Album Chart of 1973
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| Album Chart of 1973 |
50 tracks, runtime 4h 12m. 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 
THE RISE AND RISE OF JA MUSIC
Pictured at the BBC in May ’73 are (L to R): Earl Lindo, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Carlton Barrett (hidden), Bunny Wailer and Aston Barrett. The Jamaican recording industry had come a long way since it all started barely 20 years before, however, many of the key artists were still battling to break down that final barrier; namely to win recognition and gain credibility for Reggae as a serious art form in the World’s consciousness. Neither Mento, Ska, Rocksteady nor, thus far, Reggae had managed to break through amongst the taste-making critics, and thus the album markets, of the western world. Some insular Jamaicans would rather it stayed that way too – but not your Jimmy Cliffs, your Toots Hibberts, your Ken Boothes or your Bob Marleys. They were out to push Jamaican music on to the next level, and were looking to win over those chin-stroking journalists that were oh so influential in the UK and the USA. The Wailers were at the forefront of the offensive from the island, and both of their 1973 long-players were available on an international basis, in a professionally co-ordinated fashion. They toured incessantly at this time and in ’73, they played in New York alongside Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and opened for Sly and the Family Stone in Las Vegas. Nyabinghi drums and chants echoed around college campuses on both sides of the Atlantic. With the Wailers on their very doorstep, the critics sat up and took notice – the rock world could no longer ignore this irresistible force.
Elsewhere, the hardest working man in showbiz is living up to his moniker – there were 3 new-music albums from James Brown, as well as one from The J.B.’s. The new rap spiel pioneered by the Last Poets in the last few years is furthered by a solo release from Lightnin’ Rod – his “Hustler’s Convention” LP is unmissable.
After seven years absence on the album’s front, Irma Thomas re-surfaces with a third brilliant entry for her catalogue but, alas, it struggles to be heard via the platform of a tiny indie label.
Both The Dubliners and Steeleye Span touch on centuries-old Celtic grievances and emerge, once again, as leaders in the folk world, whilst Can, Faust and Neu! continue to push an all-new German sound, big on groove, repetition and experimentation. The latter sabotage what would have been a sure-fire Top 5 album on this chart by including a lot of nonsense filler, namely by repeating 33 RPM album cuts at 16 / 78 RPM speeds.
The incomparable Kevin Coyne secures a Top 10 slot with me for the second-year-in-row – his “Marjory Razorblade” astonishes and delights in equal measure.
Bryan Ferry gives James Brown a run for his money in the hard-working stakes – not only are their two fine Roxy Music albums, he also takes time-out in-between to deliver his solo-debut set.
Likewise, David Bowie serves a double helping, albeit one is an all-covers affair. Bowie mania sweeps the UK and 4 of his albums feature in Britain’s year-end Top 20 best-sellers list.
In February, John Cale pipes up with the stately “Paris 1919” and in July, his former VU colleague, Lou Reed, delivers his ‘personal Macbeth’ via “Berlin”. A capital co-incidence, surely?
The Jukebox Rebel
13-May-2016
The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9256
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Get Up, Stand Up” (10) • “Small Axe [1973 version]” (8.8) • “One Foundation” (8.4)
“Burnin’” arrived in October ’73, just six months on from “Catch A Fire” – by this stage these guys seemed like they wer...more →
Lightnin’ Rod
United Artists Records UA-LA156-F
“Brilliant” Hip Hop / Rap; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “The Shit Hits The Fan Again” (8.7) • “Hamhock’s Hall Was Big (And There Was A Whole Lot To Dig!)” (8.6) • “Brother Hominy Grit” (8.4)
Superfly 30 years before gangster rap got naff, this terrific LP was conceived and executed by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin who...more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-3007
“Brilliant” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “The Payback” (9.5) • “Stone To The Bone” (8.7) • “Mind Power” (8.3)
This was the third brand new 1973 album from the highly prolific James Brown stable – and the finest LP that he ever mad...more →
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje
