Velvet Underground - Loaded

Label: Atlantic
Genre: Rock
Year: 1970
Recommended by: Ralph Brendler

Lou Reed has become a Rock N Roll god. He was the impetus to the fun book The Advanced Genius Theory. Basically, it states that once a person has demonstrated brilliance enough, that future work that seems awful, is actually art that is beyond the traditional capability of acceptance by it's audience. It's a fun read and great exercise in general to practice with some all time great artists.

The Velvet Underground was never a commercial success, but were a critical success. For this album Atlantic wanted it "Loaded with hits". Coincidentally, this was the last album Lou Reed would record with the Velvet Underground.

This is a great record. I can't say anything that hasn't been said by better writers and more well rounded people.

Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman

Label: A&M
Genre: Folk Rock
Year: 1970
Recommended by: Rose Sherry
 

This is one album my mom would play growing up quite often. It's a fantastic work that wasn't really critically acclaimed at the time of it's release. "Father and Son" is one of my favorite songs of all-time and there are still five other great songs on the record. 

I think the strongest thing about the record is that ten different people could listen to it and strongly disagree on which song is the best on the album. It's a great feat.

Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

February 14th, 2015
Label: Columbia
Year: 1970
Genre: Folk Rock
Recommending Person: Rose Sherry

This is one of the all time classic albums. It is the final album from the duo of musician Paul Simon and the artist Art Garfunkel.

Everyone loves "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Cecilia", "The Boxer", and "The Only Living Boy in New York". Besides the hits the album tracks are absolutely fabulous as well.

My question is that when an incredibly popular and successful duo each have solo albums and only one of them remains successful does that lessen the importance of the 'lesser' artist?

I think no, as Art Garfunkel may be one of the most interesting artist in the last 50 years. I think he is infinitely more interesting than Andy Warhol. He was a Mathematics professor, a painter, an Oscar nominated actor, and you know that whole half of one of the best American Acts ever.

Fun Fact: ArtGarfunkel.com leads you to Ugg boots. I think this may detract from my previous statement.

Grateful Dead - American Beauty

Label: Warner Brothers
Year: 1970
Genre: Folk Rock
Recommending Person: Tom Goszcynski

This album was much better than I was fearing. I'm used to the Grateful Dead that plays for a couple dozen minutes. The Album tracks are nice and short and sweet. The songs all have a nice hook with a fun rhythm and a enjoyable lyrics in the verses. I can see why they got so popular, especially with the way "Truckin" can get suck in your head all day.