70's pearls

[MoreWatts]

From 1970 thru 1974, singer/songwriter Rod Stewart released 4 solo albums. This run of albums was a tour de force for fans of acoustic-based rock, and was the springboard for his knighthood. The albums are a mix of originals and covers, played and recorded wonderfully. He was smart enough to have his concurrent band, Faces, do most of the instrumental work.

Allmusic: “Nearly all of Gasoline Alley is played on acoustic instruments -- Stewart treats rock & roll songs like folk songs, reinterpreting them in individual, unpredictable ways… It's an album that celebrates tradition while moving it into the present and never once does it disown the past.” This was his 2nd solo album, from 1970.

Rod Stewart, Gasoline Alley, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Rod released what many consider his masterpiece in 1971. Allmusic: “It's a beautiful album, one that has the timeless qualities of the best folk, yet one that rocks harder than most pop music -- few rock albums are quite this powerful or this rich.” The album, and the single ‘Maggie May,’ went to #1 ~ worldwide. The video below is from the MTV Unplugged sessions, with Ron Wood on guitar.

Rod Stewart, Every Picture Tells A Story, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Allmusic: “It's possible to hear Stewart go for superstardom with the hard-rocking kick and fat electric guitars of the album, but the songs still cut to the core. A masterful record. He never got quite this good ever again.” From 1972, went to UK #1, US #2.

Rod Stewart, Never A Dull Moment, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Rod released Smiler in 1974, which was panned by critics as now too formulaic. Bunk. It fits right in with this run, and at times sounds more like a rockin' Faces album than the above 3 albums. Tax problems after this led him to move to the USA (hence, Atlantic Crossing), quit Faces, and change his sound, on his way to pop superstardom.

Rod Stewart, Smiler, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

The ‘70s Pearl’ from Robbie Robertson (RIP) and The Band was Northern Lights Southern Cross, from 1974.

Allmusic: “On this album The Band explore new timbres, utilizing 24 tracks and what was (then) new synthesizer technology, and also opening out their sound in some unexpected ways. After years of restrained, economical playing, following a less-is-more philosophy, Robbie Robertson stepped out in front with some flashy, extroverted playing… The vocals by drummer Levon Helm, pianist Richard Manuel, and bassist Rick Danko were all spot-on as well, on this last great musical statement from the group.”

This was their 6th of ~7 original studio albums, and the last recorded together as the complete The Band.

The Band, Northern Lights Southern Cross, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[MoreWatts]

Hmm, ‘70s Pearls’ with no Stones albums?

The Rolling Stones gave us 2 classic studio albums to start the ‘70s.

Allmusic: “Pieced together from outtakes and much-labored-over songs, Sticky Fingers manages to have a loose, ramshackle ambience… With its offhand mixture of decadence, roots music, and outright malevolence, Sticky Fingers set the tone for the rest of the decade for the Stones.” From 1971. The original LP had an actual, functional, zipper on the cover.

The Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

Exile On Main Street was released a year later. Allmusic: “It's the kind of record that's gripping on the very first listen, but each subsequent listen reveals something new. Few other albums, let alone double albums, have been so rich and masterful as Exile on Main Street, and it stands not only as one of the Stones' best records, but sets a remarkably high standard for all of hard rock.”

Not sure how 'audiophile' these are. I can't unhear the 'classic rock has no bass' trope, which seems true here. Shouldn't it be added during remaster?

These were the ~12th & 13th of their ~26 studio albums from 1964-2016.

The Rolling Stones, Exile On Main Street, full album: YouTube link ; Spotify link

 

[pavuol]

you're probably more familiar with some covers of this song

Omega - Gyöngyhajú lány [1969]