(For a great story about the Abandoned Luncheonette cover checkout this blog post)

Some people will tell you that the 70s were a vast wasteland for music.  To those people I say….”You don’t know what the hell you are talking about!”  Take a look at the unbelievable collection of albums that were released in the last three months of 1973 and I dare you to find another three months in any year that produced the same level of music quality and diversity.  I’m proud to say that I have these albums in my collection.

So get ready….I have well over an hour of music below celebrating the best albums released at the end of 1973.  Enjoy…….

October 1973 Album Releases

Selling England By The Pound – Genesis

This is probably my favorite Genesis album of all time.  It was back during the days when the band was fronted by Peter Gabriel (i.e. it was the “real” Genesis).  I know what I like and here it is……

Time Fades Away – Neil Young

This is the rarest Neil album of all time to the best of my knowledge.  I am lucky enough to have the vinyl album…I say that because Neil has never released this one as a CD.  Here’s one of my favorite songs from Neil which is one of his most autobiographical numbers.  It’s also a great New Years Resolution if you are still looking for one……Don’t Be Denied……

Quadrophenia – The Who

I’m quite sure that I’ve talked about this before…..Quadrophenia is my favorite album by the Who and this is my favorite song from that album…….

For Everyman – Jackson Browne

I think Jackson Browne may be the most talented singer/songwriter of my generation.  I’m currently working on a  major blog post that provides a critical analysis of a set of Jackson’s songs including the title song from this album.  Since I will be talking about Everyman in that post, I have chose to feature These Days my second favorite song from this album……

Laid Back – Greg Allman

Wrapping up the October albums is Greg Allman’s first solo album which is a classic by anyone’s standards.  I love  Greg’s voice and he is a terrific songwriter as well.  Here is Multicolored Lady from Greg’s album.

November 1973 Album Releases

Abandoned Luncheonette – Hall and Oates

Before Hall and Oates produced their string of “Pop” hits they produced that absolute masterpiece.  It is without a doubt my favorite for their albums and the title song from the album is stunning.  Give it a listen and you will see what i mean…..

Piano Man – Billy Joel

What can you say about Billy Joel that hasn’t already been said?  This is the album and the title song that started it all for him………

Mind Games – John Lennon

This was John’s fourth solo album.  He started working on the title song during the Get Back sessions by his first band that you might remember as The Beatles :-).  Let’s listen……

Keep on playing those mind games together
Raising the spirit of peace and love
I want you to make love, not war I know you’ve heard it before

Fergusile Park – Stealers Wheel

Stealers Wheel was a great but very much under appreciated group.  Fergusile Park was the group’s second album and by the time the album was released it was down to the duo of Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty each of whom was a great songwriter so I’ve chose to highlight a song from each of them from this album.  First up is Star that was written by Joe Egan…..

Next up is Who Cares that was written by Gerry Rafferty.  When I listened to this song back in 1973 I knew that Gerry was going to have a very long career.   Unfortunately we lost Gerry way to soon back in 2011!

Stealers Wheel didn’t last long after this album.  Gerry’s went on to have a great solo career while Joe’s career kind of faded away.  Sometimes talent just isn’t enough…..the music business is tough.

Montrose – Montrose

Montrose was a powerhouse that featured Ronnie Montrose on guitar and Sammy Hagar on vocals. They rocked on their debut album which you can see for yourself by listening to the first song, Rock the Nation (written by Ronnie)……

December 1973 Album Releases

Band On The Run – Paul McCartney and Wings

Not to be outdone by John’s release of Mind Games, Paul released this Wings masterpiece the very next month.  The title song, with its three independent parts beautifully woven together, is an absolute classic……

Tales From Topographical Oceans – Yes

One double album featuring four sides of music each of which is made up of a single song.  Yes it has to be Tales from Topographical Oceans.  My favorite of the four songs….The Remembering…..see what you think……..

Ozark Mountain Daredevils – The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils were a very much under appreciated band.  Their first, self titled, album featured one hit (If You Wanna Get To Heaven) but a lot of other great music as well.  Today let’s listen to Colorado Song.  I think you will like it……

Ridin The Storm Out – REO Speedwagon

The REO Speedwagon of the early 70’s rocked.  While they would go on to have significant “pop” success in the 80s, I have always preferred their early stuff from the 70s.  The title song from this album is my favorite…….

Wild Tales – Graham Nash

Graham’s second solo album was a great piece of work.  Let’s listen to the final song from the album, Another Sleep Song……