The year before punk rock became a big thing in the UK was perhaps one of the greatest ever for classic rock, as the NME writers best albums of the year suggest. Desire is one of Dylan’s best albums of the 1970s, Station To Station is mind blowing and so different to anything else. Dr. Feelgood is hardcore R & B. Fantastic records from Steve Miller, Todd, Jackson Browne, Nils, Steely Dan, BOC, Emmylou and Thin Lizzy.
What strikes me powerfully here is how varied the records were. Everything from proto-metal of Blue Oyster Cult to straight out country, raggae and folk, via ambient and the blues.
The only two I don’t have here are the Gene Clark and the Graham Parker albums. I never got Parker, dunno why really, just didn’t connect with him. I bought Fly Like An Eagle on release and I played it all that long hot summer. Great memories.
- Desire - Bob Dylan
- Station To Station - David Bowie
- Stupidity - Dr. Feelgood
- Heat Treatment - Graham Parker
- The Ramones - The Ramones
- Agents Of Fortune - Blue Oyster Cult
- Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Kate & Anna McGarrigle
- The Pretender - Jackson Browne
- Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading
- Cry Tough - Nils Lofgren
- Elite Hotel - Emmylou Harris
- Jailbreak - Thin Lizzy
- The Royal Scam - Steely Dan
- Fly Like An Eagle - Steve Miller
- Chicken Skin Music - Ry Cooder
- Rastaman Vibration - Bob Marley
- Hejira - Joni Mitchell
- Man In The Hills - Burning Spear
- Stretchin' Out - Bootsy's Rubber Band
- Hard Rain - Bob Dylan
- Faithful - Todd Rundgren
- Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows - Neil Ardley
- War In A Babylon - Max Romeo
- Old No. 1 - Guy Clark
