Various Artists - David Hepworth’s Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade (2LP Clear Vinyl)

David Hepworth has been writing, broadcasting and speaking about music since the 70s.

He was involved in the launch and editing of Smash Hits, Q, Mojo and The Word. He was one of the presenters of BBC TV‘s The Old Grey Whistle Test, and one of the anchors of the BBC’s coverage of Live Aid in July 1985. He has written six books about music in the last five years: 1971 – Never a Dull Moment: Rock's Golden Year, Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of the Rock Star, Nothing is Real: The Beatles Were Underrated And Other Sweeping Statements About Pop, A Fabulous Creation: How the LP Saved Our Lives, