1971: Part Three

Having already sung the praises of 'Rock's Golden Year' and listed many of the classic albums it would be fair to say just about everybody around released an album during 1971 (some actually issued two: Elton John; ELP; Yes; Barclay James Harvest & Fairport Convention).

Plus there were a number of soon to be famous artists with debut LPs: Earth, Wind & Fire; Dobbie Brothers; Thin Lizzy; Rory Gallagher; Bill Withers; Billy Joel; Bonnie Raitt; America and the Electric Light Orchestra !

So to add to my list of classics (since the month of September) please include the following: Cosmic Warrior - T. Rex / Santana 3 / American Pie - Don McLean / Led Zeppelin 4 / Nursery Cryme - Genesis / & today's band Lindisfarne with Fog On The Tyne. 

On Wednesday 24th November 1971, I went to the Lyceum in London to a concert promoted by Tony Stratton Smith who owned Charisma Records (also called The Famous Charisma Label). Label artists Lindisfarne were the main attraction but in a last minute change to the show's line-up Genesis also appeared. Having just discovered the afore mentioned 'Nursey Cryme' LP this proved quite a night, all for the princely sum of 60p entrance fee ! (see ad below) 

'Meet Me On The Corner', opening track from 'Fog On The Tyne', is today's Star Track from 50 years ago. Warning: 'Long-haired Hippy' alert with this 'Old Grey Whistle Test' video clip. 

Classified ad from 'Melody Maker'  © 1971 

An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like).

Been down to Hurley a couple of times in the last week and the Autumn colours are, even as we head into the last week of November, looking wonderful. 

Prompted me to post this from Max Richter's recomposed Four Season's by Vivaldi.

We have featured 'Spring 1' - click previously - this is another short passage from Autumn 
> 'Autumn 3' 

   

Music Covers, not to be confused with the physical Album or CD cover, but that of the cover version, can often surprise you at how good they are.

This group of musicians, Leonid & Friends, are from of all places the Ukraine, with a version of Chicago's '25 or 6 to 4'. Really hot guitar solo, great brass section and not a trace of an accent in the vocals. Very professional video too. 

Leonid Vorobyev on bass leads the way and a full list of credits roll at the end - (lots more covers on YouTube, if you search.) From Chicago to the Ukraine > from 1969 to 2016 

(I'm indebted to my mate out there in California-land for introducing me to this). Cheers 

    

This week's music is coming to you about and from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. First overseas visit since the pandemic curtailed travel around the world, so the moment we booked our week away it felt like adventure was back on the agenda.

One week after booking the island of La Palma, 82 miles to the west of Tenerife, began erupting and it remains to be seen if it will have stopped while we are there.
This makes 'Dance on a Volcano' by Genesis a possible track, but we hope that isn't the case. 

So I have a 4K drone video of the fantastic landscape of Tenerife from above. Watch on a large monitor and with the sound ON.

Music is 'The Final Hour Extended' by production music company Audiomachine >>> 

More: 'Wonders of Tenerife' - The Way Home by Tony Anderson > widescreen

   

Due to the latest consequence of this pandemic, we found ourselves the other evening at the rescheduled Biffy Clyro 'Fingers Crossed Tour' show in London. My Son and his girlfriend gifted us their tickets, when they were unable to attend.

It was an experience and 'fingers crossed' the lasting effects will only be the ringing in the ears of their performance of gut-puncher rock and a blinding light show. True to say their full on 'live' delivery of songs does lose some of the subtle nuances that are more apparent on the album recordings. This was pretty much a Scottish 'Wall of Sound' from start to finish.

We have had a Biffy Clyro 'Star Track' before, way back in 2015*, so nearly 6 years ago now. Those unfamiliar with them, they are listed as 'Alternative rock, progressive rock, alternative metal and post hardcore'. The setlist the other night did include a few quieter moments - in the words of singer Simon Neil "this song is the first time that it takes a wee breather.”

'Live' from their headline show at the Reading Festival back in August - this is 'Space' >

 

* Previously on the FMS > 'Glitter and Trauma'. 

   

From this Sunday the UK is set to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. I for one hope the outcome is definitely a future in which 'Green is the Colour'. 

Related only by the title of the song, I have chosen today Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets with their recently updated 'live' version of the Pink Floyd track off their 1969 Soundtrack from the film 'More'.

The original is quite different - this adds layers and solos by Dom Beken on piano, guitar Gary Kemp (yes he of Spandau Ballet fame) and bass by Guy Pratt, with naturally Nick Mason on the drums:- 'Green is the Colour' 

   

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 > 

   

One of last week's extras under 'more moves' involved a Flash Mob ! 

Time then to forget all the rubbish going on and smile along to this > ELO "Mr Blue Sky" seen in the town of Cork, Ireland - all is normal, it just springs up from nowhere, then it nonchalantly returns to normal again, as if nothing had happened !

Not a face mask in sight and 'Everybody, smiles at you'

Want more fun, then try these two for a Friday triple play ... [click locations]

> Antwerp Station 'Grease' mob [Belgium]

> London, Hamburg, Paris, Rome "All Over the World" [but many UK locations] - compilation

 

  

Joint Birthday celebrations this week. Bruno Mars has his birthday today, while Margaret's is next Tuesday. A very special day with the Department for Works and Pensions finally coming to the party at long last [😁]

No better way to celebrate than with her favourite dance track - which she has been known to enjoy on more than the odd occasion and often in public places for all to see. 

Released in 2015 by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars 'Uptown Funk' topped the charts in 19 different countries. So for my birthday dancing queen - Doh doh doh ... 

Some more moves:-

> Flash mob in 'sunny' Sydney [tap and One]

> And you may have already seen this - Old Movie Stars Dance to 'Uptown Funk' [and Two] 

   

Having referred to Dave Grohl last week, logic tells me to continue the story...

Dave Grohl formed the Foo Fighters as a one-man project following the dissolution of Nirvana and then a band to support the debut album that made their live public debut on February 23, 1995.
Here's a great FF moment: 
On July 30, 2015, a video was published on YouTube of 1,000 Italian musicians in Cesena, Italy all playing and singing 'Learn to Fly' in unison, followed by a plea (from musical director Marco Sabiu) for the Foo Fighters to come play a concert in Cesena. By August 16, it had gained more than 33 million views.
On July 31, Dave Grohl responded, in Italian, thanking the makers for "the beautiful video" and adding "Thank you so much. We're coming, I swear. We'll see each other soon."
On November 3, 2015, in response, Foo Fighters performed a twenty-seven-song concert in Cesena for approximately 3,000 people, starting their set with "Learn to Fly".

This is that video [a 4 minute song - followed by the plea from Marco Sabiu (swearing warning) to Dave Grohl] - bit of a celebration of the Foo Fighters and into the credits for a 1000 musicians > 

The group assembled for the stunt have performed subsequently under the name Rockin' 1000, and been described as the "biggest band in the world." We have featured them previously - ORIGINAL reminder - Rockin’ 1000 Summer Camp – on FMS in Dec 2018 [surprisingly nearly 3 years ago now] > as I said then "this is mental".