1971: Rock's Golden Year - Part 2  

In Part One I said "Examining my record collection reveals a lot of LPs purchased from that one year." It was probably the first year, I personally had money in my pocket to afford LPs but strictly speaking it's only partly true to say 'purchased', because an unexpected event at my work provided another source of LP ownership - [I have mentioned this event in the 2017 8th December Music Spot, but to refresh your memory:

"At my first job we produced the artwork for a local giveaway newspaper called 'Focus'. It was mostly adverts for businesses in the South London area, with articles to fill in the gaps. One filler was a very basic music page. I'd been asked by the Paper's owners if I'd like to compile this section and as it involved 'free' LPs sent to me to review any lack of journalistic ability on my part had been overlooked by all concerned."

Not to speak of any lack of achievements in the subject of English during my school years. But free records were on offer, I'd worry about writing about them later on.

The newspaper owner's brought over albums from B & C Records that they'd been sent, which in turn meant LPs from their associated labels, namely Charisma and Pegasus, also arrived: (we're talking Genesis and Lindisfarne here). Writing off to other companies (mostly favoured record labels) it wasn't long before Island Records, who distributed Bronze and Chrysalis Records, began sending more albums. As the reviews increased so did the contacts. Warner Bros (inc. Atlantic Records) and Polydor (RSO) began offering lists of new releases and asking us to choose those we'd like to receive. 

So it came to pass that in October 1971 I found myself in possession of 'Teaser and the Firecat' by Cat Stevens. I filled my review with as many superlatives as the limited column inches allowed, then when printed I clipped out the 'Musically Speaking' review section from the paper and mailed it to the record companies. It was magic... simply play by the rules and they sent over the records, fantastic ! 
[end of 1971: part 2]

The Star Track this week is something from 'Teaser and the Firecat' as this video has just been issued by the group Playing For Change. Usual format involving lots of musicians in different places (like Eric Appapoulay in Soho Square, London) and featuring Yusuf / Cat Stevens himself. Probably now's a good time for some good old 70s idealism... and I love the journey around the World >