CBS LAB-4042
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Siya Emshadweni” (9.7) • “Ziyathuthuka Izintombi” (8.4) • “Udumbe Dumbe” (8.1)
Just as they did in 1968, Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje (The Now Now Girls) effortlessly breeze into my Top 10 albums of th...more →
The Dubliners
RAM Records RMLP-5002
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Rebellion - Wrap the Green Flag 'Round Me Boys / The West's Awake / A Nation Once Again” (9.7) • “Skibbereen” (9.1) • “Fiddler's Green” (8.8)
What were the odds that five of the greatest Dubliners ever to live would all find themselves in the same folk group? Th...more →
Irma Thomas
Fungus FB-25150
“Brilliant” SoulJukebox picks: “Medley : Coming From Behind (Monologue), Wish Someone Would Care” (9.0) • “Turn My World Around” (8.4) • “She’ll Never Be Your Wife” (8.1)
The coming together of Irma Thomas with Swamp Dogg was a mouth-watering proposition on paper – and the results were an a...more →
Kevin Coyne
Virgin VD-2501
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Songwriter; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Good Boy” (9.6) • “Eastbourne Ladies” (9.4) • “Marlene” (8.7)
The demise of John Peel’s Dandelion Records label wasn’t all bad news for Kevin Coyne. His 1972 debut LP had come to the...more →
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9252
“Really good” Cerebral Pop; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Psalm” (9.4) • “Street Life” (9.3) • “A Song For Europe” (7.6)
“Stranded” arrived in November ’73 – just 8 months after “For Your Pleasure”. Since then, Roxy had lost the synth wizard...more →
Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl
Folkways Records FW-8736
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “Darling Annie” (9.3) • “The Campaneros” (8.5) • “Bufallo Holler” (8.3)
Philisophical album opener “The Ballad Of Accounting” reminds us there's more to life than working; don't forgot to ...more →
Can
United Artists Records UAS 29 505 I
“Really good” ProgJukebox picks: “Future Days” (7.9) • “Bel Air” (7.7) • “Moonshake” (7.0)
Mellow vibes abound on the 5th LP from the egalitarian quintet; a series of electric symphonies big on atmospheric beaut...more →
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9232
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Do The Strand” (10) • “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” (8.3) • “For Your Pleasure” (7.8)
The second Roxy long player was every bit the equal of last years’ cracking debut, as they continue to push in new direc...more →
The Wailers
Island Records ILPS 9241
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Stir It Up” (9.2) • “Stop That Train” (8.0) • “400 Years [1973 version]” (7.9)
Following their two LPs with Lee Perry, The Wailers delivered the first of their album’s conceived for the worldwide mar...more →
Lou Reed
RCA Victor APL1-0207
“Really good” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Sad Song” (8.8) • “Caroline Says (II)” (8.3) • “Men Of Good Fortune” (7.9)
After his commercial breakthrough with “Transformer”, the purse strings were loosened at RCA and Lou got to work on an a...more →
Steeleye Span
Chrysalis CHR-1046
“Good” Folk; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Cam Ye O'er Frae France” (9.4) • “Rogues In A Nation” (9.2) • “One Misty Moisty Morning” (7.2)
In 1972, Steeleye Span had provided the soundtrack for a stage adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Kidnapped” at the L...more →
Faust
Virgin V-2004
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “It's A Bit Of A Pain” (8.1) • “Giggy Smile” (7.5) • “Just A Second / Picnic On A Frozen River, Deuxieme Tableau” (7.0)
The 5th album from these modern industrial urbanites was delivered in September 1973, and easily nestled into the affect...more →
John Cale
Reprise Records MS-2131
“Good” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Half Past France” (9.3) • “The Endless Plain Of Fortune” (8.8) • “Paris 1919” (7.2)
At the Paris Peace Conference, 1919, the humiliated German aggressors were put in their place by the UK, the US, France,...more →
Iggy and The Stooges
Columbia KC-32111
“Good” Rock; Proto-PunkJukebox picks: “Search And Destroy” (8.3) • “Penetration” (7.2) • “Gimme Danger” (7.0)
With the Stooges having officially broken up, Iggy was on the march for a new solo pathway – he thought he might find it...more →
John Lee Hooker
ABC Records ABCX-768
