallucci. Iggy S...more →
THE LAST POETS The Last Poets Douglas 3 “Good”Hip Hop / Rap
Jukebox picks: “When The Revolution Comes” (8.7) • “New York, New York” (8.1) • “Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution” (7.6) Martin Luther King and Martin X were dead, black anger was rising. The time was right for The Last Poets who were at the...more →
TOTAL DESTRUCTION TO YOUR MIND Swamp Dogg Canyon Records LP-7706 “Good”Soul; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I Was Born Blue” (9.2) • “The World Beyond” (7.9) • “Redneck” (7.7) Career turn for the 28-year-old producer/songwriter/performer Jerry Williams, dropping his birth name, adopting the Swam...more →
VERSION GALORE U-Roy Treasure Isle TIS-079 “Good”Ska / Rocksteady
Jukebox picks: “Wear You To The Ball” (8.4) • “The Tide Is High” (8.0) • “Your Ace From Space” (7.7) 12 versions from creation. For your musical education. “Your Ace From Space” (version of “Broken Hearted” by Ken Par...more →
LOADED The Velvet Underground Cotillion SD-9034 “Good”Alternative Country; New Wave; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Sweet Jane” (10) • “Rock And Roll” (7.5) • “Lonesome Cowboy Bill” (6.9) After three stupendous LPs, the fourth, arriving in November ’70, was a big come-down for the punk-orientated within the...more →
PARANOID Black Sabbath Vertigo 6360-011 “Good”Rock
Jukebox picks: “Paranoid” (9.3) • “War Pigs” (7.5) • “Hand Of Doom” (6.8) The second album in seven months from these hard working class kids. And it’s even stronger than the first – I’m living ...more →
FUTURE BLUES Canned Heat Liberty LST-11002 “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Let’s Work Together” (9.4) • “My Time Ain’t Long” (7.9) • “London Blues” (7.2) Into the 70s, and the band were in good shape, notching up another big hit with a classic take on Wilbert Harrison’s “Le...more →
IF YOU MISS ’IM … I GOT ’IM John Lee Hooker featuring Earl Hooker Bluesway LP-6038 “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Bang Bang Bang Bang [1969 version]” (7.9) • “I Don’t Care When You Go” (7.2) • “If You Take Care Of Me, I’ll Take Care Of You” (7.0) Earl Hooker and his band backed his cousin John Lee Hooker on a series of club dates in California; afterwards John Lee ...more →
SOUL REBELS Bob Marley and The Wailers Upsetter TBL-126 “Decent enough”Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Soul Rebel” (8.4) • “Try Me” (6.8) • “400 Years [1970 version]” (6.8) Following LPs cut by Coxsone Dodd (1965) and Leslie Kong (1970) the Wailers moved on to work with Lee Perry who was, by ...more →
THE MADCAP LAUGHS Syd Barrett Harvest SHVL-765 “Decent enough”Alternative Folk; Lo-Fi; Psychedelia
Jukebox picks: “No Good Trying” (9.9) • “Terrapin” (9.3) • “Love You” (7.7) Syd’s first solo LP was fairly more gentle than his Pink Floyd material, often willing to be exposed barely with his lyr...more →
BACHARACH BAROQUE The Renaissance Ranwood RLP-8084 “Decent enough”Pop
Jukebox picks: “Always Something There To Remind Me” (9.3) • “Do You Know The Way To San Jose” (7.9) • “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” (7.1) Issued late in 1970. Snazzy orchestration that fairly injects some life into these Bacharach and David compositions. BSN...more →
I LOOKED UP The Incredible String Band Elektra 2469 002 “Decent enough”Alternative Folk; Folk
Jukebox picks: “This Moment” (7.9) • “Black Jack Davy” (6.9) • “Pictures In A Mirror” (6.8) Another fine LP from the quartet, described by Robin Williamson as a bit of a quickie. They lined up for this one: Robin...more →
A BEARD OF STARS Tyrannosaurus Rex Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1013 “Decent enough”Alternative Folk; Psychedelia
