← 1971 | 1973 → |
Album Chart of 1972 |
53 tracks, runtime 4h 10m. 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
BEEFHEART’S GONNA MAGNETIZE YA
He don’t care who ya are or what size ya are, he gonna magnetize ya.
Aw come on, give the guy a break, he just wants to sell a few more records, buy some food for the band. Sell out? Don’t believe the hype. It’s probably too late to save the Magic Band from death by starvation but, still, you’re missing out on something special if you’re not yet the proud owner of a copy of “Clear Spot”, one of two fine LPs by Captain Beefheart in 1972.
Former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed surprises everyone, including himself, by coming out of his early retirement with two new albums. The second of these, “Transformer”, produced by David Bowie, reaches Top 20 in Britain and in the States.
David Bowie himself achieves a commercial breakthrough with “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars”, which hits the Top 5 in the UK album charts, re-awakening interest in his preceding LP “Hunky Dory”, which goes Top 3 in the slipstream of Ziggy.
It’s a big year for funk-soul brothers, and the hardest working man in showbusiness, James Brown, places 2 sets in my Top 10. They reckon he’s due $4.5 million in back-taxes at this stage mind you, so I guess he’ll need to work a bit harder yet. War, Curtis Mayfield and Al Green are also digging deep-funk grooves – even whitey’s such as Tim Buckley are getting in on the act!
In entirely contrasting ways, Steeleye Span, The Dubliners and Nick Drake keep the folk flag flying high, whilst Prince Buster and Laurel Aitken seem to be at the end of an era, as the fastly-evolving reggae scene on the mother island boils and bubbles. Jimmy Cliff stars in the Jamaican gangster film “The Harder They Come”, which has a soundtrack that is soon to work wonders for popularising reggae in the US.
The Rolling Stones spend a year recording in Southern France and emerge triumphantly with a double album, “Exile on Main Street”, which goes to to number one on both sides of the Atlantic.
Roxy Music and Neu! go down as the years’ greatest pioneers, sowing seeds for the New Wave era which will blossom later in the decade.
There are no fewer than ELEVEN nations represented in the Top 32. Yay!
The Jukebox Rebel
17-Apr-2016
p.s. He also gonna booglarize ya. Yu bin warned…
CLEAR SPOTCaptain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Reprise Records MS-2115
“A classic” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Proto-Punk
Jukebox picks: “Sun Zoom Spark” (10) • “Big Eyed Beans From Venus” (10) • “Nowadays A Woman’s Gotta Hit A Man” (10)
BEEFHEART IN BRASS SECTION, FEMALE BACKING SINGERS AND SOULFUL GROOVES SHOCKER! Purists who paid attention to such thing...more → TRANSFORMER
Lou Reed
RCA Victor LSP-4807
“Excellent” Crooner / Cabaret; Proto-Punk
Jukebox picks: “Perfect Day” (10) • “Walk On The Wild Side” (10) • “Vicious” (10)
By the standards he’d set with the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed’s self-titled debut LP in April ’72 was, as good as it w...more → THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS
David Bowie
RCA Victor LSP-4702
“Excellent” Cerebral Pop
Jukebox picks: “Starman” (10) • “Suffragette City” (9.7) • “Ziggy Stardust” (9.6)
“Hunky Dory” had given David Bowie a wide-eyed fan-base, dead-keen on the next episode – the hazy cosmic jive of “Ziggy ...more → BELOW THE SALT
Steeleye Span
Chrysalis CHR-1008
“Brilliant” Folk
Jukebox picks: “King Henry” (8.9) • “Gaudete” (8.8) • “Royal Forester” (8.7)
At the medieval food table, salt (an expensive and rare commodity of the time) was placed at the centre of the table. Ab...more → THERE IT IS
James Brown
Polydor PD-5028
“Brilliant” Disco / Funk; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “King Heroin” (9.3) • “Never Can Say Goodbye” (8.7) • “I’m A Greedy Man [1971 version, parts 1 & 2]” (8.3)
I guess this is why they call him the godfather? This is a screamer from start to finish with an irresistible groove at ...more → EGE BAMYASI
Can
United Artists Records UAS 29 414 I
“Really good” Trance Rock
Jukebox picks: “Vitamin C” (8.6) • “Spoon” (7.9) • “Pinch” (7.6)
At the end of 1971, Can relocated their studio to a nearby village, renting an old cinema which was now out-of-use. This...more → EXILE ON MAIN ST.
The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones Records COC-69100
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Rock
Jukebox picks: “Rocks Off” (10) • “Sweet Virginia” (9.5) • “Tumbling Dice” (8.8)
The second LP on their own label was a gem – perhaps against all the odds, what with the chaotic background of being exi...more → ROXY MUSIC
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9200
“Really good” Cerebral Pop; New Wave; Prog
Jukebox picks: “Re-Make/Re-Model” (9.7) • “Ladytron” (8.8) • “Bitters End” (7.5)
From out of nowhere in the summer of ’72 came the self-titled debut LP from Roxy Music – the new art-rock sound of now. ...more → CASE HISTORY
Kevin Coyne
Dandelion Records 2310-228
“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Uggy's Song” (9.0) • “Sand All Yellow” (8.6) • “God Bless the Bride” (8.5)
The final LP to be released on John Peel’s Dandelion Records was a little beauty; all recorded in a single afternoon’s w...more → DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
John Prine
Atlantic SD-7240
“Really good” Folk; Country
Jukebox picks: “The Great Compromise” (8.9) • “Souvenirs [original album version]” (8.3) • “Diamonds In The Rough” (8.0)
Stripped-back with a distinctive sense of ye-olde-tymey, John channels Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and Luke the Dr...more → GET ON THE GOOD FOOT
James Brown
Polydor PD-2-3004
“Really good” Disco / Funk; Soul
Jukebox picks: “Nothing Beats A Try But A Fail” (9.4) • “Funky Side Of Town” (9.4) • “Please, Please, Please [1972 version]” (8.9)
3 back-album tracks get a reworking – “Cold Sweat” (Cold Sweat, 1967), “Please Please Please” (Please Please Ple...more → SAINT DOMINIC’S PREVIEW
Van Morrison
Warner Bros. Records BS-2633
“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; Soul
Jukebox picks: “Saint Dominic’s Preview” (8.7) • “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)” (8.5) • “Almost Independence Day” (7.7)
Bright and breezy, Van’s 6th release was a bounce-back after the disappointing “Tupelo Honey” from last year, and fuses ...more → DOUBLE DUBLINERS
The Dubliners
Columbia SCX-6513
“Really good” Folk
Jukebox picks: “Gentleman Soldier [album version ‘72]” (9.2) • “The Springhill Disaster” (8.6) • “Smith Of Bristol” (7.9)
Recorded at Trend Studios, Dublin and Spot Studios, London. Produced by Phil Coulter. First issued in 1972 as “Double Du...more → THE SPOTLIGHT KID
Captain Beefheart
Reprise Records MS-2050
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Grows Fins” (10) • “There Ain’t No Santa Claus On The Evenin’ Stage” (9.5) • “When It Blows Its Stacks” (9.3)
Straight away with “The Spotlight Kid” something different was going on. Check that front cover! Rhinstone crooner alert...more → LIVE AND COOKIN’ (AT ALICE’S REVISITED)
Howlin’ Wolf
Chess CH-50015
“Good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Call Me The Wolf [live '72]” (8.0) • “Mean Mistreater [live '72]” (7.9) • “When I Laid I Was Troubled [live '72]” (6.9)
The 62-year-old Howlin’ Wolf was on great form for what was, surprisingly, his first live LP. The set, mostly featuring ...more → SCREAMING TARGET
Big Youth
Gussie GLP-001
“Good” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “The Killer” (7.9) • “Solomon a Gunday” (7.7) • “Screaming Target” (7.4)
The debut album from the 23-year-old was the crowning glory in his breakthrough wonder-year. Last year, the toaster rose...more → GREETINGS FROM L.A.