“Good” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Going Down” (7.6) • “Younger Stud” (7.1) • “Born In Mississippi, Raised Up In Tennessee” (6.6)
If there’s such a thing as stoner-blues then I think this might be it. The action is largely slow-chugging, but rich and...more →
Mike Oldfield
Virgin V-2001
“Good” ProgJukebox picks: “Tubular Bells, Part One” (7.3) • “Tubular Bells, Part Two” (6.0)
Who could fail to be impressed by the scope and breadth of this work – the work of a teenager? Since 13, he had been a f...more →
David Bowie
RCA Victor LSP-4852
“Good” RockJukebox picks: “The Jean Genie” (9.8) • “Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197?)” (8.2) • “Panic in Detroit” (7.0)
Although nowhere near as essential as “Ziggy Stardust”, “Aladdin Sane” maintains the good early 70s form of the restless...more →
Howlin’ Wolf
Chess CH-50045
“Decent enough” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Speak Now Woman” (6.9) • “The Back Door Wolf” (6.9) • “Coon On The Moon” (6.8)
Recorded in August ’73, the final album from the urban blues veteran was in the shops by November. Now at 63-year-old, t...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia KC-32460
“Decent enough” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Billy 1” (8.6) • “Billy 4” (7.8) • “Main Title Theme (Billy)” (7.6)
Dylan’s first album in three years was his first film soundtrack LP. He also had an acting part in the movie. There’s a ...more →
Betty Davis
Just Sunshine Records JSS-5
“Decent enough” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “If I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked Up” (8.0) • “In The Meantime” (6.7) • “Walkin’ Up The Road” (6.6)
Bored with her modelling career, the 28-year-old Betty Davis decided it was time to focus in on her literate musical her...more →
New York Dolls
Mercury SRM-1-675
“Decent enough” Proto-Punk; RockJukebox picks: “Trash” (8.2) • “Personality Crisis” (7.6) • “Pills” (6.5)
At the time of release in July 1973 they were: David Johansen (23, gong, harmonica, vocals); Arthur ‘Killer’ Kane (24, b...more →
Gram Parsons
Reprise Records MS-2123
“Decent enough” CountryJukebox picks: “That’s All It Took” (9.0) • “Streets Of Baltimore” (6.5) • “We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning” (6.4)
The debut solo LP from the 26-year-old finally arrived in January ’73 after a lot of stop-start stalling since 1970. The...more →
Bryan Ferry
Island Records ILPS-9249
“Decent enough” PopJukebox picks: “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (10) • “These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)” (7.9) • “Don’t Worry Baby” (7.2)
In 1973, Bryan Ferry was giving James Brown a run for his money for the title of “the hardest working man in show-busi...more →
John Martyn
Island Records ILPS-9226
“Decent enough” Jazz; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Over the Hill” (7.7) • “Go Down Easy” (7.4) • “Solid Air” (6.4)
Arriving in February ’73 was “Solid Air”, already the sixth new-music album from the classy 24-year-old songwriter. By a...more →
O.V. Wright
Back Beat BLP-72
“Decent enough” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Ghetto Child” (6.9) • “Lost In The Shuffle” (6.8) • “He’s My Son (Just The Same)” (6.7)
Another thoroughly decent set from the 33-year-old soul singer, just that little bit rougher and tougher – therefore bet...more →
The J.B.’s
People Records PE-5603
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Doing It To Death Parts 1 & 2” (9.4) • “You Can Have Watergate Just Gimme Some Bucks And I’ll Be Straight [album full length version]” (7.2) • “More Peas” (7.1)
For the second J.B.’s album the twelve funkateers extraordinaire were: James Brown (lead vocal); Darryl ‘Hasaan’ Jamison...more →
David Bowie
RCA Victor RS-1003
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Shapes Of Things” (7.2) • “See Emily Play” (6.8) • “Rosalyn” (6.7)
Arriving in October ’73, just six months after “Aladdin Sane”, was “Pin Ups”, David Bowie’s cover-versions album. Ever s...more →
Swamp Dogg
Stone Dogg SD-3001
“Average” SoulJukebox picks: “Please Let Me Kiss You Goodbye” (7.8) • “Mighty Mighty Dollar Bill” (7.1) • “Plastered To The Wall (Higher Than The Ceiling)” (6.9)
“Gag A Maggot” is the fourth album in four years from the prolific soul maverick, now on his own label, Stone Dogg Recor...more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6014
“Average” Disco / Funk; Film Score / IncidentalJukebox picks: “Mama Feelgood” (7.5) • “Down And Out In New York City” (7.4) • “The Boss” (6.7)
