291. Waylon Jennings - Honky Tonk Heroes

Release Date: 1973
Label: RCA Victor

Honky Tonk had already seen its women discussed by The Rolling Stones a few years earlier and it's possible that that was the inspiration for this album. There hasn't been a country album for a while now - in fact the last one seems to have been Dolly Parson's 'Coat of Many Colours' about sixty albums ago. At just under thirty minutes long, this album was a pleasant way to spend an evening. I especially liked the last song.

Rating: 7/10

238. Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson

Release Date: 1971
Label: RCA Victor

Known worldwide for his cover of Mariah Carey's 'Without You' - which features on this album - and for his teetotal life, Harry Schmilsson released seven albums before he found success. This album has been criticised as being a bit chaotic, and in poor taste (Coconut) but apart from these faults, I found the album a vast improvement on the previous two and like Janis Joplin, it is mainly to do with the excellent vocals.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Without You

222. Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colours

Release Date: 1971
Label: RCA Victor

The album title refers to the coat worn by Joseph in the book of Genesis although the actual song is about Dolly's own family and their closeness through austerity. The whole album lasts less than thirty minutes so the entire experience flies by in an instant.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: She Never Met A Man She Didn't Like

164. The Youngbloods - Elephant Mountain

Release Date: 1969
Label: RCA Victor

The Youngbloods are likely to be a band you've never heard of. This album - said to be their best - only reached 118 in the Billboard 200, and seemingly didn't chart here in the UK. Of course, this lack of exposure has its benefits and I came to this album having no expectations. The album itself is perfectly average. There are some good  songs here - 'Darkness Darkness' being one, 'Sunlight' another - but it isn't enough to hold your attention.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Sunlight

96. Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow

Release Date: 1967
Label: RCA Victor

The Grace Slick fronted Jefferson Airplane were one the highlights of the Acid scene and Surrealistic Pillow was their best offering.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: White Rabbit.

85. The Monkees - Headquarters

Release Date: 1967
Label: RCA Victor

The Monkees were a manufactured pop band, created for a TV show of the same name. Unlike similar concepts however, the prefab four could actually play instruments to varying degrees of ability. Fed-up of being puppets for their producers they decided to branch out on their own for this record. Whilst the band should be applauded for wanting to go it alone, sometimes it's better to stick with a winning formula. There are no 'Daydream Believers' on the album, nor any 'I'm a Believers', In fact the only song I'd heard previously was 'Randy Scouse Git' - which is probably the worst song on the album because you can't suggest 'Zilch' is a song. There are some good songs on the album, but they're outweighed by the naff ones.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Shades of Gray

67. The Mama's and The Papa's- If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

Release Date: 1966
Label: RCA Victor

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: California Dreamin'

26. Miriam Makeba- Miriam Makeba

Release Date: 1960
Label: RCA Victor

Unfortunately this album wasn't available on Spotify.

Next Album: The Everly Brothers-  A Date With The Everly Brothers