Steve Miller:

Sailor:(1968)

Number 5:(1970)

Fly Like An Eagle:(1976)

Book of Dreams:(1977)

Yes, yes, we all know the hits this man has had. But, the first Steve Miller album I had, and was familiar with was Sailor. A Glyn Johns produced bit of psychedelia that is dream like, and subtle. Clearly it was created in a time before the band hit on their chart topping formula that would land them as a permanent fixture on radio for decades to come. However, by the mid-seventies the band had tidied themselves up to give us Take The Money and Run, and Jungle Love. I wouldn't say I'm a huge Steve Miller fan, but you put on a record of his, and I'm probably going to sing along, or at least think, 'damn, I dig this tune.' 

Paul McCartney:

McCartney:(1970)

I love this, somewhat, lo-fi album. This was one of the first albums I heard, and though, 'hey, I could record an album at home'. Not to mention, I rank Maybe I'm Amazed as one of the greatest love songs ever. That said, Hot As Sun/Glasses might be my favorite track.

Ram:(1971)

This album is a fucking masterpiece. I own two vinyl copies of this one. It's just so interesting, and layered, and Ram On. I recently read a piece that made the argument that this album was the first Indie-Rock album. Possibly. It might be a valid point. The only real box this album fits into, in the context of 1971, is the box of McCartney. A man, who at this time, was reinventing his arsenal of colors with which to paint. 

"Wild Life":(1971)

Some people say, McCartney is too 'Pop' for their liking... Fair enough. But, there is "Wild Life". This is a weird experimental rock album. There's really nothing poppy on this record. 

Red Rose Speedway:(1973)

Red Rose Speedway is another album, more polished than "Wild Life", but kind of in the same vein. However, on this album McCartney is starting to get back into crafting the well written Pop tunes, as only he can. I'm talking about, My Love. A tune so saccharine sweet it attracts bees when it's played. It also contains a killer guitar solo by Hugh McCullough.   

Band on The Run:(1973)

OK, so here's another album of which I own two vinyl copies. It's just so damn good. McCartney and Wings seem to be so far at the top of their game here, it's ridiculous. How many classic tunes are on this record? Four? Now, as much as I love, Jet, Mamunia might be my favorite track.

Wings At The Speed of Sound:(1976)

It might have been a jab at McCartney to say all he did was write silly little love songs, but he turned it into a helluva hit song. Like he does. But, even though I dig that tune... I always hear the horn riff as a bit of lift from Willie Mitchell's horn arrangement on Al Green's L-O-V-E. 

London Town:(1978)

There are cool tunes on this album, but... This album always felt a little light to me. It's cool in the context of the catalog of a prolific artist, but it's not an album I reach for a lot.

Wings Greatest:(1978)

So, obviously, I keep Wings in the Paul McCartney section of my collection. And, why not? After all, Paul is the driving creative force in all he does, no matter who's playing behind him.

Back To The Egg:(1979)

I like this album, I really do. It's just that it feels like the band is running out of steam a bit. And, it would be the last Wings record. This is also around the time when the production starts getting a little too slick. Rain water runs right off it. Old Siam, Sir is a killer track. As is, Arrow Through Me.

Give My Regards to Broadstreet:(1984)

Dave Mason:

Alone Together:(1970)

Headkeeper:(1972)

It's Like You Never Left:(1973)

These three albums pretty much represent the early part of Dave Mason's solo output, and are excellent slices of 1970's Rock'n'Roll. Great guitar work on all three, as expected. These are an example of why I started this whole blog thing. I know these records are in there, I just, for whatever reason, never get them out, and listen to them. When I do, I'm always like, 'hey, these are great, why don't I listen to them more often?' So, on this morning, I've been very much enjoying having ears to peep to Dave Mason.

Lynyrd Skynyrd:

Second Helping:(1974)

One More From The Road:(1976)

Street Survivors:(1977)

Usually I fob off my owning of Lynyrd Skynyrd records on the fact that I was young, and didn't know any better. But, truth is, I do enjoy some of their tunes. However, there are some I skip over every time. Sweet Home Alabama being one of them. I just can't stand this song, and cultural status it has attained. I do like their version of JJ Cale's Call Me The Breeze. And the lead lick from I Know A Little was one of the first licks I learned at thirteen. So, yeah, there's my Lynyrd Skynyrd records.

Little Steven:

Men Without Women:(1982)

Voice of America:(1984)

One of the most soulful members of the E Street Band, I'm sure that even if you haven't heard these albums, you can imagine what Little Steven brings to his first two solo albums. You can tell that Steven and Bruce grew up listening to the same records. However, while Springsteen sometimes dances around a tough political issue, Little Steven is right there in your face. Which might be a part of why his solo albums aren't more widely regarded. All I know is, I really dig both these records. Oddly enough, I was turned onto Little Steven's solo work by the Jackson Browne cover of Steven's I Am A Patriot. Steven also has one of my favorite quotes about music in politics, it goes something like, "What's more personal than your political beliefs?" 

