Tag Archives: 1971

Link Wray – Link Wray

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

The music is an Americana blend of blues, country, gospel, and folk rock elements. This music is characterized by the purposeful use of simplified sounds to reflect the then-current vogue of blues and other roots music being used in many roots rock bands. Wray's guitar-work, composing, and vocals reflected modern rock influences.

Moods

A beautiful piece of Americana that's defined by it's rough passion and original roots rock sound

Thoughts

bluesy folk rock with a country twang. For years I only knew the guy for his earlier instrumental work but I'm happy I checked this later entry out. I took the description in the 'sounds like' description from Wikipedia as it's accurate but bizarre to read, almost clinical in its description. The draw here is the passionate and earthy grittiness found in timeless music of the era. The combination of those sounds produces something distinct and broadly appealing, it's original music that only the American landscape is capable of producing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Link-Wray-Link-Wray/release/6988842

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrV9mBM7Pk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-Zws_ggoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozwlKJO7iuw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZmSZGJggE4

Spotify


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Link Wray – Link Wray

Description: Album Review of Link Wray – Link Wray


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Traffic – The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys

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★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

70's rock with a rhythmic Latin element, soulful, long prog rock structures

Moods

Light up or leave me alone

Thoughts

I've saved a few tracks to playlists but this isn't the type of thing I plan on revisiting much in the future. The title track is well regarded by critics. It's good, especially through its composition and phases, but a long one at almost 12 minutes.

Something always feels a little square with Traffic records, can't put my hands on it. Might be the flute. Still hard to deny their ability and this has that 'classic' sound that only this era can produce.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Traffic-The-Low-Spark-Of-High-Heeled-Boys/release/5503643

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4Yb2bEekkE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY-_Y_7p55M

Spotify


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Traffic – The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys

Description: Album Review of Traffic – The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Paul & Linda McCartney – Ram

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Peak McCartney songwriting

Moods

A car driven by guitar

Thoughts

Fun rock with a moving energy. Paul covers a range of styles from Golden age rock and roll on ‘smile away’ to a Beatles like medley on ‘Uncle Albert’.

This is good chord driven pop at its heart by one of the world's best songwriters. Lyrically things are a little freewheeling and goofy at times but it works.

I found this to be seriously good on my first few listens, might become a personal classic if given enough time.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Paul-Linda-McCartney-Ram/release/4561199

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5qymNPUb1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2eWWS0QMlc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Swl9Iqh6DQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrthE_waCV8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8pulOnIE5Q

Spotify


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Paul & Linda McCartney – Ram

Description: Album Review of Paul & Linda McCartney – Ram


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Miles Davis – A Tribute To Jack Johnson

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★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Rock and Jazz fusion

Moods

Groovin – the perfect miles record for rock fans

Thoughts

Perhaps the most 'rock’ record in the miles discography. Purists might disagree but I think this is an exemplar of rock and jazz fusion due to it's heavy rock lean and accessibility. The mixing is weird: no single tracks but rather two lengthy sides where thing's fade into the other, often forcing unfinished ideas to come together abruptly; almost like an impatient DJ. Anyhow the music:

Side 1 is the better example of the miles 'rock’ thing with a driving bass line and angular guitars propelling things forward. It’s an extended classic  70s rock jam with a groove.

Side 2 is where thing's get a bit more chilled out and experimental. The music wanders and isn't as focused. Still.. things are being worked out and it's fantastic music by any means. A highlight is the moment ‘in a silent way’ breaks through. Glorious!

I consider miles electric period one of the pinnacles of music and this is one of the best intros, especially for non-jazz fans.

Essential music.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Miles-Davis-A-Tribute-To-Jack-Johnson/release/1941575

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8TdZFVj6tA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoH6kFbuYRQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfLvNwxnj6g

Spotify


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Miles Davis – A Tribute To Jack Johnson

Description: Album Review of Miles Davis – A Tribute To Jack Johnson


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Karen Dalton – In My Own Time

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
60s folk rock

Thoughts
Interesting listen, a set of covers by a distinct voice who straddles the line between folk, rock, and country. She brings a distinctive touch to each, making them sound fully like her own songs. I like the tracks backee by a band ( in my own dream, one night of love) but she does well in more stripped down solo moments too.

Great songwriting mixed with a great singer makes for a great record, recommended.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Karen-Dalton-In-My-Own-Time/release/2786153

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

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Karen Dalton – In My Own Time

Description: Album Review of Karen Dalton – In My Own Time


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax

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★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
Experimental 60s psychedelic pop jams

Thoughts
Highly recommended and fruitful collaboration between these two legends. I’d describe this as the Grateful Dead meets the VU at their most experimental.

Top-notch instrumentation and songwriting. While it has a jam vibe it never wanders too far into noodling territory.

I need to revisit this more, seems as if it would reward repeat listening.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/John-Cale-Terry-Riley-Church-Of-Anthrax/release/1363130

Listen!

Youtube



Spotify

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John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax

Description: Album Review of John Cale,Terry Riley – Church Of Anthrax


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Alice Cooper – Love It To Death

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

‘Hard’ classic rock

Thoughts

Aside from 18 I’m not familiar with Alice Cooper’s catalog so I was looking forward to this when I saw it was high on WFMUs most played albums list. This album starts off as solid barebones rock and roll. It recounts the doors (black juju), and a forebearer to chord driven punk like the Ramones (Long way to go), sounds of Iggy pop and Black Sabbath are definitely at play.

Unfortunately it feels slightly watered down from those greats and it begins to show itself as the album wears on; I just don’t find it to be a great listen. Hard to write as I know this was influential to many but to my ears it just doesn’t stand the test of time.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Alice-Cooper-Love-It-To-Death/release/5094226

Listen!

Youtube





Spotify