An Essential Guide To Music In The 1970s, Johnny Zero [unputdownable books .TXT] 📗

Song of the month for January 1970
The Only Living Boy In New York by Simon And Garfunkel
The 1970s could hardly have made a more impressive start with the release of Simon and Garfunkel's farewell project, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. The album not surprisingly climbed to the summit of the American and British charts, assisted in no small way by the success of the title track in the singles listings. In truth, there are at least half a dozen songs which could have coped more than adequately in the hit parade. Chief among them is perhaps 'The Only Living Boy In New York'. This item was decorated by spectacular harmonies as Paul Simon takes centre stage on a composition that is quite breath-taking. The tune is undoubtedly a strong contender for the best album track of the 'seventies.

Song of the month for February 1970
Instant Karma by John Lennon
'Instant Karma' was instant by name and instant by nature as it was recorded and released in a mere three weeks. Remarkably, whilst this marvellous single proceeded into a lofty position in the Transatlantic charts, many folk still harboured the illusion that John Lennon was simply taking a little sabbatical from the Beatles. However, the success of Lennon's third solo single would have fortified his desire to obtain his 'divorce' from the Fab Four. The bespectacled one even appeared on 'Top Of The Pops' with his previously long hair cropped off - further signs of a soul desperately keen to break from his past and plot new territory. As for 'Instant Karma', it was another of those sing-along anthems that John Lennon turned into an art form.

Song of the month for March 1970
Young Gifted And Black by Bob And Marcia
'Young Gifted And Black' was the latest success story for Jamaica's Trojan Records. One half of the performing duo was Marcia Griffiths who would later provide harmonies as a member of Bob Marley's backing band, the I-Threes. She was assisted in this duet by the American, Bob Andy. The song's subject matter was unashamedly an anthem of black consciousness, exhorting young black people to step forth and embrace the changing world with pride and confidence. Whatever the worthy sentiments, the single was sufficiently enjoyable to attract record buyers of all races and colours, hence its lofty chart position.

Song of the month for April 1970
Back Home by The England World Cup Squad
It is peculiar to think that the England football team's World Cup 1970 rallying call should have been composed by a Scotsman (Bill Martin) and a Northern Irishman (Phil Coulter). Although the current world football champions were agonisingly evicted at the quarter-finals by West Germany, Bobby Moore and the rest of the squad found themselves reaching the summit of the singles chart. The trouble was that the success of this record prompted other football teams to subsequently cash in on their cup final appearances and irritatingly release their own signature tunes. Meanwhile, the celtic songwriting duo of Coulter and Martin would find further chart success when their material was performed by the likes of Elvis Presley and Slik.

Song of the month for May 1970
The Long And Winding Road by The Beatles
It is remarkable to think that Paul McCartney did not actually approve of the final released version of his own composition. Originally conceived as an acoustic piece, Macca's ballad was then given the 'Spector treatment', as North America's ace producer applied his trademark 'wall of sound', assisted by a 'heavenly choir'. The result was a monumental recording that climbed to the top of the American Billboard chart. Although amazingly not released in the United Kingdom as a single, this item was clearly one of the highlights of the Beatles' 'Let It Be' album which saw the light of day at the beginning of May.

Song of the month for June 1970
All Right Now by Free
Free's first hit single has stood the test of time as one of the most enduring of all rock anthems. The music is of the highest quality, notably the guitar work of the tragic Paul Kossoff. This monster hit also benefits from amusing lyrics delivered by the throaty singing of Paul Rodgers. Unfortunately for Free, the fabulous foursome were very young and consequently their immaturity ruined any possibility of stability and durability. As a result, the group peaked with their debut hit, even if some of their subsequent recordings were equally impressive.

Song of the month for July 1970
The Wonder Of You by Elvis Presley
In 1968 the King of rock and roll mercifully turned his back on his mediocre movie career and went back to basics, to do what he did best - performing. Over the next few years, the result was a spectacular return to form for Elvis which culminated in the American Number One, 'Suspicious Minds', and the United Kingdom chart-topper, 'The Wonder Of You'. Regrettably each hit would be the King's last chart-topper in his lifetime as personal excess and self abuse destroyed the promise that had flowed from the wondrous 'The Wonder Of You' live recording.

