Let’s start today’s entry with a quick thank you to my readers! After taking an unplanned week off for family emergencies and events, I came back to a consistent readership in much higher numbers than before. I am certain that the quality of my writing has not improved nor has my choice of topics. Yet, for reasons unknown to me, you all have been visiting my silly blog about the music that you and I love. Please, if you like this blog, pass on the site to your other music-loving friends. Fortunately, I have been blessed with a core group of my high school and college friends who have encourage this adventure, but it is the people whom I do not know that make this blog worthwhile. So, a big thanks goes out to everyone who has read this blog.
Today, the year is 1974. That was the year during which I finished up elementary school as my father finished up his first year as principal of the very same school. He would go on at the school for 26 more years, retiring in after the 1998-99 school year. 1974 was also something of a milestone year because it was that very year, during summer break, in which I discovered American Top 40 anchored by the incomparable voice of Casey Kasem. I really do not remember much about that countdown, as I did not write it down each week. However, I do remember hearing ABBA’s great single “Waterloo” being played, and I was hooked on this weekly radio program.
Looking back, 1974 was a solid year in music, with my quirky albums that were failures at the time going on to become favorites of mine. It was also around this time that Sir Elton John was beginning to peak in popularity. Stevie Wonder was on the hottest streak of his career, Jackson Browne was just beginning to establish himself as the voice of a generation, and the Raspberries were attempting a comeback, only to be wrongly convinced that they were not worthy of rock stardom, even with their brilliantly yearning single “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record).” Finally, 1974 will be remembered for all eternity as it was the year when Kiss released the first two records of their career. This and so much more happened in 1974.
And, while many exciting things happened in 1974, the number of classic albums was minimal. Still, the records that were released in 1974 are the kind that will only enrich your collection, by giving it diversity. With all of that said, let’s start the countdown!
- Big Star – Radio City
- Queen – Sheer Heart Attack
- Randy Newman – Good Old Boys
- Raspberries – Starting Over
- Van Morrison – It’s Too Late to Stop Now
- Lynyrd Skynyrd – Second Helping
- Stevie Wonder – Fullfillingness’ First Finale
- Bob Dylan & The Band – Before the Flood
- Electric Light Orchestra – Eldorado
- Bob Marley & the Wailers – Natty Dread
- Elton John – Caribou
- Jackson Browne – Late for the Sky
- Daryl Hall & John Oates – War Babies
- The Rolling Stones – It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll
- Gram Parsons – Grievous Angel
- The Doobie Brothers – What We Once Vices Are Now Habits
- Rush – Rush
- Shuggie Otis – Inspiration Information
- Neil Young – On the Beach
- Kiss – Kiss
- Supertramp – Crime of the Century
- Van Morrison – Veedon Fleece
- Todd Rundgren – Todd
- Kraftwerk – Autobahn
- New York Dolls – Too Much Too Soon
- The Spinners – Mighty Love
- Sweet – Desolation Boulevard
- Labelle – Nightbirds
- Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan – Rags to Rufus
- Kiss – Hotter Than Hell
- Steely Dan – Pretzel Logic
- Roxy Music – Country Life
- Aerosmith – Get Your Wings
- Ohio Players – Fire
- Queen – Queen II
- Bad Company – Bad Company
- Eagles – On the Border
- Eric Clapton – 461 Ocean Boulevard
- Brinsley Schwarz – The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz
- Barry White – Can’t Get Enough
During one last “look-sy,” I have noticed soul albums, English pub rock albums, hard rock albums, disco albums, funk albums, pop albums and everything in-between and all around. Needless to say, it is a somewhat eclectic list.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! And, I hope this is NOT the last time I blurt out, “Go Pacers!”
If My Records Could Talk 