40 Year Itch: Campus Report for Late August 1973

As reported to Billboard Magazine for their August 25, 1973 issue.

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WTUL -FM

Tulane University

Blues rock supergroup West, Bruce and Laing ( made up of two members of Mountain and Jack Bruce of Cream) are getting the most airplay at Tulane. The Section is a band comprised of session musicians who played on all the great 70's singer songwriters albums. Sunflower is one of vibraphonist Milt Jackson's best selling jazz albums.

1. West Bruce and Laing : Whatever Turns You On

2. The Section: Forward Motion

3. Milt Jackson: Sunflower

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KALX-FM

U. California Berkeley

Coulson, Dean, McGuiness and Flint created a sensation by recording Dylan tunes before they were released on his Basement Tapes album. The Etta James album has already been featured this month. The Andrews Sisters enjoyed a revival when Bette Midler had a hit with their "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"

1. Coulson Dean McGuinness, Flint : Lo and Behold

2. Etta James : Etta James

3. Andrews Sisters : Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

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WUAL-FM

University of Alabama

Bloodshot was the best selling J Geils album until Freeze Frame came along. Don Nix was a songwriter and session musician who worked on the Concert for Bangladesh. George Harrison contribute some slide guitar on this album. Yeah contained Brownsville Station's biggest hit "Smokin in the Boys Room" which would peak at #3 later in the year.

1. The J Geils Band Bloodshot

2. Don Nix : Hobos, Heroes and Street Corner Clowns

3. Brownsville Station: Yeah!

40 Year Itch: Those We Missed from Nov '72

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I'm reading Neil Young's Waging Heavy Peace ( skip the first 50 pages and Neil starts to settle down and tell his story). I think it's fair to say Neil's the kind of guy who likes to have a lot of plates spinning at the same time. Journey Through the Past is the soundtrack to an experimental, critically panned concert film that wouldn't be seen for two more years. Unreleased on CD, among the best stuff is this seven minute Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young version of "Southern Man"

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With her debut, The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler introduces audience to the brassy, self-mocking "Bathhouse Betty" who first stole hearts in cabaret shows performed in NYC gay clubs. The album went Top 10 and remains a fan favorite.

 

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With the help of "Brand New Key" ( I got a brand new pair of roller skates/ You got a brand new key) , Melanie became Billboard's #1 Female Vocalist of 1972. Her follow-up, Stoneground Words, is the work of a mature, intelligent artist. Naturally nobody bought it. Yet , today it is often referred to as a great under-heard classic.



 

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Basically, Cream's Jack Bruce replaced a heroin addicted Felix Pappalardi on bass to form a new version of Mountain. But by changing their name, Leslie West, Jack Bruce and Corky Laing could renegotiate their record contract. The result was a whopping $1 Million/ Three Album deal. The label didn't care for the debut album enough to promote it but Why Doncha is worth a listen for those who like their riffs heavy and bass lines plodding.


 

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After years of recording albums on his own Takoma label, the inventive guitarist John Fahey released his first Reprise album in November of 1972. Of Rivers And Religion would be selected as one of top ten albums of the year by Time Magazine and Robert Christgau says it's Fahey's best but most critics weren't so kind.
I haven't found the time or desire to get to know all of Fahey's work. To me it sounds as good as anything else I've heard him do.