Isaac Hayes, Black Moses, 1971 on Enterprise

This double LP was Hayes’ fifth studio album and was the follow-up to Shaft. Wonderful covers of “Never Can Say Goodbye” as well as “Close To You” and “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.”

Reportedly the label exec Dino Woodward called Hayes “Black Moses.” The Bar-Kays are here on a few tracks, otherwise the band known as The Isaac Hayes Movement.

My copy is the 2024 reissue by Vinyl Me Please and Craft Recordings, on blue vinyl with listening notes by Andrew Winistorfer and a fold-out poster mimicking the original album cover gatefold in the shape of a cross.

#1970s #1971 #2024 #andrewWinistorfer #enterprise #isaacHayes #isaacHayesMovement #reissue #soul #theBarKays #vinyl #vinylMePlease #vinylcollection

Nilsson, Pussy Cats, 1974 on RCA Victor

I first came to discover Harry Nilsson via The Point!, the fable accompanied by an animated film adaptation that aired on ABC in 1971. (I was too young for it at the time but came upon it later). I then came to realize all the songs he was responsible for and how deep and broad his influence was in particular in early 70s American pop.

The Beatles identified Nilsson back in 1968 as their favorite American group, and Nilsson was friends with John Lennon and Ringo Star, with Lennon sharing producer credit on this album – recorded during his “lost weekend.”

Many covers on this LP – “Many Rivers to Cross,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” even “Rock Around the Clock” – and lots of guest musicians from that early 70s scene. Makes for a fun listen and love the packaging here with booklet, print, and gatefold.

My copy—direct from Vinyl Me, Please—is the 2020 reissue on purple split vinyl in the Essentials track with listening notes by Andrew Winistorfer and an “art print” by Alan Hynes. (A 50th anniversary edition, as well).

#1970s #1974 #50thAnniversary #AlanHynes #AndrewWinistorfer #JohnLennon #LostWeekend #Nilsson #RCAVictor #Reissue #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseEssentials #vinylcollection

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Texas Flood, 1983 on Epic

Hard to believe given how fully formed the sound is, but this was the debut album for Vaughan and Double Trouble. Said to have been recorded in two days with no overdubs.

What a fantastic debut: “Love Struck Baby,” “Pride and Joy,” and the title track lead off side one. The band here is Vaughan with Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums – John Hammond as Executive Producer, with Richard Mullen and Vaughan sharing Producer credit.

My copy is the 2023 Vinyl Me, Please reissue, E125 in the Essentials track, on what they call “Pride & Joy” split vinyl (black and white), with listening notes by Andrew Winistorfer. Excellent pressing of a great album.

#1980s #1983 #AndrewWinistorfer #Blues #ChrisLayton #JohnHammondJr #Reissue #RichardMullen #StevieRayVaughan #StevieRayVaughanAndDoubleTrouble #TommyShannon #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseEssentials #vinylcollection

Willie Nelson, Phases and Stages, 1974 on Atlantic

This was Nelson’s 17th studio album and second (and last) of the Atlantic era, following Shotgun Willie, produced by Jerry Wexler and recorded at Muscle Shoals in Alabama.

As the listening notes explain, while Nelson disclaimed the autobiographical elements of the record, “when you make . . . the most devastating divorce record of all time – and have been beaten by an ex-wife after she’s sewn you into your sheets – people begin to believe the album is about you and your ex-wives.”

My copy is the 2024 Vinyl Me, Please Essentials edition (E135) on “bloody mary marble” with listening notes by Andrew Winistorfer (who also wrote for the Anthology collection The Story of Willie Nelson) with additional artwork by Mike MItchell.

#1970s #1974 #AndrewWinistorfer #Atlantic #Country #JerryWexler #MikeMItchell #MuscleShoals #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseEssentials #vinylcollection #WillieNelson

David Porter, . . . Into A Real Thing, 1971 on Enterprise

Porter was the staff songwriter for Stax – this was his second full length LP issued under his name, following up Gritty, Groovy, & Gettin’ It. Enterprise was a sub-label of Stax, which also released the early Isaac Hayes solo albums. (Apparently label president Al Bell was a Star Trek fan).

Wonderful early 70s Stax/Volt style funk/soul. Love that the green hat from the gatefold is also on the bed post in the rear cover. Isaac Hayes gets arranger and producer credit on “I Don’t Want To Cry.”

My copy is a 2023 Vinyl Me, Please Classics reissue, made by Craft Recordings, with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and a listening notes booklet by Andrew Winistorfer.

#1970s #1971 #2023 #AlBell #AndrewWinistorfer #craftRecordings #DavidPorter #enterprise #isaacHayes #Reissue #RyanSmith #Soul #Stax #SterlingSound #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseClassics #vinylcollection

Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers, Natural Boogie, 1974 on Alligator Records

Second record from Hound Dog Taylor and his band, originally issued as AL 4704. The band her includes Ted Harvey on drums and Brewer Phillips on 2nd guitar, with Hound Dog Taylor on lead guitar and vocals. (Their debut LP had been the first release on newly-formed Alligator in 1971).

Great electrified Chicago blues. Unfortunately Taylor died in 1975 so the band’s recorded output is limited, but this one plus the debut are well worth picking up if you get a chance.

My copy is the 2023 Vinyl Me Please Reissue, C076 in the Vinyl Me Please Classics Series, with listening notes by Andrew Winistorfer and lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound

#1970s #1974 #AlligatorRecords #AndrewWinistorfer #Blues #Chicago #HoundDogTaylor #RyanSmith #Sterling #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseClassics #vinylcollection

Waylon Jennings, The Taker / Tulsa, 1971 on RCA/Victor

Love this early 70s Waylon Jennings. It’s only 30 minutes long but has great takes on some Kris Kristofferson tunes like “Lovin’ Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”

It was recorded at RCA “Nashville Sound’ studio and in LA, and produced by Danny Davis and Ronny Light.

My copy is the 2023 Vinyl Me Please Country release on Olive Green […]

#1970s #1971 #2023 #AndrewWinistorfer #Country #KrisKristofferson #nashville #Reissue #vinyl #vinylMePlease #VinylMePleaseCountry #vinylcollection #WaylonJennings

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