233. Live!

Live! 
Fela Ransome-Kuti and The Africa '70 with Ginger Baker (way too long)
1971

Tracks
1. Let's Start 
2. Black Man's Cry
3. Ye Ye De Smell
4. Egbe Mi O (Carry Me I Want To Die)


First of all, I FINISHED ULYSSES!!!  That was easily the toughest book I have ever read and it was on my to do before I am thirty bucket list (maybe someday I will start a blog on that; you have been warned).  I am really proud of myself.  I absolutely hated it, but I am still counting it as a positive experience.


Sorry, my bookishness is showing.  Actually, it kind of relates to the music blog since the reason I have been listening to so many albums lately is that I have been sitting alone reading (high school all over again).  Anyway, this album was playing during the last chapter so it was kind of my victory music.  It really made me want to dance like they do in West Side Story during the "America" number.  It had some good beats but I can't see ever listening to it again (this seems to be my mantra).  Why am I using so many parentheses?


RATING: 3/5

232. Pearl

Pearl
Janis Joplin
1971

Tracks
1. Move Over
2. Cry Baby
3. Woman Left Lonely
4. Half Moon
5. Buried Alive In The Blues
6. My Baby
7. Me And Bobby McGee
8. Mercedes Benz
9. Trust Me
10. Get It While You Can


I don't know why I am doing so many of these lately; I just always seem to have an album on.  I am not going to question it though, because like I mentioned at album #200, I sometimes feel like quitting this blog.  1971 is just my year.


Janis Joplin reminds me strongly of Adele, although I think Adele is a bit better (please don't kill me).  This album was released after Janis kicked the bucket which forever immortalizes her as a legend since she didn't have a chance to do any wrong.


You know how some people believe that you can feel when you are going to die before it happens?  Well, they might want to use this album as evidence for that theory.  There is so much pain packed into this album that it feels very foreboding.  There are certain songs that seem more upbeat but overall there is a feeling of ickiness as Cher would say.


Poignant and sad but beautiful in its way.


RATING: 3/5

231. Maggot Brain

Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
1971

Tracks
1. Maggot Brain
2. Can You Get to That
3. Hit It and Quit It
4. You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks
5. Super Stupid
6. Back in Our Minds
7. Wars of Armageddon


I tried not to judge this album too harshly before listening to it.  I mean, if you are not supposed to judge a book from its cover I figure the same thing applies to albums.  I also tried to not think too hard about the name of the album and how disgusting it truly is.  I really did not succeed in either area.

However, I read so much about how absolutely amazing the title track was that I was indeed intrigued.  Apparently George Clinton (who sounds like an absolute lunatic) told the guitarist to play like his mother just died and then as if you found out she was alive.


First off, I have to say I found this album jarring.  There were such sweet songwriters and singers before this on the list that I was lulled into an innocent serenity.  And then we just had to get funky.  Damn kids with their noise.


Anyway, I am not a huge guitar solo fan.  I have a guitar that I think my sister gave me when she got sick of it.  I never got rid of it because I figured if I started to play it I would look like this:

No luck so far.  The point is I was not able to appreciate the first track like everyone seems to think you should.  This whole album was way too funky for my taste.  Simply not my genre of choice.

RATING: 2/5

230. Blue

Blue
Joni Mitchell
1971

Tracks
1. All I Want 
2. My Old Man 
3. Little Green 
4. Carey
5. Blue
6. California 
7. This Flight Tonight 
8. River 
9. Case Of You 
10. Last Time I Saw Richard


Wow, that was absolutely beautiful and this is coming from a girl who is a pissy mood right now (I blame the book Ulysses that I can't stop bitching about and Leonard Cohen).  Can I just say that female musicians in this era absolutely rock?  We got Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Dolly Parton.  Take that society!


Joni Mitchell's voice is one that can't really be described; you really just have to listen to it.  It is sort of a cross between Joan Baez and someone that can actually hit high notes (sorry Joan).  Needless to say, it is haunting and pretty.  The songs are just as beautiful.  If I had known the song "California" when I went to France, I would have known exactly how to put what I was feeling into words.  Definitely one of the best albums of all time (I also feel this way about Tapestry, American Pie, Who's Next, Rubber Soul, and Chelsea Girl just so you can get a feel for my taste).