Tim Buckley
Straight BS-2631
“Good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Hong Kong Bar” (8.0) • “Get On Top” (7.6) • “Make It Right” (7.3)
Buckley abandoned the progressive jazz textures which had been at the core of his “Starsailor” LP of 1970 and, indeed, d...more → LOU REED
Lou Reed
RCA Victor LSP-4701
“Good” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Love Makes You Feel” (8.5) • “Wild Child” (8.0) • “Ride Into The Sun” (6.7)
After quitting the Velvet Underground in August 1970, Reed took a job at his father's tax accounting firm as a typist, b...more → BIG FIVE
Prince Buster
Melodisc MLP-12-157
“Good” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Wine Or Grind” (9.2) • “Pum Pum A Go Will You” (7.9) • “Bald Head Pum Pum” (7.4)
This was Mellodisc out with their second Prince Buster LP of 1972. As with “Wreck-A-Pum-Pum” (Blue Beat BBLP-821, 1968),...more → THE SLIDER
T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5001
“Good” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “Chariot Choogle” (8.7) • “Metal Guru” (8.2) • “Spaceball Ricochet” (7.7)
The ever-dependable T. Rex continue as the acceptable face of pop music in 1972, and Tony Visconti’s tasteful arrangemen...more → CUFFED, COLLARED AND TAGGED
Swamp Dogg!
Cream Records CR-9009
“Decent enough” Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home” (9.6) • “Sam Stone” (9.2) • “Knowing I’m Pleasing You And Me” (7.2)
Dogg’s third features seven originals and three covers. His interpretation of John Prine’s “Sam Stone” is stunning. ...more → HARVEST
Neil Young
Reprise Records MS-2032
“Decent enough” Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “Words (Between the Lines of Age)” (8.2) • “The Needle and the Damage Done [live '71]” (7.2) • “A Man Needs a Maid” (7.1)
America’s best-selling album of 1972 has plenty going for it. The usual brand of agreeable head-nodding Americana is pre...more → PINK MOON
Nick Drake
Island Records ILPS-9184
“Decent enough” Folk
Jukebox picks: “Know” (8.2) • “Free Ride” (7.6) • “Parasite” (7.5)
Eschewing the production embellishments of his previous works, Nick decided that he would take the old fashioned singer-...more → NEU!
Neu!
Brain brain-1004
“Decent enough” Avant-Garde
Jukebox picks: “Hallogallo” (9.2) • “Negativland” (8.9) • “Weissensee” (5.7)
New! From Germany. Damned right. This duo from Düsseldorf were Michael Rother (22, guitar, bass guitar) and Klaus Dinger...more → THE WORLD IS A GHETTO
War
United Artists Records UAS-5652
“Decent enough” Disco / Funk; Soul
Jukebox picks: “Four Cornered Room” (7.7) • “The Cisco Kid” (7.1) • “Beetles in the Bog” (6.9)
Released in November ’72, “World is A Ghetto” went on to become America’s biggest selling LP of the year in 1973 – no me...more → CHIEF COMMANDER EBENEZER OBEY AND HIS INTERNATIONAL BROTHERS
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and his International Brothers
Decca WAPS-38
“Decent enough” Africana
Jukebox picks: “Edumare Soro Mi Dayo / Ajala - Alhaja / Alhaji Babs. / Animashaun / Laide Oropo / Bode Oshinusi” (6.6) • “Board Members / Efori Jiwa / Bisi Cash / Madam / Chief Funsho / Oyename (Remo-Carpet)” (6.1)
This was the 4th new-music LP from the 30-year-old Nigerian, delivered in the national style of Jùjú. The form had been ...more → THANK YOU FOR…
Bridget St. John
Dandelion Records 2310-193
“Decent enough” Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Lazarus” (7.1) • “Fly High” (6.7) • “Nice” (6.9)
For the third and final part of her Dandelion trilogy, Bridget was keen to take a much more active role in the productio...more → SUPERFLY
Curtis Mayfield
Curtom CRS-8014-ST
“Decent enough” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Freddie’s Dead” (9.4) • “Pusherman” (7.0) • “Junkie Chase [instrumental]” (6.8)
This classy brand of deeply-grooved orchestral-funk was ideal for the big screen; so effective was the music, that the O...more → LET’S STAY TOGETHER
Al Green
Hi Records SHL-32070
“Decent enough” Soul
Jukebox picks: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” (7.4) • “La-La For You” (7.0) • “It Ain't No Fun to Me” (6.9)
The smooth ones such as Al Green are usually up against it with me but, by and large, he wins me over here on his 4th LP...more → THE FANTASTIC LAUREL AITKEN
Laurel Aitken
Hebra Records LP-61
“Decent enough” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Heile Heile (The Lion)” (9.4) • “Souls Of Africa” (7.5) • “Dallas Texas” (6.8)
For some reason, the set wasn’t released in Laurel’s home territory, and it was the little known Belgian label Hebra Rec...more → CALIPSOS
Lord Cobra con The Beachers
Tamayo LPT-1084
“Decent enough” Caribbean
Jukebox picks: “Hindu” (8.3) • “La-La For You” (6.6) • “It Ain't No Fun to Me” (6.4)
From the culturally diverse land of Panama comes Lord Cobra and his good-natured, highly danceable brand of calypso. He ...more → PAUL SIMON
Paul Simon
Columbia KC-30750
“Decent enough” Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard” (7.7) • “Paranoia Blues” (7.5) • “Mother And Child Reunion” (6.9)
The bromance with Art Garfunkel now seemingly at end, Paul Simon reverted back to writing and recording solo material, a...more → YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK
Aretha Franklin
Atlantic 7213
“Decent enough” Soul Ballad; Soul
Jukebox picks: “All The Kings Horses” (9.7) • “(To Be) Young, Gifted And Black” (7.7) • “A Brand New Me” (6.6)
Team Aretha remain on good form in 1972. Jerry Wexler on production with The Memphis Horns and The Sweet Inspirations an...more → BOSS SOUL - 12 POEMS BY SARAH WEBSTER FABIO
Sarah Webster Fabio
Folkways Records FL-9710
“Decent enough” Poetry; Hip Hop / Rap
Jukebox picks: “Work It Out” (8.6) • “A Lesson Twice Learned” (7.1) • “Glimpses” (6.9)
Debut album from the 44-year-old mother-of-five / poet / literary critic / teacher, one of those people who put you to s...more → CATCH BULL AT FOUR
Cat Stevens
Island Records ILPS-9206
“Average” Songwriter; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “Angelsea” (7.1) • “Can’t Keep It In” (6.9) • “The Boy With A Moon And Star On His Head” (6.4)
I always hesitate to dive in for the full embrace - a bit too soft at times - but I've found him to consistently have so...more → COOL BREEZE
Solomon Burke
MGM Records 1SE-35ST
“Average” Disco / Funk; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “The Bus” (7.0) • “Icbyatht W.T.” (6.7) • “PSR 1983” (6.1)
The 2nd of 3 albums for MGM. 1 back album track makes a re-appearance - “PSR 1983” (Electronic Magnetism, 1971). Despite...more → FREE WILL
Gil Scott-Heron
Flying Dutchman FD-10153
“Average” Hip Hop / Rap; Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Ain’t No New Thing” (8.7) • “The King Alfred Plan” (6.7) • “No Knock” (6.5)
An album of two distinct halves; the jazz-centric side one (4.70) carrying on where last years “Pieces Of A Man” left of...more → WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
United Artists Records UAS-9801
“Average” Country
Jukebox picks: “Wildwood Flower” (8.4) • “Keep On The Sunny Side” (8.3) • “I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes” (6.9)
Their sixth album, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”, was released in October, 1972. It was a very interesting affair which ...more → SISTER BIG STUFF
Prince Buster
Melodisc MLP-12-156
“Below average” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Sata A Masa Gana [vocal version]” (7.1) • “Sister Big Stuff” (6.5) • “Young Gifted And Black” (6.5)
Prince Buster's recordings for “Sister Big Stuff” took place mostly in 1971; Mellodisc had the vision to put them out to...more → ALBUM III
Loudon Wainwright III
Columbia KC-31462
“Below average” Folk; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Drinking Song” (7.0) • “Muse Blues” (6.6) • “Needless To Say” (6.2)
A considerable dive-bomb after the brilliant start he made with his 1970 and 1971 long-players. Album opener, “Dead Sk...more → MOONSHOT
Buffy Saint-Marie
