Pitchfork put out their
top 100 albums of the 1970s (based on their group of writers) and it's an interesting list with a bunch of lesser known albums mixed in there among the usual suspects. I thought I'd go through a list of 10 recommended folk rock tracks from their list. The first half of the list follows, the rest to come soon:
1. Neil Young -
After the Gold Rush - 1970
Though the songs
Southern Man and
After the Gold Rush are the most well known along with the studio cut of
Don't Let it Bring You Down (overshadowed by the
4-Way Street live version), I think the opening track
Tell Me Why, doesn't get quite enough credit.
2. Joni Mitchell -
Blue - 1971
This is such a unified and cultural bedrock album, it's hard to single out any tracks, since they all work together. If I had to pick, though, I'd say
This Flight Tonight and
California make my hair tingle the most.
3. Harry Nilsson -
Nilsson Schmilsson - 1971
Just one word:
Coconut. Sort of like some of the daffier songs on Ram.
4. George Harrison -
All Things Must Pass - 1970
Every now and then I wonder if I'm only the one who loves the song
Apple Scruffs ? The other highlights of this massive formerly triple vinyl album include
My Sweet Lord,
What is Life,
If Not for You, and
All Things Must Pass.
5. Pink Floyd -
Meddle - 1971
Catching Pink Floyd in the post-Syd Barrett transition between Atom Heart Mother and Dark Side of the Moon, this album is probably the only Pink Floyd album with Gilmour's folksy side ( wonderfully realized on his third solo album
On An Island ) getting some of the limelight. The pastoral track
Fearless has always been one of my favorites.
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