Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1984 - (page 198)

[Saddleworth2]

For my 4th and "last" submission, I will formally put forward the folk/Celtic folk song as a youngster I would skip over on this classic album to not interrupt the flow of louder rock music I was into at the time.

How foolish I was. I think this might be my favourite song from the album now, or at least the one I always go to as the one I appreciate over time of its brilliance and how it gives me chills now in listening to it all coming together, both vocally and musically.

Like "Going to California", this was a rare song that John Bonham did not feature on. Whereas John Paul Jones played mandolin on GTC, apparently Jimmy Page did on this song. Bring in guest vocalist Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention to help Robert Plant tell the story of the lyrics inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel, and what we have (to me) is one of Led Zeppelin's most underappreciated songs. Plant played the role of the narrator and Denny represented the town crier. This is the ONLY song Led Zeppelin recorded in the studio with a guest musician.

The sweet spot for me hits at 4:30 in with the "Bring It Back..." repeated lines that reaches its peak with the "Bring It, Bring It, Bring It". That is where this track stands the test of time for me.

"The Battle of Evermore" - Led Zeppelin

I think its one of my favourite Zeppelin songs. I saw Robert sing this with Alison Kraus in Paris. He had a fantastic band lead by T Bone Burnett.

 

[Saddleworth2]

One more to nominate then, Maggie May/Reason to Believe - this is the song that establised Rod Stewart as a solo artist and I know the lyrics whenever I hear it. Maggie May was actually the B side. I had a Rod Stewart phase around then, I was 14 in 1971 and had the long feathered hair scrunched and spiky on top and a couple of Stewart tartan scarves. My old man was mortified by my hair, remember him saying a few times "Have you seen his bloody hair Jean?" to my mum.

Its already nominated mate. Like the story though. That 'feathered' haircut was extremely popular at the time as was the tartan scarf until a year or so later and the advent of the Bay City Rollers. I think around 71 my prized possession was a 'prince of wales' check crombie coat straight out my mum's club book. Heavy brogues, red socks and Levi sta-prest completed the outfit :-)

 

[OB1]

Horrific. C’mon mate.

Yeah, a nasty little ear worm but a big hit and, IMO, you have to have one or two of these types of hit to reflect the year. At least I’m not going to suggest “Ernie”.

 

[OB1]

For my 4th and "last" submission, I will formally put forward the folk/Celtic folk song as a youngster I would skip over on this classic album to not interrupt the flow of louder rock music I was into at the time.

How foolish I was. I think this might be my favourite song from the album now, or at least the one I always go to as the one I appreciate over time of its brilliance and how it gives me chills now in listening to it all coming together, both vocally and musically.

Like "Going to California", this was a rare song that John Bonham did not feature on. Whereas John Paul Jones played mandolin on GTC, apparently Jimmy Page did on this song. Bring in guest vocalist Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention to help Robert Plant tell the story of the lyrics inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel, and what we have (to me) is one of Led Zeppelin's most underappreciated songs. Plant played the role of the narrator and Denny represented the town crier. This is the ONLY song Led Zeppelin recorded in the studio with a guest musician.

The sweet spot for me hits at 4:30 in with the "Bring It Back..." repeated lines that reaches its peak with the "Bring It, Bring It, Bring It". That is where this track stands the test of time for me.

"The Battle of Evermore" - Led Zeppelin

My personal playlist of the year will end up with everything from IV sprinkled through it. I think “Black Dog” needs recommending by someone.

 

[Really_here]

Its already nominated mate. Like the story though. That 'feathered' haircut was extremely popular at the time as was the tartan scarf until a year or so later and the advent of the Bay City Rollers. I think around 71 my prized possession was a 'prince of wales' check crombie coat straight out my mum's club book. Heavy brogues, red socks and Levi sta-prest completed the outfit :-)

A POW crombie was quite a rarity, I had a rather more boring navy blue one in 1972 IIRC. I still have a pair of Loakes Royals that I wear a lot and I have a POW suit and some POW trousers (with the faint blue line in blue of course, heaven forbid red). Had some Levi sta-prest too but my favourites were my first pair of 501's, they were "shrink to fit" and I did actually sit in the bath in them for ages and ended up with blue legs. Cue more comments from the old man....

 

[threespires]

Guilty pleasure (as they call it) time.

This I’m afraid was the sound of summer 1971: Middle of the Road: “Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep”. Insidiously catchy.

Sally Carr the Scottish singer of MOTR built up a loyal following and at least as of a few years ago was still going strong.

 

[mancity2012_eamo]

I see I have three of my nominations on the list now, if you’re counting Locomotive Breath from me. I think I have one more nomination and I don’t see any mention of Wishbone Ash. Pilgrimage came out that year and was very jazzy prog infused and quite different to anything else in our house. The early 70’s were full of Wishbone offerings and my older brother would play them to death.
I just absorbed the sound.