Having witnessed some of the success achieved by the likes of Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield and Bobby Womack, Team JB div...more →
Black Sabbath
WWA Records WWA-005
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (7.0) • “A National Acrobat” (6.2) • “Fluff” (6.0)
The album kicks off with “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and I’m immediately pleased about the return of the great, heavy riffs...more →
Faces
Warner Bros. Records K-56011
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Cindy Incidentally” (8.3) • “My Fault” (7.0) • “Ooh La La” (6.1)
The final Faces album was released in the springtime of 1973 to a backdrop of group tensions – it’s reported that Rod St...more →
Arrow
Arrow Records LPS-007
“Average” CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Please Mr. Police” (6.3) • “Enjoy Yourself” (6.0) • “The Caribbean And The World” (5.9)
Enjoyable enough second album from the 23-year-old Calypsonian, Alphonsus Cassell, who come to be known as the first sup...more →
Mick Moloney
Transatlantic Records TRA-263
“Average” FolkJukebox picks: “Belfast Town (Medley)” (9.2) • “Vi Skei Ikkje Sova Burt Sumar Natta” (6.8) • “Farewell To The Rhondda” (6.6)
Former Johnstones player with his solo debut....more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6015
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Slaughter Theme” (6.9) • “Brother Rap” (6.6) • “Sexy, Sexy, Sexy” (6.5)
James Brown’s second Blaxploitation film soundtrack - and both in 1973. His was a busy crew. Bandleader Fred Wesley crea...more →
T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5002
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Left Hand Luke And The Beggar Boys” (6.9) • “Electric Slim And The Factory Hen” (6.2) • “Mad Donna” (6.0)
Much of the idiosyncratic T. Rex magic is diluted on “Tanx” as Bolan embraces a bit of American rock, soul and funk in s...more →
Tangerine Dream
Ohr OMM-556-031
“Average” AmbientJukebox picks: “Wahn” (6.2) • “Atem” (6.1) • “Circulation of Events” (5.0)
Fourth album from the West Berlin electronic trio who lined-up: Edgar Froese (mellotron, organ, guitar, voice), Peter Ba...more →
Mott The Hoople
CBS S-69038
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “I Wish I Was Your Mother” (7.7) • “All The Way From Memphis” (6.0) • “Drivin’ Sister” (5.9)
Sixth album from the Hertfordhsire glam-rockers, one of the best of the dubious genre, even if they do ham it up a bit t...more →
Chuck Berry
Chess CH-50043
“Below average” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Bio” (7.0) • “Talkin’ About My Buddy” (6.4) • “Aimlessly Driftin’” (5.6)
Backed by Stan Bronstein and Rick Frank’s band “Elephant’s Memory” (who had famously served as Lennon/Ono’s “Plastic” ba...more →
Jimmy Cliff
Reprise Records MS-2147
“Below average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Poor Slave” (7.0) • “Fundamental Reggae” (7.0) • “Under The Sun, Moon And Stars” (6.9)
Fully self-written fifth album from the Jamaican, recorded at Dynamic Sounds in Kingston. Blows hot and cold, despite fe...more →
The Incredible String Band
Island Records ILPS-9229
“Below average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “My Blue Tears” (7.1) • “Second Fiddle” (6.7) • “Explorer” (6.2)
Staring back at you from the cover of their eleventh LP (clockwise from top left) were: Gerard Dott, Mike Heron, Malcolm...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Columbia KC-32710
“Below average” SongwriterJukebox picks: “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry” (7.7) • “I Am The Way (New York Town) [live]” (6.4) • “Dilated To Meet You” (6.0)
Loudon's fourth was recorded with Nashville session men and largely fails to catch-a-fire with me, although his semi-rem...more →
The Beach Boys
Reprise Records MS-2118
“Below average” Cerebral Pop; Folk Rock / Americana; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “California Saga: California” (7.4) • “California Saga: The Beaks Of Eagles” (6.9) • “Steamboat” (6.6)
Rated as one of their best by many fans, their latest Randy-Newman-inspired sound is a bit of a hit-or-a-miss for me, bu...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol ST-11161
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “Tennesee Women’s Prison” (6.9) • “I Don’t Believe I’ll Fall In Love Today” (6.4) • “I Don’t Know How To Tell Him” (6.2)
Only in March, and already Wanda has her second LP of '73 in the shops. The prolific and hard-working artist has had a n...more →
Neu!
