No.678: “20/20” by The Beach Boys (1969)
No, Surfermom, this isn’t a ploy to keep you interested in the thread, it’s the way they came out in my list honest!
From 1969, a Beach Boys album that is spoilt for choice for great tracks, so I put two on here. The classic No.1 ‘Do It Again’, followed by a rather rare clip of the final track on the album ‘Cabinessence’.
No.677: “At Budokan” by Cheap Trick (1979)
Exhibitionist Canadians Cheap Trick still tread the world’s stages to this day with their brand of Beatles-ish AOR. At Budokan was recorded of course in Japan and quickly became one of the best live albums ever made, thanks in no small measure to this classic track:
And before we leave this page and go for the afternoon, I just had to show you this image of Cheap Trick’s zany guitarist…no, you’re not seeing things - this really is a 5-necked guitar!
More tomorrow 
No comment from me for a while as others are more in.to your stuff. Re Jo/hn and Vangelis i did not find it strange pairing, as it echoes the work he did with Demis Roussos in Aphrodites Child.
Wonder where Olias of Sunhillow will come ?
Not heard Cheap Trick for eons.
Thank you for that one!
That guitar is something else!
Great concert eons ago, Cheap Trick opening for Kansas. Think I was about seventeen. It was a competition of showmanship that night.
Ha, well, Floydy, 20/20 was a head scratcher for me. Dennis and the boys were trying to cut and paste Brian’s older work while he had checked himself into a psych hospital, then Dennis got all caught up with the Manson family who essentially moved in and took over his house. One of the songs, “Never Learn Not to Love” was based on a song Manson wrote. Strange and dark days for the BBs.
One of my favorite things about Mellenkamp is his ability to tell such a compelling story in three minutes - a genius of its own sort. Love, love his combination of guitar, electric violin, accordian and acoustic bass.
20/20 is one I’d not heard of before but am enjoying right now.
I didn’t see the connection between Anderson and Roussos, but now you mention it, Nom, it’s quite obvious really.
Olias In Sunhillow did not make the cut sadly…
Always room for you in the thread mate, if anything leaps out and demands your attention that is. You’re always welcome
Always happy to oblige, lovemyboys
Again, keep on looking in Ffosse. It’s great when people are seeing albums new to them for the first time. It’s constantly happening to me too
I hadn’t thought of that actually, Surfermom. The Charles manson epidoe was right in the middle of this Beach Boys release and I do recall Dennis being part of his diabolical cult through a wrong place, wrong time scenario.
I actually have a copy on a DVD compilation of Manson’s album, which is awful and obviously wouldn’t make this list or any other for that matter.
No.676: “Reality” by David Bowie (2003)
As mentioned earlier on another Bowie showing in the list, The 90’s and early 2000’s were a lean period for the star as he dabbled and tested out dance music to fit in with the changing times instead of other acts trying to catch up with him for a change. The band Nine Inch Nails did influence him though as he went for their industrial style coupled with a new taut and minimalist beat to produce a series of well-produced but hit-free albums.
No.675: “The Pretender” by Jackson Browne (1976)
Second appearance of one of America’s greatest songwriting legends so far. The Pretender is one of my favourites with some classy tracks such as ‘Linda Paloma’, ‘The Fuse’ and the wonderful title track:
Jackson Browne! Now you’re talking my language (not that you weren’t earlier).
I had a ticket to see him in 2008 but was ill so gave it to an American friend - she went, loved it and bought the Time The Conquerer album from which I ripped a copy.
He’s an artist I listen to every week - either an album or he pops up in my playlist du jour.
No.674: “God Shuffled His Feet” by Crash Test Dummies (1993)
More than just a novelty band, Canadian oddballs Crash Test Dummies were actually a very professional outfit despite their rather obtuse subjects relayed in their songs. Lead vocalist, Brad Roberts has a baritone deeper than that of Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond combined I think!
I remember you mentioning him earlier actually, Ffosse. Yeah, a great artist and still a couple more to come from him.
Same here, another artist I’d love to see live but his appearances always seem to be a one-off date in the UK, in London and I’d never get a ticket!
Just for you, here’s the full album:
No.673: “Coles Corner” by Richard Hawley (2005)
Richard Hawley was in the list earlier with “Standing At The Sky’s Edge” and this album was his debut. Former member of Pulp (before they got big), Hawley has a voice which is reminiscent of that of Roy Orbison’s in places and his songs are pure class, often writing about his native hometown, Sheffield.
Claim to fame #2: I was at a Nick Cave & The bad seeds concert in Sheffield around the time of that band’s “Dig!!!, Lazarus, Digg!!!” album around ten years ago when I was at the bar buying a pint. Richard Hawley was standing next to me and we had a brief chat (about Nick Cave!) and I ended up leaving the bar with my drinks, plus a signed used Benson & Hedges packet! Nice guy though.
No.672: “Genesis Revisited II” by Steve Hackett (2012)
Hackett left Genesis at the same time as Peter Gabriel when both went their separate ways solo artists and have been ever since - give or take the odd reunion. I haven’t heard much of his solo work but I was given this album a few years ago and the interpretations of his former band’s songs are brilliantly done. Here’s ‘The Musical Box’ in a live performance from 2013:
No.671: “A Night At The Opera” by Queen (1975)
After some mediocre to quite decent earlier albums (some say, including myself, their best years), Queen released this seminal work and really broke through to the masses. Main reason for this is it includes THAT song. Don’t worry, I’m not going to play THAT song again, instead we’ll have this one:
Cheap Trick - what a great sound. I remember the first time I saw them - blew my mind with that guitar. For some reason, I always think ‘Black Betty’ was done by them but of course it was Ram Jam.
Last one from me today, I’ve really got to hit the gym.
No.670: “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull (1971)
Arguably Jethro Tull’s greatest album, though Thick As A Brick must come close. Ian Anderson’s minstrels carried the progressive rock flag aloft with this classic album full of some stand-out tracks which have featured in their live set ever since. Two tracks for you, the title song and a great version of Locomotive Breath from 1977:
Wish I’d put this further up!
