1970- let me start out by listed 10 albums that did not make my 20 favorite albums of the year- Black Sabbath- Black Sabbath, The Who “Live at Leeds”, The Kinks “Lola Vs. The Powermen & the Moneygoround”, Elton John “Tumbleweed Connection”, Cat Stevens “Tea for the Tillerman”, The Grateful Dead “Workingman’s Dead”, Jimi Hendrix “Band Of Gypsies”, Fairport Convention “Liege & Leif”, Deep Purple “In Rock”, The Doors “Morrison Hotel”. Every one of those albums, with the possible exception of “Morrison Hotel” is known as a classic album in most parts and shows you just how musically deep 1970 runs. Though few of the biggest rock bands/artists didn’t release their definitive album statement in ’70, there is such a plethora of great songs & albums that 1970 stands for me as one of the definitive years in music history. It was the pivotal year of the sensitive singer songwriter era, as well as year 1 for Heavy Metal with the first two Black Sabbath albums along with Deep Purple’s “In Rock”. The Beatles released their last album and McCartney, Harrison & Lennon released their first real solo albums. Miles Davis was creating Jazz fusion with the release of the double album tour de force “Bitches’ Brew” (along with the previous year’s “In a Silent Way”. Soul & early funk music was merging with heavy metal and psychedelic rock led by the work of George Clinton & Funkadelic. The experimental music of the Stooges, Velvet Underground & MC5 was creating a sound which would lead to the punk explosion a few years later. There seemed to be something for everyone- mellow, loud, soft, heavy & funky.

After a good 5 years of progressively noisier psychedelic or garage rock, 1970 saw many of the baby boomers (hippies or not) who grew up on the British Invasion and album rock explosion, grow up a bit, get married, settle down and start families. After all of the political turmoil of the late sixties, many seemed to look forward to mellowing out and focusing inward. This set the stage for the folkie, singer songwriter movement which oftentimes was a man or women and his/her acoustic guitar, though the music certainly wasn’t limited to that. The scenes home base was Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, CA. James Taylor, a then unknown musician signed to the Beatles Apple label released his second album “Sweet Baby James” in early ’70. It quickly sold in huge numbers setting off a firestorm of likeminded releases. Fellow Canyoner Joni Mitchell released her 3rd scene referencing album “Ladies of the Canyon”, which also brought her much more success and acclaim than her previous releases. The super group Crosby Stills & Nash became one of the biggest rock bands in America with their self-titled 1969 release. In ’70 they recruited ex-Buffalo Springfielder Neil Young and released “Déjà vu”, which was another huge success. Young, himself, released one of his great albums as well with “After the Gold Rush”, a far quieter affair than his previous album. Stephen Stills also released his first solo album and had a hit. Many of the above musicians played on each others recordings and were both friends and rivals. It was a very incestuous scene and would remain so throughout the early part of the seventies.

Single artists, as opposed to full bands, were hot outside of L.A. as well. Simon & Garfunkel, the definitive folk duo of all-time released their last and most popular album Bridge Over Troubled Water”, but would break-up shortly after. Paul Simon would begin a very successful solo career a few years later. Across the pond Van Morrison, formerly of the garage rock group Them, released his second solo offering “Moondance”, two years after his beautiful but esoteric debut “Astral Weeks”. Though many argue over which is his better album, “Moondance” made him a star and remains an all-time classic today. Cat Stevens, who had seen some success during the British Invasion, catapulted to stardom with “Tea For the Tillerman” and he would remain one of the most respected artists of the era. The great Eric Clapton had disbanded the super group Cream a year earlier, as well as another one-off supergroup Blind Faith with Steve Winwood. In 1970 while playing with various members of the group Delaney & Bonnie on his best friend George Harrison’s first solo album “All Things Must Pass”, formed yet another one off supergroup Derek & the Dominoes. Their one 1970 release “Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs” was arguably the definitive album statement of Clapton’s entire (admittedly spotty) career. He also released his first solo album which contains “After Midnight” & “Let It Rain”. Harrison’s album would be by far the best statement of his solo career. Paul McCartney released his slapdash self-titled debut- it may have been lightweight compared to “All Things Must Pass” but it has its charms including the monstrous “Maybe I’m Amazed”. John Lennon, fresh off of primal scream therapy released “The Plastic Ono Band” with wife Yoko. The album is stripped to the bones with Lennon baring his soul. It’s a bleak & challenging listen but has plenty of genius moments and draws a line in the sand between the sixties- Beatles, hippies, peace/love, change the world- and the increasingly dour and resigned seventies. The Beatles last album “Let It Be” was released in 1970 but was actually recorded the previous year before “Abbey Road” and was slapped together rather haphazardly in the studio after the fact. As it’s the Beatles it would probably rank as most good band’s best album- it’s still a necessary listen which much to offer. Another artist to mention is the emergence of Elton John who started his incredible run of excellent albums and singles in 1970 than ran through the middle of the decade. He more than anyone else took over for the Beatles in the early 70’s as the biggest pop star in the world. The self-titled “Elton John” (not his actual debut) and the even better “Tumbleweed Connection” both streeted in 1970- they are two of his very best.

