I've got a few to add. Tales From Topographic Oceans by Yes. Steve Howe and Jon Anderson recorded four different tracks which weren't ideal for a full vinyl album. So Rick Wakeman suggested they either shortened the tracks and made it a single record or extend it into a double album. They went with option B which caused tension between Wakeman and Anderson, there was a load of extended keyboard parts which Rick Wakeman still refers to as 'padding', Wakeman also doesn't have anything nice to say about this album. This album is also the reason Rick Wakeman left the band after for about four years. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis. Peter Gabriel and his wife where going through a crisis with the birth of his daughter which was a difficult pregnancy. Peter Gabriel took the time out of recording the album to be with his wife which I believe some of the band members where against. Meanwhile there was the worry on whether Gabriel was going to leave the band. I also believe that there where some instrumentals that Steve Hackett had recorded which Peter Gabriel sang over which Steve was livid about. But as we know after this album Gabriel had left.
The Who’s “Who Are You” was certainly one. Keith Moon had just returned to live in London after spending 4 years in LA. During that time, Moon got pretty well pickled on booze. By the time the album sessions started in September of 1977, Keith Moon’s drumming was sub par as he was in poor health. There was much tension throughout the sessions. Daltrey at one point hit producer Glyn Johns…Glyn Johns eventually quit the session. Keith Moon didn’t even play on “Music Must Change” and because he was so inconsistent, Pete Townshend read him the riot act and even threatened to kick him out if the band. All in all. It was a mess…however, it was a big seller and the title track is classic. Unfortunately, the great sales are due in part because Keith died about a month after the album’s release. Not to Be Taken Away.
In addition to the Syd Barrett album, Pink Floyd's 'The Final Cut' would surely be another prime contender as it was the last Floyd album before Roger Waters quit the band, claiming that the Floyd were now '.... a spent force, creatively'! Rick Wright had been fired from the band after the completion of the previous album 'The Wall'. Nick Mason was ousted from the drums on at least one track on the album, whilst David Gilmour had to relinquish his co-producer credits at the behest of Waters, with Gilmour stating that an album full of reworked 'Wall' rejects was just not up to scratch. Apart from the Live 8 performancesome 20 years later, all four of them never all recorded together again, and the rift between Waters and Gilmour is probably worse now than it has been since the initial split. Such a shame for one of the greatest bands ever.
John love your videos. I live in Bushey in Hertfordshire close to the Grim’s Dyke Hotel which was the home of W.S. Gilbert. I would love you to do a video on Gilbert & Sullivan.
Apparently, Warren Beatty turned up at the Rock n Roll sessions, had a gun held to his head at one point, left the studio and did not return. I wonder why? As for the Smile album Brian did return to the project with Van Dyck Parks and members of The Wondermints to release a finished version of the album which, finally, gave us the masterpiece we had been dreaming of.
Great video John! If I may make a music recommendation, a new album by my favorite band came out last week, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard, it’s as though Wings had just listened to Pet Sounds, the album is called Everything Harmony by The Lemon Twigs! I know you don’t often talk about new music (neither do I) but an album like this only comes around every so often!
My personal contender would be Band On the Run by Paul McCartney & Wings. We all know the troubles McCartney & co. went through to complete this album without the two band members that quit the band right before McCartney, Linda and Denny Laine left for Lagos where the demo tapes were robbed etc. etc.
Ironic you mention Lennon’s version of Chuck Berry’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ as being a highlight on the Rock ‘n’ Roll album as it was of course that song which sparked the whole ill fated project off in the first place. The notorious mafia-affiliated ‘Octopus of the Industry’, Morris Levy, owned the copyright to the song and promptly sued Lennon for plagiarism claiming that the latter’s Come Together sounded suspiciously similar. Bang to rights Lennon eventually negotiated an ‘oldies’ album of rock standards as settlement (with most of the copyrights also being owned by Levy of course) resulting in the ‘Roots’ project. After further litigation between Levy and EMI over contractural rights the album ultimately became 1975’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’… Bonus fun fact: On the raw tapes of these Bacchanalian sessions a drunk Lennon cryptically dedicates the song ‘Just Because’ to ‘nipples’ at one point. Legend has it that ‘nipples’ is in fact _Carly Simon_ … 😉
Madcap Laughs is a great example. The follow up, Barrett, apparently was not much easier to produce. There are interesting interviews available on CZcams with the drummer for the session, Jerry Shirley (later of Humble Pie), in which he details some of the difficulties the musicians and producers (Gilmore and Wright) faced.
Some really good stories behind those albums. How about some video perhaps a ranking of Fleetwood Mac's albums prior to self titled from 75? My favorite is Them play on, but I should give the rest a new listen
If you own the Smile Sessions box set you can compile your own personal version of Smile.Thats what I did..The box is full of gems from Brians most creative period and the mastering is very good unlike some recent BB box set releases..