Vanguard VSD-79312
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop
Jukebox picks: “Not The Lovin' Kind” (8.9) • “Mister Can't You See” (6.7) • “You Know How To Turn On Those Lights” (6.1)
Buffy's battle with the Vanguard label continues, and the ongoing pop concessions in “Moonshot” leave her in no man's la...more → SAIL AWAY
Randy Newman
Reprise Records MS-2064
“Below average” Crooner / Cabaret; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Burn On” (8.0) • “Old Man” (6.0) • “Lonely at the Top” (5.9)
Keeping up his record of a new LP every two years, the third new music album from the 28-year-old singer-songwriter arri...more → WHO WILL SAVE THE WORLD? THE MIGHTY GROUNDHOGS
Groundhogs
United Artists Records UAG-29237
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Death Of The Sun” (6.8) • “Music Is Food Of Thought” (5.9) • “Earth Is Not Room Enough” (5.5)
Socially conscious sixth album from the gritty London trio who line up: Tony McPhee (guitars, mellotron, harmonium, voca...more → THE LONDON CHUCK BERRY SESSIONS
Chuck Berry
Chess CH-60020
“Below average” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Reelin’ And Rockin’ [live]” (6.0) • “Johnny B. Goode [live]” (5.4) • “Mean Old World” (5.3)
Following in the footsteps of Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters, Chuck headed for London to record with the...more → EARTHSPAN
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9211
“Below average” Folk
Jukebox picks: “Black Jack David” (6.5) • “Antoine” (5.5) • “Restless Night” (5.5)
The exoticism of previous works makes way for a more traditional brand of folk rock, with bluesy and jazzy touches here ...more → AMERICAN GOTHIC
David Ackles
Elektra EKS-75032
“Below average” Crooner / Cabaret; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Midnight Carousel” (7.3) • “American Gothic” (6.6) • “Montana Song” (6.1)
Third album from the 35-year-old singer-songwriter-pianist, at best an expressive Jacques Brel at worst a maudlin Randy ...more → THE MESSAGE DUBWISE
Prince Buster
Fab MS-7
“Below average” Reggae
Jukebox picks: “Jet Black” (6.2) • “Sata A Masa Gana [dub version]” (5.8) • “Java Plus” (5.6)
The last record that Prince Buster would himself push out as a new release sees him pioneering a new dub vision - 10 new...more → NEVER A DULL MOMENT
Rod Stewart
Mercury 6499 153
“Below average” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Angel” (5.7) • “I’d Rather Go Blind” (5.7) • “You Wear It Well” (5.3)
“Never A Dull Moment” eh? He's living his best life, fair play to the man, but the 27-year-old's albums are already losi...more → I WOULDN’T WANT YOU ANY OTHER WAY
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-11096
“Poor” Country
Jukebox picks: “The More You See Me Less” (8.2) • “Crazy” (6.8) • “I’ll Be Whatever You Say” (6.2)
A mixed bag from Wanda, from the dire to the fantastic. Includes her two 45s from last year, “Back Then” and “I Al...more → ALL DIRECTIONS
The Temptations
Gordy GS-962L
“Poor” Soul
Jukebox picks: “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” (9.5) • “Run Charlie Run” (6.1) • “I Ain’t Got Nothing” (4.5)
The singing quintet - now without David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks - released “All Directions” in July, 1972, and it did...more → THE TRAIN I’M ON
Tony Joe White
Warner Bros. Records BS-2580
“Poor” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Sidewalk Hobo” (7.6) • “Beouf River Road” (6.2) • “As The Crow Flies” (5.9)
Not that I was ever a committed fan, but Tony Joe's soulful pop rock groove schtick is wearing thinner than ever before,...more → CLOSE TO THE EDGE
Yes
Atlantic K-50012
“Poor” Prog
Jukebox picks: “Close To The Edge: The Solid Time Of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up, I Get Down / Seasons Of Man” (5.1) • “And You And I: Cord Of Life / Eclipse / The Preacher, The Teacher / The Apocalypse” (4.9) • “Siberian Khatru” (4.5)
