65 Comments

Bill Withers - Lean On Me ❤️‍🩹 it never stopped being so so beautiful and important

Expand full comment

'72 reminds me of taking a broken 8-track tape cartridge apart, and splicing it back together with scotch tape. Reassemble and let 'er rip.

Expand full comment

I was doing the usual part-time retail job in '72 to score some extra cash while at university and unfortunately the background music system played "Me And Mrs Jones" about five times an hour. I'm still in touch with one of the women I worked with and not long ago we were having coffee and laughing at how we still cringe when that comes on the radio.

And however much it was overplayed at the time, I seldom hear "Layla" on the local oldies station. Is it slipping into darkness?

Speaking of Curtis Mayfield, I occasionally sat in with a local R&B group and I can still feel the bass line of "Freddie's Dead" in my bones.

And let's not forget Todd Rundgren's "I Saw the Light." Pure pop from a master of the form.

Expand full comment

Love the story here! Thought Tod Rudgren's was relased in ´73 but you are correct. Its a great song.

Expand full comment

When Clapton hits the opening to Layla at one of his concerts, the crowd loses it. And I do, too.

Expand full comment

Rocket Man, Elton John and Listen to the Music, Doobie Brothers come immediately to mind.

I’m sure there are many others to add to your worthy list.

Expand full comment

thanks!

Expand full comment

BRA from Cymande is first to come to mind. Stopping there before a second and sixty-third. You’re right about the year.

Expand full comment

YES! And they just released a new album and are touring. I have tickets to see them on February 23!

Expand full comment

Splendid list! Especially props for Timmy Thomas. Off the top if me head, my list would include Starman by Bowie, Gudbuy T'Jane by Slade, Jeepster by T Rex, You Wear It Well by Rod Stewart, Siberiani Khatru by Yes, Donna by 10cc, Superstition & You Are the sunshine of my life by Stevie Wonder. There ate more!

Expand full comment

The Lou Reed, Al Green, Billy Paul, and Stevie Wonder still find themselves on my mix tapes (I still make mix tapes). So glad you reminded us of Do it again.

Expand full comment

Thanks for reminding me of Wishbone Ash. I really loved their dual guitar sound.

Expand full comment

Ashbone Wish! Right on, Man!!

Expand full comment

My favorite jazz album of all time: Hugh Masekela - Home Is Where The Music Is

Nick Drake - Pink Moon

Expand full comment

will check that album, thanks!

Expand full comment

I love it so much that I named my Substack after it. 😊

Expand full comment

Was American Pie 1972?

Expand full comment

You are right.

Expand full comment

OK, that works

Expand full comment

Great selection

Expand full comment

Superb collection of songs. May I add Attica Blues by Archie Shepp and Tudo Que Você Podia Ser by Milton Nascimento

Expand full comment

Good ones

Expand full comment

My favorite from'72 is Willis Alan Ramsey's eponymous album. "Ballad of Spider John" is one of the most beautiful sad songs of all time.

Expand full comment

Thx

Expand full comment

Speaking of Walk on the Wild Side - You can visit Candy Darling’s grave in Cherry Valley, NY.

I won’t ruin it for you by telling you where the headstone (a possible pun there) is. A beautiful little town with a nice little cemetery and it’s fun to walk around looking for the grave.

Expand full comment

A good tip for anyone living in that area!

Expand full comment

Also

Time in a bottle and

You don’t mess around with Jim

-Jim Croce

Expand full comment

And , awful- I’ve got a name. Which if I remember correctly, was released the morning immediately after his death in the plane crash

Expand full comment