I could go with any number of nominations;
Vas Dis
Jailbait
lullaby
Valediction…..

But I’ll nominate ‘The Pilgrim’.


It might be a bit long.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I see I have three of my nominations on the list now, if you’re counting Locomotive Breath from me. I think I have one more nomination and I don’t see any mention of Wishbone Ash. Pilgrimage came out that year and was very jazzy prog infused and quite different to anything else in our house. The early 70’s were full of Wishbone offerings and my older brother would play them to death.
I just absorbed the sound.

I could go with any number of nominations;
Vas Dis
Jailbait
lullaby
Valediction…..

But I’ll nominate ‘The Pilgrim’.


It might be a bit long.

I had Phoenix as a nomination in 70. Glad you chose this. Brilliant track.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Sally Carr the Scottish singer of MOTR built up a loyal following and at least as of a few years ago was still going strong.

Where did she build a loyal following? Scotland ?

 

[OB1]

An even dozen suggestions, a combination of hit singles and classic album tracks:

Pink Floyd: “One of These Days.” For Dr Who fans. Great bass line.

Black Sabbath: “Children of the Grave”. Another ace Iommi riff. One of the Sabs’ best tracks.

Alice Cooper: “Under my Wheels”. Another killer track from the shock rockers.

Not sure if someone else recommended this but Don McLean: “American Pie”.

Traffic: “The Low Spark of the High Heeled Boys”.

The Faces: “Stay with Me”

Cher: “Gipsies Tramps & Thieves”

Uriah Heep: “July Morning”

Deep Purple: “Strange Kind of Woman”

David Bowie: “Life on Mars”

A couple of tracks I remember from one of those Top of the Pops albums where session musicians did covers of recent hits, in the days before K-Tel:
John Kongos: “Tokoloshe Man”
Redbone: “Witch Queen Of New Orleans”

 

[threespires]

Where did she build a loyal following? Scotland ?

No I think more on 'the continent', I was a bit surprised when I worked in Germany how she was held in affection and seemed to still gig there too. Nothing huge but I assume enough to earn a living. I think the bubble-gum pop that MOTR played we look at as a bit shameful whereas in other bits of Northern Europe it's seen as harmless nostalgia that's wholesome fun.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Ok. Quite a surge in nominations yesterday - another 26, takes us up to 70 or so. The next half dozen will be my last and they represent either genres that we are still thin on the ground or albums that should have a track on the playlist.

Bryter Lyter (the title track) by the English singer songwriter Nick Drake
Imagine by John Lennon
Coat of Many Colours by Dolly
The night they drove old Dixie down by Joan Baez (last night watched the "Complete Unknown' film about Dylan and Baez. Its excellent and worth a two hours of anyones time. Timothy Chamolet really outstanding as Dylan)
Wild World by Cat Stevens
Nut Rocker by Emerson Lake and Palmer (from the live album 'Pictures at an Exhibition).

There are still many many more but I will draw a halt at that.

 

[KS55]

In 1971 Little Richard released an album called The King of Rock and Roll. It was to my mind a bit of a lazy effort, mostly consisting of covers. The critics were divided.
It contained, however, “Midnight Special” an important song in the history of Rock.
This song was a traditional folk song probably developed in the 19th century and first collected and written down in 1909.
Its history traces Rock from folk to country blues, to gospel to soul to rock.
It importance can be judged by the 50 or so heavyweight artistes that recorded it.
Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Les Paul, Pete Seeger, Bobby Darin , Van Morrison, Otis Rush, Long John Baldry, Harry Belafonte, ABBA and Paul McCartney were amongst those who covered it.
The song tells the story of how a train shone a light into a prison as it passed at midnight.The light represented hope of redemption for the prisoners. As a folk song it was probably developed by prisoners in a southern jail, but nobody has successfully traced which prison that was.
While it is not particularly great music, a history of Rock should contain this song, together with Little Richard, an important writer and performer in the early days of the genre. Even the first line tells you that it is a roots song: “Well, you wake up in the morning”
Nomination: Midnight Special by Little Richard.

 

[Resurrection Joe...]

In 1971 Little Richard released an album called The King of Rock and Roll. It was to my mind a bit of a lazy effort, mostly consisting of covers. The critics were divided.
It contained, however, “Midnight Special” an important song in the history of Rock.
This song was a traditional folk song probably developed in the 19th century and first collected and written down in 1909.
Its history traces Rock from folk to country blues, to gospel to soul to rock.
It importance can be judged by the 50 or so heavyweight artistes that recorded it.
Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Les Paul, Pete Seeger, Bobby Darin , Van Morrison, Otis Rush, Long John Baldry, Harry Belafonte, ABBA and Paul McCartney were amongst those who covered it.
The song tells the story of how a train shone a light into a prison as it passed at midnight.The light represented hope of redemption for the prisoners. As a folk song it was probably developed by prisoners in a southern jail, but nobody has successfully traced which prison that was.
While it is not particularly great music, a history of Rock should contain this song, together with Little Richard, an important writer and performer in the early days of the genre. Even the first line tells you that it is a roots song: “Well, you wake up in the morning”
Nomination: Midnight Special by Little Richard.

great shout. I think CCR also covered it and Elvis played it live now and again.
Apart from that , every list is always improved with a bit of Little Richard.