Jukebox picks: “Elemental Child” (7.8) • “Organ Blues” (7.6) • “By The Light Of A Magical Moon” (7.6) With Steve Peregrin Took having been ousted as a result of artistic frictions, Marc appointed a new sideman and marched ...more →
A NEW BLACK POET - SMALL TALK AT 125TH AND LENOX Gil Scott-Heron Flying Dutchman FDS-131 “Decent enough”Hip Hop / Rap
Jukebox picks: “Comment #1 [live ’70]” (8.8) • “Introduction / The Revolution Will Not Be Televised [live ’70]” (8.7) • “Small Talk At 125th & Lenox [live ’70]” (7.2) “A New Black Poet” proclaims the sleeve headline, missing a trick. “The Birth Of Rap” now that would have been a hea...more →
LADIES OF THE CANYON Joni Mitchell Reprise Records RS-6376 “Decent enough”Songwriter; Folk
Jukebox picks: “Big Yellow Taxi” (10) • “Conversation” (7.4) • “The Circle Game” (6.7) Third LP from the 26-year-old singer-songwriter, a lady of Laurel Canyon, a hub of counterculture in L.A. which was home...more →
THE BEST OF THE WAILERS The Wailers Beverley's Records BLP-011 “Decent enough”Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Stop The Train [album version '70]” (7.7) • “Back Out” (7.0) • “Soul Shakedown Party” (6.9) Largely recorded in May 1970 at Leslie Kong's Dynamic Sound Studios, backed by the house band, Beverly's All Stars. Agai...more →
BACK IN THE USA MC5 Atlantic SD-8247 “Decent enough”Proto-Punk
Jukebox picks: “The American Ruse” (8.0) • “Looking At You” (7.6) • “Shakin’ Street” (7.4) So I’ve now collected all three MC5 albums and my long-held view that they’re nowt special is confirmed; way too much bl...more →
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD David Bowie Mercury SR-61325 “Decent enough”Rock
Jukebox picks: “The Man Who Sold The World” (9.2) • “After All” (7.2) • “Saviour Machine” (6.6) The ultimate pop chameleon turns rock for his third album, the Zep and the Sabbath now seemingly being the greatest thin...more →
U The Incredible String Band Elektra 2665 001 “Decent enough”Alternative Folk; Folk
Jukebox picks: “Bad Sadie Lee” (9.1) • “I Know You” (8.4) • “El Wool Suite” (8.1) All the best groups are a bit bonkers and Incredible String Band certainly fit into that category. As the 60s turned int...more →
BARRETT Syd Barrett Harvest SHSP-4007 “Decent enough”Folk Rock / Americana; Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “It Is Obvious” (7.8) • “Wined And Dined” (6.7) • “Wolfpack” (6.2) The second and final Barret album arrived in quick succesion to the first. A good record, but the unfortunate reality is...more →
COME BACK DARLING Johnny Osbourne and The Sensations Trojan Records TTL-29 “Average”Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Warrior [1970 version]” (7.9) • “Come Back Darling” (7.5) • “Fish Mouth (He Who Keepth His Mouth)” (6.2) Johnny Osbourne's first LP was recorded when he was in early 20s, just before he emigrated to Canada. Producer Winston R...more →
ERIC BURDON DECLARES WAR Eric Burdon and War MGM Records SE-4663 “Average”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Tobacco Road : I Have A Dream” (8.7) • “The Vision Of Rassan : Roll On Kirk” (7.0) • “The Vision Of Rassan : Dedication” (6.7) The first post-post Animals album, and the first of two to be created with War. The concept was simple and engaging and,...more →
BLACK SABBATH Black Sabbath Vertigo VO-6 “Average”Rock
Jukebox picks: “Black Sabbath” (7.7) • “N.I.B.” (6.4) • “The Wizard” (6.3) The landmark debut album from the likeable Birmingham Four has been cited as a pioneer for heavy metal, stoner rock, doo...more →
HELLO, I’M JOHNNY CASH Johnny Cash Columbia KCS-9943 “Average”Country
