John Cougar/American Woman
This week, On The Turntable feature one rock lp from the late 70’s and another celebrating 50 years since its release … the program will begin with the eponymous John Cougar and then follow with The Guess Who’s “American Woman” that is celebrating 50 years since its release in January 1970.
John Cougar
John Cougar is the third studio album by John Mellencamp released under is then pseudonym “John Cougar”. If it weren’t for the single “I Need A Lover” becoming successful in Australia in 1978, this lp may not have happened at all. The song was featured on the lp “A Biography” that was not released in the U.S. – once it became a hit down under, Riva Records rush released the lp and gave Mellencamp his “John Cougar” moniker.
John Cougar has not fared well with critics, not after its release nor over time … However, I have always like this lp … A Little Night Dancin’ and Taxi Dancer are a couple of my favorites from the lp …. Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers John Cougar to be the 233rd best lp of 1979 … “I Need A Lover” was also released by Pat Benatar in 1980 on her lp “In The Heat Of The Night.”
American Woman is the sixth studio album from The Guess Who, released in January 1970. It was the last lp to feature lead guitarist Randy Bachman, who went on to create Bachman Turner Overdrive, until a reformation of the band in 1983. In addition to the title cut (the group’s most successful song), this album also includes the remake of “No Time,” and one my favorites “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature.
American Woman was The Guess Who’s most successful album reaching number nine on the American Album Charts, marking an ending and triumph for the group … I was able to see The Guess Who …. Growing up and living in Detroit this Canadian band did a free concert in the park that sits under the Canadian side of the Ambassador Bridge that connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers American Woman to be the 79th best album of 1970 … and if you look back at the lps that were released in that year … 79 isn’t bad.
Notable Tracks – “American Woman” “No Time” “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature”