Notable LPs released this month 50 years ago. Click the links to order from Amazon.
Ringo gets a little help from his friends John, Paul and George, along with Harry Nilsson, the Band, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins and many more on this wonderful LP, which is not just Ringo's best-ever release, but a top contender for best Beatles solo LP.
It's pretty much all highlights, but a few that stand out include the hit "Photograph" (co-written with George), "You're Sixteen" (featuring backup vocals and kazoo imitations by Paul McCartney, and the cheeky opening track, "I'm the Greatest," written by John, who provides piano and harmony vocal, George on guitar and Ringo, of course, on drums.
The Boss' second LP (and his second of 1973) is highlighted by now-classics "Rosalita" and "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)."
Two great ex-Beatles albums in one month! This one captures Lennon near the start his "long weekend" separation from Yoko Ono and includes, like most of of solo work, several longing songs dedicated to her. Producing himself for the first time, it's a varied and commercially minded collection of songs, which came as relief put off by the overtly topical Sometime in New York City. It's not on par with Plastic Ono Band or Imagine (what is?), but it's one of Lennon's best. Highlights include the title track, which pays tribute to the swirling psychedelic sounds and peace and love sentiments of the Sixties, the tender "Out of the Blue" and wonderful, underrated deep cuts such as "I Know" and "Only People." If you like the LP, be aware that a big box set dedicated to it is coming out next summer.
An overlooked gem that captures the group in its expanded Holland/Carl and the Passions form, with contributions from Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar. It's a crack live band that turns in versions of then-new tunes such as "Sail On Sailor" and "Marcella," along with unexpected tunes from the band's Sixties LPs, including "You Still Believe in Me" and "Caroline No" from Pet Sounds, "Heroes and Villains" from Smiley Smile and "Let the Wind Blow" from Wild Honey. And, of course, there are the big hits: "Surfin' USA," "Help Me Rhonda," "California Girls," "Fun Fun Fun" and "Good Vibrations." If only the Beach Boys could've stayed a vital creative band like this on stage, combining new and classic material with energy and enthusiasm rather than devolving into a nostalgia act. Oh well... at least we have this.
Disparaged as his worst-ever album at the time of it's release, this one has never been well-regarded. It only turned up on CD as part of Dylan's Complete Collection in 2013. But I like it. There's something fun and novel about hearing Bob sing "Big Yellow Taxi," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and "Spanish is a Loving Tongue." If you track down a used copy on vinyl chance are it's in pretty good shape!
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The first electronic/ambient experimental LP from the former Roxy Music musician and King Crimson chief still sounds like nothing else: ethereal, calming, otherworldly. Nice in the background, or to attend to with deep focus.
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