British Folk Rock was in its heyday in 1970 as well, even though it wouldn’t really break in America. The Fairport Convention was going strong releasing their 2nd great album “Liege & Lief”, which actually came out in very late ’69 in the U.K. Two of their members, Sandy Denny & Richard Thompson would go on to do important work throughout the decade. Others in the scene would remain almost entirely underground until much later. Nick Drake, who played on some of the Fairport albums, released his second of three albums in 1970 with “Bryter Layter”. It’s my favorite of his though all three are necessities. Unfortunately he never saw success in his lifetime, committing suicide several years later. His music wouldn’t really become well-known until the track “Pink Moon” was used in a car commercial at the beginning of the next century. Another artists, Vashti Bunyon, released her only album in ’70- the beautiful “Just Another Diamond Day”. She would be rediscovered by “freak-folk” artists in the new century as well and now her past work is more celebrated. Singer-songwriter Tim Buckley (also of the L.A. scene) was a critical favorite, but his music was really too weird for him to experience much success. His 1970 “Song To the Siren” is thought to be his best album. He would die young as well, which would happen tragically again to his son Jeff Buckley in the nineties.

The Rolling Stones were seemingly the only huge rock band that didn’t release a studio album in 1970, though they were right in the middle of one of the most incredible run in rock history. Actually The Who didn’t either, but they did release “Live at Leeds”, one of the classic live rock albums of all time. “Leeds” also contained the hit cover single “Summertime Blues” and The Who also released the great non-album single “The Seeker” as well. Only one year into their career and the mighty Led Zeppelin was already dominated the hard rock landscape with the previous year’s release of “I” and “II”. The varied their sound up to great results with “III” in 1970, allowing for quieter, folkie tracks like “That’s the Way” and “Tangerine” as well as experimental stuff like “Hats Off to Roy Harper”. Though banned from touring in the U.S., the Kinks released their 5th phenomenal album in a row with “Lola vs. the Powermen & the Moneygoround”, which contained the legendary hit “Lola”, but this period of the Kinks would remain largely unappreciated until year’s later by most Americans. Black Sabbath created the template for Heavy Metal with their self-titled debut and the monstrous follow-up “Paranoid”, still two of Metal’s most crucial albums. Deep Purple ditched their former lead singer, hiring the Metal howler Ian Gillan, who would see them through their most legendary period. “In Rock” was the first of their great albums. In America, down south, the Allman Brothers combined blues, country, psychelia & boogie music to create what is now known as southern rock. Their second album “Idlewild South” was released in 1970 containing classics like “Midnight Rider”, “Revival”, and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”. West coast acts were going strong as well. Jimi Hendrix released the live “Band of Gypsies” album which would be his last release before his untimely death and sadly hinted at more brilliant music to come from him in the future. San Fransisco acts the Grateful Dead, Santana, Creedence Clearwater Revival and to a lesser extent the Quicksilver Messenger Service all had landmark releases in ’70 as well. The Dead stripped their sound down from trippy acid rock to acoustic country influenced folk rock. Their two most beloved albums, “American Beauty” and “Workingman’s Dead” came out in 1970- between them holding about half of the Dead’s most well-known songs. Santana’s 2nd album “Abraxas” is the best of their career and Creedence was in the middle of a run only eclipsed by the Stones. “Cosmo’s Factory” held six charting singles and is probably the best album of their career as well. Though underbought and underappreciated at the time the Velvet Underground, the Stooges & to a slightly lesser extent the MC5 were underground in 1970 creating not only the beginning rumblings of Punk rock, but of alternative music all together. The Velvets “Loaded” was their last album with Lou Reed and has the immortal classics “Sweet Jane” and “Rock and Roll”- classic rock in a cooler world. The Stooges “Fun House” remains their best release and along with Black Sabbath, took heavy music to a place it had never been before. It has yet to come back

Soul music was rapidly changing as well. Throughout the sixties, it was moving from a smoother, more pop music built to cross over to the white audiences, to a heavier, funkier music that let its freak flag fly. The holy trinity of funk was James Brown, the creator, Sly & the Family Stone, who did more to bridge the gap between white & black audiences, and George Clinton and his groups Paraliament and Funkadelic, who expanded the sound by adding elements of Heavy Metal and psychedelic rock. All three artists were on a roll in ’40. Clinton & Funkadelic released their first two albums- the self-titled debut and “Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow”. James Brown released his life “Sex Machine” album and had huge hits with the single “Sex Machine” & “Super Bad”. Sly Stone had just released the immaculate “Stand” album in ’69, whose plentiful hits ran into 1970, as well as the non-album follow-up singles “Thank You Falletinme Be Micelf Agin” and “Everybody Is A Star”. Experimental political artists like Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets were combining spoken word poetry with jazz & funk backing to create an early template for rap. Motown’s sound was changing as well. Bands like the Four Tops & the Supremes were on their way out along with the company’s biggest producing team Holland Dozier Holland, which helped pioneer the slick sounds so huge in the middle of the decade. Norman Whitfield took over as the hottest producer at the label trying to match Brown, Sly & Clinton in the psychedelic & funk department. He experienced huge success with the Temptations- the biggest of the Motown bands to cross over to that sound, who had huge hits with the previous year’s “Cloud Nine”, and 1970’s “Psychedelic Shack” and “Ball of Confusion”. Edwin Starr’s “War” was another huge politically-based hit for the label in ’70. Motown still had huge successes with relatively lighter (but still fantastic) by key artists like Stevie Wonder & Smokey Robinson, but a change was certainly happening. The biggest new artists were the Jackson 5 who came fresh out of the gate with 5 huge hits for the label including 1969’s “I Want You Back” followed by “ABC”, “I’ll Be There”, “The Love You Save” and “Never Can Say Goodbye”. The five would never duplicate their success in 1970, but lead singer Michael Jackson would obviously go on to even bigger things in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Other artists changing the genre include Isaac Hayes, a writer on many Stax hits in the 60’s, particularly on Sam & Dave cuts, and Curtis Mayfield, of the great sixties vocal group the Impressions. Hayes, the previous year had released the landmark album “Hot Buttered Soul”, which took soul music to epic lengths and transformed the sound to include sophisticated string arrangements and created the loverman persona expanded by artists like Barry White and Teddy Pendergrass in the 70’s. 1970’s “To Be Continued” continued his success. Mayfield released his debut album “Curtis” which contained amazing hits like “Move On Up” (later sampled by Kanye West in “Touch the Sky”) and the dire warning “Don’t Worry (If There’s A Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go”), setting the stage for his even better and important masterpiece “Superfly” two years later.

I wrote all of that without even touching on many of the great one off pop & soul singles that came out in 1970, many of which can be found on my mixes below. Please check them out- this year has something for everyone.

 

 

MILES DAVIS- BITCHES’ BREW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Bitches Brew (Legacy Edition) – Miles Davis
Buy Bitches BrewAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

SANTANA- ABRAXAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Abraxas – Santana

Buy AbraxasAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

NICK DRAKE- BRYTER LAYTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Bryter Layter (Remastered) – Nick Drake

Buy Bryter LayterAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GRATEFUL DEAD- AMERICAN BEAUTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy American Beauty (Deluxe Version) – Grateful Dead

Buy American Beauty [Expanded]Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAN MORRISON- MOONDANCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Moondance – Van Morrison

Buy MoondanceAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEIL YOUNG- AFTER THE GOLDRUSH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy After the Gold Rush (Remastered) – Neil Young

Buy After The Gold RushAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL- COSMO’S FACTORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered] – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Buy Cosmo’s FactoryAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPIRIT- TWELVE TALES OF DR. SARDONICUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus – Spirit

Buy Twelve Dreams Of Dr. SardonicusAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND- LOADED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Loaded: The Fully Loaded Edition – The Velvet Underground
Buy Loaded: Fully Loaded Edition (US Release)Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLACK SABBATH- PARANOID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Album not available via itunes
Buy ParanoidAmazon
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOHN LENNON- PLASTIC ONO BAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Plastic Ono Band (Remastered) – John Lennon
Buy Plastic Ono BandAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LED ZEPPELIN- III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin
Buy Led Zeppelin IIIAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG- DEJA VU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Deja Vu – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Buy Deja VuAmazonnbsp;

