A Podcast of Album Discussions
John Martyn took an extended break from studio recording to put some distance between himself and the pressures of the business and to recoup his creative energies, he went to Jamaica. There, after meeting dub producer Lee “Scratch” Perry and was inspired to create this album.
Known Jazz Rock enthusiasts and band beckoning all of us on board the yacht, Steely Dan, released their 6th studio album in the Fall of 1977.
Starting in late 76 and going all the way through July of 77, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker proceeded to torture a veritable rogue’s gallery of session players; ultimately producing a record so well made it is still used to tune stereos and concert hall mixing boards to this day.
So sit back, pour yourself a big black cow and let’s talk Steely Dan, Aja!
Cocaine, peppers and milk are cool for a while and all, but in 1976, the Thin White Duke and his friend James decided enough was enough.
The pair moved to France to get clean (where David helped James write and record a staggeringly good solo debut) before arriving in Germany; where the true story of our intrepid former Starman’s Berlin Trilogy was about to unfold.
Let’s talk David Bowie, Low!
This album absolutely slays.
Let’s talk, The Clash, The Clash!
Known English Pub Rockers turned Punk Rock mainstays, The Stranglers, released their seminal first album in the Spring of 1977.
The album is considered by some to be a high point of the British Punk scene but some of us have questions.
Lets talk The Stranglers, Rattus Norvegicus!
Know father of the Chicago Blues, Muddy Waters, released his first album on Blue Sky Records in the winter of 1977.
The 63 year old Waters, using his touring band, recorded the tracks over the course of three days time and the record is considered by many to be one of the best blues albums ever put to wax.
Let’s talk Muddy waters, Hard Again!
The story of jazz fusion, a fedora the size of a city, and the sentient weather front brave enough to play and wear both.
Let’s talk Weather Report, Heavy Weather!
Known Traveling Wilbury and Beatles enthusiast, Jeff Lynne had a cabin in the Swiss Alps and some serious inspiration coming into ELO’s 7th studio album.
The double record was written in it’s entirety over the course of 3 weeks and recorded over two months in Munich.
The results? Seventy minutes of pure pop bliss and record sales topping ten million copies.
Let’s talk Electric Light Orchestra, Out Of The Blue!
In the year 1976, known reggae icon and rouser of rabble, Bob Marley, damn near bought the farm during a botched assassination attempt on his life, being grazed on chest and taking a bullet to the arm.
Finding his homeland unsafe, Marley self exiled to the UK and began working on his and The Wailers 9th studio album.
Let Talk Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus!
Known back street guy and piano man, Billy Joel, found himself on the verge of being dropped by his label in 1977.
Knowing he needed a hit, William turned first to George Martin as producer but finally settled on Phil Ramone. The resulting nine songs recorded over the course of three weeks time gave Joel his first critical and commercial success.
Lets talk Billy Joel, The Stranger!
Known krautrock royalty and electro pioneers, Kraftwerk, continue making that sweet factory music on their 6th studio outing.
Recorded at Kling Klang studio and released on their label of the same name, the album stands as a high watermark in their already peerless catalogue.
Lets talk Kraftwerk, Trans Europe Express!
Known co-writer of the oblique strategies cards and glam cum art rock weirdo, Brian Eno, took his sweet time on his fifth solo album.
With one hundred songs written and ten brought to the studio(s), the album was made over the course of two years with a who’s who of the rock/kraut scene.
Taking an almost subtractive synthesis approach to the mixing, anything and everything was tracked and slowly whittled down to make each individual song.
Let’s talk Brian Eno, Before and After Science!
It’s no I’m In You but what can you do?
Let’s talk Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive!
Stevie Wonder brings his classic period to a triumphant close with his eighteenth studio album.
Disenfranchised with the United States Government for being a flaming pile of crap, Stevie found himself wanting to emigrate to Ghana, work with handicap children, and to quit music all together.
A 37 million dollar, seven album deal with Mo-Town brought about a change of heart and with the full creative control written into that contract, Stevie was allowed to release his masterpiece double album (plus an additional 45).
Lets talk Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life!
Former Wailer and the best ganja spokesperson ever, Peter Tosh, released his debut solo album in June of 1976.
Written as a response to the continued harassment and victimization at the hands of the Jamaican military for his advocacy regarding marijuana legalization, the government’s attempts to ban the title track and album only helped bring international attention and success to his rising star.
Lets talk Peter Tosh, Legalize It!
In 1977, founder of the Kalakuta Republic and progenitor of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, released his 15th record.
Though only four tracks and twenty five and a half minutes in length, the album is an absolute butt shaker.
Lets talk Fela Kuti, Zombie!
Punk Rock has landed.
Let’s talk Ramones, Ramones!
The story of a Frenchman, six synthesizers, one drum machine, and his kitchen recordings.
Let’s talk Jean-Michel Jarre, Oxygene!
You ever find yourself disillusioned with the western tonal confines of classical music and the strictures of rock n roll?
No? Well Simon Jeffes sure did.
Let’s talk Penguin Café Orchestra, Music From the Penguin Café!
Known extraterrestrial brothers and arbiters of all things hip, Parliament, made the definitive statement on all matters funky with their fourth studio outing.
Recorded over six months in 1975 and clocking in at 38:06, this seven song record is the party album to end all party albums.
Lets talk Parliament, Mothership Connection!
In the winter of 76, known composers of the Crazy/Cryin’/Amazing tryptic and band that shouldn’t have been allowed within 500 yards of a seventeen year old Alicia Silverstone while filming those videos, Aerosmith, went into the studio to record their 4th album.
Fueled by anything they could snort, boof, or shoot, the mix of road tested chops and straight up hedonism mystically lead to what many consider to be the crown jewel of their storied career.
Lets talk Aerosmith, Rocks!
Known singer-songwriter and non-Beatles influenced recording artist, Joan Armatrading, comes out swinging on her third studio outing.
Bringing in a veritable rogue’s gallery of the UK folk scene as back up musicians and with Glyn Johns helming the sliders, this self-titled album is a true standout.
Let’s talk Joan Armatrading, Joan Armatrading!
Known godfather of Samba Rock, Jorge Ben, pulled a Brazilian uncle Robert in 1976.
Brushing off the shackles of nylon strings and bringing in a myriad of musical influences, Jorge made a stone cold classic butt shaker on his 14th studio outing.
Let’s talk Jorge Ben, África Brasil!
