Rod Stewart – An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down (1969)

Rod (the Mod) was in several blues bands in the Sixties, such as Jeff Beck Band, but remained largely unknown.  He joined the Small Faces in 1969, along with Ronnie Wood and the band became The Faces.  One issue was that Rod had recently signed a solo record deal with Mercury, while The Faces had a deal with Warner Brothers.  Despite a growing following neither the bands first two, or Rod’s first two albums were hits.  They released these albums under different names, but largely it was the same players on all of them.  Not until Rod’s third, ‘Every Picture Tells A Story’ with the number one hit ‘Maggie May’ did the general public take them to their collective bosom.  This debut was a pretty decent effort; a mix of blues and rock with just four original songs on it.  Mind you, two of the best tracks were Mike D’Abo’s ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ and Ewan Macoll’s ‘Dirty Old Town’.  Actually until quite recently Rod has combined his own songwriting with songs by others. Rod’s gravelly vocals are of course superb on this, especially on ‘I Wouldn’t Ever Change A Thing’ and the Jagger/Richards recent hit ‘Street Fighting Man’.  Incidentally the cover photo (of an old man in a dirty raincoat either playing with or chasing a young girl and of course the title) which may have been entirely innocent, or a band joke has been recently changed to a bland Orange cover and the name ‘The Rod Stewart Album’. 

Sting – The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985)

After an incredibly successful career with his band ‘The Police’ Sting decided to go solo.  I think the three band members felt the group had run it’s course (about ten years) and were growing stale, despite having almost their greatest success with ‘Every Breath You Take’ in 1982.  Anyway Sting also changed direction again as he took on a more jazz infused sound with a new band composed of jazz musicians.   The album was an instant success, reaching Number Three in the UK and Number 2 in America.  It hasn’t really dated too much either with several of the songs still sounding fresh.  Sting would go on to worldwide fame as a solo artist and has released 15 studio albums, though I have only a few; he has also released a few strange diversions (lute music and almost spoken word).  He was also one of those artists that many seem to dislike, like Phil Collins and Bono – he has been quite outspoken over the years.  His last studio album was three years ago, but he is preparing another World Tour as I write this, so who knows when his story will end.  Best songs on this Brilliant debut are ‘If You Love Somebody (set them free)’, Russians’ (which is still relevant today of course) and ‘We Work The Black Seam’.

Vivian Stanshall – Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (1978)

Well, there once was a time when comedy records were quite accepted as a genre, I am not sure that applies now; I am not sure that ‘records’ are even going to continue to be made for much longer – but there you go.  Vivian, or Viv was a leading member of a mildly successful outfit – The Bonzo Dog Doodah Band, or the Bonzos as they were known.  Playing a mixture of jazz, comedy and music hall and pop they had a devoted following.

They split up (apparently friendly) in 1970 and Viv formed a couple of groups, had a nervous breakdown and was drinking heavily.  He was a regular on John Peel’s late night show, sometimes with drinking partner Keith Moon in tow; these forays sometimes included an upper class character ‘Sir Henry’.  The album of which, his second solo adventure has become a cult and is considered his masterpiece.  It is a mix of spoken word comedy and almost antique musical songs.  Viv vocalises all the characters in a splendid range of voices and styles.  It is hilarious and ridiculous in equal measure, a truly eccentric exercise but is a great favourite of mine.  It is well worth a listen, if only to be amazed that a record company ever allowed it to be released.  He sadly died in a fire, which rumour has it that Viv started by smoking and drinking heavily in bed, in 1995.  He was never a great success, despite a cameo appearance in ‘Magical Mystery Tour’, and the voice of the announcer in ‘Tubular Bells’.  He was loved by many of the musicians of the time. 

Squeeze – Cool for Cats (1979)

Formed by main songwriters Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook the band broke on the scene in the late Seventies.  They were NOT punk but had a DIY sort of sound, raw and real rock and roll and then there were those lyrics.   They were from Deptford, East London and sung unfashionably in London Accents and their songs were famously about ordinary working-class life in what was then the poor East End.  A completely original sound and quite successful at the time, squeezed between punk and the New Romantics.  They had Jools Holland in the band for a few years too.   Hit singles from this album were ‘Up The Junction’ and ‘Cool For Cats’ which both reached number 2.   This was actually their second album but the first to break through really.  My favourite tracks are ‘Up The Junction’, ‘Goodbye Girl’ and ‘Slap and Tickle’ which was great social commentary.  As usual it was the incredible songs which made both this record and the group the success they were.

Sigur Ros – Takk (2005)

There was a time I was really taken with this Icelandic band (Pink Sugar) and their strange haunting vocals.   This was actually their fourth and the first one to really break through in the UK, and probably even get mentioned in the music press.  Hard to describe, as they are like no other band at all, not even Bjork who hails from that strange cold place.  In some ways they remind me of Tangerine Dream but using vocals as a major instrument, although I have no idea what they are singing – it is just beautiful melodic sounds.  Not sure why after buying just three albums I stopped….maybe they were just s bit samey.  And this album, their fourth actually, is almost one long symphonic piece – hard to pick out a favourite – but glancing at the titles ‘Hoppipolla’ stands out, as does the title track (Thanks in English) and also ‘Andvari’.  All in all a pleasant listen.  The band is still making music in Iceland but their small window of fame has passed by now.