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEREK & THE DOMINOES- LAYLA & OTHER ASSORTED LOVE SONGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy The Layla Sessions (20th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered] – Derek & The Dominos
Buy Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs [2 CD 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition]Amazon

 

 

THE BEATLES- LET IT BE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Let It Be – The Beatles

Buy Let It BeAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURTIS MAYFIELD- CURTIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Curtis – Curtis Mayfield

Buy Curtis! (Deluxe Edition)Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANDY NEWMAN- 12 SONGSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Album not available via iTunes

Buy 12 Songs Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE STOOGES- FUN HOUSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Funhouse (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered] – The Stooges
Buy Fun HouseAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIMON & GARFUNKEL- BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel

Buy Bridge Over Troubled WaterAmazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEORGE HARRISON- ALL THINGS MUST PASS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered] – George Harrison
Buy All Things Must Pass

Best of 1970 Volume 1 (6/15/02)

1.  The Stooges- 1970

Buy 1970 – Funhouse (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]
Buy 1970 (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

2.  The Doors- Peace Frog

Buy Peace Frog – Morrison Hotel
Buy Peace Frog ( LP Version )Amazon

3.  James Brown- Funky Drummer

Buy Funky Drummer – Star Time
Buy Funky Drummer (Parts 1 & 2)Amazon

4.  Santana- Samba Pa Ti

Buy Samba Pa Ti – Abraxas
Buy Samba Pa TiAmazon

5.  Van Morrison- Into the Mystic

Buy Into the Mystic – Moondance
Buy Into The Mystic (Album Version)Amazon

6.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Long As I Can See the Light

Buy Long As I Can See the Light – Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Long As I Can See The LightAmazon

7.  David Bowie- The Man Who Sold The World

8.  The Beatles- Across the Universe

Buy Across the Universe – Let It Be
*Track not available via Amazon

9.  George Harrison- What is Life

Buy What Is Life (Remastered) – Away We Go (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Buy What Is Life (2009 Digital Remaster)Amazon

10.  The Who- The Seeker

Buy The Seeker – Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy
Buy The SeekerAmazon

11.  Joni Mitchell- Big Yellow Taxi

Buy Big Yellow Taxi – Ladies of the Canyon
Buy Big Yellow Taxi (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

12.  Spirit- Nature’s Way

Buy Nature’s Way – Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Buy Nature’s WayAmazon

13.  Crosby Stills Nash & Young- Carry On

Buy Carry On – Deja Vu
Buy Carry OnAmazon

14.  Led Zeppelin- That’s the Way

Buy That’s the Way – Led Zeppelin III
Buy That’s The Way (LP Version)Amazon

15.  Grateful Dead- Ripple

Buy Ripple – American Beauty (Bonus Track Version) [Remastered]
Buy Ripple (Remastered Version)Amazon

16.  The Velvet Underground- Sweet Jane

Buy Sweet Jane – Loaded
Buy Sweet Jane Amazon

17.  Black Sabbath- Paranoid

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

18.  Randy Newman- Mama Told Me Not to Come

*This version not available via iTunes or Amazon

19.  Neil Young- After the Gold Rush

Buy After the Gold Rush – After the Gold Rush (Remastered)
Buy After The Gold RushAmazon

20.  John Lennon- God

Buy God – Plastic Ono Band (Remastered)
Buy God (2010 – Remaster)Amazon

Best of 1970 Volume 2 (6/17/02)

1.  James Brown- Get Up (I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine)

Buy Get Up I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine, Pt. 1 & 2 (feat. The Original J.B.s) [Single Version] – 20 All-Time Greatest Hits!
Buy Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex MachineAmazon

2.  Sly & the Family Stone- thank You Falletinme Be Micelf Agan

Buy Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Greatest Hits
Buy Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Single Version)Amazon

3.  King Floyd- Groove Me

Buy Groove Me – Choice Cuts
Buy Groove MeAmazon

4.  The Spinners- It’s a Shame

Buy It’s a Shame – The Best of the Spinners
Buy It’s A ShameAmazon

5.  Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day

Buy Celebration Day – Led Zeppelin III
Buy Celebration Day Amazon

6.  The Velvet Underground- Rock And Roll

Buy Rock and Roll – Loaded
Buy Rock And RollAmazon

7.  The Stooges- Down On the Street

Buy Down On the Street – Funhouse (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Down On The Street (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

