THE BEATLES: ‘LIVE! AT THE STAR-CLUB, 1962’ (1977) We wrap up our Beatles month with a raucous but rewarding live album from early in the band’s career. Is this a bootleg? In 1977, It was a semi-legal release and widely … Continue reading →
Smokie’s “It’s Your Life” released as a single in the early summer of 1977 and a few months later appeared on the band’s Bright Lights & Back Alleys LP. This reggae-flavored tune was written by the hit machine duo Mike … Continue reading →
The Don Harrison Band features two former members of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Stu Cook (bass) and Doug Clifford (drums). The roots-rockin’ band released two LPs on Atlantic in 1976 – a self-titled platter and Red Hot – as seen above. … Continue reading →
KLAATU (SELF-TITLED, 1976) We continue our month-long Beatles special with an album once thought to have been made by a secretly reunited Fab Four. (Note: see my earlier 8-Trackin’ post for background on the curious late ’70s resurgence of Beatlemania.) … Continue reading →
Here’s a fascinating three minutes of must-watch footage for David Bowie fans. On October 15, 1977 Bowie visited the TopPop studios in the Netherlands for a round of local promotion and to shoot an appearance singing “Heroes.” I found Bowie’s … Continue reading →
A very merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today! We’re taking things nice and easy on this fine Tuesday – so let’s roll into some holiday music. Here’s the The Kinks with their 1977 single “Father Christmas.” Cheers! The Kinks: ‘Father … Continue reading →
Happy holidays, everyone! Let’s liven up the place with our buddy, Johnny Cash. Here’s Johnny singing “Christmas Time’s A-Comin’” from his 1977 Christmas Special. It’s short and sweet and goes down a treat. Tap yer feet! Johnny Cash: ‘Christmas Time’s … Continue reading →
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, ‘PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION’ (1971); PHILIP GLASS, ‘NORTH STAR’ (1977) Two classically-themed musical suites inspired by the visual arts: a mail-order offer you can’t refuse. Want to be sophisticated but don’t have the time? Can’t get … Continue reading →
KISS – ‘ALIVE!’ (1975); ‘ALIVE II’ (1977) As Kiss announces its final tour for next year, let’s look back at the two live albums that cemented the hard-rock legend’s fame. In early 1975 Kiss, a rock band posing as comic-book … Continue reading →
YACHT ROCKIN’ PT. 4: SOUND HORN IN HARBOR (CHUCK MANGIONE 1977, HERB ALPERT, 1979) The yacht rock expedition heads back to shore with a couple danceable delights by leading ’70s horn players. Whether it’s a bugler sounding reveille, a warrior … Continue reading →