Jukebox picks: “To Beat The Devil” (7.6) • “Devil To Pay” (7.3) • “Route No. 1, Box 144” (6.6) First foot into the 1970s for JC… and what a great title for an album. Surprised he hasn’t used it ’til now, what with...more →
WANDA JACKSON COUNTRY Wanda Jackson Capitol ST-434 “Average”Country
Jukebox picks: “Everything’s Leaving” (7.6) • “The Hunter” (7.0) • “By The Time You Get To Phoenix” (6.4) A strong set by recent standards, her best since “Blues In My Heart” 5 years earlier....more →
OSMIUM Parliament Invictus ST-7302 “Average”Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Oh Lord, Why Lord / Prayer” (9.2) • “Little Ole Country Boy” (7.9) • “Moonshine Heather” (6.6) Debut album from the expansive psychedelic funk collective, a loose cast twelve to fifteen strong, depending on whose co...more →
JOHN LENNON / PLASTIC ONO BAND John Lennon Apple Records PCS-7124 “Average”Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Working Class Hero” (10) • “God” (6.5) • “Isolation” (6.2) Arriving just in time for Christmas 1970 was the 4th long player from the 30-year-old singer-songwriter, his first pro...more →
TOM PAXTON 6 Tom Paxton Elektra EKS-74066 “Average”Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Jimmy Newman [original 1970 version]” (9.4) • “Annie’s Going To Sing Her Song” (7.4) • “Cindy’s Cryin’” (7.0) The sixth album from the 36-year-old Chicagoan, a bit of a hit and a miss for me, but with some great stuff to commend i...more →
AFTER THE GOLD RUSH Neil Young Reprise Records RS-6383 “Average”Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “After The Gold Rush” (7.7) • “Tell Me Why” (6.9) • “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (6.7) Nice to have Neil Young back in focus after his 'orrible but successful dalliance with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Starts s...more →
ANANDA SHANKAR Ananda Shankar Reprise Records RS-6398 “Average”Desi
Jukebox picks: “Sagar (The Ocean)” (7.7) • “Dance Indra” (7.3) • “Metamorphosis” (6.5) “Sagar (The Ocean)” is, for me, the highlight track from the 27-year-old's acclaimed debut set. The piece builds slo...more →
TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS Spirit Epic E-30267 “Average”Rock
Jukebox picks: “Prelude – Nothin' to Hide” (7.2) • “Morning Will Come” (7.0) • “Life Has Just Begun” (6.3) Fourth album from the psychedelic rockers from Los Angeles, more than decent in places. They lined up: Jay Ferguson (voc...more →
BACK HOME Chuck Berry Chess LPS-1550 “Average”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Have Mercy Judge” (6.0) • “I’m A Rocker” (5.9) • “Instrumental” (5.8) After several years with Mercury Records, Chuck Berry returned “Back Home” to Chess Records in November 1969, re-united ...more →
TONY JOE Tony Joe White Monument SLP-18142 “Average”Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Stockholm Blues” (7.0) • “Widow Wimberly” (6.7) • “Boom Boom” (6.4) His third album was once again recorded in Nashville and Memphis and he maintains the decent standards set in his previo...more →
IN ROCK Deep Purple Harvest SHVL-777 “Below average”Rock
Jukebox picks: “Hard Lovin' Man” (6.5) • “Child In Time” (6.4) • “Speed King” (5.6) The fourth album from the Hertfordshire 5-piece, featuring a new vocalist and bassist, as they seek (and succeed) to roc...more →
LET IT BE The Beatles Apple Records PXS-1 “Below average”Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Get Back” (7.1) • “For You Blue” (6.8) • “Two Of Us” (6.6) Most of “Let It Be” was recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the album “Abbey Road”. Unhappy wi...more →
TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN Cat Stevens Island Records ILPS-9135 “Below average”Songwriter; Folk
