No.83: “Saturday Night Fever” (original soundtrack) by The Bee Gees/Various Artists (1977)
Undoubtably the best soundtrack to a dance music movie ever assembled, Saturday Night Fever was a good film in itself. It didn’t focus altogether on dancing, it had a very dark story to tell too. But the album was something else. Focused around Robert Stigwood’s creation and his RSO label’s main act The Bee Gees, this gave the legendary trio the comeback break they so needed. They had already encompassed the disco scene from as early as 1975 with ‘Jive Talkin’ and ‘You Should Be Dancin’’ (both included here), and they would write further classics ‘Night Fever’, ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and one of the most heartfelt and gorgeous love songs ever put to vinyl ‘How Deep Is Your Love’.
But that was not all. The Gibb brothers also wrote some utterly awesome classics which they found other big name acts could perhaps make a better job of than themselves, hence Tavares’ everlasting classic disco track ‘More Than A Woman’ and former Eric Clapton backing singer Yvonne Elliman with her rendition of ‘If I Can’t Have You’.
And it goes on – the orchestral arrangements of David Shire and Walter Murphy included some amazingly well-crafted instrumentals and with the inclusion of established acts such as Kool & The Gang and KC & The Sunshine Band this album was an absolute killer of a soundtrack.
One more noteworthy thing to say…this album includes as its finale the full 11-minute version of the best disco record ever made: The Trammps’ ‘Disco Inferno’. Now that is incredible record.
I’d better shut up, this album is so exciting!!!
The Bee Gees also did an earlier soundtrack to the puppy-love movie Melody in 1971. Featuring all their own work plus a couple of other artists, it had their earlier style of maudlin balladeers with songs such as Melody Fair, First of May and To Love Somebody.
No.82: “Full Moon Fever” by Tom Petty (1989)
Following that chance meeting with Jeff Lynne in a car park (as talked about on the Traveling Wilburys’ entry above), Tom Petty supplied a batch of songs to the legendary ELO man and top producer and they got to work on a solo album from the man of Heartbreakers fame.
The result was (imo) the best thing the late great Petty ever recorded as Full Moon Fever was a great collection of pop-rock songwriting genius at its very best. ‘I Won’t Back Down’ became an instant classic (covered and made his own later on by Johnny Cash), plus the relentless guitar coda overload of ‘Running Down A Dream’ and the wistful, acoustic beauty of ‘Free Fallin’. This album is a masterpiece.
Continued…
Here’s Petty doing ‘Free Fallin’’ live with Axl Rose:
Interview:
Full album audio:
Personnel:
• Tom Petty – lead and backing vocals, 6 and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, tambourine
• Mike Campbell – lead guitar, bass, mandolin, slide guitar, dobro, resonator guitar, keyboards
• Jeff Lynne – bass, guitar, guitar synthesizer, piano, keyboards, backing vocals
• Phil Jones – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
• George Harrison – acoustic guitar and backing vocals on “I Won’t Back Down”
• Jim Keltner – drums, maracas and tambourine on “Love Is a Long Road”
• Benmont Tench – piano on “The Apartment Song”
• Howie Epstein – backing vocals on “I Won’t Back Down” and “Love Is a Long Road”
• Roy Orbison – backing vocals on “Zombie Zoo”
• Kelsey Campbell – scream on “Zombie Zoo”
• Alan Weidel, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty – hand claps on “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”
• Del Shannon – barnyard noises in the “Hello, CD listeners …” interlude
No.81: “Breakfast In America” by Supertramp (1979)
A stunning album. Great, catchy songs of an intelligent prog-pop style. This album was massive in 1979 and has been highly rated in all polls since. ‘The Logical Song’ has to be one of the cleverest songs ever written.
It’s always a pain in the butt when they don’t allow the original videos or even anything from the time frame of when the album came out, and in this case there is absolutely nothing available. What I do have however, are some recent clips of Roger Hodgson performing some of the singles and a fan-based video for ‘The Logical Song’. Still damned annoying though!
Maybe we should start a thread where a person starts off posting their top 20 albums of all time and then at the end nominates the next person to do so ( ice-bucket challenge stylee!) Each person would start a separate thread.
You could nominate someone at the end of your journey!!
The Proclaimers!! Sorry Moscow, not my bag at all there. Can’t figure out a word they’re on about tbh! each to…etc though
I think you have a great idea, and even better limiting it to a top 20 - I did go a little overboard here - we’ll have to remember to do that at the end of this trudge.
No.80: “Out Of The Blue” by The Electric Light Orchestra (1978)
Jeff Lynne’s magnum opus, Out Of The Blue was the exquisite double record (or one CD) which put all the great man’s talents together over four sides of classic material. So many great songs are contained on this disc but as usual it’s best to highlight those wonderful singles via video here. I mean, what do we need more than this: ‘Mr. Blue Sky’, ‘Wild West Hero’, Turn To Stone’ and the sublime ‘Sweet Talkin’ Woman’. That spaceship they took on the road with them, the full orchestra, you name it this band was superb in all the right areas.
I had the pleasure of witnessing Jeff Lynne’s ELO at a Hull stadium in 2017 and I can honestly say it was the best concert I’ve seen in years. Hit after hit, everybody dancing in the stands. It was immense! And so is this classic album.
Still an amazing soundtrack and on a par with Grease. Also featuring the excellent Tavares who had hits such as Whodunit, Don’t take away the music and She’s gone.
Out of the Blue. ELO. What can I say. Every song was a hit imo.
Wild West Hero reminds me of travelling by coach to St Mary’s Bay in Kent for a school trip. I was sat on the back seat with some girl who had decided to lay her head in my lap for most of the journey. This song came on the radio a couple of times.
Full Moon Fever is a great album only spoiled by Zombie Zoo at the end of it. Even Petty admitted they had far better songs they could have had instead of that one
Stunning isn’t it bud? Love Tavares and all those afro-disco vocal groups.
Love those old recollections. It’s like we can remember where we were at certain times, even where we bought our records from.
Good. I must be doing something right at last
yeah, I didn’t like that silly throaway track either.
You’ve caught me just at the right time though, Ffosse. hang around as I’m just about to post a further six albums now, two of which I know you will really enjoy…
No.79: “Don’t Get Weird On Me Babe” by Lloyd Cole (1991)
If you want a divorce album this is the one to head for. Ditching his “Commotions” in the late 1980’s, Lloyd Cole set out on his own and this second solo release is something of an unsung gem.
Dealing as it does with his marriage break-up, it’s not as doom and gloom as you may think. The songs are largely uptempo, the band sound fantastic and Cole supplies the best songwriting on record since the early album Rattlesnakes way back in ’84. Give this album a go, it’s a wonderful piece of work, hence it’s high placing in the list.
Some videos below, including a later acoustic show from 2015.
Sorry Moscow, not my bag at all there. Can’t figure out a word they’re on about tbh! each to…etc though 
