The Dutch band George Baker Selection's 5th studio album contains the hit Paloma Blanca, an Abba style pop rock song.  Does this cover scream 70's, or what! (click on the image for a close up). The soundtrack for Reservoir Dogs has their song Little Green Bag, which is a great song, but unfortunately nothing like it is repeated on this album. Hey, that is just my opinion, not my type of music really.

Long John Baldry, the 10th solo album by John William Baldry, released in 1980, just two years after becoming a Canadian citizen. At 6'7" the Long John nickname is certainly appropriate.  He played with many bands in the 60's in England before starting a solo career, even fronting bands with such musicians as Rod Stewart and Elton John at different times.  His style on this album, which is all covers, is folk/blues and pop.
I like his version of the Bonnie Dobson song Morning Dew.

Morphing from a backing band for Ronnie Hawkins to the touring band with Dylan, and then after recording the Basement Tapes (to come later in this blog) they formally became The Band. Music From Big Pink,  is their debut album and consists of songs written by Dylan & The Band members, except for their cover of Long Black Veil. Any Dylan or The Band fan should have this in their collection.  I am a big fan of debut albums of artists that I really like, as they often portrays the essence of who they really are musically.  An extremely influential album, another must have  for any serious collector.  My copy is the original gatefold on Capitol colourband label, SKAO 2955, released in 1968, in strong VG+ condition both media and cover. This is an album that for me is collectible both musically and for it's value, so I looked for an original release in good condition. Front cover art by Bob Dylan.

Just a taste...

The double live album Rock of Ages, recorded in the final days of 1971 at the Academy of Music in New York City, is a great example of The Band in concert. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Wheels of Fire, The Weight, The Shape I'm In, Life is a Carnival...it has them all!
Capitol SABB 11045, first release on Orange label which Capitol switched to in mid '72.  Another Robert Ludwig mastered LP at Sterling Sound.

My first purchase of The Band, probably around '78 at a used record store in Toronto. Released in '76, The Best of, is exactly that, and a good introduction to their music.  This first press is Mastered By Capitol by Wally Traugott (wly in deadwax), another great mastering engineer.