Ive always liked "famous last words" & "hearts & bones" from start to finish im probably the only who wasn't a great fan of " graceland " a lot of 60s & 70s artists tried to stay contemporary in the 80s by adopting the typical synthetic overblown production trends of that decade and it was everyone from neil young , bob dylan , bruce springsteen , stones , mccartney , zz top , david bowie , elton john i think they were forced to by their record companies otherwise they wouldnt sell records and they had to make videos so they could compete with duran duran and madonna but people who grew up with that think it's the greatest decade of music
I don't know if it is the kind of music you like, John but You and Me Both, the second and final album by Yazoo, and released in the summer of 1983, was really stressful for both parties, so it has it's own backstory.
John...Brian DID finish "Smile "....Look up "Brian Wilson Presents Smile " from 2004....Sold very well and it is stunning...Why do none of you in the VC on CZcams not seem to remember that.?..as I said, it sold quite well and was overwhelmingly positively reviewed.
oh i see it is credited under Brian Wilson....would you regard this as the difinitive finished article then? sorry just asking....seems that this is all we have so we should be thankful!!
@@johnheaton5667 Yes John....This is the finished article brought to you by the creators Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks....And I could (and have ) write thousands of words about how indescribably wonderful I feel this is.. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a series of songs is worth a whole lot more......enjoy....By the way, I am using my wife's Google account...My name is Terry Tutor....As Ringo says, Peace and Love
Its a bit off topic from the video subject, but I've gotta disagree with what you said about Smiley Smile not being a good album. I guess its personal opinions but I think it's absolutely delightful, brave and totally original. I think people get caught up in what they think the album should have been that they overlook the beauty of what was actually presented.
I've got a few to add.
Tales From Topographic Oceans by Yes. Steve Howe and Jon Anderson recorded four different tracks which weren't ideal for a full vinyl album. So Rick Wakeman suggested they either shortened the tracks and made it a single record or extend it into a double album. They went with option B which caused tension between Wakeman and Anderson, there was a load of extended keyboard parts which Rick Wakeman still refers to as 'padding', Wakeman also doesn't have anything nice to say about this album. This album is also the reason Rick Wakeman left the band after for about four years.
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis. Peter Gabriel and his wife where going through a crisis with the birth of his daughter which was a difficult pregnancy. Peter Gabriel took the time out of recording the album to be with his wife which I believe some of the band members where against. Meanwhile there was the worry on whether Gabriel was going to leave the band. I also believe that there where some instrumentals that Steve Hackett had recorded which Peter Gabriel sang over which Steve was livid about. But as we know after this album Gabriel had left.
I love ABBA - The Visitors ❤️
Very interesting. Great video, and thanks for sharing.
Great video, tx John!
Very interesting. I like Dirty Work. I was 7 when that came out, and a Stones-fan since as far back as I have any memories.
The Who’s “Who Are You” was certainly one. Keith Moon had just returned to live in London after spending 4 years in LA. During that time, Moon got pretty well pickled on booze. By the time the album sessions started in September of 1977, Keith Moon’s drumming was sub par as he was in poor health. There was much tension throughout the sessions. Daltrey at one point hit producer Glyn Johns…Glyn Johns eventually quit the session. Keith Moon didn’t even play on “Music Must Change” and because he was so inconsistent, Pete Townshend read him the riot act and even threatened to kick him out if the band. All in all. It was a mess…however, it was a big seller and the title track is classic. Unfortunately, the great sales are due in part because Keith died about a month after the album’s release. Not to Be Taken Away.
I didn't know that about 'Hearts and Bones', John. Apparently Lou Reed's 'Growing Up In Public' was something of an ordeal.
How about The Who's 'Lifehouse'?
In addition to the Syd Barrett album, Pink Floyd's 'The Final Cut' would surely be another prime contender as it was the last Floyd album before Roger Waters quit the band, claiming that the Floyd were now '.... a spent force, creatively'! Rick Wright had been fired from the band after the completion of the previous album 'The Wall'. Nick Mason was ousted from the drums on at least one track on the album, whilst David Gilmour had to relinquish his co-producer credits at the behest of Waters, with Gilmour stating that an album full of reworked 'Wall' rejects was just not up to scratch. Apart from the Live 8 performancesome 20 years later, all four of them never all recorded together again, and the rift between Waters and Gilmour is probably worse now than it has been since the initial split. Such a shame for one of the greatest bands ever.
Yes I agree although James Griffiths had covered 'The Final Cut' in his video so I didn't want to replicate!
John love your videos. I live in Bushey in Hertfordshire close to the Grim’s Dyke Hotel which was the home of W.S. Gilbert. I would love you to do a video on Gilbert & Sullivan.
Apparently, Warren Beatty turned up at the Rock n Roll sessions, had a gun held to his head at one point, left the studio and did not return. I wonder why?
As for the Smile album Brian did return to the project with Van Dyck Parks and members of The Wondermints to release a finished version of the album which, finally, gave us the masterpiece we had been dreaming of.
Great video John! If I may make a music recommendation, a new album by my favorite band came out last week, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard, it’s as though Wings had just listened to Pet Sounds, the album is called Everything Harmony by The Lemon Twigs! I know you don’t often talk about new music (neither do I) but an album like this only comes around every so often!