8.  Derek & the Dominoes- Bell Bottom Blues

Buy Bell Bottom Blues – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (40th Anniversary Version) [Remastered]
Buy Bell Bottom BluesAmazon

9.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Buy Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Mono Single) – The Singles Collection
Buy Have You Ever Seen The Rain?Amazon

10.  Black Sabbath- Hand Of Doom

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

11.  Curtis Mayfield- If There’s a Hell Below (We’re All Gonna Go)

Buy (Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Going to Go – Curtis
Buy (Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below We’re All Going To GoAmazon

12.  The Temptations- Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Needs Today)

Buy Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) – Anthology Series: The Best of the Temptations
Buy Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)Amazon

13.  Johnny Cash- Sunday Morning Coming Down

Buy Sunday Morning Coming Down – The Essential Johnny Cash
Buy Sunday Morning Coming DownAmazon

14.  The Five Stairsteps- O-O-H Child

Buy O-O-H Child – The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps (Remastered)
Buy O-o-h Child (Buddha Remastered 2001)Amazon

15.  Chairman Of the Board- Give Me Just a Little More Time

Buy Give Me Just a Little More Time – Semi-Pro (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Buy Give Me Just A Little More Time Amazon

16.  Paul McCartney- Maybe I’m Amazed

Buy Maybe I’m Amazed – McCartney (Deluxe Version) [Remastered]
Buy Maybe I’m AmazedAmazon

17.  The Beatles- I’ve Got a Feeling

Buy I’ve Got a Feeling – Let It Be
*This track not available via Amazon

18.  Simon & Garfunkel- The Boxer

BuyThe Boxer – Bridge Over Troubled Water
BuyThe BoxerAmazon

Best of 1970 Volume 3 (5/29/03)

1.  Eric Burdon & War- Spill the Wine

Buy Spill the Wine – Best of War
Buy Spill The WineAmazon

2.  Charles Wright & Watts 103rd St.- Express Yourself

Buy Express Yourself – Rhino Hi-Five: Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band – EP
Buy Express Yourself (Album Version)Amazon

3.  Sly & the Family Stone- Everybody Is a Star

Buy Everybody Is a Star (Single) – The Essential Sly & the Family Stone
Buy Everybody Is A Star (mono single master)Amazon

4.  Stevie Wonder- Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Buy Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Buy Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)Amazon

5.  Smokey Robinson & the Miracles- Tears Of a Clown

Buy The Tears of a Clown (Stereo) – Motown 1’S
Buy The Tears Of A ClownAmazon

6.  Santana- Oye Como Va

Buy Oye Como Va – Abraxas
Buy Oye Como VaAmazon

7.  Bob Marley & the Wailers- Small Axe

Buy Small Axe – The Anthology
Buy Small AxeAmazon

8.  Badfinger- No Matter What

Buy No Matter What – No Dice (Remastered)
Buy No Matter What (2010 – Remaster)Amazon

9.  The Beatles- Two Of Us

Buy Two of Us – Let It Be
*Track not available via Amazon

10.  Led Zeppelin- Tangerine

Buy Tangerine – Led Zeppelin III
Buy TangerineAmazon

11.  The Grateful Dead- Box Of Rain

Buy Box of Rain – American Beauty (Bonus Track Version) [Remastered]
Buy Box Of Rain (Remastered Version)Amazon

12.  Tim Buckley- Song To the Siren

Buy Song to the Siren – Starsailor
Buy Song To The Siren (Album Version)Amazon

13.  James Taylor- Fire and Rain

Buy Fire and Rain – Sweet Baby James
Buy Fire And RainAmazon

14.  Van Morrison- And It Stoned Me

Buy And It Stoned Me – Moondance
Buy And It Stoned Me (Album Version)Amazon

15.  John Lennon- Working Class Hero

Buy Working Class Hero – Plastic Ono Band (Remastered)
Buy Working Class Hero (2010 – Remaster)Amazon

16.  Crosby Stills Nash & Young- Ohio

Buy Ohio – So Far
Buy OhioAmazon

17.  Neil Young- Southern Man

Buy Southern Man – After the Gold Rush (Remastered)
Buy Southern ManAmazon

18.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Up Around the Bend

Buy Up Around the Bend – Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Up Around The BendAmazon