RATING: 5/5

229. Songs of Love and Hate

Songs of Love and Hate
Leonard Cohen
1971

Tracks
1. Avalanche
2. Last Year's Man
3. Dress Rehearsal Rag
4. Diamonds In The Mine
5. Love Calls You By Your Name
6. Famous Blue Raincoat
7. Sing Another Song Boys
8. Joan Of Arc


Last time I listened to a Leonard Cohen album, it was right after I found out my grandpa died.  Add that to the fact that Leonard Cohen makes Billie Holiday look like The Mamas And The Papas, and you have an extremely depressing experience.  This album is unique in that Cohen is also very angry in addition to being sad.


What can I say?  This is an emotion-packed album for sure.  If you are looking for some sort of catharsis, you will find it here.  However, this album is certainly not enjoyable.  You will feel kind of crappy afterwards, like after eating a whole carton of Fudge Tracks ice cream.  The ice cream is great but consuming it for forty minutes is not a good idea.

RATING: 3/5

228. Pictures At An Exhibition

Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
1971

Tracks
1. Promenade
2. Gnome
3. Promenade
4. Sage
5. Old Castle
6. Blues Variation
7. Promenade
8. Hut of Baba Yaga
9. Curse of Baba Yaga
10. Hut of Baba Yaga
11. Great Gates of Kiev
12. Nut Rocker


If you have read my blog before, you will see that I sometimes complain about pretentious music.  Well, I apologize because that was nothing compared to this.  This is a rock cover of a classical piece of music done by Modest Mussorgsky in 1874.  Mind=blown.


I know so little about classical music it is embarrassing.  I went to a symphony once and fell asleep.  I can name about five composers. I also hated the movie Amadeus. I know so little, in fact, that I considered doing the 1001 Classical Recordings project but figured that would end in me swan diving out of my window.


Anyway, this is probably the most intellectual album I have ever listened to.  Naturally, it went over my head.  I feel like Woody Allen in Small Time Crooks.  I don't even feel like I can criticize it too much.  It would be like me trashing sports.  I know that just because I don't like it, doesn't mean other people won't fall in love with it.  Just not my cup of tea.

RATING: 1/5

227. Every Picture Tells A Story

Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
1971

Tracks
1. Every Picture Tells A Story 
2. Seems Like A Long Time 
3. That's All Right 
4. Tomorrow Is A Long Time
5. Maggie May 
6. Mandolin Wind 
7. (I Know) I'm Losing You
8. (Find A) Reason To Believe


I have become frightened from reading so many reviews of Rod Stewart.  Apparently, he went insanely downhill after the seventies; it seems to be a descent that is lamented by almost everyone.  I have never heard his later work but seriously, how bad can it be?  


Anyway, I love Rod Stewart's voice.  It is so unique and gravelly.  Still, there are some songs that he should not attempt, "Amazing Grace" being one of them.  Most of the time, though, he sounds amazing.  


This album is really great and beautiful.  The song "Maggie May" is so romantic and lovely.  I would love to date a singer/songwriter.  Particularly this one:

But I digress.  Great album; sweet and pretty.

RATING: 5/5

226. Histoire de Melody Nelson

Histoire de Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
1971

Tracks
1. Melody
2. Ballade De Melody Nelson
3. Valse De Melody
4. Ah Melody
5. L'Hotel Particulier
6. En Melody
7. Cargo Culte


I have listened to some weird albums in my time but this has got to be one of the strangest.  The whole experience was odd because I was trying to decipher Ulysses while trying to translate the French.  Result?  Brain explosion.


Anyway, I don't think we have had French music since Jacques Brel so I was excited to hear something different.  This is a concept album.  From what I could gather, some guy is in love with a young girl named Melody and it doesn't work out.  Interspersed between the album was some girl saying "Melody!" over and over again and something really obnoxious laughter.


