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Let It Flow by Elvin Bishop (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Let It Flow
  • Group name: Elvin Bishop
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one
  • Label: Capricorn Records
  • Collection: Selman
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Let It Flow by Elvin Bishop

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I’ve never heard of Elvin Bishop and I would have thought that “elvin” was an adjective describing something elf-like, but it’s a given name.

What I expected

Country rock? There’s some country and western attire being worn on the album reverse, and some of the songs are credited to Merle Haggard and Hank Williams.

What it was actually like

Country rock was definitely an accurate description, but it’s incomplete, as there was a lot more than that going on: I heard lots of funk and blues, and I heard some soul. I heard echos of the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead. I heard an outstanding record that I recommend, with no bad songs!

Grade

5/5: love it

Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley by Robert Palmer (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley
  • Artist name: Robert Palmer
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley by Robert Palmer

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I remember Robert Palmer from VH1, back when I used to watch television in the XX century, but I don’t think I’ve heard anything he recorded before the 1980s.

What I expected

I associate Robert Palmer with 1980s new wave or synth-pop, but this record is from 1974, so I’m not really sure what to expect. Maybe disco?

What it was actually like

This wasn’t a disco record. I would say the dominant sound was actually funk, which I wouldn’t have guessed but which I guess makes some sense. I thought the title track Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley was a solid funk song.

There were also some very bluesy parts, like Blackmail. And at other times, I detected some reggae influence.

I liked this record!

Grade

4/5

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Photographs & Memories by Jim Croce (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Photographs & Memories
  • Artist name: Jim Croce
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one disc / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Photographs & Memories by Jim Croce

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I have heard of Jim Croce, but I don’t think my parents were fans of his because I don’t recall them ever playing his music around the house or in the car when I was growing up. The only song that I can definitely say I know is Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, and I’ve always liked it but never loved it.

What I expected

Singer-songwriter folk rock.

What it was actually like

It was definitely more country than I expected, which I thought was great. Besides Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, I also recognized Time in a Bottle, which was all right. I thought Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy), You Don’t Mess Around With Jim and Roller Derby Queen were all pretty solid.

As an introduction to Jim Croce, I liked this record a lot!

Grade

5/5

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So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: So Far
  • Group name: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Vinyl record album review)

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I know Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fairly well, and would definitely consider myself a fan (as well as a CSN fan and a Neil Young fan). I didn’t realize that this greatest hits record existed, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard all the songs on it.

What I expected

Pretty straightforward – it’s the greatest hits of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

What it was actually like

As expected!

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes is one of the most sublime and wonderful songs of its era. I’ve also long been a fan of Our House and Teach Your Children, and have always found Ohio somewhat catchy but also rather obnoxious.

Grade

4/5

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Caribou by Elton John (Vinyl record album review)

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Record basics

  • Album name: Caribou
  • Group name: Elton John
  • Year: 1974
  • Number of discs: one discs / two sides
  • Collection: Selman

Caribou by Elton John

My review

Level of familiarity before listening

I’m familiar with Elton John, though not a fan. I’ve never heard of this record or any of the songs on it.

What I expected

Piano, vocals, singer-songwriter soft rock.

What it was actually like

I don’t care for Elton John’s music or musical style (or non-musical style).

This record was bad. I didn’t enjoy listening to it and will not listen to it again.

Grade

1/5

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