Recorded in San Francisco and Oakland in 1968 and released in March of 1972, Cream’s Live Volume II featured only six songs but still ran at 40 minutes long. Plenty of foot-tapping and head-nodding jams to be had here. The … Continue reading →
THE KINKS, ‘THE KINK KRONIKLES’ (1972), ‘GOLDEN HOUR’ (1971), ‘GREAT LOST KINKS ALBUM’ (1973) Three tapes rich with stories, characters, and music-hall sounds from the late-’60s Kinks. The Kinks went through many phases in their long career; after just eight … Continue reading →
Alice Cooper’s “Be My Lover” originally appeared on the Killer album in November 1971. The tune, written by guitarist Michael Bruce, was released as a single early in 1972 and climbed to #49 on the US Hot 100. Alice Cooper: … Continue reading →
CAT STEVENS, SONNY & CHER, BEE GEES REISSUES (1971-78) In which enterprising labels exploit ’70s superstars by repackaging their ’60s recordings — some good, some bad. Cat Stevens, Very Young and Early Songs (1971). At the end of 1971, Cat … Continue reading →
Big Star Custom Tape, ‘#1 Record’ (1972), ‘Radio City,’ (1974) 45 years later, the cult Memphis band’s first two albums finally make it to 8-track (sort of). A wrong set right: Here it is, the one tape (or two) that … Continue reading →
JONI MITCHELL, ‘FOR THE ROSES’ (1972) The pivotal fifth album by Mitchell, who turned 75 last week, contains threads of her folkie past, her pop-star present, and her jazzbo future. To me this album is where Joni Mitchell really hits … Continue reading →
“A bit of black humor, an insight into his personal philosophies of life, a hint of rebellion against musical structure.” John Entwistle’s second solo album Whistle Rymes hit record shops in November of 1972. The LP seems to have received … Continue reading →
The Dramatics’ “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” was released as a single in the summer of 1971 and appeared on the LP of the same name. This taught, smokin’ tune climbed to #9 on the US Hot 100. The album … Continue reading →
A TRACKIN’ TRIBUTE: ARETHA FRANKLIN, ‘YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK’ (1972) Aretha’s gone, but she left a vast recorded legacy to comfort us. Since this superb, eclectic album exhibits so many of her strengths, it’s a great way to remember this … Continue reading →
1972 was a very good year for Roberta Flack. Her 1969 remixed & re-released version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” ended up winning a Grammy for Record of the Year and held the #1 place on … Continue reading →