5 Wonderful Albums Released 55 Years Ago This Month

We have to say that this batch of anniversary albums is particularly strong. Pretty much nothing but Hall of Famers and legends on this list from August 1970. It must have been quite special to be around at that time as these monumental LPs arrived.

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The good thing, of course, is that you can always listen to them at your leisure whenever you want without traveling back in time. Let’s look back at the best of the best in the album world from 55 years ago this month.

‘Stage Fright’ by The Band

It’s a bit of a crime that this August 1970 record doesn’t get the same kind of acclaim as The Band’s first two albums. Perhaps that’s because it’s a bit more downcast. Stage Fright often takes a dim view of the present instead of a sepia-toned look at the past. Still, the songwriting, which is much more Robbie Robertson-centric than the first two albums, is razor sharp. Rick Danko (on the title track) and Richard Manuel (on “The Shape I’m In”) expertly embody the wear and tear of life on the road. Closing track “The Rumor” warns of the perils of gossip. Even the myths (“Daniel And The Sacred Harp”), while still rendered with grace and beauty, have unhappy endings.

‘Eric Clapton’ by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton opened up his first solo album with an instrumental (“Slunky”). Granted, it’s a barnburner. But that choice tells you something about his ambivalence about stepping into the vocal spotlight. He need not have worried. On songs like “Don’t Know Why”, he does an excellent job sliding into a blues-soul vocal pocket. Most of these songs charge ahead with ramshackle momentum, as Clapton is joined by many of the folks who would come along when he formed Derek & The Dominos. As for his writing, songs like “Bad Boy” and “Blues Power” are so well-executed that you might think they’re old chestnuts instead of originals.

‘Sunflower’ by The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys were trying to find themselves in the midst of Brian Wilson’s retreat from the pressures of being a supergenius when they made this record. Several versions of the album were rejected by record labels, showing how little cachet they possessed at that point. Which makes it all the more wondrous that Sunflower came out sounding as solid as it does. Dennis Wilson steps to the fore with some of the finest tracks, including the funky “Slip On Through” and the heart-tugging “Forever.” Brian adds one bona fide classic in the lushly melodic “Add Some Music To Your Day”. Overall, Sunflower makes a great case for the depth of talent within the band.

‘Signed, Sealed & Delivered’ by Stevie Wonder

Wonder was still very much operating within the protective (and somewhat constricting) shell of Motown on this August 1970 record. Even though that’s the case, you can hear some of the dynamism that would characterize his brilliant run later in the 70s, most notably on the ferociously imaginative cover of “We Can Work It Out”. Some of the songs that take on social ills are more well-meaning than effective. But when the material is there, Wonder elevates it to dizzying levels. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” is a thrilling workout. And “Don’t Wonder Why” stands as one of his most unheralded love-gone-wrong songs.

‘A Question Of Balance’ by The Moody Blues

After being defined somewhat by their 1967 breakthrough Days Of Future Passed, The Moody Blues labored to break free of their restrictive status as the torchbearers for orchestral rock. This record helped them to shake free a bit by concentrating on simplified songwriting. Instead of going whole-hog with the horns and strings, Mike Pinder’s synths and Mellotron handle a lot of the musical embellishment. One dreamy track blends into another, but several individual moments stand out. Justin Hayward’s “Question” epically segues between tender balladry and pomp rock, while Pinder’s “Melancholy Man” doles out a touching character sketch.

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