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Post by zeopold on Sept 10, 2020 9:14:35 GMT
I recall this being something of a fallow period for cool music, falling as it did between the decline of glam and the punk rock explosion, albeit with some notable exceptions, like Cockney Rebel, who seemed to appeal to both the cork sniffers and the more laddish elements.
Harley blotted his copybook somewhat with his churlish bitching about the new wave, but I recall 'The Psychomodo' being a rare highlight from the period.
A pretty eclectic set, I particularly enjoyed the wordy, atmospheric closer...
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 9:30:42 GMT
The singles charts were certainly less interesting during the fallow years of 74-76 however I expect that there was still plenty going on elsewhere I always really liked Cockney Rebel Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) which still sounds flipping wonderful was a UK number one in February 1975, right in the midst of the fallow years Here's the top 100 UK singles of 1975.... www.uk-charts.top-source.info/top-100-1975.shtmlYou can see the fag end of glam and the emergence of disco in amongst those tunes Here's an absolute belter from 1975... George McCrae - It's been so long
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Post by andyloneshark on Sept 10, 2020 9:50:28 GMT
...Glam Rock took longer to decline in mainland Europe and Scandinavia, which kept some of the 'Bricklayers in Bacofoil' bands in business, circa 1974-76 Which is where JunkShop Glam comes in - But quite a few, e.g. The Glitter Band, went 'Disco' to try and maintain a chart profile.
The shrewdest bands like: Cockney Rebel, Roxy Music, Bowie and Sparks developed their sound and were respected as 'serious artists' that made quality albums but also kept one foot in the singles pop charts.
This is a fave later Roxy Music gem from late 1975. Not a big hit, but big enough to keep the album Siren in the charts...
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Post by zeopold on Sept 10, 2020 10:21:01 GMT
The shrewdest bands like: Cockney Rebel, Roxy Music, Bowie and Sparks developed their sound and were respected as 'serious artists' that made quality albums but also kept one foot in the singles pop charts. Hooray for Sparks. 'Kimono' was definitely one of the standout albums of the period
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 10:47:57 GMT
The shrewdest bands like: Cockney Rebel, Roxy Music, Bowie and Sparks developed their sound and were respected as 'serious artists' that made quality albums but also kept one foot in the singles pop charts. Very good points Andy Hooray for Sparks indeed - although 1976's Big Beat was not up to the standard of Kimono/Propaganda/Indiscreet - they bounced back big time with the Moroder collab 1979. A stunning album. Roxys Siren is a wonderful LP. Roxy never put a footwrong prior to the first split Bowie-wise, and lest we forget, he released Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, and Station To Station in the 74-76 period. His 70s run of albums becomes ever more impressive Kraftwerk's Autobahn and Radioactivity also came out during the 74-76 period too - pointing the way to the future
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 10:50:58 GMT
Even Marc and T.Rex, whose commercial star was waning, kept releasing good LPs...
Zinc Alloy / Bolan's Zip Gun / Futuristic Dragon
...during 74-76
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Post by personunknown on Sept 10, 2020 11:01:50 GMT
It was fallow but there were a handful of albums inadvertently pointing at things to come. Three Dr Feelgood lps with its fast, high octane, r&b. Similarly Teenage Depression and though most of us wouldn't hear it until punk broke here, The Ramones debut.
My fave Mott the Hoople - The Hoople.
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 11:28:46 GMT
Great examples PU I well recall Dr Feelgood's Stupidity racing to number one in the album charts around the time I started reading the weekly music papers in 1976 The first ever live album to go to number 1 in the UK chart in its first week of release Even as a 14 year old I was intrigued Who are they? They look different etc etc I came across an unusual clip of the Feelgoods live in France in 76.... Going Back Home - From "Beau Fixe Sur Pithiviers", French TV, 14th August 1976
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Post by andyloneshark on Sept 10, 2020 11:51:22 GMT
...over the decades, i have come to appreciate how The Feelgoods were the vital link before Punk. I remember seeing them play live on the kids TV show The Geordie Scene in 1975... the year of Bay City Roller-Mania The Feelgoods looked like hardened Thugs off The Sweeney playing fast, simple and raw Rock'n'Roll, with a demeanour that said "We don't care if you like us or not" ...That made a big impact for me.
