Jul 1: Ticket Stub #11: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Mary Chapin Carpenter has produced some classic music through a long career.

Back in 2015 she toured the UK. She doesn't do that very often and so it was a chance to see her, and the Apex in Bury St. Edmunds is a great venue with good acoustics, and less than an hour's drive from home.

Her recent albums have not quite been of the same standard as earlier ones, but in this show she brought out some of her classics as well as playing some newer songs, and it was musically accomplished and sounded excellent in the Apex.

As with many artists, Mary also released some music recorded during the pandemic, including this performance of 'I am a town'.

Jul 1: 1973

1973 was a stellar year for music.

The highlight of course was this banger... a multi-million seller which spawned 50 years of music and a business empire...

Listen to Side 2, as Side 1 has already been posted...

I've blogged elsewhere about how this album has been in my life for 50 years, and single-handedly helped determine my musical preferences and taste, with its nods to minimalism, its changes of tone, wonderful guitar solos and emotional arc and final release... which was honed to perfection on 'Ommadawn' several years later.

Also out this year were a range of other classics.

In January, the Sweet released this classic from school discos of the time... and we all dressed like that in the 1970s....

John Martyn released 'Solid Air'.

I saw John perform many times, including at Sheffield Crucible theatre and Devonshire Green in a tent.

March saw the release of another perennial classic... I had this on a good vinyl version with the poster and stickers.

Jethro Tull released 'A Passion Play', Yes released 'Yessongs', Rick Wakeman released 'The Six Wives of Henry the 8th'.

What were your favourite albums from 1973? 

There are a lot of classics to choose from.

Let me know in the comments...