19.  Black Sabbath- N.I.B.

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

20. The Doors- Roadhouse Blues

Buy Roadhouse Blues – Morrison Hotel
Buy Roadhouse Blues ( LP Version )Amazon

21.  The Kinks- Denmark Street

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

 

Best of 1970 Volume 4 (6/10/03)

1. Jimi Hendrix- The Star Spangled Banner

2.  Led Zeppelin- The Immigrant Song

Buy Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin III
Buy Immigrant SongAmazon

3. The Who- Summertimes Blues (Live)

Buy Summertime Blues (Live) – Live At Leeds (Deluxe Edition)
Buy Summertime BluesAmazon

4.  The Allman Brothers Band- Midnight Rider

Buy Midnight Rider – Idlewild South (Remastered)
Buy Midnight Rider (Album Version)Amazon

5. Derek & the Dominoes- Layla

Buy Layla – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (40th Anniversary Version) [Remastered]
Buy LaylaAmazon

6.  Neil Young- Don’t Let It Bring You Down

Buy Don’t Let It Bring You Down – After the Gold Rush (Remastered)
Buy Don’t Let It Bring You DownAmazon

7.  Fairport Convention- Tam Lin *1969 u.k. release, 1970 U.S. release

Buy Tam Lin – Liege and Lief
Buy Tam LinAmazon

8.  Van Morrison- Caravan

Buy Caravan – Moondance
Buy Caravan (Album Version)Amazon

9.  The George Baker Selection- Little Green Bag

Buy Little Green Bag – The Heritage Colossus Story
Buy Little Green BagAmazon

10.  Chairman Of the Board- Pay to the Piper

Buy Pay to the Piper – Chairmen of the Board: Greatest Hits
Buy Pay To The PiperAmazon

11.  The Jackson 5- ABC

Buy Abc – Abc
Buy ABCAmazon

12.  Edwin Starr- War

Buy War – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the ’70s
Buy WarAmazon

13.  The Stooges- Loose

Buy Loose – Funhouse (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Loose (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

14.  Black Sabbath- Black Sabbath

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

15.  The Grateful Dead- Friend of the Devil

Buy Friend of the Devil – American Beauty (Bonus Track Version) [Remastered]
Buy Friend Of The Devil (Remastered Version)Amazon

16.  Mungo Jerry- In the Sumertime

Buy In the Summertime – The Very Best of Mungo Jerry
Buy In The SummertimeAmazon

17.  The Kinks- Get Back In Line

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

18.  Elton John- Your Song

Buy Your Song – Elton John
Buy Your SongAmazon

19.  The Delfonics- (Didn’t ) Blow Your Mind This Time

Buy Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) – The Delfonics (Remastered)
Buy Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (Digitally Remastered 1997)Amazon

20.  The Velvet Underground- Who Loves the Sun

Who Loves the Sun – Loaded
BuyWho Loves The SunAmazon

Best of 1970 Volume 5 (7/20/06)

1.  Black Sabbath- War Pigs

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

2.  James Brown- Super Bad (Parts 1 & 2)

Buy Super Bad, Pt. 1 & 2 – 20 All-Time Greatest Hits!
Buy Super Bad (Parts 1 & 2)Amazon

3.  Curtis Mayfield- Move On Up

Buy Move On Up (Extended Version) – Curtis
Buy Move On Up (Extended Version)Amazon

4.  The James Gang- Funk #49

Buy Funk #49 – Funk #49
Buy Funk #49Amazon

5.  John Lennon- Instant Karma!

Buy Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) – Power to the People – The Hits (Remastered)
Buy Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (2010 – Remaster)Amazon

6.  Santana- Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen

Buy Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen – Abraxas
Buy Black Magic Woman/Gypsy QueenAmazon

7.  Randy Newman- Have You Seen My Baby?

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

8.  Stevie Wonder- Heaven Help Us All

Buy Heaven Help Us All – Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Buy Heaven Help Us AllAmazon

9.  The Melodians- Rivers of Babylon

Buy Rivers of Babylon – The Harder They Come (Remastered)
Buy Rivers Of BabylonAmazon

10.  Joni Mitchell- Morning Morgantown

Buy Morning Morgantown – Ladies of the Canyon
Buy Morning Morgantown (LP Version)Amazon

