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Home›David Bowie›Fifty years later, 1972 changed the game for music

Fifty years later, 1972 changed the game for music

By Leon C. Beard
July 11, 2022
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The phrase “milestone year” in music is probably used too often and too casually.

Of the thousands of albums released each year, a few could be described as game changers.

The number of these published in a given year determines whether it is a historic year or not. Those that immediately come to mind are 1968, 1971, 1981 and of course 1972 – 50 years ago.

I have selected what I consider to be the best albums of 1972. You may or may not agree with my choices, but the debate will be fun as will discovering or rediscovering these precious musical gems.

David Bowie” title=”LR: Young, Gifted and Black by Aretha Franklin and Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie” class=”card-img”/>
LR: Young, Gifted and Black by Aretha Franklin and Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

1. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders of Mars

I remember the day, 1978, walking from Blackpool to town to The Statue Golden Discs to buy my first album.

I went to section B, found Bowie and went through them hoping he was there. It was.

I took it home, went to the front room and put it on the turntable. The needle fell on the first track.

The simple drum intro and then that vocal – “push through the marketplace” – and boom…my world changed.

‘Five Years’, ‘Soul Love’, ‘Moonage Daydream’… it just got better and better.

This record put me on a path that day. It changed the music I listened to and probably changed the direction of my whole life.

I consider it the most important record ever made, and I still have the copy I bought that day and play it regularly.

2. Aretha Franklin – Young, talented and black

The late 60s and early 70s saw Aretha reach her creative peak and release her most iconic records.

It is in my opinion the choice of the group.

Featuring originals such as “Rock Steady” and “All The Kings Horses” alongside covers such as Elton John’s “Border Song” and the title track originally written by Nina Simone for the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969.

She is joined by an impressive roster of players which includes Billy Preston and Donny Hathaway.

His sisters Irma and Carolyn are also joined by The Sweet Inspirations on backing vocals.

A vinyl copy of this is rarer than Hen’s Teeth.

LR: Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder and Super Fly by Curtis Mayfield
LR: Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder and Super Fly by Curtis Mayfield

3. Stevie Wonder – Music From My Mind

Like many artists in the early 70s, Stevie began to take more control over his own music and move away from the Motown sound that once defined him.

He recruited electronic wizards Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and what followed was a series of five jaw-dropping albums beginning with this one and culminating with Songs in the key of life in 1974.

This, the best of the bunch, is a very organic record where all the tracks flow together like a musical thread, so turn off the shuffle button.

It’s also the one with the least recognizable tracks, which is why it’s often overlooked.

The perfect soundtrack for lazy summer afternoons in the garden.

4. Curtis Mayfield – Superfly

The America of the early 70s, the civil rights movement had died down and the optimism of the 60s was all but gone.

The voices of protest that once rang out from the ghettos have been drowned out by cheap heroin. This provided the backdrop for Curtis Mayfield’s third and arguably best album.

Between vocal and instrumental tracks, he candidly describes the harsh realities of life in black America.

Featuring many of his signature tracks such as Pusherman and Freddie’s Dead, this is one of two soundtracks he recorded over the decade.

The movie itself is also a great watch.

LR: Preview of Van Morrison's Saint Dominic and the Rolling Stones exile on Main Street
LR: Preview of Van Morrison’s Saint Dominic and the Rolling Stones exile on Main Street

5. Van Morrison – Outline of Saint Dominic

The day Van took the stage at Self Aid, mumbled gruffly that he was only playing new material, and quickly got everyone off stage, that’s the day that made me addict.

I went to The Swap Shop on MacCurtain Street the next day and picked this up.

It’s the 5th in this incredible series of seven albums he released between 1968 and 1974, when he was at his best.

Recorded in San Francisco with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra, it includes gems such as ‘Listen To The Lions’, ‘Gypsy’ and the breathtaking track that revisits Belfast once again.

There are some great footage from the 1974 Irish tour on YouTube that are well worth checking out.

6. Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street

Between 1968 and 1973, the Rolling Stones released these 5 classic albums, the Holy Grail that will define them forever.

This is the fourth, a double album recorded in the south of France amid lawsuits against managers, tax exile, run-ins with the law and the lawless, and growing addiction to Keith Richards. to heroin.

Mick Jagger left and got married in the middle of the recording sessions. The Stones, however, seem to function best in total chaos, and they ended up making one of the best records of the decade.

To top it off, they were kicked out of the country at the end of the taping, with the subtle suggestion that they will never return.

The Excellent Robert Greenfield Exile On Main Street: A Season In Hell With The Rolling Stones offers a brilliant and entertaining insight into the madness.

LR: Harvest by Neil Young and There It Is by James Brown
LR: Harvest by Neil Young and There It Is by James Brown

7. Neil Young – Harvest

The arrogant teenager that I was would have run for the hills at the prospect of listening to this record – until age and experience opened my eyes and ears to the wonder, diversity and the genius of Neil Young.

Featuring James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and Crosby, Stills & Nash (but not all together), this is a timeless classic that includes many of his most beloved songs, such as “Old Man”, “Heart Of Gold” and my personal favourite, ‘Alabama’, with those incredible backing vocals from Crosby and Stills.

His concert at the Marquee in 2008 included many songs from this record.

I have two old and slightly damaged vinyl copies with a few crackles, which in a strange way suits this record.

8. James Brown – This is It

As an artist, James Brown spanned several decades but, for me, his best work was in the early 70s.

In addition to two brilliant soundtracks and the classic Repayment album, he also released this one, his 33rd studio album, and one of his most introspective.

While the jams, such as “I Need Help” and “Talking Loud” are James Brown classics, it’s the deep cuts that really stand out and stick with you.

Tracks like “Public Enemy, 1 & 2”, “King Heroin” and “Who Am I”, which I consider to be the best song he ever recorded.

He is of course backed by the JBs who are absolutely on fire on this record.

LR: Transformer by Lou Reed, and Sarah Vaughan's LP with Michel Legrand
LR: Transformer by Lou Reed, and Sarah Vaughan’s LP with Michel Legrand

9. Lou Reed – Transformer

I once told my 14 year old daughter, Lucy, that if she was hanging out with a cool crowd that loves their music, then Transformer is bound to come into her life.

The ultimate underground record produced by David Bowie and (mainly) Mick Ronson deals with a variety of topics including drugs, prostitution, sexuality and gender identity.

It also includes a heroine love song as well as Reed’s biggest hit, “Walk On The Wild Side”, which oddly passed the censor’s ears.

It saved his career after the Velvets and put him back on track.

10. Sarah Vaughan with Michel Legrand

I was very late to the party with this one – January 25, 2019, to be precise – the day Legrand passed away.

I was sitting at home listening to Gilles Peterson pay homage to him when he played “Summer Me, Winter Me” from this record and I almost fell out of my chair when it came to the part where the orchestra join the game.

I literally went to buy the record that day and it’s been in my record box since I started DJing.

One of two albums the jazz legend made with Legrand that year, and I highly recommend them both.

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