TOMITA, ‘SNOWFLAKES ARE DANCING’ (1974); YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA (SELF-TITLED, 1979) Two pioneering works of Japanese synthpop bring together Debussy, Martin Denny, and Afrika Bambaataa. With Japan’s keen grasp on technology, you’d think the country would have been on the cutting … Continue reading →
PAUL MCCARTNEY, ‘COLD CUTS’ (CUSTOM 8-TRACK, 1971-79) Paul’s own collection of ’70s gems slipped through the cracks to become a bootleg and a homemade 8-track. Who’s the artist? Sir Paul McCartney, CH, MBE, ex-Beatle, pop half of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting … Continue reading →
THE RECORDS, ‘THE RECORDS’; BRAM TCHAIKOVSKY, ‘STRANGE MAN, CHANGED MAN’ (1979) Two shining moments of British power pop and the very nice 8-tracks that came with them. In fall 1979, there was a flurry of British new wave gems on … Continue reading →
The Boomtown Rats released their second LP, A Tonic For The Troops, in the summer of 1978. The record featured three Top 20 singles; “She’s So Modern” (UK #12), “Like Clockwork” (UK #6), and “Rat Trap” (UK #1). Below you’ll … Continue reading →
Forty years ago, Nazareth’s tenth studio LP No Mean City rolled into shops at the top of 1979. The record was produced by the group’s Manny Charlton and featured the singles; “Star,” “Whatever You Want Babe,” and “May The Sunshine” … Continue reading →
“One Last Kiss” by The J. Geils Band first appeared on the Sanctuary LP in the fall of 1978. The tune was written by group members Peter Wolf and Seth Justman and climbed to #35 on the US Hot 100 … Continue reading →
Barry Manilow’s recording of “Somewhere In The Night” originally appeared on the artist’s 1978 LP Even Now. The song, written by Richard Kerr and Will Jennings, was first a hit for Helen Reddy who took the tune to US #19 … Continue reading →
‘STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL’ (TV, 1978); JEFFERSON STARSHIP, ‘GOLD’ (1979) 15 fun facts about the notorious sci-fi Christmas special and its only soundtrack release on 8-track. 1. George Lucas hates the Star Wars Holiday Special. With its dated comedy, odd … Continue reading →
WILLIE NELSON, ‘PRETTY PAPER’ (1979) Willie shakes off his outlaw-cowboy image for a blissful, understated set of holiday pop standards perfect for any occasion. Pretty paper? You mean like rolling paper? Sorry, folks; in spite of wild Willie’s stoner reputation, … Continue reading →
‘QUADROPHENIA’ (1973 THE WHO ALBUM, 1979 FILM SOUNDTRACK) An ambitious, storytelling rock epic inspires an influential film. But is a new soundtrack album really necessary? From the start Quadrophenia was conceived as a film, albeit for your ears only. By … Continue reading →