Song of the month for August 1970
Wild World by Jimmy Cliff
Sandwiched between the emergence of Desmond Dekker and the arrival of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff was Jamaica's latest singing sensation. 'Wild World' would propel Cliff into the British Top Ten, which he had previously visited a year earlier with the more positive 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People'. Just what led Cliff to travel from a 'wonderful world' to a 'wild world' in less than a year is open to question, although a clue may lie in an intervening hit, the majestic 'Vietnam'. Anyhow, 'Wild World' (written by Cat Stevens) was not so much a global critique as words of caution uttered to a former sweetheart.

Song of the month for September 1970
Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross
Diana Ross took the bold step of casting off the umbilical cord of her supremely successful Supremes career in favour of a solo journey. This decision paid handsome dividends with the marvellous American Number One, 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. The British record-buying public however let themselves down by only helping this disco and love song crossover to a brief stay in the Top Ten. This romantic recording had previously surfaced on princess Diana's debut solo album which also contained the equally beautiful 'Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)'.

Song of the month for October 1970
Ride A White Swan by T.Rex
Although Tyrannosaurus Rex had been in existence for a few years, Marc Bolan was a virtual stranger to the singles chart. However, 'Ride A White Swan' would prove to be his 'road to Damascus moment' as he made the transition from cult hippy hero to glam rock star. The excellent 'Ride A White Swan' lingered in the British Top Ten for many weeks at the end of 1970 and the beginning of the following year. This smash hit was the first example of T. Rex's fusion of pop and rock. It worked like a charm, even if the likes of his former champion John Peel were less amused.

Song of the month for November 1970
Voodoo Chile by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Two months after the premature death of arguably popular music's greatest guitarist, 'Voodoo Chile' (alternatively known as 'Slight Return') would provide Jimi Hendrix with a slight and hugely successful return to the British singles chart. This five-minute closing track to the 1968 'Electric Ladyland' double album must surely rate as one of the most unlikely of chart-toppers. It certainly showcased the guitar prowess of Hendrix. Incidentally, this rock song has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Chile!

Song of the month for December 1970
Layla by Derek And The Dominos
After the relative failure of his Blind Faith venture, Eric Clapton 'disguised' himself in Derek And The Dominos. This new combo's debut offering was entitled 'Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs', which was released in December, whereupon it failed mysteriously to make much of a splash in the album charts. Whilst 'Bell Bottom Blues' has a credible claim for being the best item on the album, pride of place must surely go to 'Layla'. With the considerable assistance of Duane Allman's guitar, Clapton reveals his intense yearning for 'Layla' (or his future wife Pattie Harrison, to be precise). If the track's first part is a perennial rock favourite, then part two's instrumental interplay between guitar, piano, and drums is simply out of this world.

1970's CONCERTS OF THE YEAR
Perhaps the first historic concert of the new decade was the farewell outing for Diana Ross and The Supremes, during which the audience were introduced to Miss Ross's replacement, Jean Terrell. Meanwhile on St.Valentine's Day, the Who cemented their reputation as a formidable live act with their performance at Leeds University, which would be thereafter immortalised on the 'Live At Leeds' album. The Rolling Stones too avoided a studio album, in favour of the live recordings of 'Get Yer Ya-Yas Out'. Gig of the year was arguably the Isle of Wight festival at the end of August. This now annual shindig featured the likes of the Doors and the Jimi Hendrix Experience (or 'Band of Gypsies'). However, within three weeks, the virtuoso guitarist would be dead, whilst Jim Morrison of the Doors would be going through life's departure lounge a mere ten months later.

1970's ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin (released in October; reached No.1 in the UK)
The mighty Zep took the most peculiar step of retreating from their fearsome onslaught upon Californian five-star hotels in favour of some quality time in the depths of rural, north-west Wales. The fab four's self-imposed exile in the rustic setting of the hamlet of Bron-Y-Aur, in Snowdonia, would be commemorated in the jaunty track 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp' which would surface in the group's third album. Yet again choosing to avoid an album title, Led Zeppelin proceeded to confuse fans and critics further still with several tracks which were a far cry from the heavy rock that had stamped its considerable presence upon the band's first two projects. The acoustic guitar was very much to the fore as Robert Plant and Jimmy Page indulged in their passion for folk music. 'Gallows Pole' is a case in point, whilst the item 'Friends' showcased the group's desire