The band's greatest commercial success, reaching #3 in the US and #4 in the UK. They lined up: Jon Anderson (lead vocals...more → COMIN’ THRU
Quicksilver
Capitol Records SMAS-11002
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Doin’ Time In The U.S.A.” (6.4) • “Chicken” (4.8) • “Forty Days” (4.6)
For their 7th LP in 5 busy years, classically trained keyboardist Mark Naftalin is replaced by funster Chuck Steaks, as ...more → WE’RE ALMOST HOME
Solomon Burke
MGM Records SE-4830
“Poor” Soul
Jukebox picks: “Drown In My Own Tears” (6.2) • “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (5.3) • “The Things Love Will Make You Do” (5.0)
The 3rd and final LP for MGM. 1 back album track repeats - “We’re Almost Home” (Cool Breeze, 1972). Nothing interest...more → MACHINE HEAD
Deep Purple
Purple Records TPSA-7504
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Smoke On The Water” (6.6) • “Space Truckin'” (6.1) • “Lazy” (4.9)
The hard-rocking first album on their own Purple Records label did a roaring trade, hitting #1 in the UK and #7 in the S...more → HOBO’S LULLABY
Arlo Guthrie
Reprise Records MS-2060
“Poor” Country; Folk Rock / Americana
Jukebox picks: “1913 Massacre” (7.4) • “Hobo's Lullaby” (6.5) • “Lightning Bar Blues” (4.8)
I struggle to enjoy this one quite so much - it's just a bit too safe sounding for me. His cover of “City Of New Orlea...more → #1 RECORD
Big Star
Ardent Records ADS-2803
“Poor” Songwriter; Rock
Jukebox picks: “In The Street” (6.1) • “Thirteen” (5.9) • “The Ballad Of El Goodo” (5.6)
Much revered album from the Memphis quartet, digging on the Beatles, the Byrds and the Stones, whilst introducing strang...more → HOME IS WHERE THE MUSIC IS
Hugh Masekela
Blue Thumb Records BTS-6003
“Poor” Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Uhome” (7.1) • “Ingoo Pow-Pow (Children's Song)” (6.0) • “Maesha” (5.7)
Acclaimed double album set from the 32-year-old brass player, largely entrenched in the realms of soul-jazz. There are t...more → BLACK SABBATH, VOL. 4
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 6360-071
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “St. Vitus’ Dance” (5.4) • “Laguna Sunrise” (5.1) • “Cornucopia” (5.0)
Recorded over 3 months at a studio in Los Angeles - what a difference from the “all in a days work” approach of the debu...more → SCHOOL’S OUT
Alice Cooper
Warner Bros. Records BS-2623
“Poor” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets” (5.5) • “Blue Turk” (5.4) • “School's Out” (5.1)
Fifth album from the Phoenix, Arizona shock-rockers who line up: Alice Cooper (vocals), Glen Buxton (lead guitar), Micha...more → DAVE CLARK AND FRIENDS
Dave Clark and friends
Columbia SCX-6494
“Poor” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “If You’ve Got A Little Love To Give” (8.1) • “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” (6.5) • “Paradise (Is Half As Nice)” (6.0)
With economics dictating to group leader and paymaster Dave Clark, The DC5 were officially disbanded in 1970, with guita...more → LIVE AT SOLEDAD PRISON
John Lee Hooker
ABC LP-761
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Bang Bang Bang Bang [live ’72]” (5.6) • “Lucille [live ’72]” (5.4) • “What’s The Matter Baby [live ’72]” (5.0)
This somewhat informal open-air concert was recorded in the baseball field at California's Soledad Prison in the early a...more → KEEPER OF THE CASTLE
Four Tops
ABC/Dunhill Records DSX-50129
“Lame” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Remember What I Told You To Forget” (5.4) • “Turn On The Light Of Your Love” (5.2) • “Keeper Of The Castle” (5.0)
The Motown company began to change in a number of ways during the early 1970s. Older acts such as Martha and the Vandell...more → CLUBE DA ESQUINA
Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges
Odeon SMOAB-6005
“Lame” Latin; Songwriter; Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Lilia” (6.5) • “Saídas E Bandeiras Nᵒ 2” (5.5) • “Saídas E Bandeiras Nᵒ 1” (5.4)
