1971.12.27

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of December 27, 1971

Caught my eye:

AL KOOPER / STEVE STILLS etc. – Super Session (Columbia CQ-30991) QUAD re-issue
GEORGE HARRISON etc. – The Concert for Bangla Desh (Apple STCX-3385) triple LP
KEN NORDINE – How Are Things In Your ATown? (Blue Thumb BTS-33) double LP

Al Kooper & Co. in QUAD! I think I got “Bangla Desh” for Christmas in 1971, so it must’ve come out before 12/27/71!! I learned who Ken Nordine was by this LP hitting the cut-out bins within a year or so of this release – it was everywhere – a double album – for 99 cents.

Also of interest:

BELL & ARC (Columbia 31142)
ATOMIC ROOSTER – In Hearing Of… (Elektra EKS-74109)
RAY STEVENS – Greatest Hits (Barnaby ZQ-30770) QUAD re-issue

Bell & Arc was licensed from Charisma / B&C, England. I never went with Atomic Rooster once Chris Farlowe took over on vocals…somehow can’t wrap my head around a quad version of “Ahab The Arab”.

Notable singles:

BILLY EDD WHEELER – Gifts b/w Plutebobelle (RCA 74-0610)
THE FACES – Stay With Me b/w You’re So Rude (Warner 7545)
HUDSON & LANDRY – Ajax Airlines (Dore 868)

Oh, and tons of “Back-to-back Hits” 45’s from Warners etc. B.E.W. is a C&W / bluegrass songwriter who eventually wrote for Kenny Rogers. The Faces single is from “A Nod Is As Good As A Wink” and you used to hear it on the FM radio rather a lot. Hudson & Landry were L.A. radio comedians, and this – along with “Ajax Liquor Store” was typical of their output.

= = =

OK, that's the end of the 1971 release sheets. I am going to take a break from 'em and post some other stuff before starting 1972! As always, I love to hear what you think!

1971.12.20

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of December 20, 1971

The week of Christmas, 1971 – always kind of a worthless week, in terms of decent releases…

Caught my eye:

PAUL KANTER & GRACE SLICK – Sunfighter (Grunt 1002) (LP)
LIGHTHOUSE – One Fine Light (RCA VPS-6047) double LP
JACKIE McCAULEY (Pye 3300) (LP)

With Jefferson Airplane having crashed, we could look forward to records like “Sunfighter”; I do not think this is the Lighthouse album with “One Fine Morning” on it – but I am not certain; Jackie McCauley is an Irish singer / songwriter who wrote some great 60’s hits for The Foundations etc. – found in the 99 cent bin.

Also of interest:

PETER BARDENS – Write My Name In The Dust (Verve Forecast 3091)
MARK-ALMOND (Blue Thumb BTS-32)
VAUGHN MEADER – The Second Coming (Kama Sutra 2038)
RUDY RAY MOORE – Return of Dolemite (Kent 010)

Records that one could find in a 99 cent bin, if you looked for them. The only one I had at the time was the Vaughn Meader LP (yes, the same Vaughn Meader that sent-up the Kennedy family). I wouldn’t have been old enough to buy a “Dolemite” record in ’71!

Notable singles:

LED ZEPPELIN – Black Dog (Atlantic 2849)
MOUNTAIN – Crossroader b/w Roll Over Beethoven (Windfall 536)
BILLY PRESTON – Outa-space b/w I Wrote A Simple Song (A&M 1320)
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD – Footstompin’ Music b/w I Come Tumblin’ (Capitol 3255)
THE SINGING DOGS – Jingle Bells (RCA 48-1020)
JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO – Happy Xmas (Apple 1842) green vinyl

A single from “Led Zeppelin II”; a single from Mountain’s “Flowers of Evil”; mage hit for Billy Preston with this rockin’ R&B instrumental; Grand Funk had been on TV, so we knew what this was; and finally some Xmas music that I “approve” of – the first issue of the now-famous John Lennon Xmas 45, and the first issue (of the 70’s) for the 1955 novelty classic – by The Singing Dogs (originally known as Don Charles and The Singing Dogs) – no, there isn’t a whole LP of amusement of this nature from that era!