Jukebox picks: “Where Do The Children Play?” (6.8) • “Sad Lisa” (6.1) • “Wild World” (6.0) The fourth album from the multi-talented Londoner who wrote all the songs, sang, played all sorts of guitars and keyboar...more →
NEW MORNING Bob Dylan Columbia KC-30290 “Below average”Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Day Of The Locusts” (6.7) • “If Not For You” (6.4) • “Three Angels” (6.2) The second Bob Dylan LP of 1970 came four months after “Self Portrait” and it was a small bounce back. The strange put-o...more →
I FEEL GOOD! John Lee Hooker Carson LP-3662 “Below average”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Dazie Mae” (6.5) • “I Feel Good” (5.9) • “Roll And Tumble” (5.7) Recorded in Paris - a city that loved it's blues at the time - in October '69. It's a small band set up with John Lee Ho...more →
BURRITO DELUXE The Flying Burrito Brothers A&M Records SP-4258 “Below average”Country; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “Image Of Me” (7.5) • “Farther Along” (7.2) • “Older Guys” (6.5) Doesn’t have the same emotional grip as the preceding “The Gilded Palace Of Sin”. It proved to be Gram Parsons final Bur...more →
EL LEGENDARIO Juan Polo Valencia Tropical LD-1588 “Below average”Latin
Jukebox picks: “El Provincianito” (6.7) • “No Puedo Aparentar” (5.4) • “Mi Sombrero Blanco” (5.4) “El Legendario” proclaims the cover, quite rightly, as the 51-year-old singer-accordionist is revered in Colombia. It's ...more →
THE BLACK-MAN’S BURDON Eric Burdon and War MGM Records SE-4710-2 “Below average”Soul
Jukebox picks: “They Can’t Take Away Our Music” (7.3) • “Beautiful New Born Child” (6.8) • “Gun” (6.8) The second of two 1970 albums by the group before Burdon left and the remaining band continued as War. The album’s title...more →
SWEET BABY JAMES James Taylor Warner Bros. Records WS-1843 “Below average”Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Steamroller Blues” (7.0) • “Oh Baby, Don’t You Loose Your Lip On Me” (6.4) • “Oh! Susanna” (6.0) The second LP from the musically matured 21-year-old, if he's boring me with Americana motifs favoured by the Band, Cros...more →
TAPESTRY Don McLean Mediarts 41-4 “Below average”Songwriter; Folk
Jukebox picks: “Orphans Of Wealth” (6.7) • “General Store” (6.6) • “Tapestry” (6.2) After a whole lot of label rejection (reportedly 72 times!), Don McLean's debut album was finally delivered in October, ...more →
IF SOMEBODY LOVES YOU The Dave Clark Five Columbia SX-6437 “Below average”Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “How Do You Get To Heaven” (8.3) • “I Am On My Own” (6.7) • “It Ain’t What You Do” (6.6) “If Somebody Loves You” (EMI Columbia SCX 6437) was released in the UK in 1970 – for the first time it’s the second DC5 ...more →
JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE Traffic Island Records ILPS-9116 “Poor”Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “John Barleycorn (Must Die)” (6.4) • “Glad” (6.2) • “Freedom Rider” (5.1) Having sown his wild oats with Blind Faith, Steve Winwood reconciled with his old mates from Traffic and “John Barleycor...more →
THE END OF AN EAR Robert Wyatt CBS 64189 “Poor”Avant-Garde
Jukebox picks: “To Caravan And Brother Jim” (6.1) • “Las Vegas Tango part 1” (6.0) • “To Nick Everyone” (5.1) Taking a beak from his busy schedule with Soft Machine, the 25-year-old Robert Wyatt delivered his first solo album at t...more →
DÉJÀ VU Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Atlantic SD-7200 “Poor”Folk Rock / Americana; Rock
Jukebox picks: “4 + 20” (6.4) • “Helpless” (5.7) • “Déjà Vu” (5.2) Second album from the popular combo, slightly more enjoyable than the first, and now including Neil Young as a fourth qu...more →