Brain brain-1028
“Below average” Avant-Garde; Trance RockJukebox picks: “Lila Engel” (9.5) • “Neuschnee” (9.2) • “Für Immer” (9.0)
The seemingly language-less “Lila Engel” (“Lilac Angel”) was typical of Neu!, Klaus Dinger style – ugly, aggressive ...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T-326L
“Below average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Higher Ground” (6.7) • “Living For The City” (6.4) • “He’s Misstra Know It All” (6.2)
A Stevie Wonder that gets my full-on thumbs up seems pretty much an impossibility, but “Innervisions” comes closest of a...more →
The Who
Track Record 2657 013
“Below average” Rock; ProgJukebox picks: “Doctor Jimmy” (6.7) • “I’ve Had Enough” (6.2) • “The Dirty Jobs” (5.9)
Great film, shame about the soundtrack. Since when did the Mods dig bombastic Prog and Rock? Someone will need to explai...more →
Nkengas
Orbitone OTO-05LP
“Below average” Disco / Funk; AfricanaJukebox picks: “Nkenga Special” (6.2) • “Anyi Bundi Igbo” (5.7) • “Ube Frank Special” (5.5)
So, the story goes that Osita Osadebe was on a UK tour and financial hardship led to members of his Nigeria Sound Makers...more →
Fruko y sus Tesos
Discos Fuentes 200868
“Below average” LatinJukebox picks: “Mosaico Matancero: Vamos Pa’l Campo; La Nochebuena; Rumba En Navidad” (6.0) • “Tronco Seco” (5.8) • “El Violento” (5.7)
This Colombian salsa group were led strictly by multi-instrumentalist Julio Ernesto Estrada, commonly known as Fruko. Hi...more →
The Nkengas
Orbitone OTO-06LP
“Below average” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Anaedo Special” (5.7) • “Unzulu Onye Ige’gpubi” (5.3) • “Asa Mpete Special” (5.2)
The on-tour Nkengas were unknown outside of their homeland when they were introduced to Clinton 'Sonny' Roberts, a Manch...more →
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Vertigo 6360 103
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “Next” (7.1) • “Swampsnake” (5.3) • “The Faith Healer” (5.0)
The sixth Alex Harvey album - the second as the Sensational Alex Harvey Band - arrived in November, 1973. Delivering the...more →
Alice Cooper
Warner Bros. Records BS-2685
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “Unfinished Sweet” (6.6) • “Elected” (6.2) • “Generation Landslide” (6.1)
An improvement on the last couple I've heard, but any good is still outweighed by the bad to my ears. Their brand of Ame...more →
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-197
“Poor” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Elektrisches Roulette” (5.2) • “Tanzmusik” (5.2) • “Ananas Symphonie” (5.1)
Once again they record as a duo, and the suitably titled “Ralf und Florian” was issued in October '73 featuring: Ralf Hü...more →
The Incredible Bongo Band
Pride PRD-0028
“Poor” PopJukebox picks: “Let There Be Drums” (7.3) • “Apache” (5.5) • “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” (5.2)
The story goes that Michael Viner, head of the short-lived MGM subsidiary label Pride, was commissioned to produce chase...more →
ZZ Top
London Records XPS-631
“Poor” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Jesus Just Left Chicago” (6.0) • “La Grange” (5.8) • “Have You Heard?” (5.4)
The breakthrough album from the Texan trio was delivered in July, 1973, placing them as a Top 10 album act. Considering ...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia PC-32747
“Poor” FolkJukebox picks: “The Ballad Of Ira Hayes” (7.1) • “Big Yellow Taxi” (5.9) • “Lily Of The West” (5.4)
Following mutual dis-satisfaction, Bob Dylan split from Columbia Records, his lifelong label to this point. Before he co...more →
Herbie Hancock
Columbia KC-32731
“Poor” JazzJukebox picks: “Vein Melter” (5.7) • “Sly” (4.6) • “Watermelon Man” (4.4)
Recorded September 1973. Released on October 26, 1973. Includes 1 reworking - “Watermelon Man” (Takin' Off, 1962) but I'...more →
Björn Benny and Agnetha Frida
Polar POLS-242
“Poor” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Ring Ring [engelsk version]” (9.4) • “Ring Ring [bara du slog en signal]” (8.5) • “He Is Your Brother” (6.8)
Staring back at you from the cover (l to r) were engaged couple Benny Andersson (26, piano, keyboards, mellotron, vocals...more →
Tony Joe White
Warner Bros. Records BS-2708
“Poor” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Backwoods Preacher Man” (5.7) • “Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana” (5.4) • “Lazy” (5.2)