11.  Vashti Bunyon- Diamond Day

Buy Diamond Day – Just Another Diamond Day
Buy Diamond DayAmazon

12.  The Grateful Dead- Uncle John’s Band

Buy Uncle John’s Band – Workingman’s Dead (Bonus Tracks)
Buy Uncle John’s Band (Remastered Version)Amazon

13.  Crosby Stills Nash & Young- Woodstock

Buy Woodstock – Deja Vu
Buy WoodstockAmazon

14.  Jimi Hendrix- Message to Love (Live)

Buy Message to Love (Live) – Band of Gypsys (Live) [Remastered]
Buy Message To Love (Live) (1997 Digital Remaster)Amazon

15.  Van Morrison- Moondance

Buy Moondance – Moondance
Buy MoondanceAmazon

16. Aretha Franklin- Call Me

Buy Call Me – Aretha Franklin: 30 Greatest Hits
Buy Call MeAmazon

17.  The Beatles- Let it Be

Buy Let It Be – Let It Be
*Track not available via Amazon

18.  George Jones- A Good Year for the Roses

BuyA Good Year for the Roses – George Jones – Songbook
Buy A Good Year For The RosesAmazon

Best of 1970 Volume 6 (7/23/06)

1.  Fairport Convention- Come All Ye

Buy Come All Ye – Liege and Lief
Buy Come All YeAmazon

2.  George Harrison- I’d Have You Anytime

Buy I’d Have You Anytime – All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy I’d Have You Anytime (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

3.  Chicago- 25 Or 6 to 4

Buy 25 Or 6 To 4 (Single Version) – Chicago II (Remastered)
Buy 25 Or 6 To 4 (Remastered)Amazon

4.  Tyrone Davis- Turn Back the Hands of Time

Buy Turn Back the Hands of Time – Tyrone Davis: 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Turn Back The Hands Of TimeAmazon

5.  The Beatles- Get Back

Buy Get Back – Let It Be
*Track not available via Amazon

6.  Rod Stewart- Gasoline Alley

Buy Gasoline Alley – Gasoline Alley
Buy Gasoline AlleyAmazon

7.  Loretta Lynn- Coal Miner’s Daughter

Buy Coal Miner’s Daughter (Single Version) – The Definitive Collection: Loretta Lynn
Buy Coal Miner’s DaughterAmazon

8.  Randy Newman- Old Kentucky Home

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

9.  James Taylor- Country Road

Buy Country Road – Sweet Baby James
Buy Country Road (LP Version)Amazon

10.  Joni Mitchell- Woodstock

Buy Woodstock – Ladies of the Canyon
Buy Woodstock (LP Version)Amazon

11.  Tim Buckley- Moulin Rouge

Buy Moulin Rouge – Starsailor
Buy Moulin Rouge (Album Version)Amazon

12.  Van Morrison- Crazy Love

Buy Crazy Love – Moondance
Buy Crazy Love (Album Version)Amazon

13.  The Grateful Dead- Sugar Magnolia

Buy Sugar Magnolia – American Beauty (Bonus Track Version) [Remastered]
Buy Sugar Magnolia (Remastered Version) Amazon

14. The Moments- Love On A Two Way Street

15. The Jackson 5- The Love You Save

16.  The Chi-Lites- Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)

Buy Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) – Brunswick Top 40 R&B Singles 1966-1975
Buy Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)Amazon

17.  Jimi Hendrix- Machine Gun (Live)

Buy Machine Gun (Live) – Band of Gypsys (Live) [Remastered]
Buy Machine Gun (Live) (1997 Digital Remaster)Amazon

18.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Run Through the Jungle

Buy Run Through the Jungle – Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Run Through The JungleAmazon

19.  The Kinks- Apeman

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

20.  Cat Stevens- Father and Son

Buy Father and Son – Tea for the Tillerman
Buy Father And SonAmazon

Best of 1970 Volume 7 (3/2/13)

1.  Black Sabbath- Iron Man

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

2.  The Stooges- TV Eye

Buy T.V. Eye – Funhouse (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]
Buy T.V. Eye (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

3.  The JB’s- The Grunt

Buy The Grunt, Pt. 1 (Single) – Pass the Peas: The Best of the J.B.’s
*Track not available via Amazon

4.  The Last Poets- Run Ni**er

Buy Run, N****r – Last Poets
Buy Run, NiggerAmazon

5. Donny Hathaway- The Ghetto

6.  Funkadelic- Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow

Buy Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow – Free Your Mind…
Buy Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will FollowAmazon

