MARCH 1974

Not much to say about this month other than what I said about it at the time, except for dodgy Freddie Starr and Gary G; since Joan Jett does not appear to have covered "Remember Me This Way," I have substituted videos for two Billboard Top 20 hits in the same weeks of my choice.

 

2 March 1974

ELTON JOHN: Candle In The Wind/Bennie And The Jets (DJM DJS 297)

Marilyn Monroe tribute but everybody will have it on the album already so can't see it being that big a hit. "Bennie And The Jets" racing up the American charts so don't know why DJM didn't go with that one as the A-side here. Maybe they think British people prefer being miserable. Like Gilbert O'Sullivan, we need fewer slowies from Elton.

PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS: Jet/Let Me Roll It (Apple R 5996)

Superb rocker from an excellent album (Band On The Run). Paul obviously out to prove that he can still rock, if only to John (because he does a terrific Lennon impression on the B-side).

FREDDIE STARR: It's You/We Can't Make It Anymore (Tiffany 6121 501)

He's very funny on Who Do You Do? but this is a very sad ballad for old people which sounds like it was recorded in 1912. Bells at the end indicating no way back. The B-side doesn't cheer me up either.

PAPER LACE: Billy - Don't Be A Hero/Celia (Bus Stop BUS 1014)

Oh God this is going to be a number one isn't it? Marching drums and don't join the army and he does and gets killed and why is everybody dying in pop music just now?

9 March 1974

ARETHA FRANKLIN: Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)/If You Don't Think (Atlantic K 10399)

Exceptional interpretation of a Stevie Wonder song - good to have Aretha back.

CANDLEWICK GREEN: Who Do You Think You Are?/Fingers In Your Ears (Decca F R 13480)

From Opportunity Knocks. Edison Lighthouse having a go at "Thus Spake Zarathustra."

BARRY BLUE: School Love/Hi-Cool Woman (Bell 1345)

I like the school bell doubling up with the drums, but the rest of the song seems to be stuck in 1958.

THE NEW SEEKERS: I Get A Little Sentimental Over You/Ride A Horse (credited to "Peter Paul and Marty") (Polydor 2058 439)

I think they're splitting up and it's like they're standing on the quay like Vera Lynn, waving off the soldiers.

16 March 1974

QUEEN: Seven Seas Of Rhye/See What A Fool I've Been (EMI 2121)

I knew they were going to have a hit sooner or later - "Keep Yourself Alive" should have been big. This is like a re-energised edition of the Sweet; the piano rocks the song along as firmly as the guitar, and great unexpected Blackpool singalong fadeout to prove they don't take themselves too seriously.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN: Long Live Love/Angel Eyes (Pye International 7N 25638)

Poor old Olivia. In the U.S.A. she's a respected country singer who makes credible records like "Let Me Be There" but in miserable old Britain they make her sing oompah-oompah drivel about the Salvation Army for Eurovision because British people are stupid. This won't win.

BROWNSVILLE STATION: Smokin' In The Boy's (sic) Room/Barefootin' (Philips 6073 834)

American rock hit about how naughty they are. I bet they voted for Nixon.

ROBERT KNIGHT: Everlasting Love/Never My Love (Monument MNT 2016)

The original version of Love Affair which is OK but I think Love Affair understood better how pop works.

THE CARPENTERS: Jambalaya (On The Bayou)/Mr Guder (A&M AMS 7098)

Bouncy Hank Williams cover version for country fans who liked "Top Of The World." The other side is don't tell me what to do teacher which I can identify with.

23 March 1974

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA: Ma-Ma-Ma Belle/Oh No Not Susan (Warner Bros K 16349)

No strings, but very strong rocker. Sounds like Jeff Lynne wants a bit of Wizzard's action.

THE GLITTER BAND: Angel Face/You Wouldn't Leave Me Would You? (Bell 1348)

Without "The Leader" which is probably to their advantage since they can concentrate on rocking more when the pantomime horse isn't at the front. Comes out of "Baby Face" very obviously but this is pretty strong with its beats and power.

DIANA ROSS & MARVIN GAYE: You Are Everything/Include Me In Your Life (Tamla Motown TMG 890)

Exquisite Thom Bell/Stylistics cover, all swirling dreams, though Marvin sounds more hurt than Diana.

TERRY JACKS: Seasons In The Sun/Put The Bone In (Bell 1344)

Number one in the U.S.A. and certain to do the same here. He is from Canada and used to be in the Poppy Family. He sings about dying like he's clinging on to life, which I presume is the point. I wish people could be happier. It doesn't make me feel any better.

HOT CHOCOLATE: Emma/Makin' Music (RAK 168)

The same story - they get together, she's going to be a big star but he can't make it happen. The ending of this song is so bleak; Errol Brown just starts screaming until the fade-out. Is this what happens to children when they grow up? I'm not looking forward to growing up if it is.

 

30 March 1974

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS: Listen To The Music/Toulouse Street (Warner Bros K 16208)

Johnnie Walker must be happy this is a hit and so am I - it rolls along very nicely.

MOTT THE HOOPLE: The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll/Rest In Peace (CBS 2177)

Not their best.

BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS: (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock/Rip It Up/Shake, Rattle And Roll (MCA 128)

This has come back because it's in a film called American Graffiti, set at the beginning of the sixties about a bunch of teenagers before they go to Vietnam or something. Old people will like this.

GARY GLITTER: Remember Me This Way/It's Not A Lot (But It's All I Got) (Bell 1349)

He's sticking with the ballads and I wish he wouldn't. The Glitter Band sound like a robot brass band behind him.