1971.12.13

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of December 13, 1971

Caught my eye:

BADFINGER – Straight Up (Apple SW-3387) (CD)
MOUNTAIN – Flowers Of Evil (Windfall 5501) (LP) (CD)
GORDON HASKELL – It Is & It Isn’t (Atco SD 33-378) (LP) (CD)

Great Badfinger LP – really flying their ‘Beatles flag’. I heard Mountain on the FM radio (and I think I saw them on the TV over the summer of ’71), and I knew about their connection to Cream (via the late Mr. Felix Pappalardi). I was all into King Crimson, but I doubt I knew about this wonderful Gordon Haskell LP until well after it was released – when I went looking for it in the hippie record stores of the day, there it was – in the 99 cent bin (I also could find a single from it – “Sitting By The Fire”).

Also of interest:

ISAAC HAYES – Black Moses (Enterprise 2-5003) double LP
THE KINKS – Muswell Hillbillies (RCA LSP-4644)
KOOL & THE GANG – Live At PJ’s (De-Lite 2010)

Isaac Hayes! The king of R&B double LP’s! (It was him or James Brown) Never quite sure what to make of groups that leave Warner/Reprise (which The Kinks did); dang, only 1971 and Kool & The Gang already get a live album!

Notable singles:

DAVID BOWIE – Changes b/w Andy Warhol (RCA 74-0605)
HARRY NILSSON – Without You b/w Gotta Get Up (RCA 74-0604)
SLADE – Coz I Love You (Cotillion 44139)

Nope, I didn’t hear this Bowie single at this time – but who did?; always did like the B-side of this Nilsson single; Took me years to hear this Slade single – I just love it, but I certainly never heard them at the time. No way. Funny to think that Slade (in the US) went from Fontana to Cotillion to Polydor to Warner Brothers.

1971.11.22

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of November 22, 1971

Caught my eye:

FAMILY – Fearless (U.A. UAS-5562) (LP)
ELTON JOHN – Madman Across The Water (Uni 93120) (LP)

Two decent LP’s for this week – the 99 cent bin provided the former, and it took me a few years to get around to the E.J. – I like it better now than I did then! This Family LP has a “gimmix” die-cut cover, which shredded easily, in the “used” bin.

Also of interest:

JAMES BROWN – Revolution Of The Mind (Polydor 25-3003) double LP
BILLY JOEL – Cold Spring Harbor (Paramount 2700)
CARLY SIMON – Anticipation (Elektra EKS-75016)
SANTANA – Abraxis (Columbia CQ-30130) QUAD issue

Having left King, James B. now records for Polydor; the debut of Mr. B. Joel; Elektra releases a Carly Simon LP for $1 more than usual (75000 series, as opposed to 74000 series); Quad (4-Channel SQ) LP for Santana (it was also likely a Quad 8-track tape).

Notable singles:

BADFINGER – Day After Day b/w Money (Apple 1841)
THE CHAKACHAS – Jungle Fever (Polydor 15030)
JOE COCKER – Cry Me A River b/w The Letter (A&M 8546)
FREE – All Right Now b/w The Stealer (A&M 8550)
RARE EARTH – Hey Big Brother (Rare Earth 5038)
JOHN ENTWISTLE – My Size b/w I Believe In Everything (Decca 32986)
ROD STEWART – (I Know) I’m Losing You b/w Mandolin Wind (Mercury 73244)
TRAFFIC – Rock & Roll Stew (Parts 1 & 2) (Island/Capitol 1201)

Great week for singles! Fine Badfinger A-side; Belgian weirdness from The Chakachas; fine Joe Cocker A-side (live, yes?); Big hit for Free; I remember this Rare Earth single, but I don’t think I have it on anything; Yes, I found a copy of this John Entwistle single – I just loved the “Smash Your Head” LP!; a single from “Every Picture Tells A Story” by Rod Stewart (separate from The Faces); the single from “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys” – took a few years for it to ever find it’s way to a CD – when you put the 2 parts of “Rock & Roll Stew: together, it is a bit longer than the LP version (and, yes, I have a copy – numbering also looks like it’s the U.S. debut for Island Records singles). FYI – A&M also released some “Back-to-back Hits” re-issue 45’s this week, but I’m not going to list ‘em).

note: illustration from the back cover of Family's "Fearless" LP cover - "Daft, I Call It!"

1971.11.15

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of November 15, 1971

Caught my eye:

CHICAGO – Live At Carnegie Hall (Columbia C4X-30865) 4 LP boxed set (LP)
HARRY NILSSON – Nilsson Schmilsson (RCA LSP-4515) (LP)
SEALS & CROFTS – Year Of Sunday (Warner 2568)
SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – There’s A Riot Goin’ On (Epic KE-30986)
TRAFFIC – The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (Island/Capitol SW-9306) (LP) (CD)

Gearing up for Xmas ’71! Big, bad boxed set for Chicago; decent Harry Nilsson album; I heard the Seals & Crofts in the hippie record store, and liked “When I Meet Them”; always intrigued by Sly & The Family Stone (I had loved “Stand!”); a die-cut cover for the Island / Capitol debut LP for Traffic – dang, I loved this album!!!

Also of interest:

DAVID AXELROD – Messiah (RCA LSP-4636)
DAVID BOWIE – Hunky Dory (RCA LSP-4623) (LP) (CD)
FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND – Coming Of Age (Lionel 1101)
ANDRE KOSTELANETZ – Plays Chicago (Columbia C-31002) (LP)

Never heard any of these (at the time), except for the Andrew Kostelantez. The Bowie is, of course, a classic. Does the F.M.E.B. have a “Greatest Hits” LP I could try? I really only know Axelrod from his Capitol albums and the Mo’ Wax CD from late last century.

Notable singles:

PORTER WAGONER – Rubber Room b/w Late Love Of Mine (RCA 74-0581)
SEALS & CROFTS – When I Meet Them b/w Irish Linen (Warner 7536)
JOHN SEBASTIAN – We’ll See b/w Well Well Well (Reprise 1050)
JETHRO TULL – Locomotive Breath b/w Up To Me (Reprise 1054)
THE DOORS – Tightrope Ride (Elektra 45757)
THREE DOG NIGHT – Old Fashioned Love Song b/w Jam (Dunhill 4294)
DANDO SHAFT – Coming Home To Me b/w Kalyope Driver (Neon 72-0100)

Nice novelty C&W from Porter W.; that good Seals & Crofts A-side; a John Sebastian single I never heard at the time; an “Aqualung” single for Jethro Tull; Non-‘Jim’ Doors 45, which really isn’t too bad, c’mon!; Big hit for T.D.N.; the U.S. debut 45 on the Neon label! (NO, never seen it, and I don’t even remember what they sounded like!).

1971.10.25

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of October 25, 1971

Caught my eye:

COMMANDER CODY & THE LOST PLANET AIRMEN – Lost In The Ozone (Paramount 6017) (LP)
JUICY LUCY – Get A Whiff A This (Atco SD 33-367) (LP (CD)
PENTANGLE – Reflection (Reprise RS 6463) (LP)
WAR – All Day Music (U.A. UAS-5546)

Loved the Commander Cody from the moment I heard Side two of it playing in a downtown hippie record store – great songs! Is the Juicy Lucy the best album cover of 1971? Dang, I just love Paul Williams as a lead vocalist. I had liked The Pentangle ever since hearing them on a Warner Brothers sampler LP, with “Sweet Child”. Had War found Eric Burdon or were they already done with him?

Also of interest:

GILBERT O’SULLIVAN – Himself (Mam 2)
THE POPPY FAMILY – Poppy Seeds (London PS-599)
THIN LIZZY (London PS-594)

The debut Gilby LP? Mental illness from The Poppy Family. A fine debut from Irish hard rockers Thin Lizzy.

Notable singles:

THE FREE DESIGN – Friendly Man b/w Stay Off Of Your Frown (Project 3 1404)
BEE GEES – Don’t Want To Live Inside Of Myself b/w Walking Back To Waterloo (Atco 6814)
SAVOY BROWN – Tell Mama (Parrot 40066)
JONI MITCHELL – Callifornia b/w Case Of You (Reprise 1049)

EZ M.O.R. single from The Free Design (Wow, a “Project 3” single!); totally non-hit Bee Gees 45; A Savoy Brown single that’s not “Train To Nowhere”; and a non-hit Joni Mitchell 45.

= = =

Now Playing: Bidu Sayao

1971.10.18

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of October 18, 1971

Caught my eye:

JEFF BECK – Rough & Ready (Epic KE-30973)
CHRIS HILLS – Everything Is Everything (Embryo SD-734) (LP)
JIMMIE HASKELL – California ’99 (ABC 728)
IRON BUTTERFLY – Best Of (Atco SD 33-369)

Mo’ Jeff Beck; No idea quite why, but I’ve kept the Chris Hills LP for 35+ years (Herbie Mann connection?); There was a give-away promo 45 for “California ‘99” (which is how I heard it), and I seem to remember finding it ironic that the promo LP of this was 99 cents (like they planned it that way?). Weird stuff. And the LP debut of the single version of “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”!

Also of interest:

ALL IN THE FAMILY (Atlantic SD-7210)
ERIC BURDON / JIMMY WITHERSPOON – Guilty (MGM SE-4791)
CACTUS – Restrictions (Atco SD 33-370)
FLEETWOOD MAC – Future Games (Reprise RS 6465)

Comedy album spin-off from the famed TV show of the same name; Eric Burdon before War; More Cactus (their 2^nd?); Fleetwood Mac without Peter Green.

Notable singles:

BREAD – Baby I’m-A Want You b/w Truckin’ (Elektra 45751)
DENNIS COFFEY & DETROIT GUITAR BAND – Scorpio (Sussex 226)
DEEP PURPLE – Fireball b/w I’m Alone (Warner 7528)
EDGAR WINTER’S WHITE TRASH – Keep Playin’ That Rock & Roll (Epic 5-10788)
M.O.R. A-side for Bread; great instrumental R&B number from Dennis Coffey; Deep Purple before “Smoke On The Water”; and yet another Edgar Winter 45 that isn’t “Frankenstein”.

1971.10.11

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of October 11, 1971

Caught my eye:

COLOSSEUM – Live (Warner / Bronze XS-1942) (LP) (CD)
CRABBY APPLETON – Rotten To The Core (Elektra EKS-74106)
JOHN ENTWISTLE – Smash You Head Against The Wall (Decca DL 79183) (LP) (CD)
CYRUS FARYAR – Cyrus (Elektra EKS-74105) (LP)
BERT JANSCH – Rosemary Lane (Reprise RS 645)
QUIVER (Warner WS 1939)
SANTANA – aka “Santana 3” (Columbia KC-30595) (LP)
T. REX – Electric Warrior (Reprise RS 6466) (LP) (CD)

The swansong from Colosseum, I love it. I missed Crabby Appleton first time around. This John Entwistle is my favorite record in the entire canon of work of The Who. I loved Cyrus Faryar on “Cosmic Sounds Of The Zodiac”! I had tons of Bert Jansch Transatlantic records…I remember finding a 99 cent copy of Quiver. Santana was in the air. I heard “Mambo Sun” from “Electric Warrior” and knew I needed it.

Also of interest:

THE STAMPEDERS – Against The Grain (Bell 6068)
THREE DOG NIGHT – Harmony (Dunhill DSX-50108)
DAVY JONES (Bell 6067)
WES MONTGOMERY – Just Walkin’ (Verve V6-8804)
BEACH BOYS – Pet Sounds (Capitol ST-2458)
VAN MORRISON – Tupelo Honey (Warner 1950)
BRIDGET ST. JOHN – Songs For The Gentle Man (Elektra EKS-74104) (LP)

Stampeders were Canadian, right? Sweet City Woman, right? More TDN. Monkee Davy. Posthumous Wes M. Why is “Pet Sounds” on a 1971 release schedule? Van Morrison, after “Moondance”. This Bridget St. John LP is produced by Ron Geesin.

Notable singles:

JIMI HENDRIX – Dolly Dagger b/w Star Spangled Banner (Reprise 1044)
MICKEY DOLENZ – Easy On You b/w Oh Someone (MGM K-14309)
SANATNA – Everybody’s Everything b/w Guajira (Columbia 4-45472)
JOHN LENNON – Imagine b/w It’s So Hard (Apple 1840)

Jimi’s 45 from “Rainbow Bridge”; More Monkee shenanigans; the single from “Santana 3” and big time legendary John Lennon 45, at the time of it’s release (too bad he didn’t seem to believe in B-Sides, “It’s So Hard is on the “Imagine” LP).

1971.09.27

Phonolog Reports – New Releases

Week of September 27, 1971

Caught my eye:

FLOYD CRAMER – Class of ’71 (RCA LSP-4590) (LP)
ARCHIE CAMPBELL – Didn’t He Shine (RCA LSP-4582)
DR. JOHN – Night Tripper (Atco SD 33-362) (CD)
SPIKE JONES – Is Murdering The Classics (RCA Victor LSC-3235)

Classy C&W EZ from Mr, Floyd Cramer (he did these volumes for nearly a decade, from ’65 to ’75). Is this an Archie Campbell LP of songs or comedy bits? Aah, Dr. John! And a decent RCA (Classical?!) re-issue LP for Mr. Spike Jones.

Also of interest:

DON McLEAN – American Pie (U.A. UAS 5535)
NEIL SEDAKA – Emergence (Kirshner 111)
YOKO ONO – Fly (Apple SVBB-3380)
JACKSON FIVE – Goin’ Back To Indiana (Motown 742)
STRING CHEESE (Wooden Nickel 1001) (LP)

Don McLean – making people regret karaoke each and every night of the week. Must be the actual first Neil Sedaka come-back album? (I never knew he worked with 10cc!). The “out / avant” noise of Ms. Yoko Ono. Mainstream R&B from the J5 – and hands up who remembers what’s noteworthy about ‘String Cheese”? Violinist Greg Bloch later joined P.F.M.!

Notable singles:

THE BAND – Carnival b/w The Moon Struck One (Capitol 3199)
DELANEY & BONNIE – Only You Know and I Know (Atco 6838)
FIVE MAN ELECTRICAL BAND – Absolutely Right b/w Butterfly (You & I)(Lionel 3220)
LINDISFARNE – Lady Eleanor b/w Down (Elektra 45744)

Delaney & Bonnie cover Dave Mason; I think I remember this F.M.E.B. single – but this and “Signs” hardly make a strong chart showing; the U.S. debut single from Alan Hull & Co. – Lindisfarne – as licensed from Charisma Records, England (I believe that in the UK, this single was a 3-track EP!).

1971.09.20

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of September 20, 1971

Caught my eye:

COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH – Life & Times of… (Vanguard VSD 27/28) (LP)
TONY MOTTOLA – Warm Feelings (Project 3 5058) (LP)

A double album retrospective for CJ & The Fish – more than merely a “Greatest Hits”. Top drawer “easy listening” from Enoch Light’s “Project 3” label and guitar wizard Tony Mottola.

Also of interest:

FOUR TOPS – Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Motown 740)
ARETHA FRANKLIN – Greatest Hits (Atlantic SD 8295)
KOOL & THE GANG – Best Of (De-Lite 2009)
O.S.T. – Soul To Soul (Atlantic SD 7207) Live

It’s soul / r&b time! Seems a bit early for a Kool & The Gang “G.H.”, eh readers?

Notable singles:

DAVE & ANSELL COLLINS – Monkey Spanner (Big Tree 125)
LES CRANE – The Desiderata b/w Different Drummer (Warner 7520)
TRAFFIC etc. – Gimme Some Lovin’ (Parts 1 + 2) (U.A. 50841)
GIL SCOTT HERON – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised b/w Home Is Where The Hatred Is (Flying Dutchman 26011)
VAN MORRISON – Wild Night b/w When That evening Sun Goes Down (Warner 7518)
TEN YEARS AFTER – I’d Love To Change The World (Columbia 4-45457)

Pretty good week for singles – a Dave & Ansell Collins single that isn’t “Double Barrell”! EZ/M.O.R. from Les Crane. This must be the Traffic single from “Welcome To The Canteen”. “The revolution Will Not Be Televised” – well, it won’t be played on the AM radio either, Gil. Excellent singles from both Van Morrison and Ten Years After.

1971.09.13

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of September 13, 1971

Caught my eye:

BEE GEES – Trafalgar (Atco SD 7003) (LP) + (CD)
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE – Bark (Grunt 1001) (LP)
THE FIRESIGN THEATRE – I Think We’re All Bozos On This Bus (Columbia C-30737) (LP) + (CD)
JOHN LENNON – Imagine (Apple/Capitol SW-3379) (LP) + (CD)
CAT STEVENS – Teaser & The Firecat (A&M SP-4313) (LP)
TRAFFIC – Welcome To The Canteen (U.A. UAS-5550) (LP) + (CD)
THE YARDBIRDS – Live Yardbirds (Epic E-30615) (LP)
FRANK ZAPPA – 200 Motels (O.S.T.) (U.A. UAS-9956) (double LP) (LP) + (CD)

Some great stuff this week. Took us about 5 years to find the Yardbirds LP! This is the J.A. LP that came in a plain brown wrapper. Love the Firesign Theatre. The John Lennon was huge, especially “How Do You Sleep?”. The Traffic had been on the release schedule as “Traffic Live!”. I openly worshipped Zappa’s “200 Motels” – my mother took me to see it! The LP had a big poster (& booklet) in it.

Also of interest:

CATAPILLA (Vertigo VEL-1006)
SANDY DENNY – North Star Grassmen & The Ravens (A&M SP-4317)
FAIRPORT CONVENTION – Angel Delight (A&M SP-4319)
JIM HENSON’S MUPPETS – Alphabet Album (Columbia CC-25503)
HUMBLE PIE – Performance (A&M SP-3506) (double LP)
JADE WARRIOR (Vertigo VEL-1007)
LINDISFARNE – Nicely Out Of Tune (Elektra EKS-74099)
LONNIE MACK – Hills Of Indiana (Elektra EKS-74102) (LP)
BUDDY MILES – Live (Mercury SRM-2-7500) (double LP)
URIAH HEEP – Look At Yourself (Mercury SRM-1-614) (LP)

More US Vertigo releases. Some Sandy Denny / Fairport action. Muppets! Lindisfarne was licensed from Charisma Records, England – Uriah Heep was licensed from Bronze Records, England. I only got the Lonnie Mack LP recently.

Notable singles:

GREASE BAND – Jessie James b/w All I Wanna Do (Shelter 7310)
HOWLIN’ WOLF – Red Rooster b/w Do The Do (Chess 2118) re-issue?
CAT STEVENS – Peace Train b/w Where Do The Children Play (A&M 1291)

I was certainly paying attention to Cat Stevens at this time. Howlin’ Wolf must be a re-issue, huh? I like The Grease Band more now than I did then!

1971.09.06

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of September 6, 1971

Caught my eye:

STEVE MILLER BAND – Rock Love (Captiol SW-748)
O.S.T. – Rainbow Bridge (Jimi Hendrix) (Reprise 2040)

A full year after his death came this Jimi Hendrix original soundtrack LP – and some of it’s pretty good, too. I knew Steve Miller from his “Livin’ In The USA” single, but this LP made little or no impact on me at the time, apart from noting that he was still making records.

Also of interest:

NOKIE EDWARDS – Nokie (Cream 9006)
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON – Me & Bobby McGee (Monument Z-30817)
LETTERMEN – Love Book (Captiol ST-836)
WET WILLIE (Capricorn 861)

Nokie must’ve already been a big deal in Japan – but Cream was not the world’s biggest label, by any stretch of the imagination. Kris K. was obviously cashing in on his Janis Joplin chops. EZ vocals from The Lettermen, still persisting in ’71. Southern-fried rock with Wet Willie.

Notable singles:

ERIC BURDON & JIMMY WITHERSPOON – Headin’ For Home b/w Soledad (MGM K14296)
CURVED AIR – Back Street Luv b/w Everdance (Warner 7519)
SPIKE JONES – Dance Of The Hours b/w William Tell Overture (RCA 74-0532) re-issue
LIGHTHOUSE – One Fine Morning b/w Little Kind Words (Evolution 1048)
McGUINNESS-FLINT – Happy Birthday Ruthie Baby b/w Friends Of Mine (Capitol 3186)
GILBERT O’SULLIVAN – We Will b/w I Don’t Know What To Do (Mam 3613)
Eric Burdon gets blacker; UK prog rockers Curved Air get a US single from their 2^nd album; Re-issue for Spike Jones, doubtlessly behind a “Greatest Hits” LP for RCA; Here’s that McGuinness-Flint single I keep going on about; And a Gilby single before “Alone Again (Naturally)”. First issue of "One Fine Morning?"

1971.08.30

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of August 30, 1971

Caught my eye:

MORT GARSON – Music For Sensuous Lovers by “Z” (Sensuous 5800) (LP)
O.S.T. – Shaft (Isaac Hayes) (Enterprise 5002) (double LP) (LP)
JOHN SEBASTIAN – Four Of Us (Reprise 2041)
STEPPENWOLF – For Ladies Only (Dunhill DSX-50110)

Mort Garson must’ve had a busy agent in 1971! Mega Isaac Hayes O.S.T.! Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian carries on. I remember the dirty picture on the inside of the Steppenwolf album, but I do not remember ever hearing the music.

Also of interest:

BLUES PROJECT – Lazarus (Capitol ST-782)

Like, no Al Kooper, so I didn’t listen or care.

Notable singles:

THE CARPENTERS – Superstar b/w Bless The Beasts & Children (A&M 1289)
DADDY COOL – Eagle Rock b/w Bom Bom (Reprise 1038)
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER – Stone Of Years b/w A Time & A Place (Cotillion 44131)
FAMILY – In My Own Time (U.A. 50832)
JANIS JOPLIN – Get It While You Can (Columbia 4-45433)
OSMONDS – Yo-Yo b/w Keep On My Side (MGM K 14295)
PROCOL HARUM – Simple Sister b/w Song For A Dreamer (A&M 1287)
YES – Your Move (Atlantic 2819)

Some good singles this week – AM pop with The Osmonds and The Carpenters; Australia’s Daddy Cool get their US debut; Another posthumous Janis Joplin single; decent prog rock from Yes, Family, EL&P and Procol Harum (from their superlative “Broken Barricades” album).