This album was unusual for a number of reasons. For one thing, it is a little under a half hour long.  For another, the singer tries to do this really sexy voice thing throughout which is not wholly successful. 


The whole album is in rapid French which if you can't understand, there is really no point in listening to it since it is more of a story than music.

RATING: 2/5

225. Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
1971

Tracks
1. Black dog
2. Rock 'n' Roll
3. Battle of Evermore
4. Stairway to Heaven
5. Misty Mountain Hop
6. Four Sticks 
7. Going to California
8. When the Levee Breaks 


Sigh.  Hello again, Led Zeppelin.  These guys remind me of Paul Newman.  I think Paul Newman movies are generally rather dull.  Still, I have seen a ridiculous amount of his films.  I am doing the same thing with Led Zeppelin and their albums.  Damn list.


Anyway, this album is available to listen to on YouTube.  There are a surprising amount of fights and swearing on that page.  Everyone needs to chill out about this album.  I expect the reason this album is so popular is because of the track "Stairway to Heaven" which is easily their most famous song.  The reason I am so shocked that this is considered the best is because it is so mellow.  Led Zeppelin is known for rocking the house while this album is actually kind of folksy.


Probably the best album they have though it seems like my reasons are different than everyone else's.

RATING: 3/5

224. Tarkus

Tarkus
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
1971

Tracks
1. Tarkus
2. Jeremy Bender
3. Bitches Crystal
4. Only Way (Hymn)
5. Infinite Space (Conclusion)
6. Time And A Place
7. Are You Ready Eddy


Gees, what is with all this progressive rock?  It is dreadfully pretentious and this is coming from a girl who likes American Beauty.


What is there to even say about this album?  There are very long instrumental tracks ("Tarkus" is around twenty minutes long) and I sometimes felt like I was listening to a video game menu screen.

I frankly did not get it.  There are some albums that I know are trying to send a message or try new things that I just don't like.  This album, however, I don't even understand the appeal of.  I would ask someone to explain it to me but who exactly is
A. Reading this blog
or
B. Listening to this album?


RATING: 2/5

223. American Pie

American Pie
Don McLean
1971

Tracks
1. American Pie 
2. Till Tomorrow 
3. Vincent (Starry Starry Night) 
4. Crossroads 
5. Winterwood 
6. Empty Chairs 
7. Everybody Loves Me Baby 
8. Sister Fatima 
9. Grave
10.Babylon


First of all, I just found out my dad sometimes reads this blog. Sorry Daddy, about the whole "on my ass" thing...hehe...didn't mean it!


Anyway, I absolutely adore this album; it definitely is in the running for my favorite albums of all time.  Everyone is familiar with the song "American Pie" even Stewie:

There is a reason that this song is so well known, of course.  It is an amazing tribute to the great musicians of the past; I almost feel like it should be this blog's theme song. Actually, this whole album is a tribute.  You can guess who the song "Vincent" was meant for.  There is a great line in that song that goes something like "the world was never meant for someone as beautiful as you."


This is a truly amazing album and you owe it to yourself to listen to it.  I wish Don McLean would write a song for me.  And Elton John.


RATING: 5/5

222. Coat of Many Colors

Coat of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
1971

Tracks
1. Coat of Many Colors 
2. Traveling Man 
3. My Blue Tears 
4. If I Lose My Mind 
5. Mystery of the Mystery 
6. She Never Met a Man (She Didn't Like)
7. Early Morning Breeze 
8. Way I See You
9. Here I Am 
10. Better Place to Live


Before this album, my experience with Dolly Parton was limited to:

This, naturally, was pretty frightening.  I also knew that she was the writer of the song "I Will Always Love You" which is commonly credited to Whitney Houston.

Okay, this is the first country album we have had in awhile, which is not unexpected since we are in the era of rock.  Naturally, it is a bit hokey.  The song "Better Place to Live" talks about loving every one and the song "Coat of Many Colors" is about how being poor was something that brought the family together.  Still, you can't deny she has a fantastic, unique voice.

