Category Archives: Uncategorized

     In another unusual burst of productivity, today we review the 2nd album released by the Grateful Dead, “American Beauty”.  When combined with “Workingman’s Dead”, these two albums comprise most of the radio play tracks for the Dead, at least until their resurgence in the late 1980s.  “American Beauty” is the #215 rated album onContinue reading “The Grateful Dead “American Beauty” (1970)”

     In 24 months, Led Zeppelin played several hundred shows, and recorded and released three albums.  It always amazes me how much high-quality material these bands (Led Zep, The Doors, CCR, The Beatles, The Beach Boys) among others could write, record and release in a compressed time frame.  “Led Zeppelin III” was inspired by aContinue reading “Led Zeppelin “Led Zeppelin III” (1970)”

     Another Woodstock veteran today, the album of the day is “Abraxas” by Carlos Santana and his band, including keyboardist and lead vocalist Gregg Rollie, who would go on to form Journey with Neal Schon, another Santana alum.  This album is rated as album #334 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.Continue reading “Santana “Abraxas” (1970)”

     We look today at “After The Gold Rush”, the third album from solo artist and multi-group member Neil Young, who by this point had not only released solo albums but also recorded and performed with Crosby, Stills and Nash as well as Buffalo Springfield, also featuring Stephen Stills.  This album, mixing country folk withContinue reading “Neil Young “After The Gold Rush” (1970)”

     1970 was a remarkably productive year for the band Black Sabbath.  Following their debut release earlier in the year, in September they released their second album, “Paranoid”.  With these two albums alone, the foundation of Black Sabbath’s most significant and successful music was produced within a single year.  Even more successful than their debut,Continue reading “Black Sabbath “Paranoid” (1970)”

     Where does the fine line between funk and soul blur?  Today’s album is “Curtis” by Curtis Mayfield, former star of The Impressions, and author of one of my all-time favorites, “People Get Ready”.  This album is rated #8 on the digitaldreamdoor.com Top 10 Funk albums of all time, and while it is a powerfulContinue reading “Curtis Mayfield “Curtis” (1970)”

     Today we return to the hardest working man in show business, James Brown, and his latest live album release, “Sex Machine”.  Another highly regarded album from the Godfather of Soul, “Sex Machine”, a double album of “live” material, is rated as album #439 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.     Continue reading “James Brown “Sex Machine” (1970)”

     A highly significant step towards a new genre today, as we delve into punk rock origins with “Fun House” by the Stooges, led by punk pioneer Iggy Pop.  This album, like many on this list, was not an immediate commercial success, but it has risen in consideration over time and is rated as theContinue reading “The Stooges “Fun House” (1970)”

     From a cover of “Proud Mary” to the original creator, we come back to Creedence Clearwater Revival today for their album “Cosmo’s Factory”.  This album, which is rated #413 by Rolling Stone on their Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, is a hit factory, and despite what I said earlier about the #193Continue reading “Creedence Clearwater Revival “Cosmo’s Factory” (1970)”

     Another compilation album today, we have “Proud Mary: The Best of Ike and Tina Turner”, covering a lengthy span of their troubled history together.  This time in 1970 made sense as it aligned with their iconic cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary”.  This album is rated #392 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 GreatestContinue reading “Ike and Tina Turner “Proud Mary: The Best of Ike and Tina Turner” (1970)”