1971.08.23

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of August 23, 1971

Caught my eye:

BLACK SABBATH – Master Of Reality (Warner 2562) (LP) + (CD)
MORT GARSON – Black Mass Lucifer (Uni 73111) (LP)
DAVE & ANSIL COLLINS – Double Barrell (Big Tree 2005)
TEN YEARS AFTER – Space In Time (Columbia KC-30801) (LP)

I was big-time into Black Sabbath – I had already bought the Vertigo label copy of this LP by the time this came out in the US. I had loved Mort Garson’s “Cosmic Sounds Of The Zodiac”, so “Black Mass Lucifer” was a must for me. Nobody knew it was called reggae, but “Double Barrell” certainly rocks that way. TYA had been a big deal ever since “Woodstock”, and this album has the extra groovy single “I’d Love To Change The World”. (Sorry the Sab photo doesn't match the entry - this was the only Sab photo handy!)

Also of interest:

BILL COSBY – Talks To Kids About Drugs (Uni 73101)
BERT KAEMPFERT – Now (Decca DL 75305) (LP)
ERNEST TUBB – One Sweet Hello (Decca DL 75301)
WARM DUST – Peace For Our Time (Uni 73109)

Bill gets serious. EZ Bert! Ernest Tubb cranks ‘em out for Decca. Warm Dust, 99 cent bin.

Notable singles:

JAMES BROWN – Make It Funky (Polydor 14088)
FANNY – Charity Ball b/w Place In The Country (Reprise 1033)
HARRY NILSSON – Without Her b/w Good Old Desk (RCA 74-0524)
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND – Mr. Bojangles (U.A. 1701)
THE QUINAMES BAND – Look To Yourself (Elektra 45736)
SUGARLOAF – Green-Eyed Lady b/w Tongue In Cheek (U.A. 1700)
THE SWEET – Co-Co (Bell 45126)
IKE & TINA TURNER – Proud Mary b/w Workin’ Together (U.A. 1704)

The debut US Sweet single? Nice AM radio hit for Sugarloaf / Jerry Corbetta. I knew this Quinames Band song from a sampler LP that I obtained the previous May.

1971.08.16

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of August 16, 1971

Caught my eye:

BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING CO. – How Hard it Is (Columbia C-30738)
BILL BLACK COMBO – Memphis Scene (Mega M31-1008)
LENNY BRUCE – What I Was Arrested For (Douglas Z-30872) (LP)
GENTLE GIANT – Acquiring The Taste (Vertigo VEL-1005)
CHEECH & CHONG (Ode SP-77010)
THE LAST POETS (Douglas Z-30811) re-issue (LP) + (CD)
MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA – My Goal’s Beyond (Douglas Z-30766) re-issue
THE WHO – Who’s Next (Decca DL 79182) (LP) + (CD)
GARY WRIGHT – Footprint (A&M SP-4296)

Big Brother without Janis Joplin. Post-Hi BBC. Some Douglas re-issues – the Lenny Bruce LP used to be called “To Is A Preposition; Come Is A Verb”. Cheech & Chong is dope humor. The biggie here is, of course, The Who.

Also of interest:

ASSAGAI (Vertigo VEL-1004)
DANDO SHAFT (Neon NE-5) (LP)
FUNKADELIC – Maggot Brain (Westbound 2007)
GUESS WHO – So Long, Bannatyne (RCA LSP-4574)
HOWLIN’ WOLF – London Sessions (Chess 60008)
NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE (Columbia C-30888)
NEW ROTARY CONNECTION – Hey Love (Chess 50006)
SHUGGIE OTIS – Freedom Flight (Epic E-30752)
SKID ROW – 34 Hours (Epic E-30913)
RAY STEVENS – Greatest Hits (Barnaby Z-30770) (LP)
SUPERTRAMP – Indelibly Stamped (A&M SP-4311)
Irish hard rock from Skid Row. Ray Stevens’ Monument material. 2^nd Supertramp.

