Was 1970 the best year for music?

The music writer David Hepworth made the case in one of his books that 1971 was the best year, or rather the ‘golden’ year, for rock music. However, I would make the case that it was in fact 1970 that was the greatest year for music. Although I was not alive in this year, many of my favourite albums were released in 1970 and I believe they clearly demonstrate the changing tide from the sounds of the 60s into the sounds of the 70s.

Presumably at the time, the changing decade doesn’t seem too pivotal, I have certainly never felt that about the change of decades in my lifetime. But I do believe that the change from the 1960s to the 1970s was a significant one. The 60s had seemed like an endless period of experimentation, cultural change and of possibilities. Yet those who have ever studied or are interested in history are aware that the 1970s became a darker period. This was particularly seen in Britain when there was a rise in union strife and economic disparity. Clearly the dreams of the 1960s were becoming more like illusions. I believe that many albums from this period demonstrate this change. The lyrics are more real, more down to earth and less focused on the psychedelic positivity experienced in the previous decade. They reflect people’s feelings and show the shift in the social climate that was about to occur.

Here is a list of some these brilliant albums and I will explore a few of them in more detail.

§ The Band – Stage Fright

§ The Beatles – Let It Be

§ Cat Stevens – Tea for the Tillerman

§ George Harrison – All Things Must Pass

§ James Taylor – Sweet Baby James

§ John Lennon – Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band

§ Joni Mitchell – Ladies of the Canyon

§ Linda Ronstadt – Silk Purse

§ Neil Young – After the Gold Rush

§ Paul McCartney – McCartney

§ Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother

§ Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water

§ Van Morrison – Moondance

The Beatles – Let it Be:

This Beatles album is often disregarded as being a more minor part of their catalogue. Although it was recorded before Abbey Road it was released afterwards. The documentary that coincided with the album showed a band at odds with one another. However, I am told that Peter Jackson’s new documentary sheds a different light on the recording [but I am yet to watch it so I cannot say for sure]. As a result, there is often a bad taste left in people’s mouths about this album and there had been controversy at the time of it’s release as McCartney was not pleased with Phil Spector producing the final mix of the album. However, it is still a brilliant album. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s a Beatles Album. There are some great songs on this album and although some of them might be considered less serious we can clearly see The Beatle’s musical progression and maturity. Arguably, the album’s controversy also reflects the changing attitude of the time and is a pivotal moment in Beatles history. Song highlights would be ‘Let it Be’ and ‘Get Back’.

George Harrison – All Things Must Pass:

This album is famously made up of many George Harrison songs that were neglected by the rest of the Beatles. It is, in my opinion, George Harrison’s best album and one of the better individual albums from a former Beatle. It never fails to make my top ten album list. [If you have listened to my podcast you will be aware of this]. The album clearly demonstrates Harrison’s talents that were overlooked by his bandmates and show not only his musical but also his lyrical ability. Many of the lyrics are very profound and clearly personal to Harrison’s growing beliefs that were rooted in a much more realistic outlook on life. Something which again demonstrates the shedding of the hippie ideas that was to occur in the 1970s. Song highlights include ‘Wah-Wah’ and ‘All Things Must Pass’.

James Taylor – Sweet Baby James:

I have only really gotten into this album recently. I can’t remember why I decided to give it a listen but I did. Although some of the songs are a bit hit and miss, it is still a brilliant album that brought James Taylor into the spotlight and demonstrated his talents on the guitar. If my memory serves, I do think McCartney played some role in this album getting released [thank God for The Beatles eh?] but I can’t quite remember the exact details. The lyrics on this album are great and it is one of the brilliant easy listening albums that is an undeniable classic. It was an album that was central to the 1970s music scene and in my well-founded opinion it is an important listen. In it we can see the connection to the changing of direction of music that was to occur throughout the 70s and this is a great introduction to that. Song highlights include ‘Sweet Baby James’ and ‘Fire and Rain’.

John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band:

This is another of the Beatles individual albums that was released after their break-up. This album was made in collaboration with Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono who seemingly had a large influence on Lennon’s life and exploration of music. Famously this album was released around the time that Lennon was taking part in primal scream therapy which can be heard throughout the album. This album feels much more personal from Lennon and again it demonstrates the more hardened era of the 1970s than the jovial one that Lennon exemplified in the 1960s. This album is possibly Lennon’s best work and the stripped back feel of many of the tracks is what sets it apart. Song highlights include ‘Mother’ and ‘God’.

Neil Young – After the Gold Rush:

Neil Young always appears, well to me anyways, one of those artists that you either love or hate. His vocal style is perhaps the main reason for this but his talents as a musician are undeniable. This album is a brilliant one and demonstrates Young’s musical sophistication perfectly. Again, this album seems more personal, more real. It clearly touches on more significant themes and demonstrates Young’s intellect and personal beliefs a lot more than any of his other previous works. This album perhaps signifies Young’s shift from the hippie aesthetic to a more realistic and hardened view of the world. At first it may appear dull, which I think sometimes Young’s music is prone to [well that is what his critics would pick up on] but the emotion on many of the songs is palpable. Song highlights include ‘After the Gold Rush’ and ‘Southern Man’.

Van Morrison – Moondance:

This album I have only really listened to very recently [this past year] but it has quickly become one of my favourites. Morrison’s vocals are brilliant and here we can see Morrison flourish in his music style which this album establishes so well. The style of Moondance really set the template for much of Van Morrison’s solo career . Although this album does perhaps cling onto ideas that were part of the hippie and folk scene [like nature and mysticism] they are clearly much more realised in this album. Thus making my argument about the tonal shift in society that was occurring at this time much more prominent. This is possibly Morrison’s greatest work and it never fails to impress me. Song highlights include ‘And It Stoned Me’ and ‘Into the Mystic’.