Hidden Treasures - 1976

[Scott]

And now for something completely different...

Admittedly the tunes thuis week are a little different than what you may have expected, not that there were any expectations but its nice to think so. The diversity of music were getting into is pretty cool, so that's this weeks point (yes there is usually a point), loads of cool stuff happening. And not to dodge the issue of Disco's emergence and America's Bicentennial (Happy Birthday 'Merica!), this is a "Hidden Treasures" playlist afterall, so were avoiding the obvious and giving you something to think about...

PLAYLIST --> http://www.podsnack.com/CA69EFD9E8C/a1hiymjp

	Al Stewart Year of the Cat 1 - On The Border There is no overarching theme here, as there was on its two immediate predecessors, but the impossible lushness of Alan Parsons' production and Stewart's evocative Continental narratives give the record a welcome feeling of cohesion that keeps the record enchanting as it moves from "Lord Grenville" to "Midas Shadow" to "Broadway Hotel," before it ends with the haunting title track. Along the way, Stewart doesn't dwell too deeply in any area, preferring to trace out mysteries with his evocative lyrical imagery and a spinning array of self-consciously sophisticated music, songs that evoke American and European folk and pop with a deliberate grace. This could be unbearably precious if it didn't work so well. Stewart is detached from his music, but only in the sense that he gives this album a stylish elegance, and Parsons is his perfect foil, giving the music a rich, panoramic sweep that mimics Stewart's globe-trotting songs. The result is a tremendous example of how good self-conscious progressive pop can be, given the right producer and songwriter -- and if you're a fan of either prog or pop and haven't given Al Stewart much thought, prepare to be enchanted.
	Billy Joel Turnstiles 2 - Summer, Highland Falls There's a reason Turnstiles begins with the Spector-esque epic "Say Goodbye to Hollywood." Shortly after Streetlife Serenade, Joel ditched California -- and, by implication, sensitive Californian soft rock from sensitive singer/songwriters -- for his hometown of New York. "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" was a celebration of his move, a repudiation of his past, a fanfare for a new beginning, which is exactly what Turnstiles was. He still was a singer/songwriter -- indeed, "Summer, Highland Falls" was his best ballad to date, possibly his best ever -- but he decided to run with his musical talents, turning the record into a whirlwind tour of pop styles, from Sinatra to Springsteen. There's little question that the cinematic sprawl of Born to Run had an effect on Turnstiles, since it has a similar widescreen feel, even if it clocks in at only eight songs.
	Jefferson Starship Spitfire 3 - Cruisin' A bit of trvia here. This song was in the very first SHT playlist posted on CRB - but the old player failed to load it for some reason, so it got re-posted some time later. So, technically this is the third posting of this track. But with all the new ears on here and facebook, I wanted to give everyone a chance to hear this one. Some songs never get old! All seven bandmembers earned writing credits on at least one of the nine songs, along with eight outsiders, and even drummer John Barbata got a lead vocal on the simple rock & roll song "Big City." But the three main power centers in the group remained in place. Singer/guitarist Paul Kantner continued to turn out his lengthy, complex songs with their exhortatory, vaguely political lyrics (the five-minute "Dance with the Dragon" and the seven-minute "Song to the Sun: Ozymandias/Don't Let It Rain"). Singer Grace Slick contributed her own idiosyncratic compositions, simultaneously elliptical and passionately stated ("Hot Water" and "Switchblade"). And singer Marty Balin, whose romantic ballad "Miracles" had fueled the success of Red Octopus, wrote (or located) and sang more songs of love and pleasure ("Cruisin'," "St. Charles," "With Your Love," and "Love Lovely Love"). Weaving the three styles together were the fluid lead guitar work of Craig Chaquico and the alternating bass and keyboard playing of David Freiberg and Pete Sears. The result was an album that quickly scaled the charts, spending six consecutive weeks at number three in Billboard and going platinum.
	Pat Travers Pat Travers 4 - Feelin' Right Shout out to Rich S and his new Classic Album Collections who posted two more really cool Pat Travers albums. Right after you listen to SHT you should head on over and check them out! In his early twenties Travers moved to London and signed a recording contract with the Polydor label. His self-titled debut album was released in 1976, and featured bassist Peter "Mars" Cowling, who would become a mainstay in Travers' band for several years. An appearance on the German TV show Rockpalast in November 1976 was later released on DVD under the title Hooked On Music. This performance showcases an early version of Travers' band featuring Cowling and drummer Nicko McBrain.
	Triumph In The Beginning or Triumph 5 - Blinding Light Show/Moonchild Before they were on par with Rush as Canada's prog-rock heroes, Triumph were earnestly forging away to develop their sound. Triumph (later released as In the Beginning...) captures just that: the band's debut recording while they were still finding and developing the formulas that would make them so successful. The opening "24 Hours a Day" wouldn't sound out of place during the finest moments of Boston's catalog, but the majority of the tunes found herein are highly informed by the presence of Led Zeppelin. Gil Moore's take on the infamous Bonham stutter kick of the bass drum, the exact chord progression found on the climax of "Stairway to Heaven" is also the anchor to "Don't Take My Life", and the comparisons go on and on. But that's not to say In the Beginning... is a total loss -- far from it. It's the cornerstone from which their house of prog-rock greatness was built.

[Jon]

Wow. You Liberaced that! Congrats!

[Scott]

[RichS]

!. On the Border- Great song from a great album. A bit mellow for some, but it is one of my old favorites.That album features some very tasteful guitar work from Tim Renwick who later toured with Pink Floyd & was featured With Gilmore on the Delicate Sound Of Thunder recordings.

2.Summer Highland Falls- Nice Ballad. I think one of the better BJ albums. I do like his early stuff best.

3. Cruisin'- Not one of my favorite Starship tracks. I saw them a couple of times, but didn't have this album.

4. Feelin' Right- A good Travers cut. probably not one of his best albums but still good none the less. ( Thanks for the PT plug!!

5. Triumph- I enjoyed this cut. I am more familiar with some of the later Triumph albums Tho.

[Scott]

Thanks!!  4 out of 5 - I'll take it

[RJhog (Admin)]

Running a bit behind from the move.  But here we go:

1. On The Border - Never heard it.  You've already done your job.  I'm familiar with the title track, but that's it.  Sweet piano and acoustic guitar in this tune.  Sounds just like the guy that sings the title track, no surprise there.  Cool song.

2. Summer, Highland Falls - I have this album, but I'm not sure if I've ever listened to it.  Probably have.  More great piano and Joel is a terrific lyricist and he has a well suited singer-songwriter voice.  Another nice track.

3. Cruisin' - Balin has a very good voice.  I don't have this one, but I do think I've heard it.  Isn't that Chaquico on guitar?  He's such a great player.  I think this is the third best song so far.

4. Feelin' Right - I am not at all familiar with Travers (I mean, I've certainly heard of him, but I don't own any of his music). Guitar sounds top notch.  So does the bass playin'.  I'm lovin' the groove the bassist is laying down for this song.  

5. Blinding Light Show/Moonchild - Definitely never heard this.  Really cool song with great guitar work.

My rankings: 

1. Stewart

2. Joel

3. Triumph

4. Travers

5. Jefferson