Acclaimed double album from the singer-songwriter-guitarists Milton Nascimento (29) and Lô Borges (20), the two being pr...more → MANASSAS
Stephen Stills Manassas
Atlantic SD 2-903
“Terrible” Country; Folk Rock / Americana; Rock; Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Blues Man” (6.7) • “Hide It So Deep” (5.3) • “Jet Set (Sigh)” (5.1)
The sixth album in the name of Stephen Stills, man of many collaborations, and the first with his new band, Manassas, dr...more → FULL CIRCLE
The Doors
Elektra EKS 75038
“Terrible” Blues Rock / Soul Rock
Jukebox picks: “4 Billion Souls” (5.2) • “Hardwood Floor” (5.0) • “The Mosquito” (4.6)
The second post-Morrison album from the seemingly tasteless trio continues to wander down that path marked “Elton John w...more → PRAISE THE LORD
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-11023
“Terrible” Country
Jukebox picks: “The King Is Coming” (6.0) • “Oh Happy Day” (5.5) • “Glory Hallelujah (Battle Hymn Of The Republic)” (4.7)
Wanda converted to Christianity in 1971, marking the transition with a gospel number “People Gotta Be Loving”, the o...more → SLAYED?
Slade
Polydor 2383-163
“Terrible” Rock
Jukebox picks: “Move Over” (4.8) • “Look At Last Nite” (4.5) • “Gudbuy Gudbuy” (4.5)
Third album from the Wolverhampton rockers who line-up: Noddy Holder (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Dave Hill (lead guita...more → TALKING BOOK
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T-319L
“Terrible” Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Superstition” (7.8) • “Big Brother” (5.2) • “Tuesday Heartbreak” (3.4)
The fifteenth album from the 22-year-old genius sees him move further into funky territories, but it contains way too mu...more → KRAFTWERK 2
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-117
“Terrible” Avant-Garde; Prog
Jukebox picks: “Klingklang” (5.6) • “Strom” (5.0) • “Wellenlänge” (4.8)
They were back down to a duo from this one, drummers Andreas Hohmann and Klaus Dinger having left the fold. Any required...more → NATURE PLANNED IT
Four Tops
Motown M-748L
“Terrible” Soul
Jukebox picks: “Medley: Hey Man / We Got To Get You A Woman” (4.7) • “I Can’t Quit Your Love” (4.6) • “You Gotta Forget Him, Darling” (4.4)
I’m on a downer straight from the off as they croon away on “I Am Your Man” – straight away it’s clear this is not g...more → FOXTROT
Genesis
Charisma CAS-1058
“Terrible” Prog
Jukebox picks: “Watcher Of The Skies” (4.3) • “Canutility And The Coastliners” (4.1) • “Horizons” (3.4)
The fourth LP in as many years for the group, “as you were” from the last outing: Tony Banks (Hammond organ, Mellotron, ...more → A MAN OF VALUE
Lou Rawls
MGM Records SE-4861
“Terrible” Crooner / Cabaret; Disco / Funk
Jukebox picks: “Politician” (5.7) • “Man Of Value” (5.1) • “Too Much Living To Do” (5.0)
The 19th album in 11 years from the 38-year-old cabaret soul man. Starts well enough with the autobiographical title-t...more → MUSIC OF MY MIND
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T-314L
“Terrible” R n B
Jukebox picks: “Evil” (4.4) • “Love Having You Around” (4.2) • “Sweet Little Girl” (3.7)
Wonder embraces the moog as we enter '72; “the synthesizer has allowed me to do a lot of things I've wanted to do for...more → CAN’T BUY A THRILL
Steely Dan
ABC Records ABCX-758
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Fire In The Hole” (4.5) • “Reelin’ In The Years” (4.4) • “Do It Again” (4.1)
NEW YORK SEXTET NAMED AFTER A DILDO IN BURROUGH'S “NAKED LUNCH” CAN'T BUY A THRILL! The decidedly unsexy progressive pop...more → JOSEF SHAFTEL’S PRODUCTION OF ALICES ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Josef Shaftel
Warner Bros. Records BS-2671
“Terrible” Crooner / Cabaret; Film Score / Incidental
Jukebox picks: “The Lobster Quadrille” (5.0) • “The Me I Never Knew” (4.0) • “You’ve Got To Know When To Stop” (3.7)
As the Wiki tells, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a 1972 British musical film based on the Lewis Carroll novel of t...more → SOMETHING / ANYTHING?
