1974 in music.

Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy won 1973. Let's see who wins 1974. Kind of an odd year.

Billboard chart-topping albums of 1974:
The Carpenters - The Singles
Jim Croce - You Don't Mess With Jim (cont. from '72)
Bob Dylan - Planet Waves
Barbara Streisand - The Way We Were
John Denver - Greatest Hits
Wings - Band on the Run (cont. from '73)
Chicago - VII
Marvin Hamlisch - The Sting
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
Elton John - Caribou
John Denver - Back Home Again
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale
Bad Company - Bad Company
The Beach Boys - Endless Summer
Olivia Newton-John - If You Love Me, Let Me Know
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile
Barry White - Can't Get Enough
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - So Far
Carole King - Wrap Around Joy
John Lennon - Walls and Bridges
The Rolling Stones - It's Only Rock and Roll
Elton John - Greatest Hits

Billboard chart-topping singles of 1974:
Jim Croce - Time in a Bottle (cont. from '73)
Steve Miller Band - The Joker
Al Wilson - Show and Tell
Ringo Starr - You're Sixteen
Barbara Streisand - The Way We Were
Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme
Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun
Cher - Dark Lady
John Denver - Sunshine on My Shoulders
Blue Swede - Hooked on a Feeling
Elton John - Benny and the Jets
MFSB - The Sound of Philadelphia
Grand Funk - The Locomotion
Ray Stevens - The Streak
Wings - Band on the Run
Bo Donaldson - Billy Don't Be a Hero
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
The Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat
George McCrae - Rock Your Baby
John Denver - Annie's Song
Roberta Flack - Feel Like Makin' Love
Paper Lace - The Night Chicago Died
Paula Anka - You're Having My Baby
Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff
Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe
Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently
Olivia Newton-John - I Honestly Love You
Billy Preston - Nothing From Nothing
Dionne Warwick - Then Came You
Stevie Wonder - You Haven't Do Nothin'
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
John Lennon - Whatever Gets You Through the Night
Billy Swan - I Can Help
Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
Harry Chapin - Cat's in the Cradle
Helen Reddy - Angie Baby

What are your top three albums for 1974? We will keep a running tally and eventually have some sort of bracket. For me it would be:

1. Neil Young - On the Beach
2. Big Star - Radio City
3. Willie Nelson - Phases and Stages

What are some of the forgotten gems from the year? What is overrated? What did you discover at a young age and what did you discover later?

YEARS IN MUSIC • forum.chorus.fm

 

remainder of the top 10:
4. brian eno - here come the warm jets
5. bob dylan - planet waves
6. george harrison - dark horse
7. queen - sheer heart attack
8. richard and linda thompson - I want to see the bright lights
9. steely dan - pretzel logic
10. gene clark - no other

other honorable mentions:
aerosmith - get your wings
bad company - bad company
badfinger - badfinger
brian eno - taking tiger mountain
david bowie - diamond dogs
eagles - on the border
electric light orchestra - eldorado
elton john - caribou
eric clapton - 461 ocean boulevard
gene clark - no other
gram parsons - grievous angel
harry nilsson - pussy cats
hawkwind - hall of the mountain grill
jackson browne - late for the sky
john lennon - walls and bridges
king crimson - red
lynyrd skynyrd - second helping
merle haggard - if we make it through december
queen - ii
randy newman - good old boys
the rolling stones - it’s only rock and roll
ronnie wood - i’ve got my own album to do
rush - rush
sparks - kimono my house
t rex - zinc alloy and the hidden riders of tomorrow
van morrison - veedon fleece
waylon jennings - this time

stuff to check out:
beach boys - endless summer
deep purple - burn
genesis - the lamb lies down on broadway
gordon lightfoot - sundown
herbie hancock - thrust
john denver - back home again
joni mitchell - court and spark
kraftwerk - autobahn
kris kristofferson - spooky lady’s sideshow
leonard cohen - new skin for the old ceremony
stevie wonder - fulfillingness’ first finale
todd rundgren - todd

 

1. Queen - Sheer Heart Attack
2. Queen II
3. David Bowie - Diamond Dogs

Great songs from other albums:
Brian Eno - Baby’s On Fire
John Lennon - #9 Dream
ABBA - Waterloo
Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
Sparks - This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us
The Hollies - The Air That I Breathe
Kraftwerk - Autobahn
Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness
Linda Ronstadt - You’re No Good
Bob Marley & The Wailers - No Woman No Cry
George Harrison - Dark Horse

 

all in all, not one of my favorite years of music, but always some nice stuff.

