Not so much the music, more the dressing up for it .
No.390: “Pretzel Logic” by Steely Dan (1974)
Continuing these sporadic appearances by this most intelligent of American bands, the jazz-rock fusion of Steely Dan would usually guarantee a highly well-written album on its release. This one was no exception, containing as it did this classic single:
Ommadawn was my favorite. Oldfield album, when he did his first tour he had come off a course to overcome his painful shyness i think it was his second gig at Newcastle City Hall and went down a storm off then back for an encore the crowd would not stop cheering for more.
Mike came back by himself, picked up a guitar and shouted out what do you want to hear, we were treated to 20mintes of allsorts off the cuff, But when he played the Blaydon Races the roof came off.
PS if you have not heard it dig out The Songs of Distant Earth.
Haha. Oh yes, I remember that now. What was it with Queen and those elaborate costumes around that album. This was another fancy dress episode for another song off that record; the Coronation Street spoof!
https://favim.com/mini/201106/24/brian-may-freddie-mercury-i-want-to-break-free-john-deacon-queen-roger-taylor-81539.jpg
I remember Mike Oldfield’s problems with shyness when he did a course called ‘Exogenesis’ (or something similar) in the late 1970’s to try to combat it. I myself was terrible as a child and it interested me reading about this treatment at the time, though I never went forward with it…too shy to ask! I remember Mike Oldfield ‘coming out of his shell’ when he was suddenly featured on the cover of Melody Maker naked but for a copy of his latest album covering his mid-section! The course seemed to have worked for him lol!
I’ve heard snippets of The Songs Of Distant Earth, Nom but only on compilations, so I’ll be ‘acquiring’ the album after I post these few in my list. Thanks for that.
Meanwhile, I’ve found an article about the Newcastle concert you mentioned, or maybe one similar from Newcastle in 1980, here’s the link. Plus a vid from Songs of Distant Earth…for once not blocked by the powers that be:
On with the chart in a second, folks…
Floydy you could stop right here whilst I wax lyrical on the God of music Mike Oldfield.
His collaboration with artist was/is unique especially with Irish singer Maggie Reilly.
Just heed that distinctive guitar echo her voice…pure magic
No.389: “Gasoline Alley” by Rod Stewart (1970)
More classic Rod but not the last one yet, Gasoline Alley featured most of The Faces on this album just as they were in formation (see personnel list below) and sealed his place as a highly-ranked performer after years of churning out the old soul songs.
• Rod Stewart – main performer, producer, vocals, guitar on “Jo’s Lament”
• Martin Quittenton – classical guitar
• Ronnie Wood – guitar, bottleneck guitar, acoustic guitar, bass
• Ronnie Lane – bass on “My Way Of Giving” and “You’re My Girl”, vocals on “My Way Of Giving”
• Ian McLagan – piano, organ (the credit list notes: “Mac not available due to bus strike”. However, the US release credits him, suggesting he was dubbed later)[6]
• William Gaff – whistle
• Dennis O’Flynn – violin bass
• Dick Powell – violin
• Stanley Matthews – mandolin
• Mick Waller – drums
• Kenney Jones – drums on “My Way Of Giving” and “You’re My Girl”
• Pete Sears – piano on “Country Comfort”
• Jack Reynolds – backing vocals on “Country Comfort”
I think the 1980 gig was his second i went too see when he used the percussion players from Gong another amazing gig, and i was trying to think of that article and read the same.
I lived in hope that my favourite guitar player, Manuel Gottersching would achive his project of them both playing together.
I like that, solo. I’m sure I’ve heard it before somewhere.
I looked up the guitarist on that song just now and was pleasantly surprised that it’s Tim Renwick who played lead with the Sutherland Brothers and in Al Stewart’s band for many years. I know him of course from playing on Pink Floyd’s tours in 1987 and 1995 on the two post-Waters releases.
Glad you posted that bud, thanks 
Good stuff mate, always happy to digress a little when we can find info that takes us back to nostalgiaville
Loving all this interaction here by the way fellas. It’s making this thread less of a chore for me with my banging headache lol.
NHi8ce find Solo.
No.388: “Azure d’Or” by Renaissance (1979)
Renaissance underwent a transformation after the moderate success of their late 60’s-early 70’s period when lead vocalist Keith Relf (ex-Yardbirds) was accidentally electrocuted on stage. He was replaced by a female vocalist called Annie Haslam who had such a towering range and kept the band active for some years to come, with even a notable top ten hit in the shape of ‘Northern Lights’, which we shall see later on.
Azure d’Or was the 1979 follow up to A Song For All Seasons and contained twn more straightforward tracks instead of the usual progressive-length songs. A favourite of mine is thisbeautiful song about a magical place: ‘Kalynda’:
Another of my 50P gigs, Renaissance, Stackridge. and if memory serves Atomic Rooster.
Short interlude to make a black coffee for my ongoing convalescence but carrying on then…
No.387: “Still Crazy After All These Years” by Paul Simon (1975)
And more 70’s. Seems to be a lot of that today for some reason, wasn’t planned…
New Yorker Paul Simon with another great release showcasing his extraordinary craft with his studies of ordinary living in his home town. This record contains at least two stone cold classics in these singles (apologies for not being able to show the original 70’s clips. Can’t find any):
Golly mate, when was that? Must have been very early seventies.
I’ve got a mate who is 10 years older than me whom I see regularly and he comes out with stories of seeing these sort of bands too for those ridiculous ticket prices. Emerson, Lake & Palmer or David Bowie at these tiny little venues before they made it big. Wished I seen all that.
great song. Great voice.
No.386: “City To City” by Gerry Rafferty (1978)
https://lastfm-img2.akamaized.net/i/u/300x300/aa8592aa8d444bdfcb69dbbe39c579b9.jpg
Night Owl was featured earlier in this chart, but the even bigger record of course was its predecessor, City To City. The reason being that it contained Rafferty’s absolute monster hit ‘Baker Street’, which needs no further info from me.
Morning Longdogs
Yes early seventies for sure, gigs were reasonable and used to showcase upcoming albums, i saw Bowie in 73, gig was drowned out by screaming teenyboppers.
BTW good to se early Rod big fan of his early work.
Probably one of the best female voices of the 70’s. I find her voice truly haunting. Can’t wait for ‘Northern Lights’ - a classic IMO.