This is where I get off the Tony Joe express; what excited me with his “Continued” LP of '69 has slowly been eroding awa...more →
Ray Martin and his Orchestra
Decca SPA-333
“Lame” Film Score / IncidentalJukebox picks: “News At Ten (The Awakening)” (6.3) • “Wheelbase” (6.0) • “Nationwide (The Good Word)” (5.2)
Does what it says on the tin. As you'd expect from Ray Martin the orchestration is top-notch, but it still feels a littl...more →
Lynyrd Skynyrd
MCA Records MCA-363
“Lame” RockJukebox picks: “Mississippi Kid” (6.3) • “Tuesday's Gone” (5.1) • “Free Bird” (5.0)
Million-selling debut album from Florida's concise Southern Rock septet, produced by Al Kooper for his Sounds of the Sou...more →
King Crimson
Island Records ILPS-9230
“Lame” ProgJukebox picks: “The Talking Drum” (6.8) • “Easy Money” (4.8) • “Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two” (4.6)
Group leader Robert Fripp had a major culling in '72; all four of his new recruits make their King Crimson LP debuts rig...more →
Canned Heat
United Artists Records UA-LA049-F
“Lame” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Lookin’ For My Rainbow” (5.3) • “Framed” (5.2) • “Election Blues” (5.0)
Urgh, the sound of blues rock 1973. Boredum-de-dum. Influential Rock Critic Lester Bangs was fired from Rolling Stone fo...more →
John Lennon
Apple Records PCS-7165
“Lame” Pop; Pop Ballad; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple)” (7.0) • “Mind Games” (5.7) • “Out The Blue” (4.6)
Another largely namby-pamby effort from an ex-Beatle; why do they all revel in conservative safe beat music? That said,...more →
Pink Floyd
Harvest SHVL-804
“Lame” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Brain Damage” (5.8) • “Money” (5.0) • “On The Run” (4.7)
Tirelessly touted as one of the greatest albums of all-time, the 7th Pink Floyd LP was a markedly different beast to the...more →
Tom Waits
Asylum Records SD-5061
“Lame” Jazz; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Closing Time [instrumental]” (5.6) • “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You” (5.0) • “Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards)” (5.0)
There's nothing special to report on the debut from the 23-year-old singer-songwriter-musician, featuring himself promin...more →
Paul McCartney and Wings
Apple Records PAS-10007
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Jet” (5.7) • “Band On The Run” (4.5) • “Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five” (4.2)
The second album billed to Paul McCartney and Wings - largely recorded in an ill-advised sojourn to Nigeria - was releas...more →
The Wick Scottish Dance Band
Talisman STAL-5029
“Terrible” FolkJukebox picks: “Canadian Reel: Bowing The Strings” (5.0) • “The Morpeth Rant: Harrys Trip / You Need Na’ Run / Dancing At The Ceildh” (4.8) • “Gaelic Waltz: Move Over And Give Me Your Hand / Will You Go With Me Mary?” (4.4)
At the core of the band in '73 were fiddler Addie Harper and accordionist Eann Nicolson, both of whom had been there sin...more →
Canned Heat
Atlantic SD-7289
“Terrible” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “You Am What You Am” (4.6) • “Shake, Rattle And Roll” (4.5) • “L.A. Town” (4.4)
Over US$30,000 in debt, manager Skip Taylor advised the band to sign away their future royalties to their previous Liber...more →
Waylon Jennings
RCA Victor APL1-0240
“Terrible” CountryJukebox picks: “Ride Me Down Easy” (5.2) • “Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me” (4.8) • “You Asked Me To” (4.0)
The 36-year-old Texan country singer had wrestled with RCA to gain full creative control over his output and “Honky Tonk...more →
The Isley Brothers
T-Neck KZ-32453
“Terrible” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Summer Breeze” (5.4) • “Sunshine (Go Away Today)” (5.2) • “You Walk Your Way” (4.2)
The long-standing vocal trio of Isley brothers O'Kelly, Rudolph and Ronald officially expanded their family affair to si...more →
King’s Messengers Quartet
Skyline SK-80159
“Terrible” Operatic / ChoralJukebox picks: “Live In Humble” (5.5) • “Watchman On The Walls Of Zion” (4.7) • “Near To The Heart Of God” (4.1)
Ideal for all your manly bass hum needs! This acapella quartet was founded by Billy Mahlalela at the Bethel College in 1...more →
Marvin Gaye