 

[OB1]

Ok. Quite a surge in nominations yesterday - another 26, takes us up to 70 or so. The next half dozen will be my last and they represent either genres that we are still thin on the ground or albums that should have a track on the playlist.

Bryter Lyter (the title track) by the English singer songwriter Nick Drake
Imagine by John Lennon
Coat of Many Colours by Dolly
The night they drove old Dixie down by Joan Baez (last night watched the "Complete Unknown' film about Dylan and Baez. Its excellent and worth a two hours of anyones time. Timothy Chamolet really outstanding as Dylan)
Wild World by Cat Stevens
Nut Rocker by Emerson Lake and Palmer (from the live album 'Pictures at an Exhibition).

There are still many many more but I will draw a halt at that.

Glad you added some ELP. Just bought Tarkus as I only had the title track in studio form.

Joan Baez version of Dixie is a good call.

 

[Keith Moon]

In 1971 Little Richard released an album called The King of Rock and Roll. It was to my mind a bit of a lazy effort, mostly consisting of covers. The critics were divided.
It contained, however, “Midnight Special” an important song in the history of Rock.
This song was a traditional folk song probably developed in the 19th century and first collected and written down in 1909.
Its history traces Rock from folk to country blues, to gospel to soul to rock.
It importance can be judged by the 50 or so heavyweight artistes that recorded it.
Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Les Paul, Pete Seeger, Bobby Darin , Van Morrison, Otis Rush, Long John Baldry, Harry Belafonte, ABBA and Paul McCartney were amongst those who covered it.
The song tells the story of how a train shone a light into a prison as it passed at midnight.The light represented hope of redemption for the prisoners. As a folk song it was probably developed by prisoners in a southern jail, but nobody has successfully traced which prison that was.
While it is not particularly great music, a history of Rock should contain this song, together with Little Richard, an important writer and performer in the early days of the genre. Even the first line tells you that it is a roots song: “Well, you wake up in the morning”
Nomination: Midnight Special by Little Richard.

The following year he performed at the London Rock & Roll Show, mind-blowing!

 

[threespires]

Looks like Bill W is otherwise engaged so I'm going to forego the chance to torture everyone with something by Tony Orlando and Dawn in order to make sure we acknowledge Weather Report's eponymous debut album. Miles Davis alumni exploring the less rocky end of fusion. Though not hugely commercially successful it nonetheless put a marker down for their ongoing innovation. Hindsight's a great thing but listening to this it's not surprising that before long Joe Zawinul would end up with not one but two ARP 2600s :-) Pioneers in more ways than one.

With tracks veering between the trippy/ambient and the pulsating, I'm going for one of the more driven tracks:

Weather Report - Umbrellas

 

[RobMCFC]

Ok. Quite a surge in nominations yesterday - another 26, takes us up to 70 or so. The next half dozen will be my last and they represent either genres that we are still thin on the ground or albums that should have a track on the playlist.

Bryter Lyter (the title track) by the English singer songwriter Nick Drake
Imagine by John Lennon
Coat of Many Colours by Dolly
The night they drove old Dixie down by Joan Baez (last night watched the "Complete Unknown' film about Dylan and Baez. Its excellent and worth a two hours of anyones time. Timothy Chamolet really outstanding as Dylan)
Wild World by Cat Stevens
Nut Rocker by Emerson Lake and Palmer (from the live album 'Pictures at an Exhibition).

There are still many many more but I will draw a halt at that.

"Wild World" was from 1970 and was on last year's playlist.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Pink Floyd: “One of These Days.” For Dr Who fans. Great bass line.
Not sure if someone else recommended this but Don McLean: “American Pie”.
Traffic: “The Low Spark of the High Heeled Boys”.
Cher: “Gipsies Tramps & Thieves”
David Bowie: “Life on Mars”

I was a bit busy yesterday "looking ahead", but you just took 5 off my shortlist that I ran out of space for, so well done.

Cher's in particular was another one of those songs a boy could sing along to for the catchiness of the tune from the radio, without really knowing or thinking about what the song lyrics were actually about.

 

[Saddleworth2]

"Wild World" was from 1970 and was on last year's playlist.

Ok. Swap for morning has broken.