Skyhooks exploded as an entity in 1974 with Living In The 70’s. It was an astonishing debut that changed the face of Australian music and went on to become the highest selling independent album by an Australian artist, a record held until the release of The Whitlams' Eternal Nightcap in 1997. The album’s success ensured the fledgling Mushroom Records would go on to become a … [Read more...]
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
For the best part of a decade Elton John’s creative output was astonishing, not just in terms of the amount of music he was delivering but the quality of it. From June 69 through to October 78 he released 12 albums, including the phenomenal double Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. That effectively equates to 13 albums loaded with some exceptional music in just 9 years. He didn’t … [Read more...]
Show Some Emotion – Joan Armatrading
There’s something about the sound of the early Joan Armatrading albums that made music in the 70’s so good, particularly her self titled album from 1976 and Show Some Emotion which was released the following year. Before moving into a more pop oriented style these Armatrading albums from the mid 70’s were very much a product of the singer/songwriter era with considerable jazz … [Read more...]
This Year’s Model – Elvis Costello
I was in my 20’s before I really got Elvis Costello. Sure there were the radio hits like Oliver’s Army and Watching The Detectives when I was in my mid teens, but to me at that time they were just cool sounding, catchy radio songs. It wasn’t until I began to explore his lyrics that the light went on and I realised just how clever a wordsmith he was. This Year’s Model was the … [Read more...]
Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones
Sometimes records are like a new love - all infatuation and exhilaration until the initial interest begins to wane, at other times an album grabs you from the outset and then becomes something more meaningful over time as you develop a deeper appreciation. Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album is a lot like the latter for me. Initially it was the bright and breezy charm of the hit … [Read more...]