His Band And The Street Choir/Tea For The Tillerman
This weekend ‘On The Turntable’ has a real treat for you … we are featuring two albums, from two very special artists, celebrating 50 years since their release … The program will begin with Van Morrison’s “His Band And Street Choir” and follow with “Tea For The Tillerman” from Cat Stevens.
His Band And The Street Choir
‘His Band And The Street Choir’, sometimes simply referred to as ‘Street Choir’, is the fourth studio album by Van Morrison. It was his second LP of the year, released this very weekend in 1970. Originally titled Virgo’s Fool, Street Choir was renamed by Warner Bros. without Morrison’s consent. The album is chock full of great songs, and delivered Morrison’s most popular song, Domino.
General reception to Street Choir was good … though it was regarded as inferior to Moondance, it has been mentioned by critics as better than 80% of the albums in your collection. I am finding that true today. I just purchased a 180-gram reissue for this program and I cannot take it off of my turntable … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers ‘Street Choir’ to be the 71st best album of 1970 and the 644th of the decade …. Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranked the album 43rd on its Top 100 list of 1970.
Notable Tracks – “Give Me A Kiss” “Domino” “Blue Money” “Crazy Face”
Tea For The Tillerman
Tea for the Tillerman is the fourth studio album by Cat Stevens, released in November 1970. This is one of my favorite albums. I have owned it since its release and have owned it on every format available. I even purchased the newly remixed 50th anniversary edition ‘Tea For The Tillerman Squared’ … released on blue vinyl. Make sure you check that out … Thefirst side of this album may be one of the best side ones in popular music … period.
‘Tea For The Tillerman’ was the second LP released by Stevens in 1970… It is such a fantastic album … a few weeks ago, after listening to the ‘Tillerman Squared’ I posted the question on social media … “Does anyone in music write so deeply and eloquently today?” Side two features one the finest written songs in pop music … Father and Son …. just a perfect song … Best Ever Albums Dot Com considers Tillerman to be 17th best lp of 1970 and the 114th of the decade … Digital Dream Door Dot Com ranked the album 18th on its Top 100 of the year list … You will also find Tea For The Tillerman listed in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Notable Tracks – “Father And Son” “Where To The Children Play” “Miles From Nowhere” “Hard Headed Woman”
Catch these two historic LPs “On The Turntable” – Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 7am on The Rewind 97.7FM and 1330AM. Also listen on line – www.kvol1330.com or on The Rewind App.