There is something distinctly likable about this album even though I am not a country fan.  Still, not essential listening.

RATING: 3/5

221. Madman Across The Water

Madman Across The Water
Elton John
1971

Tracks
1. Tiny Dancer
2. Levon 
3. Razor Face 
4. Madman Across The Water 
5. Indian Sunset 
6. Holiday Inn 
7. Rotten Peaches 
8. All The Nasties
9. Goodbye


I think the reason I have been listening to so many albums lately is solely so I could get to this one faster.  I think "Your Song" is the greatest love ballad of all time (does anyone not like that song?) and "Tiny Dancer" is actually a song I could dance to and believe me, that is a limited repertoire.

Also, ever heard him sing his version of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?".  Pure beauty:

So I already knew he was a terrific songwriter and had a very poetic way of putting things.  From listening to this album, I learned that it is not just his hits that are fantastic.  The whole album is very Elton John-y which is a delight and very sweet.  Can't really describe it so just check it out.

RATING: 5/5


I am not the only one that is obsessed:

220. Tago Mago

Tago Mago
Can
1971

Tracks
1. Paperhouse
2. Mushroom
3. Oh Yeah
4. Halleluhwah
5. Aumgn
6. Peking O
7. Bring me Coffee or Tea


I am in a really pissy mood right now because I just got totally guilted into going to a party where I know virtually no one.  ARGH!!!

Anyway, I think this is the first album on the list that is German.  This kind of music is called krautrock.  Bet you didn't know that.  Every time you go on my blogs, you learn something.  It truly is a gift from me to you.


This album is really long, clocking in at a little under two hours.  Oh shit, I have to go now to the stupid party.  I didn't like it.


RATING: 2/5

219. L.A .Woman

L.A. Woman
The Doors
1971

Tracks
1. Changeling
2. Love Her Madly
3. Been Down So Long
4. Cars Hiss By My Window
5. LA Woman
6. L'America
7. Hyacinth House
8. Crawlin' Kingsnake
9. Wasp
10. Riders On The Storm


This has to be a fairly quick review since I am meeting a friend in the city for dinner.  It is going to be fun even though every time I drive in the city, I feel like I having a heart attack.


This is the last Doors album on the list and the last album they did with Jim Morrison.  I must say, I expected to be more impressed with their finale album.  Some tunes were, of course, quite catchy but others just sounded repetitive and kind of obnoxious.  It actually sounded pretty country as far as the Doors go.  Not exactly going out with a bang...

RATING: 2/5

218. Fragile

Fragile
Yes
1971

Tracks
1. Roundabout
2. Cans And Brahms 
3. We Have Heaven 
4. South Side Of The Sky 
5. Five Per Cent Of Nothing
6. Long Distance Runaround 
7. Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) 
8. Mood For A Day
9. Heart Of The Sunrise


I am currently reading Ulysses (it was on my bucket list and it is kind of a long story about overcoming inertia and all that jazz) and listening to this album.  I had to take a break because I could of screamed from the pure pretentiousness of it all.  I mean, I am not cut out to be an annoying intellectual after all.  That is probably a good thing.


All right, so there was not enough of a break between the last Yes album and this one to miss it much.  Still, even though they were released quite close together, there are some notable differences.  This album is a lot more spacey and more uppity. There is also some fancy piano work and I could tell they probably made this face while they composed:

Ew.  Progressive rock.  If you are in a pretentious mood, enjoy it with a cigar.  If you are in a Holden Caulfield mood, skip it.

RATING: 2/5

217. Surf's Up

Surf's Up
Beach Boys
1971

Tracks
1. Don't Go Near The Water
2. Long Promised Road
3. Take A Load Off Your Feet
4. Disney Girls (1957)
5. Student Demonstration Time
6. Feel Flows
7. Lookin' At Tomorrow (A Welfare Song)
8. Day In The Life Of A Tree
9. Till I Die 
10. Surf's Up


At first glance, this seems to be the typical Beach Boys album.  I mean, an album title like "Surf's Up" seems like the same kind of breezy, light album that we are used to.  However, one listen of "Don't Go Near the Water" and you learn that this is something completely different.