Good stuff John. "Annoyance" was the word you were looking for...
Yes sorry Otto…my English let me down here…been away from the UK too long if that’s any excuse (27 years!)
@@johnheaton5667 on that matter, I'm curious John, is Hungarian a difficult language to learn?
My personal contender would be Band On the Run by Paul McCartney & Wings. We all know the troubles McCartney & co. went through to complete this album without the two band members that quit the band right before McCartney, Linda and Denny Laine left for Lagos where the demo tapes were robbed etc. etc.
Interesting topic containing information I was unaware of.
Really good, interesting video John. When I first saw the title I thought of Yes Please! by The Happy Mondays
John your a great Rock historian...enjoy the stories.
Ironic you mention Lennon’s version of Chuck Berry’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ as being a highlight on the Rock ‘n’ Roll album as it was of course that song which sparked the whole ill fated project off in the first place.
The notorious mafia-affiliated ‘Octopus of the Industry’, Morris Levy, owned the copyright to the song and promptly sued Lennon for plagiarism claiming that the latter’s Come Together sounded suspiciously similar. Bang to rights Lennon eventually negotiated an ‘oldies’ album of rock standards as settlement (with most of the copyrights also being owned by Levy of course) resulting in the ‘Roots’ project. After further litigation between Levy and EMI over contractural rights the album ultimately became 1975’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’…
Bonus fun fact: On the raw tapes of these Bacchanalian sessions a drunk Lennon cryptically dedicates the song ‘Just Because’ to ‘nipples’ at one point. Legend has it that ‘nipples’ is in fact _Carly Simon_ … 😉
Madcap Laughs is a great example. The follow up, Barrett, apparently was not much easier to produce. There are interesting interviews available on CZcams with the drummer for the session, Jerry Shirley (later of Humble Pie), in which he details some of the difficulties the musicians and producers (Gilmore and Wright) faced.
How nice to see G&S included in the mix! The best English composing partnership pre-Lennon & McCartney.
Queen's Innuendo, that must've been difficult
Some really good stories behind those albums.
How about some video perhaps a ranking of Fleetwood Mac's albums prior to self titled from 75? My favorite is Them play on, but I should give the rest a new listen
If you own the Smile Sessions box set you can compile your own personal version of Smile.Thats what I did..The box is full of gems from Brians most creative period and the mastering is very good unlike some recent BB box set releases..
Ive always liked "famous last words" & "hearts & bones" from start to finish im probably the only who wasn't a
great fan of " graceland " a lot of 60s & 70s artists tried to stay contemporary in the 80s by adopting the typical synthetic overblown production trends of that decade and it was everyone from neil young , bob dylan , bruce springsteen , stones , mccartney , zz top , david bowie , elton john i think they were forced to by their record companies otherwise they wouldnt sell records and they had to make videos so they could compete with duran duran and madonna but people who grew up with that think it's the greatest decade of music
I don't know if it is the kind of music you like, John but You and Me Both, the second and final album by Yazoo, and released in the summer of 1983, was really stressful for both parties, so it has it's own backstory.
John...Brian DID finish "Smile "....Look up "Brian Wilson Presents Smile " from 2004....Sold very well and it is stunning...Why do none of you in the VC on CZcams not seem to remember that.?..as I said, it sold quite well and was overwhelmingly positively reviewed.
Why is it not on Spotify? Only the Sessions from what I can see…where do I find the ‘finished’ album?
oh i see it is credited under Brian Wilson....would you regard this as the difinitive finished article then? sorry just asking....seems that this is all we have so we should be thankful!!
@@johnheaton5667 czcams.com/play/PLhinduWcIKtFcHEDIQPXXdbFGT8gxTKF1.html...there it is John. ..love your channel
@@johnheaton5667 Yes John....This is the finished article brought to you by the creators Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks....And I could (and have ) write thousands of words about how indescribably wonderful I feel this is.. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a series of songs is worth a whole lot more......enjoy....By the way, I am using my wife's Google account...My name is Terry Tutor....As Ringo says, Peace and Love
@@juliatutor8099 thanks Terry!
4:57 Bowie wasn't at Live Aid USA, don't you mean Tina Turner by any chance?
Sorry you're right, although the Bowie / Jagger 'Dancing In The Street' was released at the time as part of the overall Live Aid thing.
@@johnheaton5667 fair enough, understandable.
Wrong, Bowie was at Live Aid. I remember…plus, check it out on CZcams.
@@drummer78he was at Live Aid he just wasn't at the one in Philadelphia he was at the one in Wembley.
Warren Zevon’s final album pretty much was hell to record, for obvious reasons I suppose. Really one of his best.
Dirty work was least fav Stones album John not good at all interesting selection sir
Its a bit off topic from the video subject, but I've gotta disagree with what you said about Smiley Smile not being a good album. I guess its personal opinions but I think it's absolutely delightful, brave and totally original. I think people get caught up in what they think the album should have been that they overlook the beauty of what was actually presented.