Todd Rundgren
Bearsville 2BX-2066
“Dire” Pop; Rock; Cerebral Pop; Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “I Went To The Mirror” (5.7) • “The Night The Carousel Burnt Down” (4.8) • “Little Red Lights” (4.4)
Third album from the 23-year-old New York based pop-rocker, largely recorded in L.A., and the first to use his own name ...more → HE TOUCHED ME
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor LSP-4690
“Dire” Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I, John” (5.2) • “Reach Out To Jesus” (2.7) • “He Touched Me” (2.5)
The 37-year-old's second LP of 1972, and his third and final gospel album following on from “His Hand In Mine” (1960) an...more → ELVIS NOW
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor LSP-4671
“Dire” Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago” (4.5) • “Hey Jude” (3.6) • “Early Mornin Rain” (2.6)
Despite the title, “Elvis Now” was a bit of a hodge-podge release, assembled from various sessions between 1969 and 1971...more → EAGLES
Eagles
Asylum Records SD-5054
“Dire” Soft Rock / A.O.R.
Jukebox picks: “Earlybird” (3.6) • “Witchy Woman” (3.1) • “Take It Easy” (2.8)
Debut album from the Los Angeles soft-rock quartet, all recorded in London, with hand-picked producer Glyn Johns who had...more → ROMANY
The Hollies
Polydor 2383 144
“Dire” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; Rock
Jukebox picks: “Blue In The Morning” (3.1) • “Slow Down — Go Down” (2.5) • “Delaware Taggett And The Outlaw Boys” (2.2)
Their 70s decline reaches a new low on this limp affair, their first without lead singer Allan Clarke who was off in pur...more → THE SPICE OF LIFE
Jerry Butler
Mercury SRM-2-7502
“An embarrassment” Soul; Pop Ballad; Pop
Jukebox picks: “You Can’t Always Tell” (4.6) • “A Prayer” (3.1) • “Stop Steppin’ On My Dreams” (2.6)
A monster double LP set to revel in. Hurrah! To boot, Brenda Lee Eager’s invited back for a couple of duets. “Oh good” I...more → THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG
Sha Na Na
Kama Sutra KSBS-2050
“An embarrassment” Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “In The Still Of The Night” (4.0) • “The Vote Song” (3.7) • “It Ain’t Love” (2.6)
Proto-Showaddywaddy visionaries....more → 12 TOPS VOLUME 4
Damil Records House Band
Stereo Gold Award MER-100
“An embarrassment” Rock; Soul
Jukebox picks: “Seaside Shuffle” (3.0) • “Conquistador” (2.5) • “Popcorn” (2.0)
The “Damil Records House Band” (as I call them) made albums which contained anonymous cover versions of recent and curre...more → TOP OF THE POPS VOLUME 26
Hallmark Records House Band
Hallmark Records SHM-800
“An embarrassment” Pop; Rock
Jukebox picks: “Standing In The Road” (3.0) • “Children Of The Revolution” (2.2) • “Virginia Plain” (2.0)
The sleeve notes of this September '72 issue read: “Well, here we are again, exploding on the pop scene for the twenty...more → TOP OF THE POPS VOLUME 23
Hallmark Records House Band
Hallmark Records SHM-785
“An embarrassment” Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Meet Me On The Corner” (2.5) • “Sweet Talking Guy” (2.4) • “Hold Your Head Up” (2.0)
The sleeve notes of this April '72 release read: “People, it is said, can become cynical, blasé, bored, even resentful...more →
see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1972 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s