The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper; John Lennon at 70

On Capital Records, with those deep brown, almost burgandy colored labels - this of course is Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.   On the label is reads, "Produced in England by George Martin."  As we know, John Lennon would have been 70 today.  I own three Beatles reocords.  This one, Abbey Road, and Hard Day's Night (mono) movie soundtrack.   George has a credited song here - Within You Without You.   Also on the back of this record is says, "A splendid time will be had by all."  I know this record is near the top of all of the best records of all time lists.  But it's nowhere near my favorite Beatles record.  For me - I like Help!, Rubber Soul, and Beatles '65.  I was a sophomore in college when John Lennon died.  Still too hard to believe he's gone.  The song clip associate with this post is Bryan Ferry doing a wonderful version of John's Jealous Guy.

Tumbleweed Connection: Elton John

My pal Greg would tell you that Tumbleweed Connection is Elton John's best album.  That is quite a statement.  The opened cover photo is sparse; set in a sepia tone brown.  The inside jacket show four large photo head shot of Elton and Bernie of course - but also Paul Buckmaster (Arranger) and Gus Dudgeon, my second all-time favorite record producer.  The right side of the inner jacket says it was recorded at Trident Studios.  This record is from 1970 - can that really be 40 years ago?  Davey Johnston had not yet joined the band, as Caleb Quaye is credited for Lead and accoustic guitars.  Not a coincidence, since this record has a country feel - but two songs have Father in the tile and two others have the word Gun in the titles.  Just his 3rd record - my favorite songs on it are:  Where to Now St. Peter? and Burn Down the Mission.  On the Two Rooms all-cover CD, Sting does a touching rendition of Come Down in Time.

The Wall: 4 nights in Chicago - Roger Waters

Pink Floyd - The Wall, released on November 30, 1979 - the year I was a freshman in college.  I had four chances to attend these epic concerts a few weeks ago in Chicago, but I did not go.  I heard from friends and family who did go - and they raved about it.  A few years back I did see Roger Waters while on his Dark Side of the Moon (in its entirty) tour.  This is my only Pink Floyd album and I may have overpaid ($7 USD) for it.  But you can't really say you have a decent vinyl record collection if you don't have a Pink Floyd album.  From the liner notes:  it was produced by David Gilmour, Bob Erzin, and Roger Waters.  If you own this record, you will recall the song lyrics are very hard to read on the record sleeves based on the scratchy ink-well pen style and (Waters'?) very dodgy handwriting.  Chicago Tribune Rock critic Greg Kot wrote in his concert review that The Wall (the record) was mainly a Waters solo effort with band members David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright joining in at certain recording sessions.  Thank goodness there is some color artwork to view when the album is opened - otherwise, if going just by the plain white front cover with feint brick lines - this album would not make onto nor into my blog - visually speaking of course.

Cal Jam II: not a very good double live album

California Jam 2.  California Jam II, known also as Cal Jam II, was a late early seventies music festival in Ontario, CA held at the Ontario Motor Speedway on March 18, 1978.  Approx. 300,000 people attended. The festival was a sequel to the original California Jam (Eagles et al.) of 1974.  By all accounts - this was no Woodstock.  I am not sure if this is the order in which the bands came on stage, but side one is: Santana and Dave Mason.  Side two: Heart and Ted Nugent.  Each act with just two songs on the album (not sure how long set list was live).  Then side 3 is Areosmith with 3 songs (Same Old Song and Dance, Draw the Line, and Chip Away the Stone).  And then some dude called Jean Michel Jarre playing something called Oxygène.  Huh?  Side 4 is Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush.  Also playing the gig was a band called Foreigner, but they did not make it onto the album.  I sampled the songs on this album, and as "live" recordings go - these are not great.  Each act has a live album of their own with much better recordings (Double Live Gonzo et al).  Let's file this one away under: Looks better than it Sounds.  Click on post title for a video clip of "Making of..."

England Dan & John Ford Coley: Nights Are Forever

England Dan & John Ford Coley.  This is from 1976 - the classic Nights Are Forever.  A quintessential seventies album.  All tracks were written by this soft rock duo except the song that is my favorite on the album: "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," which is credited to Parker McGee.  Parker McGee.  Anyone?  If you are reading this - you will know that England Dans's younger brother is Jim Seals of Seals & Crofts fame.  And Jim gets an album credit here for playing "fiddle" on various songs.  And you C&W fans out there will know the name Janie Frickie.  She's listed as Background vocals, also on the back cover.  And what a cover photo!  Don't forget (not on this record) the soft rock staple they did later, Love is the Answer.  Click on the post title for a nice rendition of the title track.  Try this one too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ogkwp3OMH4