Led Zeppelin:

Led Zeppelin I:(1969)

Led Zeppelin II:(1969)

Led Zeppelin IV:(1971)

Presence:(1976)

CODA:(1982)

It's Led Zeppelin what else can you say? Love 'em or hate 'em they were good band who've had a phenomenal run. Oddly enough, I don't own my two favorite Zeppelin albums on vinyl, Houses of The Holy, and Physical Graffiti. Might have to remedy that. Anyway, I listened to Zeppelin today.

Guess Who:

American Woman:(1970)

Guess Who Plays The Guess Who:(1971)

I've always been charmed by the Guess Who, ragged rock'n'roll in the best possible way. Of course, everyone knows American Woman, but what about Talisman or their ultra lounge cover of Wild One? I had the chance to see these guys, with most of the original lineup, at a festival once. They were awesome, even if they were wearing Bermuda shorts. 

Fleetwood Mac:

Then Play On:(1969)

Fleetwood Mac In Chicago:(1969)

Fleetwood Mac:(1975)

Tusk:(1979)

Mirage:(1982)

Few bands survive the huge artistic/stylistic changes Fleetwood Mac went through, and The Mac did it and came out with their biggest hits. We all know the fabled story. But for my money, Then Play On is my favorite Fleetwood Mac studio album that features just the band. But, my all time favorite Fleetwood Mac album is Fleetwood Mac in Chicago. Did I mention this is back when they were a blues rock band? On this album they jam through four vinyl sides with the likes of Willie Dixon, Honeyboy Edwards, Otis Span and others in the legendary Chess Studio. This album is hell and gone from the pop music the future would bring to their table after Peter Green checked out. Key track for me is Black Jack Blues. 

Now that's not to discredit the Buckingham/Nicks era Fleetwood Mac, I still sing along in the car to those Classic Rock gems, but you really can't talk about the two major incarnations of this band in the same paragraph. So, onto the pop side... 1975's Fleetwood Mac yielded, what, three top twenty hits? And became a Classic. Tusk is an album I'm torn over. I dig the titled track, and a handful of other songs on this sprawling double album, but a lot of it feels like soft fluff. Like maybe there should have been less coke and more editing going on in the studio. Mirage is when things really start falling off for me as the band succumbs to some overly smooth late 70's early 80's production techniques that just grate on my nerves. In fact as I'm listening to this now, I'm not sure why I've kept this album. 

Go back to the Fleetwood Mac In Chicago album, quickly. 

Creedence Clearwater Revival:

Creedence Clearwater Revival:(1968)

Bayou Country:(1969)

Willy And The Poor Boys:(1969)

Mardi Gras:(1972)

Chronicles:(1976)

Creedence Country:(1981)

I'm sure as soon as you read the band's name a tune of theirs started in your head, at least it does with me. In the late sixties and early seventies these guys were the most down to Earth rock'n'roll band around. They weren't flashy. There were times when they seemed out of step with the times. There was constant in-band fighting.  But, damn were the songs good, and plentiful for a time. In 1969 alone they released three classic albums, Bayou Country, Green River, and Willy And The Poor Boys. All of which contained hits. Sadly like a lot of bands who burn that brightly it all burned up way too quickly. Creedence are a testament to doing your own thing, and doing it to the best of your ability, and coming out on top in spite of prevailing trends. 

The Dave Clark Five:

Glad All Over:(1964)

Good clean Rock'n'Roll fun, that's what you get here. Hell, seconds into the song Glad All Over I'm smiling at the two drum hits that take us into the chorus. Couple that with Bits and Pieces, and you've got the makings of a rock classic. Of course, I have to mention the guitar lick on All of The Time, so clean, and swimmy, and awesome. Go ahead, pull up Glad All Over right now, and I bet you're smiling by the end.

Buckingham Nicks:

Buckingham Nicks:(1973)

I could never understand why this album was never rereleased, because, it's pretty awesome, in a 70's studio pretty voice kind of way. Ok, I love this album, I'll say it. Sure they later recut some of these songs for Fleetwood Mac records, but the versions on this album are the ones I think are stronger. These tunes seem more honest, and certainly less decadent than what would go down in Fleetwood Mac. Now, when I was first digging through my parents' record collection, it was not the music that drew me to this album... This kids, is why cover art is important. *wink,wink* Anyway, this album is hard to find. I've been looking for a second copy for a while, but finding a clean copy is tantamount to finding ant's teeth.