Sixties’ West Coast music at its very best, and played everywhere when contemporary. Hence I was amazed to see it only made one week on the chart – probably the week I bought it!
Album: It’s a Beautiful Day
Artist: It’s a Beautiful Day
Released: 1st July 1969
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 1
Highest Chart Position: No.58
The first true concept album, Pete Townshend’s rock opera has been performed every which way in the intervening fifty years – as a live concert, with orchestral backing, as a film, even as a stage show. But the original still takes some beating – just listen to Moonie’s drumming, it’s almost like a lead instrument in places.
Album: Tommy
Artist: The Who
Released: 17th May 1969
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 11
Highest Chart Position: No.2
Recorded in Memphis in the same studios and with the same ‘team’ used by all the Stax greats, it shows just what a great R&B singer she actually was. Despite ultimately receiving a silver disc through later recognition, amazingly it never charted over here – unless you count the regular appearances in top 100 albums of all time lists!
Album: Dusty in Memphis
Artist: Dusty Springfield
Released: 18th April 1969
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 0
Highest US Chart Position: No.99
The first classic electronica album that also established Gary Numan at the forefront of the new genre.
Album: Replicas
Artist: Tubeway Army
Released: 15th April 1979
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 31
Number of Weeks at No.1: 1
Forty-four may seem a bit late age to make your first solo album, but I guess being part of Dylan’s backing band for most of your career would tend to keep you busy. Still well worth the wait.
Album: Robbie Robertson
Artist: Robbie Robertson
Released: 26th October 1988
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 14
Highest Chart Position: No.23