BITCHES BREW Miles Davis Columbia GP-26 “Poor”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Bitches Brew” (7.0) • “Miles Runs the Voodoo Down” (5.7) • “Spanish Key” (4.7) A sensory challenge over the course of 4 sides and 95 minutes, with an expanded rhythm section being a key feature. Mile...more →
CATCH THE WIND We Five Vault SLP-136 “Poor”Pop
Jukebox picks: “Milkcow Blues” (6.1) • “Catch The Wind” (5.9) • “Come And Sit Down Beside Me” (5.8) Some good source material for this covers album, but you’ve got to ask - what’s the point?...more →
ALARM CLOCK Richie Havens Stormy Forest Records SFS-6005 “Poor”Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “End Of The Seasons” (5.3) • “Here Comes The Sun” (5.0) • “Girls Don’t Run Away” (5.0) Another soul rocker on the slide, at least as far as my sensibilites are concerned. It's the bending of the strings all ...more →
ABC The Jackson 5 Motown MS-709 “Poor”Soul; Pop
Jukebox picks: “ABC” (9.3) • “The Love You Save” (5.0) • “(Come ’Round Here) I’m The One You Need” (5.0) The second LP from the singing Jackson brothers outta Indiana; Jermaine (15), Jackie (19), Tito (16), Marlon (13) and Mi...more →
STEPHEN STILLS Stephen Stills Atlantic SD-7202 “Poor”Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Love The One You're With” (6.9) • “Black Queen” (5.2) • “Cherokee” (5.1) The 4th album bearing the name of the 25-year-old singer-songwriter and the first to be solely billed to him alone, alth...more →
A WOMAN LIVES FOR LOVE Wanda Jackson Capitol ST-554 “Poor”Country
Jukebox picks: “The Dirt Behind My Years” (6.9) • “I’d Fight The World” (6.8) • “Stand By Your Man” (5.6) Her second LP of 1970, a short set of ten, and not as tough on the preceding “Wanda Jackson Country”. Pleasing many no d...more →
BOW STREET RUNNERS Bow Street Runners B.T. Puppy 1026 “Poor”Psychedelia
Jukebox picks: “Leaving Grit America” (6.2) • “Watch” (5.3) • “Another Face” (4.6) Jefferson Airplane and Doors vibes all over what would prove to be the North Carolina quintet’s only LP for 30 years. So...more →
THIRD Soft Machine CBS S-64080 “Poor”Prog
Jukebox picks: “Out-Bloody-Rageous” (5.0) • “Facelift” (4.8) • “Slightly All The Time: Noisette / Backwards / Noisette Reprise” (4.2) Whilst it's far from unbearable, this progressive rock-jazz fusion leaves me cold. Wikipedia succinctly paints the factu...more →
KRAFTWERK Kraftwerk Philips 6305-058 “Lame”Avant-Garde; Prog
Jukebox picks: “Ruckzuck” (6.2) • “Megaherz” (4.8) • “Stratovarius” (3.4) After their previous band, Organization, had split, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider-Esleben formed Kraftwerk (German f...more →
COSMO’S FACTORY Creedence Clearwater Revival Fantasy 8402 “Lame”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Up Around The Bend” (5.7) • “My Baby Left Me” (5.3) • “Run Through The Jungle” (4.7) The fifth album from the group was released in the summer of 1970 and was another massive hit for them, topping the albu...more →
SUNFLOWER The Beach Boys Reprise Records RS-6382 “Lame”Pop
Jukebox picks: “Slip On Through” (5.7) • “This Whole World” (5.4) • “Add Some Music to Your Day” (5.2) Pah, seems like the preceding “20/20” offered false hope. “Sunflower” is universally acclaimed as one of their very fine...more →
STILL WATERS RUN DEEP Four Tops Motown MS-704 “Lame”Soul
Jukebox picks: “Reflections” (5.2) • “It’s All In The Game” (5.0) • “Everybody’s Talkin’” (4.5) The Four Tops began the 1970s with a slightly new sound. The cheesy covers prevalent on “Yesterday’s Dreams” were kept a...more →
CONFESSIONS OF THE MIND The Hollies Parlophone PCS-7116 “Lame”Pop