John Stewart – Californai Bloodlines (1969)

Continuing with great artists very few people have heard of I present John Stewart, chronicler of America through the decades.  Born in 1939 he joined the new folk scene in the early 60s with ‘The Cumberland Three’ and ‘The Kingston Trio’.  Going solo in 1968 he not only penned a number one for The Monkees (Daydream Believer) but in his career wrote and recorded over 600 songs, changing record companies like used shirts – but his small core of fans remained constant.  I first heard of him on Noel Edmonds Sunday morning show where he showcased American songwriters in the early Seventies, one of whom was John Stewart.  Thanks Noel, you introduced me to so many great unsung singers.  An original American voice, who celebrates both the good and the bad of that country in a voice both genuine, strong and emotive.  This album is an absolute classic…almost every song a winner.   Best are ‘July You’re A Woman’, ‘The Pirates Of Stone Country Road’ and ‘Never Going Back’.  John died a few years back.

Bruce Springsteen – Greetings From Asbury Park N.J. (1973)

Well, another Superhero of Twentieth Century Rock, who only seems to grow more appreciated with age.  I only got into him later with albums such as ‘The River’ (1980) and ‘Nebraska’ (1982) but have since at least listened to, if not purchased the early ones.  Hailed early on as ‘The New Bob Dylan’, a mantle he has tried hard to disown.  Early on he was being acclaimed as ‘The Boss’ and has made memorable albums with his band, The E Street Band, as well as much quieter solo albums.  This debut certainly exuded confidence and was quite well received. The surprise is that the best 2 songs ‘Blinded By The Light’ and ‘Growing Up’ were only added to the record after CBS complained that the album lacked a catchy single.  Springsteen immediately went into the studio and laid down these two superb songs.  ‘For You’ and ‘Spirit In The Night’ are pretty good too.  Not a bad debut, but then this was the early Seventies when so many bands came up with great albums.

Split Enz – Mental Notes (1975)

A band from New Zealand, though one or two members were Australian I believe.  Coming out in the year of punk one didn’t know what to expect – and we weren’t left in suspense for long.  I saw them the following year at the Roundhouse – and they were incredibly different, dressed bizarrely in multicoloured costumes and zany coloured hair they were a strange but hypnotic mix of music hall, punk and glam.   The songs were eclectic and quite brilliant.   After a couple of albums they settled down to making superb catchy poppy rock songs.  Lead singer was Tim Finn, who was later joined by his younger brother Neil.  The band eventually petered out in ’84 but Crowded House emerged.  Best on this debut are ‘Walking Down The Road’, ‘Time For A Change’ and ‘Spellbound’.  They have become somewhat of a ‘cult’ band in this Century and their albums are now sought out and command quite high prices; luckily I got them all in the mid-eighties.  Still one of my favourite bands.

Cat Stevens – Mona Bona Jakon (1970)

Cat Stevens – Mona Bona Jakon (1970)

Cat, real name Steven Demetre Georgiou, had been a ‘pop’ star for a couple of years, having hits with Matthew and Son’ and a few others.  A couple of albums were released, some of the songs were written by Cat, but they were very commercial and Cat was on the treadmill of recording, performing and promotions.  Diagnosed with tuberculosis and a collapsed lung he was hospitalised in ’68.  He disappeared for over a year as the pop machine rolled on without him.  During his recovery Cat reassessed his life and direction; he started writing songs with a deeper philosophical message.  He got a new record contract and working with Paul Samwell-Smith and a small accoustic band he changed from ‘pop’ to ‘folk-rock’ and was at the forefront of the nascent singer-songwriter movement.  This album took off slowly but the single ‘Lady D’Arbanville’ helped sales as a new audience discovered him.  The album is, as the handful which followed are, sublime and gorgeous – favourite songs are so hard to choose, but I really love ‘Trouble’, ‘Katmandu’ and ‘Lillywhite’.  Cat went on to become a mega star but slowly realised that fame was not everthing.  He converted to Islam, taking the name Yusuf Islam.  He soon stopped recording and took up charity and educational work, some of which was controversial.  He gradually returned to music in the late 90s and sometimes uses the name Cat Stevens.  By the way, the title of this album was his private name for his penis.

Stealers Wheel – Stealers Wheel (1972)

Scottish friends Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty joined forces and after a couple of line-up changes created the band and released this incredible album.  Produced by legendary American songwriters and producers ‘Leiber and Stoller’ the album was an instant hit – great songs, great singing, witty lyrics, and a superb mid-Atlantic sound they couldn’t and didn’t go wrong.  Although Gerry Rafferty went on to achieve more fame Joe Egan wrote most of the songs.  Maybe success came too easily but Gerry immediately left and was only persuaded to rejoin as ‘Stuck In The Middle’ became a worldwide hit.  It has incidentally gone on to become one of the most-played songs on radio and almost everyone knows the chorus.  Hastily recording a second and then a third album, neither of which were as well received, either by critics or the record-buying public, they gave up in 1975.  Almost a one-hit wonder – but this album was truly brilliant – best songs ‘Late Again’, ‘Johnny’s Song’ and ‘Next to Me’ – but not a poor track on the blessed record.