Now before you think it is a transition that is like Obi Wan going to the dark side, you can still tell from the harmonies that these are the Beach Boys that we know and love.  But for the first time, they have a message.  Whether it be about "the good times" or a green message, they have a purpose with this album.  I loved it.  Previous Beach Boys albums are always fun but they really leave no lasting impression.  This album, I have a feeling, is going to haunt me for awhile.  Listen to it!

RATING: 5/5

216. Imagine

Imagine
John Lennon
1971

Tracks
1. Imagine
2. Crippled Inside
3. Jealous Guy
4. It's So Hard
5. I Don't Want To Be A Soldier
6. Give Me Some Truth
7. Oh My Love
8. How Do You Sleep
9. How
10. Oh Yoko!

List of things that annoy me most in the world:

10. People that say "color me ____"

9. People that comment on how quiet a room is when they enter it

8. People that claim they are movie buffs when they clearly have not seen movies pre 90s

7. People that screw up the spelling of your vs. you're

6. People that call themselves hipsters

5. Constant quitters

4. People that seem proud of never having tried things, like chocolate ice cream (true story)

3. People that act like they are above people who watch Glee, Hunger Games, or Harry Potter (or Twilight for that matter; quit hating, imaginary people that I am getting upset at)

2. Couples below the age of 30 (there are exceptions of course)

1. People that do covers of "Imagine"

As you can see, "Imagine" covers top my list (over couples!!!).  They clearly believe that if they sing this song, they will be considered loving and deep.  They fail to grasp that they are advocating atheism, communism, and a single government world.  Even as an atheist that is far closer to communism on the political scale than most people, I wouldn't consider this song an anthem.  I am not saying you can't like if you don't believe in Lennon's values, but quit pretending you live by it!!!

Anyway, "Imagine" is undeniably a haunting song.  However, the rest of the album is pretty good too.  I can only conclude from songs like "Jealous Guy" and "Run For Your Life" that John Lennon can pretty possessive with his women.  Just a tad bit frightening, John.

Definitely more impressive than previous whining Lennon.  Good job!

RATING: 4/5

215. Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
1971

Tracks
1. Brown Sugar 
2. Sway 
3. Wild Horses 
4. Can't You Hear Me Knocking 
5. You Gotta Move 
6. Bitch 
7. I Got The Blues 
8. Sister Morphine 
9. Dead Flowers 
10. Moonlight Mile


First question: whose penis is that?  Is that really the way someone wants to be immortalized?  If someone found out you were on the cover of a Stones album, they would of course ask which one.  Wouldn't that be awkward?  Wouldn't your mother see it?  All right, I just did some research and apparently his name was Joe Dallesandro.  I would not recommend googling that like I just did, by the way.


Anyway, another Stones album.  If you have read my previous posts, you will have found that they do not impress me that much.  I definitely think this time was an improvement.  The song "Brown Sugar" is catchy.  Still, I feel like they are pretty much on the same level as the Allman Brothers.  What is so impressive about them that they have such a crazy fan base?  I suppose listening to them live is a whole different experience.  I am quite difficult to impress!


RATING: 3/5

214. At Fillmore East

At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers
1971

Tracks
1. Statesboro Blues
2. I Done Somebody Wrong
3. They Call It Stormy Monday 
4. You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)
5. Hot Lanta 
6. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed 
7. Whipping Post


We have had quite a streak of famous albums, however, it comes to a halt with this one.  I have never heard of the Allman Brothers, probably because they are not very good.  I have heard the term "musical masturbation" a few times and have always thought it was a bit crude.  However, I totally understand the need to use it now; this album was pure musical masturbation.


This album is mostly instrumental so thankfully I was not too bored listening to it since I was finishing Mysteries of Udolpho at the time (an addictive read; highly recommended). It reminded me strongly of the band Cream but I recall Cream being better.  Overall just plain boring and unoriginal.