Jukebox picks: “Separated” (7.4) • “Too Young To Be Married” (5.2) • “Survival Of The Fittest” (4.8) Into the 70s and The Hollies are still game and still in vogue after their smash hit “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” a...more →
MCCARTNEY Paul McCartney Apple Records PCS-7102 “Lame”Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “That Would Be Something” (5.3) • “Hot As Sun / Glasses” (5.2) • “Valentine Day” (4.7) “La-la-la-la-la-la lovely Linda, with the lovely flowers in the hair”. Ten seconds was all it took to realise this L...more →
SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED Stevie Wonder Tamla TS-304 “Lame”Pop; Soul
Jukebox picks: “Sugar” (5.1) • “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (4.7) • “I Can’t Let My Heaven Walk Away” (4.6) Opens with all four of the album's singles: “Never Had A Dream Come True” (#26), “We Can Work It Out” (#13), “Si...more →
THAT’S THE WAY IT IS Elvis Presley RCA Victor LSP-4445 “Lame”Crooner / Cabaret; Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I Just Can’t Help Believin’ [live]” (5.0) • “How The Web Was Woven” (5.0) • “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ [live]” (4.7) Released in November, 1970, simultaneously with his documentary film of the same name, chronicling his August 1970 conce...more →
ABRAXAS Santana Columbia KC-30130 “Terrible”Rock
Jukebox picks: “Oye Como Va” (5.2) • “El Nicoya” (5.0) • “Singing Winds, Crying Beasts” (4.9) Much lauded LP from the San Franciscan Latin rock sextet who line up: Carlos Santana (lead guitar, backing vocals), Greg...more →
HITS ON PARADE IN SWINGING MILITARY STYLE Music For Pleasure House Band Music For Pleasure MFP-1414 “Terrible”Novelty
Jukebox picks: “Yesterday Man” (5.0) • “Rock ’n’ Roll March” (4.2) • “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman” (4.0) Tell you what, when the MFP stable see a gap in the market they go for it. What the world needs, thought some feckless e...more →
YOU AND ME Jerry Butler Mercury SR-61269 “Terrible”Soul
Jukebox picks: “I Could Write A Book” (3.8) • “A One Woman Man” (3.8) • “Something” (3.6) Another tedious album of soul for the middle classes. Comes complete with a handy Beatles cover to help retailers shift ...more →
BUGALOOS The Bugaloos Capitol Records SW-621 “Terrible”Pop
Jukebox picks: “Fly Away With Us” (5.0) • “If You Become A Bugaloo” (4.8) • “The Senses Of Our World” (4.1) Childrens TV show soundtrack which strangely delivers on Carpenters / schlager type big pop productions, complete with s...more →
TRESPASS Genesis Charisma CAS-1020 “Dire”Prog
Jukebox picks: “The Knife” (4.6) • “Looking For Someone” (3.2) • “White Mountain” (2.9) Drummer John Silver left the band in the late summer of '69, and was replaced by John Mayhew. They were now free of thei...more →
BEYOND YOUR HEAD Boffalongo United Artists Records UAS-6770 “Dire”Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Dancing In The Moonlight” (4.5) • “Sleepy Time Guy” (4.3) • “Pioneer Song” (3.8) A lightweight country-rock affair, most noticeable for housing the original “Dancing In The Moonlight” which would p...more →
CLOSE TO YOU Carpenters A&M Records SP-4271 “Dire”Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Crescent Noon” (4.8) • “Mr. Guder” (4.3) • “Help” (4.2) Second album from the California-based siblings, Richard (24) and Karen (20), featuring their massive breakthrough hit “...more →
EVERY NIGHT IS HOGMANAY Majella and The Royal Tartan Highlanders Marble Arch Records MALS-1367 “An embarrassment”Folk
Jukebox picks: “Stop Yer Tickling Jock [live]” (3.4) • “I Belong To Glasgow [live]” (2.9) • “The Scottish Soldier [live]” (2.4) Majella's no' a bad chanter to be fair, but this naff band o' plastic folkies are the pits. I doubt very much it's as au...more →