1971 - Was it the best year for albums?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I just went through the BestEverAlbums list for 1971 and Holy Crap, what a year! Looking at the top 50 albums I have 31 of them and I'm sure I could easily hit 50 going through to 100. Hang on...let me do that. BRB! ........Yep, add another 21 albums.

In case you're interested, my favourite albums of 1971 is Marvin Gaye - What's Going On. I think it's one of the greatest albums ever recorded and still very much relevant today. It was so ahead of it's time and I also consider it to be one of the finest examples of Progressive music, which isn't restricted to Rock btw as you all know.

Do you think 1971 was as good as many people claim?

[Rob]

'71 was an awesome vintage...thanks for the link.

[allenh]

+1, thanks for the link, Johnny!

Wow, what great LPs came out in '71!

[MylesBAstor]

Some might argue, at least for jazz, that year was 1959.

I know if I go through my collection, there's also quite a bit more jazz albums that we could add to that list!

[Rust]

For rock, I think '69 was more of a watershed year.

Then I looked up what was listed as the best overall record and it listed Radioheads Computer OK as number one. Seriously?

[JCOConnell]

71 was awesome, 78 aint bad.

[Johnny Vinyl]

There seems to be a toss-up between 1971 and 1967 as being the ever year for albums. I'll be posting the list for 1967 shortly.

[Bob Olhsson]

I think '71 was the peak. In 1971 we were still using the previous generation of superb recording consoles with 2" 16 track recorders. Most pop recordings were only two tape generations down unlike their 4 and 8 track predecessors that were between 4 and 6. The artists had mostly been signed back when almost all recording was done live and they had been harvested by record labels from vibrant local live music scenes. By 1973 most of the industry had moved to 24 track recording employing much cheaper consoles in many cases. Live music had largely become today's pay to play system that excludes all but the wealthy. All manner of crutches were being created for this generation of young artists that had never been available to the older generation.

[Madfloyd]

'73 is my fave year for music. That said, a lot of good albums in this '71 list - and a lot I've never heard of!

[MylesBAstor]

I think '71 was the peak. In 1971 we were still using the previous generation of superb recording consoles with 2" 16 track recorders. Most pop recordings were only two tape generations down unlike their 4 and 8 track predecessors that were between 4 and 6. The artists had mostly been signed back when almost all recording was done live and they had been harvested by record labels from vibrant local live music scenes. By 1973 most of the industry had moved to 24 track recording employing much cheaper consoles in many cases. Live music had largely become today's pay to play system that excludes all but the wealthy. All manner of crutches were being created for this generation of young artists that had never been available to the older generation.

Thanks Bob. That's fascinating and never thought of that!

What changed in the consoles?

[Ki Choi]

Thanks Bob. That's fascinating and never thought of that!

What changed in the consoles?

Is that when the Neve 8078 console come on the market, Bob?

[Bob Olhsson]

Thanks Bob. That's fascinating and never thought of that!

What changed in the consoles?

For the move from 4 to to 8 track recording most studios had bought 20 input consoles that would also accommodate 16 track machines. Twenty four meant buying new consoles and most studios felt they had never gotten the full value from their 20 input consoles. For all they knew they'd need a 40 input console in a couple years so everybody was looking at cheaper solutions.

[Bob Olhsson]

Is that when the Neve 8078 console come on the market, Bob?

Neves were very unpopular because they cost a fortune and had a million transformers most people patched around. Most of us felt API and the Trident A-Range were the best sounding. Today's recording hobbyist infatuation with Neve is a real hoot.

[JCOConnell]

For the move from 4 to to 8 track recording most studios had bought 20 input consoles that would also accommodate 16 track machines. Twenty four meant buying new consoles and most studios felt they had never gotten the full value from their 20 input consoles. For all they knew they'd need a 40 input console in a couple years so everybody was looking at cheaper solutions.

How many channels does a typical console have today in a full blown pro studio?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have 9 out of 10 (don't have #9) from the Top 10.
19 out of the Top 25
33 out of the Top 50.

Definitely the best year ever so far.