Tamla T-329V1
“Terrible” R n B; Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Let’s Get It On” (6.6) • “Keep Gettin' It On” (5.8) • “Please Stay (Once You Go Away)” (3.2)
A new direction for the 34-year-old smooth soul man, three years in the making, shaded with a light touch of funk, essen...more →
Frank Sinatra
Reprise Records FS-2155
“Terrible” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Nobody Wins” (5.4) • “There Used To Be A Ballpark” (4.3) • “Noah” (4.0)
Thought to be retired since mid-71, the 57-year-old crooner returned in the fall of '73 reinvigorated, and the absence h...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor APL1-0283
“Terrible” PopJukebox picks: “Where Do I Go From Here?” (5.5) • “It’s Still Here” (4.2) • “I Will Be True” (4.0)
A whole one point raise on the thoroughly dire “Elvis Now” and “He Touched Me” albums of last year, but sitting through ...more →
Genesis
Charisma CAS-1074
“Terrible” ProgJukebox picks: “Aisle Of Plenty” (5.2) • “The Battle Of Epping Forest” (4.5) • “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)” (4.4)
“Can you tell me where my country lies?” sings Peter Gabriel a capella, setting the tone in the very opening gambit....more →
Todd Rundgren
Bearsville BR-2133
“Terrible” Cerebral Pop; Pop; Prog; RockJukebox picks: “You Need Your Head” (6.1) • “Tic Tic Tic It Wears Off” (5.4) • “International Feel” (5.2)
A slight improvement on last year's “Something / Anything?”, but that's not saying much. He starts off well enough with ...more →
Traffic
Island Records ILPS-9224
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Roll Right Stones” (4.8) • “Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory” (3.9) • “Tragic Magic” (3.5)
Traffic failed to deliver an album in the calendar year of '72 - a first since their formation in '67. Since last time o...more →
Steely Dan
ABC Records ABCX-779
“Dire” Folk Rock / Americana; Pop; RockJukebox picks: “Bodhisattva” (4.2) • “The Boston Rag” (3.7) • “Show Biz Kids” (3.4)
Now down to a quintet with the departure of backing vocalist David Palmer, they line up: Donald Fagen (acoustic and elec...more →
Elton John
DJM Records DJLPD-1001
“Dire” Songwriter; Pop Ballad; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Candle In The Wind” (5.1) • “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” (3.8) • “Your Sister Can’t Twist (But She Can Rock ’n’ Roll)” (3.6)
The eighth Elton John album arrived in October '73 which, to be fair, is some going for a 23-year-old. It was his second...more →
Elton John
DJM Records DJLPH-427
“Dire” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Elderberry Wine” (3.8) • “Have Mercy On The Criminal” (3.2) • “Crocodile Rock” (2.7)
“Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player” pleads the 22-year-old; did he think we wouldn't notice that he sung and wrot...more →
Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager
Mercury SRM-1-660
“An embarrassment” Pop Ballad; SoulJukebox picks: “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)” (4.3) • “Lean On Me” (3.7) • “I Like Your Lovin’” (3.0)
Bland sessioneering, warbling vocal aerobics, syrupy strings, rubbish songs. Come back Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, al...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor APL1-0388
“An embarrassment” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Find Out What’s Happening” (2.8) • “If You Don’t Come Back” (2.3) • “Just A Little Bit” (2.3)
Album #37 from the 38-year-old was delivered in October, 1973, all brand new recordings from Stax Studios in Memphis, Te...more →
Jerry Butler
Mercury SRM-1-689
“An embarrassment” Soul; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Power Of Love” (3.4) • “Memories Don’t Leave Like People Do” (2.8) • “What Do You Do On A Sunday Afternoon” (1.9)
The cheezmeister is now into full-blown “heartfelt” territory as the schmaltz-o-meter gets turned up to the max....more →
Damil Records House Band
Stereo Gold Award MER-106
“An embarrassment” PopJukebox picks: “Why Can’t We Live Together” (2.7) • “Drive-In Saturday” (2.3) • “Sweet Dreams” (2.1)
The “Damil Records House Band” (as I call them) made albums which contained anonymous cover versions of recent and curre...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1973 |
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