"Old Mister Time"
10cc
I'm a huge 10cc fan. I bought the first album when it had traction across the pond, but none here. "Rubber Bullets" was the best Beach Boys-style track I'd heard since "Back In The U.S.S.R." But the band didn't have a hit in the U.S. for years, until they released "I'm Not In Love" on "The Original Soundtrack" in '75. And then they promptly slipped back into irrelevance. The follow-up, "How Dare You," had no impact, and then the band split in half and it was Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman who continued under the moniker 10cc and they had a huge hit on "Deceptive Bends" with "The Things We Do For Love," a masterpiece that those who did not know the band considered throwaway pop, but do you know how hard it is to write a hit, one with a sing-songy chorus, that resonates, that just isn't of the moment? NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE!
Being a huge fan I purchased the follow-up "Bloody Tourists" when it came out in '78. The opening cut, "Dreadlock Holiday," was a smash seemingly everywhere but the States. I knew every note on "Bloody Tourists" by heart and went to see the band at the Santa Monica Civic and sat in the fifth or sixth row and was elated, the surprise was Rick Fenn and his exquisite guitarwork. But it's "Old Mister Time" that plays in my head when I think of "Bloody Tourists." Eric Stewart ultimately sang with McCartney, he had such a pure voice, and it's evidenced here. This is the kind of music from the album era that doesn't fly today, moody stuff that is made just for you to listen to, alone in your house.
"Johnny Hold Back"
Charlie
Terry Thomas is now known as a record producer, he worked with the Brian Howe Bad Company, with its bombastic yet satisfying tracks "Holy Water" and "How About That," as well as Foreigner and Tommy Shaw. But first he was the creative spark behind Charlie, which failed in America because it was on the Janus label, back when what label you were on truly mattered. This album, "No Second Chance," is the best one and it's playable throughout and if you dig this, listen to the title track and "Guitar Hero (False Messiah)."
"L.A. Dreamer"
Charlie
What the hell, this is the key track from the follow-up to "No Second Chance" entitled "Lines," from back when singing about L.A. was a thing, remember "Hollywood Nights"? (In those Hollywood Hills!)"
"Sunset People"
Donna Summer
When I practiced law back in the seventies, my boss represented a couple of band members who had written songs on "Bad Girls." I'd always dismissed Donna Summer as disco, back when that was a bad word, but one of these players gave me a copy of the "Bad Girls" double album and other than the title track and the opener "Hot Stuff," this is the cut that resonated, it's so moody, once again, mood has no place in today's hit music.
"Blue Desire"
Silencers
I lobbied for this band for years, but it didn't help, but Jimme O'Neill is a star in France and moved there to capitalize on it, go where your audience is.
I still remember the first time I heard "A Blues For Buddha," the second LP, the opening cut was coming out of the speakers as I sat in a car with RCA promotion man Kevin Sutter in the garage at the Le Parc Hotel. The song was "The Real McCoy," and I got it IMMEDIATELY! "A Blues For Buddha" became my favorite LP, I couldn't stop playing it. And then I went back to the debut, with the radio track "Painted Moon." Most people think the first album is better, I could argue that, but start with "Blue Desire," if you like that then play "A Letter From St. Paul" and "Possessed" and...THE ENTIRE ALBUM!
That's the first album, "A Letter From St. Paul," "A Blues For Buddha" is not on Spotify.
"What Comes After"
Stories
Back from when a pure voice was not excoriated, Ian Lloyd sings better than anybody who ever appeared on a TV singing show. If you like this, also listen to "Love Is In Motion" from the same LP, "About Us."
"Cinnamon"
The Storys
I'm shocked! This is finally on Spotify, after I checked for a decade. This is CSN music, Southern California, country-influenced stuff. Listen at least to the chorus and hang in there, if you make it all the way through you'll need to hear this track again, and again and again.
"I Am So Ordinary
Paula Cole
Long before she had the title track of "Dawson's Creek." Listen to the lyrics, a perfect description of what it's like when you believe you're just not good enough.
"Long Road Out of Eden"
Eagles
It's been thirteen years since the Eagles released their first new work in decades via Walmart. Many bought it, no one seems to remember it. It's the title track that's the keeper, if you're a fan of "Hotel California," if you're a fan of Don Henley's lyrics/insight, this is for you. Once again, made for a dark room at night. This is an epic, and all ten minutes of it satisfy.
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