Notable singles:

DAVE EDMUNDS – Blue Monday b/w I’ll Get Along (Mam 45-3611)
CAROLE KING –So Far Away b/w Smackwater Jack (Ode 70 66019)
STEVIE WONDER – If You Really Love Me b/w Think Of Me As Your Soldier (Tamla 54208)

Big R&B A-Side for Little Stevie. A non-hit Carole King. And a Dave Edmunds single that’s not “I Hear You Knockin’” (which came before this).

1971.07.26

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of July 26, 1971

Caught my eye:

JACK BRUCE – Harmony Row (Atco SD 33-365) (CD)
FAMILY – Anyway (U.A. UAS-5527) (LP)
MC5 – High Time (Atlantic SD 8285)
WATTS PROPHETS – Rapping Black In A White World (ALA 1971) (LP)

2^nd solo Jack Bruce LP; I had been a Family fan for a few years when their U.A. LP’s started turning up in the 99 cent bin. Didn’t know about MC5, but I knew that they had swearing on one of their LP’s. Found the Watts Prophets in a 99 cent bin – incredulous that anybody would release an LP with the word “Watts” in the name (much less the name of the artist).

Also of interest:

ALLMAN BROS. BAND – Live At The Fillmore East (Capricorn/Atco SD 2-802) (double LP)
CANNED HEAT – Living The Blues (U.A. UAS-9955) (double LP) re-issue
GODSPELL (O.C.) (Bell 1102)
KING CURTIS – Live At The Fillmore West (Atco 33-359)

My brother had talked about the Allman Bros. Band; this must be a re-issue of Canned Heat, as the LP originally appeared on Liberty Records. What can you say about “Godspell”? “Day By Day”, for instance. Gotta love King Curtis.

Notable singles:

BILL BLACK COMBO – Rings b/w Cotton Carnival (Mega 0036)
BONZO DOG BAND – I’m The Urban Spaceman b/w Canyons Of Your Mind (U.A. 50809)
DAVID CROSBY – Traction In The Rain b/w Orleans (Atlantic 2809)
PAUL STOOKEY – The Wedding Song (There Is Love) b/w Give A Damn (Warner 7511)
EDGAR WINTER – You Were My Light b/w Give It Everything You Got (Epic 5-10762)

BBC were done with Hi Records by this point; The Bonzo 45 is from the “Beast Of” LP; David Crosby was still trying to get a ‘hit’ with his stalled solo career; Here is the big PP&M solo single success; yet another pre-“Frankenstein” Edgar Winter 45. It’s not like they weren’t trying!

1971.07.05

Phonolog Reports – New Releases
Week of July 5, 1971

Caught my eye:

AMON DUUL II – Dance Of The Lemmings (United Artists UAS-9954) double LP (LP) + (CD)
BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS – 4 (Columbia KC-30590)
HAWKWIND – self-titled (United Artists UAS-5519) (LP)

Amon Duul II was one of the first German bands I noticed – that was being offered for sale in the US. For some reason, in 1971 – there was still some interest in BS&T. I remember not knowing if Hawkwind was British or German – the LP came out of the 99 cent bin, of course.

Also of interest:

NICK DRAKE – Five Leaves Left (Island/Capitol 9307) (CD)
EAST OF EDEN (Harvest SW-806)
ANDY ROBERTS (WITH EVERYONE) (Ampex 10117)
ROSEBUD (Reprise RS 6426)

I remember trying Nick Drake (because it was on Island) and not liking it very much. I had the 2 Deram label East of Eden albums, but never got around to this one, which I’m told is quite good. Andy Roberts was licensed from B&C Records, England. I knew about Rosebud as it had been on Warner/Reprise sampler LP’s.

Notable singles:

CRAZY HORSE – Dance Dance Dance b/w Carolay (Reprise 1025)
MARVIN GAYE – Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (Tamla 54207)
JETHRO TULL – Mother Goose b/w Hymn 43 (Reprise 1024)
JONATHAN KING – Lazy Bones (Parrot 3027)
McGUINESS – FLINT – Malt & Barley Blues b/w Rock On (Capitol 3139)
THE MOVE – Tonight b/w Don’t Mess Me Up (Capitol 3126)

Crazy Horse was known as Neil Young’s back-up band. Big time soul hit for Marvin Gaye. I don’t remember there being a single from “Aqualung”, but this must be it! I wouldn’t have cared at the time, as both sides were on the LP. Never knew Jonathan King was still making 45’s in the US in ’71. “Happy Birthday, Ruthie Baby” was the McGuinness-Flint single I remember. I had been a big fan of The Move’s “Looking On” (which had been released on Capitol in the US) – but I never made it any further than that.