RATING: 2/5

213. Shaft

Shaft
Isaac Hayes
1971

Tracks
1. Shaft
2. Bumpy's Lament
3. Walk From Regio's
4. Ellie's Love Theme
5. Shaft's Cab Ride
6. Cafe Regio's
7. Early Sunday Morning
8. Be Yourself
9. Friend's Place
10. Soulsville
11. No Name Bar
12. Bumpy's Blues
13. Shaft Strikes Again
14. Do Your Thing
15. End Theme


Okay, that was just stupid.  Since when are movie soundtracks allowed?  I thought there was a rule against them!  And if there isn't, are we really picking Shaft?  Really?  I mean, don't get me wrong I enjoyed the movie as much as the next guy but I don't want to listen to the music they played while he walked around for over an hour!!


I do have some fond memories of the theme from Shaft.  I was really nervous for my driver's test when I was sixteen so my mom made me a mix cd for the way to the testing center.  The cd had the theme from Shaft, "Eye of the Tiger", and the song that plays while Rocky is running up the steps.  Needless to say, it did pump me up, and I passed the first time!


Regardless, I really don't have to make a case for why this album shouldn't be on the list.  The first track is awesome, though.  But this is background music and nothing more.

RATING: 2/5

212. Tapestry

Tapestry
Carole King
1971

Tracks
1. I Feel The Earth Move
2. So Far Away
3. It's Too Late
4. Home Again
5. Beautiful
6. Way Over Yonder
7. You've Got A Friend
8. Where You Lead
9. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
10. Smackwater Jack
11. Tapestry
12. You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman


My dad has been on my ass since album number 1 to listen to Tapestry and now on Father's Day, I finally fulfilled his wish.  See, dad, album number 212!  More weird parent facts: when I was innocently listening to this album, my mother abruptly entered the room and started loudly singing and dancing in an alarming fashion.  I can only conclude that this album makes people do strange things.


I was quite familiar with this album beforehand (no, not just because I have seen every episode of Gilmore Girls); I think we all are.  Since we have all heard these songs from time to time it makes it all the more cool to listen to the songs all at once.  She truly as a haunting voice and is an amazing song writer.  She does do a couple covers like "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" but I guarantee that they are like nothing you have heard before.  A magnificent album; I hope we continue on this roll.

RATING: 5/5

211. Who's Next

Who's Next
The Who
1971

Tracks
1. Baba O'Riley 
2. Bargain 
3. Love Ain't For Keeping 
4. My Wife 
5. The Song Is Over 
6. Getting in tune 
7. Going Mobile 
8. Behind Blue Eyes 
9. Won't Get Fooled Again


This review has to be really quick because I have to go pick up my brother for the Father's Day extravaganza.  Incidentally, this is one of my dad's favorite albums so this is really fitting for the day.


This is a fantastic album; probably one of my favorites as well.  First off, I think we have all heard the first track, so there is little reason for me to explain how amazing it is.  I should say, however, that though the beat is incredible, I do love the lyrics as well: "I don't need to fight to prove I am right; I don't need to be forgiven."  As popular as this album is, though, there are some little known gems. I don't hear people talking too much about "The Song Is Over" which is pretty awesome.  Check it out!

RATING: 5/5

210. Trafalgar

Trafalgar
The Bee Gees
1971

Tracks
1. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
2. Israel
3. Greatest Man In The World
4. It's Just The Way 
5. Remembering 
6. Somebody
7. Stop The Music 
8. Trafalgar 
9. Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself
10. When Do I 
11. Dearest 
12. Lion In Winter
13. Walking Back To Waterloo


Ew.  That was bad.  This is one of the albums that the book seems apologetic for putting in which is never a good sign.  They do that sometimes with the books and the movies books.  If you have resignations about putting it in, don't put it in!


On the plus side, this is pure pop garbage so I am able to put on my best intellectual persona and say "this kind of ubiquitous trash is why our country is going to the dogs!" is an upper class English.  The only song that wasn't really obnoxious was "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" and that was only so-so, although it topped the US charts.  USA!!!

I have great memories of Trafalgar Square in London.  Please don't ruin them, Bee Gees.

RATING: 2/5