In the spring of 1974 I was finishing up my third year of college and working two jobs.  It was a pretty stressful time but the great music releases made everything better.  Releases during April, May, and June included new music from some of my favorite artists and a debut release from a new group (see picture above) that would quickly become one of my favorites.  Let’s jump right in listen to some great music……

April 1974 Album Releases

Secret Treaties – Blue Oyster Cult

In 1974, Blue Oyster Cult was one of my “go to” groups for “heavy” music.  Secret Treaties was their third album and featured a very cool drawing of an German ME262 fighter.  Here’s a great cut from that album called Astronomy,,,,,,

Live ‘n’ Kickin – West, Bruce, and Laing

In 1974 West, Bruce and Laing  were carrying on a long tradition of three man, power chord based, rock groups.  I was a fan of Leslie West and Corky Laing from their time with Mountain and of course was a huge fan of Jack Bruce from his time with Cream so it was only natural that I was a fan of West, Bruce, and Laing.  Live ‘n” Kickin was their third and final album as a group and it rocked!  Listen to Play With Fire and it will tell you everything you need to know about the group!

Diamond Dogs – David Bowie

After he retired the Ziggy Stadust character, we were all interested to see what Bowie came up with next.  When I heard the first single from the record, a glam rock stunner called Rebel Rebel, I knew we were in for a real treat.  Have a listen for yourself…..

Second Helping – Lynyrd Skynrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, the appropriately named Second Helping, managed to avoid the sophomore jinx that strikes a lot of groups.  It was a double platinum hit and features some of their most memorable songs including my favorite, Sweet Home Alabama.  Let’s listen……

May 1974 Album Releases

Too Much Too Soon – New York Dolls

I mentioned the glam rock nature of Bowie’s Rebel Rebel single above so it’s only fitting that the New York Dolls, the ultimate glam band, released their second album the month after Diamond Dogs.  It was hard to pick a song to feature from Too Much Too Soon but you can’t go wrong with Babylon.  Give it a listen and see what you think!

Sheet Music – 10cc

As an illustration of the diversity of rock music in May of 1974, we transition from the glam rock of the New York Dolls to the art rock of 10cc.  Sheet music was 10cc’s second release and featured the Wall Street Shuffle, a really catchy radio hit for them.  Go back in time with me and do the Wall Street Shuffle as you listen……

June 1974 Album Releases

Bad Company – Bad Company

Bad Company, pictured at the top of this post, was one of the many supergroups that formed in the 1970s from the wreckage of other groups from the late 60s/early 70s.  In this case, Bad Company was formed by:

• vocalist extraordinaire Paul Rogers from Free
• drummer Simon Kirke from Free
• guitarist Mick Ralphe from Mott the Hoople
• bassist Boz Burrell from King Crimson

While some supergroups proved to be disappointing, this was definitely not the case with Bad Company.  They rocked hard  throughout the 70s and produced an impressive string of great albums.  The song I have for you today is named Bad Company, it comes from the album Bad Company, and was written and performed by the group called Bad Company……very strange…….

Holiday – America

The guys in America were Air Force brats like myself so I had an immediate kinship with them.  Their third album, Hat Trick, had been a little of a disappointment from a commercial perspective so the group had a lot riding on Holiday when it was released in 1974.  To turn things around the group had recruited George Martin, of Beatles fame, to produce Holiday and he came through for them.  Holiday was a huge commercial success starting with Tin Man, the first single released from the album.  You have to like this song…..

Walking Man – James Taylor

James Taylor’s Walking Man album was his fifth and was not a commercial success! It even failed to becoming a gold record which is truly shocking but…..to many fans like myself….. it’s still a favorite.  Listen to the title track and I think you will understand…….