Here's my fav albums:

1. John Lennon - Walls and Bridges
2. Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness First Finale
3. Queen - Sheer Heart Attack
4. George Harrison - Dark Horse
5. Billy Joel - Streetlight Serenade
6. Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
7. Queen - Queen II

Albums I have listened to only once, but would find their way into my list eventually:

Bob Dylan - Planet Waves
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
Eagles - On The Border
Elton John - Caribou
Nilsson - Pussy Cats
Funkadelic - Standing On The Verge of Getting It On
Parliament - Up For The Down Stroke
Lynyrd Skynrd - Second Helping
Randy Newman - Good Old Boys

 

and my hot jamz mix from 1974, some great stuff here

 

This is a slightly emptier year for me, which is exciting as it means there's more to discover!

1. Tom Waits - The Heart of Saturday Night
2. Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale
3. Jorge Ben - A Tabua de Esmeralda

The Heart of Saturday Night is probably my favourite Tom Waits album. While I love his abrasive stuff that came a bit later, this album really is the perfect late night blues record, that completely conjures up images of the dive bar it should be played in. I also think "It's colder then a welldigger's ass" is just an all time great lyric and image.

Stevie carries on with his incredible hot streak, with the tongue-twisting Fulfillingness' First Finale. Following the big socially conscious Innervisions, this is a slightly more personal and introspective album, with Stevie playing almost all the instruments himself (piano, all sorts of different keyboards, harmonica, drums, bass, synths - the man could do anything.)

A Tabua De Esmeralda is Jorge Ben's wonderful record, blurring "Western" soul and funk, with Brazilian samba rhythms, for a wonderful collection of songs. There's some incredible song-writing here, and not speaking any Portuguese, you can really just enjoy Jorge Ben's voice as another instrument in the mix here.

Honourable mentions;

Etta James - Come a Little Closer: Probably the last great Etta record (though I do have a soft spot for her final record, The Dreamer from 2011), this is just a classic collection of really well sung RnB / soul tracks.

Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark: This is a perfect blend of pop music, folk and jazz, remarkably well written, and most accessible Mitchell would be for a while.

Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan - Rufusized: Just absolutely perfect funk-rock that is super high energy and endlessly danceable.

Van Morrisson - Veedon Fleece: Another excellent Van album, that's slightly less RnB than his few records before it, and getting back in touch with his folksy gaelic roots.


Looking forward to finding a few more record from this year!

 

1. Dan Fogelberg - Souvenirs
2. Electric Light Orchestra - El Dorado
3. Billy Joel - Streetlife Serenade

Exctuciating cuts:
Jorge Ben - A Tabua De Esmeralda
Lou Reed - Rock n Roll Animal

Others I love:
Tom Waits - The Heart of Saturday Night
Aerosmith - Get Your Wings
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile
Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale
Neil Young - On the Beach
Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece
Linda Ronstadt - Heart Like a Wheel
Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
Richard and Linda Thompson - I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown
Bob Dylan and The Band - Before the Flood
ABBA - Waterloo
Big Star - Radio City
The Spinners - Mighty Love
Randy Newman - Good Old Boys
Willie Nelson - Phases and Stages
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Second Helping
Jackson Browne - Late for the Sky

Good ones:
Elton John - Caribou
Joe Cocker - I Can Stand a Little Rain
Richard Betts - Highway Call
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan - Rufusized
Barry White - Can't Get Enough
The J. Geils Band - Nightmares...and Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle
Leonard Cohen - New Skin for the Old Ceremony
The Spinners - New and Improved
Bob Seger - Seven
Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic
Thin Lizzy - Nightlife
Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard
The Meters - Rejuvenation
Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco - Celia y Johnny
Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge of Getting It On
George Jones - The Grand Tour
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
Al Stewart - Past, Present and Future
Richard and Linda Thompson - Hokey Pokey
Raspberries - Starting Over
Millie Jackson - Caught Up
Bob Dylan - Planet Waves
John Denver - Back Home Again
Mott the Hoople - The Hoople
George Harrison - Dark Horse
Robert Palmer - Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley
Bob Marley and The Wailers - Natty Dread
Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess
Sweet - Desolation Boulevard
Queen - Sheet Heart Attack
John Lennon - Walls and Bridges
Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets
Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Labelle - Nightbirds
America - Holiday
Tower of Power - Back to Oakland
Ringo Starr - Goodnight Vienna
Terry Callier - I Just Can't Help Myself
Dolly Parton - Jolene
Minnie Riperton - Perfect Angel
Percy Sledge - I'll Be Your Everything
The Four Tops - Meeting of the Minds
George Benson - Bad Benson
Love Unlimited Orchestra - Rhapsody in White
Wilson Pickett - Pickett in the Pocket
Carl Carlton - Everlasting Love

