5 Amazing Albums Released 50 Years Ago Today

If you were around 50 years ago, and were old enough to be conscious of the new music being released, you’re a lucky individual. June 1975 proved a particularly fertile time for excellent albums to come down the pike.

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And if you’re new to these albums, well, you have a lot of excellence waiting for your listening pleasure. Here are five outstanding LPs that made their debuts a half-century ago this month.

‘The Basement Tapes’ by Bob Dylan and The Band

Technically, the music that comprises this hallowed double LP was recorded circa 1967-68. And many music fans had been listening to it for a while via rock’s most famous bootleg. But Bob Dylan and The Band decided they might as well finally get credit for all of it (and get paid for it as well).

Musicologists might quibble about the fact that many of the Band-only songs weren’t recorded during the Big Pink sessions. But does that really matter? It means you’re getting brilliant Band songs like “Katie’s Been Gone” and “Bessie Smith”. That’s on top of wild, wondrous Dylan classics like “Goin’ To Acapulco”, “Million Dollar Bash”, and “Tears Of Rage”.

‘One Of These Nights’ by The Eagles

Most folks regard Hotel California as the Eagles’ masterwork. We’re on board with that. But the June 1975 album One Of These Nights doesn’t lag too far off that pace. It’s the band’s last album with Bernie Leadon, who goes out with the mystical instrumental “Journey Of The Sorcerer” and the benedictory closing track “I Wish You Peace”.

The band sinks its teeth into the R&B grooves of the hit title track. But they also hold down their position as country-rock’s ace balladeers on “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Hollywood Waltz”. The latter is one of their most underrated tracks. “After The Thrill Is Gone”, featuring Glenn Frey’s effortlessly soulful lead vocals, can make a similar claim.

‘Tonight’s The Night’ by Neil Young

Gritty, grimy, and fearlessly unpolished, this record sat around for a few years before it finally saw its release. Because the songs were purposely left in a raw state, there wasn’t much chance that any of them were going to break through like other Young tracks.

As a result, Tonight’s The Night confounded some fans and critics at the time. You have to approach it in the spirit it was made, as an effort to purge the raw feelings Young was having about the deaths of a few close friends. Cool tracks, such as “Mellow My Mind” and “Lookout Joe”, will emerge if you’re willing to wallow with this LP a bit.

‘The Heat Is On’ by The Isley Brothers

Nobody found the sweet spot between soul, R&B, and funk with as much accuracy and regularity as The Isley Brothers did in the 70s. And they brought a big audience along with them on their journeys. The June 1975 record The Heat Is On went all the way to the top of the album charts.

Side One of this LP focuses on grittier, danceable tracks. “Fight The Power (Part 1 & 2)” is the fierce highlight there, and, yes, Chuck D must have been listening closely. Check out Side Two if you’re looking to do a little romancing. Three extended slow jams feature the band’s silky vocal blend resting atop lush instrumental beds.

‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ by War

This seven-piece band had developed a solid following with Eric Burdon as their frontman in the early 70s. Once Burdon moved on, they maintained a solid following. But this album raised their profile to its highest level ever. The title track is an irresistible piece of horn-filled goodwill. And “Low Rider” earns its way into the pantheon of coolest hits ever with its simmering groove and cheeky embellishments.

While these two songs alone pretty much guarantee a fine album, the deeper tracks hold a lot of weight as well. The relentless Latin rhythms of “Heartbeat” and the Quiet Storm emoting of “So” show off just how versatile these cats could be.

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