+1 on the Eugene McDaniels.

Couple of ALL TIME favorites that haven't been mentioned. Talking Top 50 of all time, maybe obvious. I'm gonna do genre's after


No matter how played out Maggie May might get, it will always remain one of my all time favorite pop songs. It has been since I was like 5 or 6 years old and when I discovered that this whole album is actually good in high school - well it's always been one of my favorite rock records. Not as bluesy as his preceding stuff or the Faces stuff at the same time but just great combination of pop/folk and rock.


Is this the single best Brazilian LP of the era? I don't listen to it as much as some of my favorite Caetano releases or even some other classics, but every time I do (maybe 4 times a year), I'm just astounded at how good it is. Unbelievable.


This is probably in my top 10 of all time. And yes I like it more than Inspiration Information, even though that record is fucking brilliant.
http://anothersuckeronthevine.blogspot. ... -otis.html for a longer review and download.


Ok, this might not be in my top 50 of all time, but sometimes I think it is like Top 10. Her second album "Heart Food" probably is. But ya know, this is cool, literate, geeky girl folk. Joni Mitchell essentially

Surprised no one has mentioned:
Paul McCartney - Ram
Roy Harper - Stormcock
Leonard Cohen - Songs of Love & Hate
David Crosby - If Only I Could Remember My Name
Bill Withers - Just As I Am
Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces of a Man
Fela Kuti / Ginger Baker - Live!

But there has really been some great shit I've never heard of here, so thanks!!

Spotlight on Soul:


The Chi-Lites - (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People

The Chi-Lites were already one of the more popular soul groups by the time 1971 rolled around. Eugene's high voice and the beautiful 4-part harmonies put this group on the map. Lush arrangements, fun songs and everything being expertly produced - the Chi-Lites were competing with the best of Detroit, Philly and Memphis and when they hit, they really hit.

I don't think anyone will ever think they had the lasting impact of the Temptations or The Miracles or other similar acts, but for their two albums at the beginning of the 70s, they really came together and put together a couple of near masterpieces. 1971 was the year where even those who were never political before were taking action. Politics were selling and soul groups all around were speaking their mind. The Chi-Lites channel Sly & The Family Stone as well as anybody on "We Are Neighbors" which is just awesome funk music and a chorus that you can't help but become a part of.

Other places are more sweet soul music, but the production really shines here. It might not be one of the all-time great soul records and it's definitely not as heavy or personal sounding as some of the others from this year - it's a great blend of pop, funk and soul and really overshadowed these days. A record that most soul fans should have and love.


A few other overlooked great soul records:

David Porter - Victim of the Joke? An Opera
-sort of a soul concept album. Laced with interludes and a decent romantic plot. Pretty big concept for the genre at the time and most of it is pretty enjoyable.


Eddie Kendricks - All by Myself
-Kendricks' solo albums are pretty uneven, but this is his first one and was worked on while he was still with the Temptations and if you are a fan of where the Temps were at at the end of the 60s and into the 70s then this album is essential. Pretty psychedelic in certain parts. Really great.


O.V. Wright - A Nickel and a Nail and Ace of Spades
-If you like your soul music more gritty than what has happening most of the time up north and you aren't familiar with or obsessed with OV Wright, then get the fuck on it. Guy needs a major resurgence in popularity and needs to be considered among the best voices in the history of soul. Just fucking painful.


The Stylistics - S/T
One of the sweetest soul albums and probably one of the albums that really ushered in the lite-soul of the 70s. "You're a Big Girl Now" "Betcha By Golly Wow" "People Make the World Go Round" - these are songs most of us know and are cheesy as fuck but god damn that's pleasant listening

I'm surprised that I didn't mention Pieces of a Man. So I second your surprisedness. Surprise!

Also Black Moses came out this year and probably the best latter-day Smokey & The Miracles album, among others already mentioned

according to AMG, Merle Haggard put out 6 albums in 1971. I only have 3 and haven't even heard of 2 of them. Anyway, "Hag" and "Someday We'll Look Back" go on the top of country must-haves with Kris Krisofferson's "The Silver-Tongued Devil & I" and Willie's "Yesterday's Wine" and Dolly of course. You can add Michael Nesmith too. I have a couple good folk albums, but nothing essential or anything, maybe Fahey's "America"

Spotlight on Progressive/Psych/Kraut Rock:


Jan Dukes de Grey - Mice & Rats in the Loft

When this album was reissued in 2003, I was a high school senior, looking to expand my musical output and somehow started frequenting Other Music's new music updates, showing me what was new in the world of obscure music. At this point, I had almost no bearing on "progressive" rock other than a couple King Crimson and Yes albums, and I only really loved KC's debut - but when I heard a sample of this album on that website, I bought the cd reissue.

And promptly lost the cd within a week, never to be found again. That was ok though, I managed to rip it to my computer and onto my Creative Zen Xtra (this was pre-iPod for me) and fell in love with this album over and over and over.

It was basically the first in what is now a pretty extensive (and underused) progressive rock collection - but it's also responsible for how giddy I get when I hear about a new Six Organs of Admittance record or when I first discovered The Incredible String Band. Yes, I was listening and obsessing over Jan Dukes de Grey before The Incredible String Band

Hell, even before Fairport Convention. This is just a monumentally important record to me and though I don't even know if I would put it among my very favorite "prog" or folk albums now, it's certainly something I still enjoy a great deal. It can ramble, it can get monotonous if you don't typically enjoy 18 minute long songs, but man some of the passages in here are among the best things ever recorded. Seriously.



Other great overlooked prog/psych/kraut records (omitting a ton):


Marsupilami - Arena
-Short lived UK prog band that wasn't really doing anything that wasn't being done by others - but were pretty good. This album is worth hearing though because some of the lyrics are just absurd and the concept is basically that of the arena's in Rome and the Republic ruling class and all sorts of crazy shit.


Jade Warrior - S/T
-Totally meandering, peaceful Moody Blues and Jethro type shit that works pretty good. I mean, it's not the most brilliant album, but do some drugs and fuckin lounge out. Some real crunchy moments too.


Chico Magnetic Band - S/T
-Some parts of this might be the heaviest shit ever recorded. I mean there is some serious feedback and pedals involved with this. Tapes too I imagine. Hendrix and Deep Purple more blunted than ever and then turned way the fuck up


Fresh Maggots - S/T
-Not necessarily deserving of the huge status is has with a certain group of collectors and weird psych nerds, this is nevertheless an intense progressive folk record worth hearing. Really blown out at points. It seems like no bass is ever present, just all over the place - great for a spring drinking day.


Broselmaschine - S/T
There has been times in life where I will take this album over anything Can ever put out. Kraut-folk? It's great. One day I'll write a lengthy piece about this after it becomes my favorite album ever.[video][/video]

also, for the noise/experimental bros: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/ ... eur_faust/ this shit is often too much for me to handle

a lot of good stuff here I have never even heard of

i hadn't thought about David Ruffin in a while and now i'm planning a binge in which I listen to every album

I have never heard this album (save for one or two songs), but I really SHOULD, which is why I'm posting this one:

Dolly is one of my favorite songwriters whose catalog I need to explore more deeply -- like ANYTHING much beyond the singles. This AMG 5-star album would seem like the place to start.

Eh, it's all opinion and there was a ton of great soul out in '71, just from my perspective it was a pretty bleak time for most rock music. Compared to most of these threads where I scroll through and see a ton of albums I really like, I'm just looking at the '71 thread and feeling pretty eh about most of it.

then this thread should be for you. the point of these threads is to discover new music and to tell people about albums you're passionate about that they might not know about. its not about whether you think its a good year or not but basically finding enough new things for you to reconsider

Spotlight on Rock N Roll:


Stack Waddy - S/T

This is one of those albums that I enjoy a lot, but very rarely listen to. For me, I have to be in the right frame of mind - and ready to digest it.

We can get things out of the way and all comparisons just out in the open. This sounds like Beefheart fronting the Stooges, but going on a nasty blues binge.

It's super rough, both in the performance and the recording quality, but it crunches really hard. Great encapsulation of some bearded dudes from the early 70s who probably drank too much and just liked to throw great parties on stage. They were signed to John Peel's label and wrote some of their own songs, but on this record they also cover Bo Diddley, Dale Hawkins/CCR, Beefheart, The Kinks, Tull and Van Morrison. And while the thongs are recognizable, they're nothing like what their original counterparts sounded like.

This is swamp music, chugging the cheapest whiskey you can find, and taking a drive. Totally fucked up and awesome dirty heavy blues.




Some other often overlooked good records:


Buzzy Linhart - Music
- I guess the band is called "Music" too? I don't really know and I don't remember where I got this record, but for the past few years it's one of the records I almost always have on my iPod during the summer. Mixture of some psych, folk and heavier rock but could totally pass for a mainstream record, it's not grimey at all. Well played stuff.


-Discovering a few years ago that Link Wray made actual records later in his life that weren't just soundtracks to car and motorcycle movies was super cool. This is recorded rough (and in a chicken shack) and is really a country-rock record, but is kind of all over the place as far as the playing goes. Link's voice isn't great but it is just one of those rock records that sounds real - like this is the only thing this guy could possibly be doing.


-Drummer Tony Newman (Jeff Beck Group) was really the only person who was of note in this band, but in 70 and 71 they put out two awesome proto-metal, hard rock records. This was released alongside Uriah Heep and Black Sabbath and the like it is every bit the equal. Really awesome heavy stuff.

I shouldn't moan, just stating my opinion that this was a rather dark period for rock and this thread has done more to reinforce that than anything really. Of course, even in a shitty year I am a firm believer that there are always good things coming out...and for rock records, the T Rex record and the Link Wray record were both really kick ass, so that's something. And it was a great time for a ton of good soul records.

It's very good and I always think after I hear one of his albums that I should listen to him more often. It's not the best Brazilian LP of the era though.