Targets for listening:
Earth, Wind and Fire - Open Your Eyes
Herbie Hancock - Thrust
Ohio Players - Fire
Bonnie Raitt - Streetlights
Roxy Music - Country Life
Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel
Sparks - Kimono My House
10cc - Sheet Music
Bad Company - Bad Company
Gene Clark - No Other
Kraftwerk - Autobahn
Van Morrison - It's Too Late to Stop Now
Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information
Queen - Queen II
Gil Scott-Heron - Winter in America
Tangerine Dream - Phaedra
Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
The Doobie Brothers - What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
Eagles - On the Border
Jethro Tull - War Child
The Rolling Stones - It's Only Rock and Roll
The Bar-Kays - Cold Blooded
Cat Stevens - Buddha and the Chocolate Box
The Stylistics - Let's Put It All Together
Blue Oyster Cult - Secret Treaties
Rush - Rush
New York Dolls - Too Much Too Soon
Grover Washington, Jr. - Mr. Magic
Jefferson Starship - Dragonfly
Mick Ronson - Slaughter on 10th Avenue
Antonio Carlos Jobim and Elis Regina - Elis & Tom
Jim Stafford - Jim Stafford
Blue Magic - Blue Magic

 

Shit, and here I thought I had a good handle on this year.

Oh wow. Absolutely vouch for all of these.

This is why you're my dude. A Tabua De Esmeralda. The best Waits record. Rufisized. Right the fuck on. Haha

 

Going to have to think about this one. No particularly huge favorites for me from this year, so figuring out my ballot might be harder than usual. Lots of intriguing stuff to check out from the posts so far, though!

 

1. Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece
2. Neil Young - On the Beach
3. Big Star - Radio City

 

it's gene's best. also think you'll like the ron wood one. good dumb fun. I'm a new convert to sparks but I love that album

I really need to just spend a day doing a full dive into stevie.

 

six submissions so far - each with a different #1. has to be a "record" for us so far.

 

Yeah no idea what’s gonna win this year, doesn’t seem like any particularly obvious winners, which is good!

 

I do love Faces and the early Stewart stuff, so it'd make sense if I dug the Ron Wood record, too.

You see Wood, Stewart and Kenny Jones are back in the studio?

 

hell yes i did

 

1. Genesis- The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
2. Aerosmith- Get Your Wings
3. Stevie Wonder- Fulfillingness' First Finale

 

I have to think a little more about 2 & 3, but Minnie Riperton's Perfect Angels will easily be my number 1. I listened to it for the first time a few months ago and I've been in love since. I strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't heard it, especially if you like soul/r&b, or just enjoy insane vocals

 

The Stylistics - Let’s Put It All Together
Actually a bit of a disappointment. There is a world of difference between being produced by Thom Bell in Philly and being produced by Hugo & Luigi in NYC. They didn’t have an overly distinctive artistic stamp, so it made a huge difference in sound. The strings aren’t as lush, the harmonies not as swelling, and there are quite a few touches of thin-sounding Euro-disco. It still had two killer singles, and actually the last (vocal) track makes use of the disco stuff well, plus it’s always fun to hear his falsetto, but definitely a decline from Rock and Roll Baby.

The Doobie Brothers - What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
Shockingly good album. Where The Captain and Me was 4 killer tracks that later made their Best Of and then some okay stuff, this works well as an album. It’s a really terrific guitar record, with riff after riff after riff. It also makes you appreciate what a breath of fresh air (and unlikely #1) “Black Water” really was.

 

Im gonna listen to that doobie bros album today

 

Make sure you’re not driving because you may get an irresistible urge to air guitar at times

 

No idea what to pick for this year....

 

First listen with Dylan’s Planet Waves, which I’m not sure how it slipped through the cracks for me, but I really enjoyed this.

Loose without ever feeling sloppy, it’s a collection of rootsy, personal and intimate tracks, with a really strong vocal performance from Dylan. It’s slightly odd to have two versions of Forever Young back to back, but I suppose that works better as the end of Side One and the beginning of Side Two.

Wasn’t expecting too much from this, as it isn’t a Dylan record I’ve seen talked about much, but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Bob Dylan, quite good actually, who knew?!?

 

I had many of those same thoughts when I listened as well!

 

the band really pulls it together

 

Gene Clark - No Other
Well damn. That’s some good shit.