in the 70s - Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

What are your top ten favorite albums from the 70s?

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 80s and 90s

10. Windsong by John Denver
John's best album in my opinion. "Fly Away", "Looking for Space", "Calypso".
9. Barry Manilow Live by Barry Manilow
Barry's first wave of fame this concert recorded in late 76/77 at the Uris theatre in NYC. I saw the final show 1/2/77. Barry has great camradre with his band and backup singers. Performances of many of the best of Barry's hits/and album tracks from 73-76. Includes: "DayBreak", "Could it be Magic/Mandy", "VSM Medley" (jingles), "New York City Rhythm".
8. Aloha Via Satelite by Elvis Presley
Elvis's 1973 concert which was televised live all over the world. though this album includes medley/short versions of his hits, This performance is not the best place to hear live versions of his hits (other than "Suspicous Minds" and "Burning Love" both of which are fantastic!) for that pick up his 1968 comeback cd which is the soundtrack to his 1968 tv special. This show best represents Elvis the balladeer and his live shows of that era. Best performances: "Burning Love", American Trilogy", "Fever", "My Way", Suspicious Minds".
7. Tapestry by Carole King
One of my very favorite albums. Virtually every song on this 1971 classic record was of 'hit' quality. Written and recorded by one of the best singer/songwriters of our time. "Its too late", "So Far Away", "I feel the Earth Move".
6. Chicago VIII by Chicago
"Wishing you were Here", "I've been searching so long", others
5. A Song For You by The Carppenters
Richard and Karen Carpenter were masters of producing great pop songs but this record was probably my favorite. Best tracks: "Top of the World", "A song for You", "Bless the Beasts and the Children", "Hurting Each Other"
4. The Plan by The Osmonds
Originally conceived as a spirtual message album by the Osmond brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Wayne, and Donny. However it is not about preaching. Instead the tracks are about searching for meaning in the world, and of course finding love. Best tracks: "Are you up there?", "in the Beginning", "Let me in", "Darlin", "Goin' Home".
3. Sound Magazine by The Partridge Family
Considered the "Sgt Partridge" album. Recorded by David Cassidy, talented studio musicians and backup singers and brilliantly produced by Wes Farrell. This music was geared towards pre-teenagers (now called Tweeenies) but is sensitive and includes alot of songs about loneliness and of course lost or unrequited love. Best tracks: ""I woke up in Love this Morning" (a top 10 hit in 1971), "One Night Stand", "Echo Valley 26809", "Summer Days", and "Love is all I ever Needed" which was penned by Cassidy & Farrell. Also pick up Partridge album, "Up to Date"
2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
It took me a while to fully appreciate the album as I was only 12 when it came out. But "Funeral for a Friend/Love lies Bleeding" is perhaps one of the best album openers ever; "Harmony", "Painted lady", "Candle in the Wind" and "Levon" are some of the best songs written in that era. Elton and his lyricist Bernie Taubin were the Lennon/McCartney of their time. This was the only 'cool' album I had a as a kid according to my brother. Of course each one of us defines what is 'cool'
1. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
Paul's best album with Wings a true triumph. Best songs are "Band on the Run", "No Words", "let me Roll it", "Bluebird" and "1985"

10. Rocks by Aerosmith
9. Get Your Wings by Aerosmith
8. Straight And Shooter by Bad Company
7. Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy
6. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
5. Bread Greatest Hits by Bread
4. Not Fragile by BTO
3. Livin´in The Material World by George Harrison
2. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
1. Bad Co by Bad Company

10. Black Sabbath by Paranoid
tony is amazing
9. The Who by Whos Next
8. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
do i even have to tell u
7. Axis Bold As Love by Hendrix
phycidelic
6. In Throughh The Out Door by Zeppelin
grarly stuff
5. Prescence by Led Zeppelin
awesome keyboards
4. The Song Remains The Same by Led Zeppelin
best live album of all time
3. Physical Grafitti by Led Zeppelin
kix ass
2. Houses Of The Holy by Led Zeppelin
i love this album
1. Led Zeppelin 4 by Led Zeppelin
one of the worlds greatest albums ever

10. Van Halen by Van Halen
9. Close To The Edge by Yes
8. Boston by Boston
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John And Company.
6. Ramones by Ramones
5. Bad Company by Bad Company
4. Live At Leeds by The Who
3. Abraxis by Santana
etc..
2. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Sonic zenith for these guys.
1. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
No contest.