I like the Caetano album Drinky posted more and also these 1971 albums more:



Doris Monteiro - S/T (1971)

My favorite female bossa nova singer and this is probably her best album.

not my link:





Marcos Valle - Garra

Brazilian Baroque Pop Masterpiece

Not My Link:





Dom Salvador e Abolição - Som, Sangue e Raça

Essential Black Rio/Brazilian Funk with the jazz piano of Dom Salvador backed by the funky samba of the group Abolição

Not my link:





I think that's the point and its a good thread idea but I wonder how many people are checking things out. I don't see many people posting about new finds. I've only dl'ed one thing so far - that Ronnie Lane album Radcliffe posted in the first thread and I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet.

I dl'ed this a year or two ago but never got around to listening to it. Don't recall now what originally attracted me to it. Might be that he later played with Buddy Miles or maybe that David Bromberg plays guitar on it.

A few other things I really like



Steve Goodman - S/T

I bought this album last year after seeing Willie Nelson cover "City of New Orleans" I'd heard of him before but didn't know much about him. Later discovered how huge an influence he has had on John Prine and other songwriters. This album also features "You Don't Even Call Me By Name" later covered by David Allan Coe but the whole thing is great. "I Don't Know Where I'm Goin' but I'm Goin' Nowhere in a Hurry Blues" is probably my current favorite on here.



Lee Hazlewood - Requiem for An Almost Lady

Not sure whether I like this or "Cowboy in Sweden" more but they are my two favorite Hazlewood albums. It's a breakup album with "An Almost Lady" representing all of the lost loves of his life.



The Dependables - Klatu Berrada Niktu

The Dependables included Ralph Scala from the Blues Magoos, Joey Stec from the Millenium and John Nuise from the International Submarine Band. They were mining the same "Cosmic American Music" vein that Gram Parsons did playing a mix of soul and west coast country rock. Great stuff that deserves a lot more attention.



Roger Tillison - Roger Tillison's Album

I found out about this one last year on a site related to The Band. I'm sure Dumpjail would dig this if no one else does. Not sure how he slipped my radar for so long given all the mongers he's associated with. He was Jesse Ed Davis' best friend, he was a writer for Leon Russell's label, and he was roommates & bandmates with Levon Helm and Bobby Keys in LA. Apparently, those three along with Jesse Ed had a short lived band together that never recorded anything. He moved to Woodstock at Levon's invitation around the time of the Big Pink and gigged with all of the Band. Moved back to LA to record this album in late 1971.

The album is produced by Jesse Ed and features Jesse Ed on guitar, Jim Keltner on drums, Stan Szeleste (former Hawk) on piano, Sandy Konikoff (former Hawk), Larry Knechtel, Billy Rich, Don Preston, and Joey Cooper.

RIYL: The Band, Jesse Ed Davis





Ronnie Milsap - S/T

I'd always assumed that Ronnie Milsap put out the kind of lightweight country pop pap that ended up on KTEL country crooner albums. He's much more than that on his 1971 debut album which is a country soul affair heavily indebted to the sounds of Ray Charles and Charlie Rich. Dan Penn produced the album and it features Jim Dickinson, Bobby Emmons and David Briggs on Keyboards; James Burton and Wayne Perkins on Guitars; Chris Etheridge on Bass; and the Memphis Horns.

One of my favorite things about the early 70's were all the albums with so many allstar guest appearances. Here's an example:



Kate Taylor - Sister Kate

She's James Taylor's sister. Its basically a 70's singer-songwriter album of well chosen covers including a couple of early Elton John songs and Handbags and Handgrenades with an exceptional backing band including Carole King on piano and backing vocals; James Taylor, Danny Kootch, J.D. Souther and Bernie Leadon on guitar; Merry Clayton and Linda Ronstadt on backup vocals; John Hartford on banjo; and the Memphis Horns (stax's horn section) on horns. Its nothing earthshattering but a thoroughly enjoyable listen nonetheless.

These are two I would really like to hear.

That's all fine and good, but aside from being German and from the '70s, I don't see why this would ever be compared to Can.

Jeezus Christ!!!
This one!!!

No, The Maytals didn't have an official US release until the mid 70's, but this monster was released on Trojan in 1971 in Jamaica. No, it's not quite as good as In the Dark or Funky Kingston (which are both Top-20 Listmania! records for me), but it's still in the ballpark. But songs like "Bla-Bla-Bla" and "54-46 Was My number" (which later showed up as a highlight of the soundtrack to The Harder They Come) make this collection more than worth picking up.

The AllMusic review sums it up pretty well:

Please continue to post these many interesting and in some cases very good but obscure albums. I love scraping the bowl of my youth for things that got past me. However, I cannot let this thread go by without my posting what I was playing in 1971:



and yes, even:

I'll browse this thread in more detail later, but given the amount of prog, southern rock, and stuff like James Taylor's sister, there seems to be a lot I will skip over. That Dependables record and Marcos Valle do look interesting, though, I must say.

I'm sure there is a lot of great stuff within this thread but there are also some truly terrible album covers as well.