VA - Patterns On The Window, The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1974 (3 x CDs)

PROGRESSIVE POP

VA - Patterns On The Window, The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1974 [2024] (3 x CDs)

Patterns on the Window continues Grapefruit Records' year-by-year collection of notable, obscure, and ubiquitous moments of rock & roll's ongoing transformation, this time zooming in on the vibrant sounds of 1974. Like so many of the compilations in this format, this three-disc, 67-track digest is exhaustively colorful, and succeeds by arranging relatively unknown artists alongside the bigger names of glam rock, radio staples, orchestral pop, and what was slowly transitioning into soft rock and folk-informed sounds by 1974. Patterns on the Window kicks off with Roxy Music's leading man Bryan Ferry in a rousing take on "The 'In' Crowd," pushing the Motown-era dance track somewhere new with synths, driving drums, and his patented vocal theatrics. Along with tracks from other more recognizable names like Sparks, Procol Harum, Rod Stewart, T. Rex, and Thin Lizzy, the lengthy compilation also offers songs by equally impressive artists who didn't reach the same levels of fame. The Bowie-isms of the Mick Ronson track "Billy Porter" are no surprise, but it is interesting to hear how strong the tune is in all its post-Ziggy Stardust weirdness, and how its rugged vocals and angled melodies predict the very beginnings of punk and new wave. There's also representation of the emerging pub rock scene from Brinsley Schwarz, Dr. Feelgood, and others. Bridget St. John's "Curious and Woolly," Iain Matthews' rootsy "Poor Ditching Boy," and the Richard & Linda Thompson rave-up "When I Get to the Border" are all examples of traditional folk sounds working their way into the electric rock landscape by 1974. In part, it's these explorations of softer tones that makes Patterns on the Window one of the more interesting chapters of the series. While all the volumes that came before it do a great job of showing the spectrum of styles that fell under the banner of adventurous pop during any given year, that spectrum widens somewhat here, with ideas and reflections that seem lightyears away from the blues-derived progressive rock that was happening just a year or two earlier. (AMG review by Fred Thomas)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Bryan Ferry - The 'in' Crowd 4:35

02 Sparks - Hasta Manana Monsieur 3:53

03 Cockney Rebel - Judy Teen 3:42

04 Mick Ronson - Billy Porter 3:35

05 John Cale - The Man Who Couldn't Afford To Orgy 4:35

06 Be-Bop Deluxe - Jet Silver And The Dolls Of Venus 4:10

07 Simon Turner - She Was Just A Young Girl (No Way) 2:39

08 Brian Protheroe - Pinball 3:13

09 Ronnie Lane - The Poacher 3:45

10 Thin Lizzy - Philomena 3:43

11 Status Quo - Break The Rules 3:39

12 Medicine Head - Cajun Kick 3:35

13 Spencer Davis Group - Another Day 3:11

14 Iain Matthews - Poor Ditching Boy 3:05

15 National Flag - If I Were A Carpenter 3:51

16 Ufo - Doctor, Doctor (Single Edit) 2:46

17 Snafu - Lock And Key 2:48

18 Jona Lewie - Papa Don't Go 2:32

19 Tramp - Put A Record On 3:14

20 Chalice - In My World 3:22

21 Rescue Co. No. 1 - As Long As You Want Me To 3:39

22 Starry Eyed And Laughing - Everybody 5:47

CD2

01 Richard & Linda Thompson - When I Get To The Border 3:26

02 Roxy Music - A Really Good Time 3:46

03 Fox - Only You (Orig 45) 3:16

04 Rod Stewart - Farewell 4:34

05 Ron Wood - I Can Feel The Fire 4:53

06 Georgie Fame - Everlovin' Woman 3:04

07 Cozy Powell - Na Na Na 3:28

08 Man - One More Chance 4:28

09 Peter Hammill - Again 3:38

10 Kevin Coyne - River Of Sin 3:23

11 Kilburn & The High Roads - Rough Kids 2:24

12 Compass - No More Whiskey 3:23

13 Brinsley Schwarz - The Ugly Things 2:48

14 Dr Feelgood - Roxette 2:55

15 Bridget St. John - Curious And Woolly 3:08

16 Byzantium - I'll Just Take My Time 4:41

17 Procol Harum - Beyond The Pale 3:03

18 Stackridge - The Road To Venezuela 4:53

19 Holy Mackerel - Gemini 3:32

20 Carmen - Flamenco Fever 3:27

21 Dana Gillespie - Getting Through To Me (Demo Version) 3:52

22 Fruupp - Prince Of Heaven 3:32

CD3

01 Marc Bolan & T. Rex - Venus Loon 3:03

02 Hello - Tell Him 3:08

03 Fancy - Touch Me 3:46

04 Unicorn - Ooh Mother (Album Version) 3:51

05 Pretty Things - Is It Only Love 5:06

06 Ace - How Long 3:23

07 Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Be Not Too Hard (Album Version) 4:10

08 Billy Kinsley - Make My Bed 2:45

09 Splinter - Costafine Town 3:11

10 Deep Feeling - Avalon 2:35

11 First Class - Bobby Dazzler 3:32

12 Prophet - Have Love, Will Travel 2:55

13 Dave Edmunds - Need A Shot Of Rhythm 'n' Blues 2:23

14 Nazareth - Shanghai'd In Shanghai 3:43

15 Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Tomahawk Kid 4:35

16 Slade - Far Far Away 3:37

17 Tranquility - Midnight Fortune 3:18

18 Stavely Makepeace - There's A Wall Between Us 4:19

19 Paul Brett - Soho Jack 3:22

20 Dave Cousins - Lemon Pie (Home Demo) 2:40

21 Lesley Duncan - Everything Changes 3:40

22 Farm - Gypsy Mountain Woman 3:00

23 Medium Wave Band - Radio 2:33

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