We are experiencing challenging times and thank goodness for music to help us through the days.
I don't know if it's my age, but when I used to buy vinyl albums by my favourite artists, all the tracks were listened to and they were all good, if not great! Was this dedication on my part, or was music really better way back then? The albums I have chosen today range from 1971 to 1975 and they have all inspired me in one way or another.
The Strawbs Bursting At The Seams
Strawbs Bursting At The Seams
The Strawbs have had many line up changes over the years, but have always had Dave Cousins as lead vocalist and guitarist. This album was more hard rock than folk and saw the arrival of Dave Lambert who also played guitar and vocals. Two hit songs came from this album, Lay Down and Part of the Union. One of the songs, The Winter and the Summer is just brilliant with Dave Lambert on lead vocals. More information about The Strawbs can be found here. I have seen them 4 times over the years and always enjoy every concert.
A great version of The Winter and the Summer by The Strawbs including Rick Wakeman's son on keyboards
Leonard Cohen Greatest Hits
Leonard Cohen Greatest Hits 1975 Copyright CBS Records
Leonard Cohen is a masterful poet and has written some fantastic love songs. He is someone who 'talks' rather than sing his songs and many people have said that he can make you feel really depressed. I have always liked him though but I can see their point with songs like Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye. The choir I sing with,The Helen Vereker Singers often perform Hallelujah which strangely is not on this album. See more information about Leonard here.
Leonard Cohen Hey That's No Way To Say Goodbye
James Taylor Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon
James Taylor Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon 1971 Copyright Warner Bros
Ah, Sweet Baby James, I had a crush on James when this album was released in 1971. What a great title! I was really into folk music. Tom Paxton, Ralph McTell, Fairport Convention etc and, like Leonard Cohen, James Taylor writes wonderful meaningful songs, his most famous on this album is You've Got A Friend written by Carole King. I love all the songs on here, so cannot choose a favourite! More information about James can be found here.
You've Got A Friend
Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing
Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing 1975 Copyright Warner Bros
Released in 1975, this album has a slow side and a fast side, that was original back then! Rod was able to make you feel happy dancing maniacally, or having a slow dance to 'I don't want to talk about it.' I was 20 at the time of this release and I can remember being in discos or in pubs and putting Sailing on the jukebox. Arms waving, linking up with drunken strangers and all singing out of tune! You can find more information about Rod here.
Sailing Rod Stewart
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits 1971 Copyright CBS Records
This band has had so many ups and downs and changes of direction over the years and on the whole, I enjoy all of their music. I was going to pick Rumours, but this album was bought when I was 16 in 1971 and I was just starting work in the Midland Bank. From the brilliant 'Oh Well' through to 'Man of the World' and 'Albatross', so many great tracks. I can clearly remember watching the band perform Albatross on Top of the Pops. You can find more information about Fleetwood Mac here.
Man Of The World Peter Green (original Fleetwood Mac member)
These albums may or may not inspire you, but I am sure many of you can all remember where you were when they came out!
