Sleeper Debut Lps...70s classic rock


REO Speedwagon-Yes folks, there was an REO long before Kevin C. turned them into an arena, bubblegum hit machine...and this debut full of boogie rock goodness reflects that....if your vision of REO is corny power ballads...throw on "Sohpisticated Lady" and get down!

Black Oak Arkansas-Jim Dandy is an acquired taste...but on this release...his scratchy, hillbilly yelp is just right...greasy, naughty, and a bit weird in a Southern Bapist preacher way...this will clear a party...or start one....

Blue Oyster Cult...A long overlooked gem...as is Tyranny(2nd LP)...the tough, muscular, boogie machine of B.O.C. hits the head on this release...at times almost psychedelic...most times just darn mean...
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1970 Nick Drake Pink Moon. The reissue box set by Island/Universal is fantastic. Analog planet, Fremer did a review on it. Sound quality on that LP from analog tapes really hits benchmark quality.
Agree with captain Winters on Pink Moon. I have the LP that came out after the set. It really gets it right. Now for the nitpick- it's his third album. Still agree it should be mentioned here. He had so few records in his short. I think he passed away at 26, and not the cursed 27 like so many other great ones. Cheers -Don
big star....real vivid, clean production....great material to boot....Alex Chilton is god////
I've always been a fan a King Crimson. I do demos at RMAF and the like with the 2nd and 4th LPs in particular. Both are quite well recorded. I have original imports of both, but if you have an original American pressing they are quite good too!

After Pete Sinfield stopped offering 'visions' for the band, the sound changed rather dramatically. 'Lark's Tongues in Aspic' turned out to be an amazing album though.
Agree with you Phasecorrect regarding REO prior to their mainstream success. Both their first and 2nd albums are just great rock and roll in the best tradition of garage bands that really soared. Gary Richrath's raw guitar riffs is the REAL deal. Their recording of Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie" on the 2nd album is one of my favorite R&R cuts ever along with Zep's "Rock and Roll". Really great boogie piano featuring Neil Doughty with Boots Randolph doing a guest appearance on Alto Sax, and of course Richrath soaring on the final solo. Every other version I've heard of this classic is anemic compared to this one. It's amazing to me how this band's early works was off the radar as it is IMO their best. Check it out on YouTube.