7.  Os Mutantes- Ando Meio Desligado

Buy Ando Meio Desligado – Everything Is Possible! The Best of Os Mutantes
Buy Ando Meio DesligadoAmazon

8.  Syd Barrett- Octopus

Buy Octopus – The Madcap Laughs
Buy Octopus (2010 Mix)Amazon

9.  Crosy Stills Nash & Young- Helpless

Buy Helpless – Deja Vu
Buy HelplessAmazon

10.  Derek & the Dominoes- Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?

Buy Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad? – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (40th Anniversary Version) [Remastered]
Buy Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?Amazon

11.  Elton John- Take Me to the Pilot

Buy Take Me to the Pilot – Elton John
Buy Take Me To The PilotAmazon

12.  The Grateful Dead- Dire Wolf

Buy Dire Wolf – Workingman’s Dead (Remastered)
Buy Dire Wolf (Remastered LP Version)Amazon

13.  George Harrison- Let It Down

Buy Let It Down – All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Let It Down (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

14.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Who’ll Stop the Rain

Buy Who’ll Stop the Rain – Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Who’ll Stop The RainAmazon

15.  The Allman Brothers Band- In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

Buy In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – Idlewild South (Remastered)
Buy In Memory Of Elizabeth ReedAmazon

16.  Simon & Garfunkel- Cecilia

Buy Cecilia – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Buy CeciliaAmazon

17.  Van Morrison- Domino

Buy Domino – His Band and the Street Choir
*Track not available via Amazon

18.  Led Zeppelin- Gallows Pole

Buy Gallows Pole – Led Zeppelin III
Buy Gallows PoleAmazon

Best of 1970 Volume 8 (3/2/13)

1.  The Allman Brothers Band- Revival

Buy Revival – Idlewild South (Remastered)
Buy RevivalAmazon

2.  Stephen Stills- Old Times Good Times

Buy Old Times Good Times – Stephen Stills
Buy Old Times Good TimesAmazon

3.  Creedence Clearwater Revival- Lookin’ Out My Back Door

Buy Lookin’ Out My Back Door – Cosmo’s Factory (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy Lookin’ Out My Back DoorAmazon

4.  Quicksilver Messenger Service- Fresh Air

Buy Fresh Air (2002 Remaster) – Classic Masters (24-Bit Remastered 02)
Buy Fresh Air (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

5.  Eric Clapton- Let it Rain

Buy Let It Rain – Eric Clapton (Remastered)
Buy Let It RainAmazon

6.  Elvis Presley- Kentucky Rain

Buy Kentucky Rain – The Essential Elvis Presley (Remastered)
Buy Kentucky Rain (New Sound Remastered)Amazon

7.  Crosby Stills Nash & Young- Teach Your Children

Buy Teach Your Children – Deja Vu
Buy Teach Your ChildrenAmazon

8.  George Harrison- If Not for You

Buy If Not for You – All Things Must Pass (30th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered]
Buy If Not For You (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

9.  Elton John- Where to Now St. Peter?

Buy Where to Now St. Peter? – Tumbleweed Connection (Remastered)
Buy Where To Now St. Peter?Amazon

10.  Simon & Garfunkel- The Only Living Boy in New York

Buy The Only Living Boy In New York – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Buy The Only Living Boy In New YorkAmazon

11.  Deep Purple- Child in Time

Buy Child In Time – The Very Best of Deep Purple
*Track not available via Amazon

12.  Black Sabbath- The Wizard

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

13.  Led Zeppelin- Out on the Tiles

Buy Out On the Tiles – Led Zeppelin III
Buy Out On The TilesAmazon

14.  Spirit- Mr. Skin

Buy Mr. Skin – Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Buy Mr. SkinAmazon

15.  Gil Scott-Heron- Whitey On the Moon

Buy Whitey On the Moon – The Revolution Begins: The Flying Dutchman Masters
Buy Whitey On The MoonAmazon

16.  Funkadelic- Funky Dollar Bill

Buy Funky Dollar Bill – Free Your Mind…
Buy Funky Dollar BillAmazon

17.  Neil Young- Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Buy Only Love Can Break Your Heart – After the Gold Rush (Remastered)
Buy Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Album Version)Amazon

18.  The Grateful Dead- Truckin’

BuyTruckin’ – American Beauty (Bonus Track Version) [Remastered]
BuyTruckin’ (Remastered Version)Amazon