1974: Best Albums Turning Fifty this Year
By Ella Bernard
Even in the midst of the Watergate scandal, a Wall Street crash, and the tailend of the Vietnam War, 1974 was still a year for music. These albums even after a half-century still amass new followings and become favourites of the younger generations, proving they are still hard hitting, as if recalling first listens like it was the mid-70s once again.
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Court and Spark - Joni Mitchell
Court and Spark, released in January of ‘74 debuted a jazzier Mitchell. It is her most commercially successful album, reaching no. 2 in the USA and no. 1 in Canada, eventually going double platinum. This album was an opportunity for expansion and growth for the folk artist, who called in friends in the LA scene to support her growing interest in jazz fusion, including the Crusaders, L.A. Express, Jose Feliciano, David Crosby, and past lover Graham Nash. Even Cheech & Chong provided backup vocals for ‘Twisted’. The album illustrates the revelry of the LA party scene, fueled by a shift en masse from marijuana to cocaine. The album is reflectory towards a vast cast of paramours, from Jack Nicholson to Warren Beatty. Mitchell is a dexterous crafter of “not love songs but songs about love,” as told by one reviewer of the album. How she intertwines themes of pain, partying, love, and loss is still enthralling to the many who are still listening.
Fulfillingness’ First Finale - Stevie Wonder
Fulfillingness’ First Finale was the third instalment in a three year run of legendary albums from Stevie Wonder, with Talking Book in ‘72 and Innervisions in ‘73. The tongue twister of an album took home three Grammys, for Best Album, Best Male Pop Vocal, and Best Male R&B Performance for the beloved hit ‘Boogie on Reggae Woman’. The album includes a sharp commentary, with one track offering a window into turbulent political times, with the Nixon trials occurring earlier in ‘74, in ‘You Haven’t Done Nothin’, which features backing vocals from the Jackson 5. In the early 70s, Wonder was a household name and American sweetheart. Nobody could seem to get enough of his buttery voice nor soul-funk sound. It's no secret that Wonder is a musical genius, and his vast discography delivers a consistent excellence for listeners to delve into, fifty years on.
Jolene - Dolly Parton
Jolene features the culturally beloved and time and time again covered hits ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘Jolene’, both of which transcend the borders of country music. Hits from Jolene have been covered by artists from Elvis to Beyonce. ‘Jolene’ in particular is a prolific anthem; its earworm folk lick is never unwelcome. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’s never heard it. Whitney Houston’s 1992 cover of ‘I Will Always Love You’ remains to be the best selling single by a female solo artist of all time. It's impossible to discern which rendition is more heart-wrenching. When Dolly Parton wrote ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’ (on the same day, she claims) she could have little idea of the acclaim that would follow in the next 50 years. It's always a good time when Dolly Parton is playing on the radio. The album is almost entirely self written, spotlighting Dolly’s force as one of the strongest lyricists of all time. She attributes her pride in songwriting success to entering a zone where it's just “God and [her].” Nobody does it like Dolly Parton as is evident through the golden Jolene.
Late for the Sky - Jackson Browne
This 1974 album, unlike some underdog albums on this list, is regarded as the artist at their best. Late for the Sky is Browne’s “most mature, unified” work according to Rolling Stone, and a “masterpiece” according to Bruce Springsteen. The title track is featured in Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. Other tracks from the album have been covered by artists spanning genres, notably by Joan Baez on several of her albums. Browne wrote Late for the Sky diving deep into the growing pains of adulthood and relationships poignantly from his childhood home in LA. Arguably there’d be no better place to confront these uncomfortable feelings head on, explaining the honesty with which Browne was able to articulate these sentiments. He captures this overarching uncertain, overwhelming, and sometimes apocalyptic feeling both lyrically and musically. The album’s upbeat songs feel out of place in energy, but follow suit thematically, like ‘Walking Slow’ with lyrics “Don't know why I'm happy, I’ve got no reason to feel this good,” followed up by home kicking ‘Before the Deluge, that uses the end of a relationship as a shovel to dig into self-removal from the certainty of youth. Late for the Sky has become a prized record, with the Library of Congress pinpointing it for conservation for its contributions culturally, historically, and aesthetically. The album showcases Browne’s ability to see through the fog and into complex themes. It's unornamented, unpretentious, and has been a resting place for those feeling uncertain since its release.
Diamond Dogs - David Bowie
Diamond Dogs is the frankenstein child of several of Bowie's projects, including a musical based on Ziggy Stardust, an adaptation of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, and a scenario based on the writings of postmodern author William S. Burroughs, coming together to form one of the many intricate, worldbuilding albums we have come to know Bowie for. Despite its disjointed origins, it not only works but feels complete, leaving listeners to wonder how these projects may have been realised had they not been scrapped or cut short. This was Bowie’s first album without his backing band, Spiders from Mars, and the first album that Bowie himself played lead guitar on. It’s yet another instance of his lyrical capability and dexterous guitar work. Diamond Dogs also inspired one of the most prolific and elaborate tours of Bowie’s career. The album is as proto-punk and as raw as it is lewd and orwellian, and cited as a key moment in his turn towards glam rock. Even beyond the commercial golden child ‘Rebel Rebel’ and the more cult favourite ‘Sweet Thing’, Diamond Dogs is Bowie through and through, uniquely him, and not to be overlooked.
Red - King Crimson
Red, King Crimson’s seventh studio album, is a guiding star for 70s progressive rock. Although by the time the album was released the band “ceased to exist” in terms of lineup according to founder Robert Fripp, the album’s influence has reverberated through the past five decades, influencing artists from Rush to Kurt Cobain. The Fripp/Bruford/Wetton lineup reaches an apex with Red, going all out in what Fripp thought would be the band’s last gesture. It's desperate, heavy, and culminating. As a last breath for this iteration of King Crimson, Red shows off the exceptional collaboration between these musicians despite internal conflict.
From the Mars Hotel - Grateful Dead
From The Mars Hotel may not be the favourite child of deadheads compared to Workingman’s Dead or American Beauty. Perhaps this album doesn't feel as fleshed out as those two or tell as complete a story from start to finish. The studio album features a few songs that really came to life on stage, making the studio recordings appear to fall flat by comparison, but the album certainly has its strong moments, garnering a cult following within the audience. Two tracks on the album, ‘Pride of Cucamonga’ and, one of my favourite Dead songs, ‘Unbroken Chain’ were written by the recently dearly departed Phil Lesh, and feature Lesh’s only vocal performances on a studio recording. From the Mars Hotel is without a doubt a cultural capsule for a time when the Grateful Dead began selling out stadiums, and marks a noteworthy year.
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More great 1974 albums to check out:
Walls and Bridges - John Lennon
Okie - J.J. Cale
Todd - Todd Rundgren
On the Beach - Neil Young
Feats Don’t Fail Me Now - Little Feat
Hollies - The Hollies
Perfect Angel - Minnie Riperton