10. Starsailor (1970) by Tim Buckley
Everytime I put this on..it blows my mind.
9. A Tribute To Jack Johnson (1971) by Miles Davis
2 songs a million things goin' on.
8. Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants (1979 by Stevie Wonder
Nothing Stevie has ever done comes close to this travelogue of sounds. Brilliant!
7. Physical Graffitti (1975) by Led Zeppelin
More Zep means better Zep!
6. High Class In Borrowed Shoes (1977) by Max Webster
Canada's greatest band & poet(Pye Dubois)This album is a 70's classic!
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Aussie Version) 1976 by AC/DC
Bon was a genius, this album is probably the most representative of said genius.
4. Cheap Trick (1977) by Cheap Trick
One of the most amazing debut albums ever.."In Color" is also great.
3. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (1974) by Genesis
The Band's incredible surreal N.Y.C. dreamscape
2. Deluxe (1975) by Harmonia
A beautiful shimmering 70's classic.
1. Future Games Or Bare Trees (1971/1972) by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac with Danny Kirwan were incredible..These 2 albums are Masterpieces.

10. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
9. Bad Company by Bad Company
Paul Rodgers voice is legendary, and is the perfect compliment to such driving rock as this. A pretty much flawless album.
8. Foreigner by Foreigner
The Mick Jones/Lou Gramm duo were unstoppable and this album was one of those few "instant classics" that you liked the first time you heard it. Every track rocks, and Lou Gramm has one of the greatest voices of all time.
7. Van Halen by Van Halen
Like I said earlier, with so many Brits on this list, I had to even things up with some Yanks. What better band to choose than the one that hit the scene like an atomic bomb in the late 70s? The first time I heard Eruption, I think I had a..ahem...personal eruption of my own. Mind blowing album, back when David Lee Roth didn't seem like a character from Sponge Bob Squarepants.
6. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Speaking of original voices. No bad EVER sounded like this guys, and though many have tired to emulate their sound, never will again. My favorite Zep albums were released in the 60s, thus didn't make the cut. But this is still a bombshell of an album with classic after classic.
5. Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Even though I love British rock, I got sick and tired of so few American bands making this cut. Aerosmith is all American, in your face, down and dirty, no apologies, nasty ass rock and roll. This album proves it.
4. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
As you can see from my list, originality is everything. Every band on here has been copied or stolen from multiple times. When most of these bands hit the scene, there was no precedent. No one, but NO ONE had ever heard a band like Black Sabbath before. They started a whole genre of music forever. Just an incredible effort here.
3. Hotel California by The Eagles
Genius songs by a band at the top of their game. Again, overplayed. But, there's a damn good reason. Does anyone NOT know all the lyrics to the title song?
2. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
The world had never heard anything like it. It's never been matched in its originality. Overplayed? Yes. But still a mind blowing explosion of creativity.
1. Strangers In The Night by UFO
Seminal live album from the most underrated rock band of all time. Michael Schenker in top form and wailing on guitar with a speed unmatched until Eddie Van Halen hit the scene. One listen to the album and you're astonished by the amount of range the band has. If you've never heard the 5 minute guitar solo from "Rock Bottom," you haven't lived. Still gives me goose bumps whenever I play it. Chock full of other gems that deserved more respect and radio play than they ever got.

10. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
One deserves to be in here, but was released a year too soon!
9. Frampton Comes Alive! by Peter Frampton
I was in the re-make A Star Is Born. It was filmed in Tempe, and ASU had an all-day concert where Frampton headlined. The crowd was used in the film.
8. What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits by Doobie Brothers
Groovy AND mature.
7. The Captain and Me by Doobie Brothers
Groovy.
6. Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Reelin' in the Years is a riff that EVERY guitar player just HAS to learn.
5. Rio Grande Mud by ZZ Top
Francene, Just Got Paid, and my band still covers Ko Ko Blue! Element115theBand.com
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
No matter what media music comes out on, this will be a staple...guaranteed sales forever.
3. Yessongs by Yes
Chris Squier is one of a kind.
2. Dreamboat Annie by Heart
Former Led Zep cover band (White Heart in Seattle). The difference? Heart could do it LIVE!
1. Boston by Boston
As evolutionary to music as The Matrix was to film.