The mid 70s was the period where i guess Prog rock was the dominant so called serious music/album music. Also 10cc were MASSIVE being considered a Pop group for pop kids as well as being listened to by beardy University Students.
I was listening to Kraftwerk alot around then, plus catching up on Alice Cooper albums... the Greatest Hits collection being the gateway. Even early Electric light Orchestra albums were bending my ear, before all that Beatles pastiche they eventually struck gold with.
I didn't buy hardly any singles in 1976, apart from this, which still sounds remarkably contemporary...
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 12:16:42 GMT
...over the decades, i have come to appreciate how The Feelgoods were the vital link before Punk. I remember seeing them play live on the kids TV show The Geordie Scene in 1975... the year of Bay City Roller-Mania The Feelgoods looked like hardened Thugs off The Sweeney playing fast, simple and raw Rock'n'Roll, with a demeanour that said " We don't care if you like us or not" ...That made a big impact for me. Yes. You and me both. Something was changing, and the Feelgoods were the advance guard Also 10cc were MASSIVE being considered a Pop group for pop kids as well as being listened to by beardy University Students. Yeah. Interesting how they appealed so universally - pop kids, students, even, I daresay, mums and dads I liked them at the time and still find a lot to enjoy Always meant to do a deep dive into their albums and, despite having acquired them, never got really stuck in. I was listening to Kraftwerk alot around then, plus catching up on Alice Cooper albums... the Greatest Hits collection being the gateway. I'd love to say I was hip to Kraftwerk back then but it took Trans Europe Express to convert me That said, I love Autobahn when it was a hit but never went anywhere near their albums as a 13 year old
Alice Cooper was love at first sight when Schools Out stormed the charts in 1972 - I had the hits LP too in the late 70s
Even early Electric light Orchestra albums were bending my ear, before all that Beatles pastiche they eventually struck gold with. I won an ELO single at the youth club in 74/75 (I think)... Ma Ma Mama Belle...still sounds great Around the same time I also dug Roll Over Beethoven and... 10538 Overture
Oh yeah, remember.....
.... The Hoople came out in 1974 too
And then Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson had a hit with the fabulous Once Bitten Twice Shy in 1975....
TOP TRIV...
Ian Hunter is old as fuck - he's 81 - four years older than Mick Jagger
Flipping heck, 74-76 was a golden era for music
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Post by zeopold on Sept 10, 2020 13:16:49 GMT
Precious few cool points to be had for this but the last album I bought before the new wave explosion was 'Silk Degrees' by the Boz.
Loved it then, love it now.
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Post by andyloneshark on Sept 10, 2020 13:21:04 GMT
...alot of memories of 1976 and School come flooding back everytime i hear this.
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Post by zeopold on Sept 10, 2020 13:27:03 GMT
Ian Hunter is old as fuck - he's 81 - four years older than Mick Jagger
I recall reading an interview once where Hunter said he was advised to adopt the dark glasses to hide his age The Mott were another group that appealed to both the cognoscenti and the lads
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Sept 10, 2020 13:27:55 GMT
Lido Shuffle still sounds great - sends me right back to the era too Andy
I'd never heard Lowdown before Zeo. Not a fan (based on one listen)
It reminds me of all that horrible jazz funk that was so beloved of the furry dice crowd in the mid-late 70s.
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Post by zeopold on Sept 10, 2020 13:57:17 GMT
I'd never heard Lowdown before Surprising, as it was big hit, as was 'What can I say', also off 'Silk Degrees' Live version here with the legendary Jeff Porcaro killing it on drums ... now where did I put the keys to my Capri?
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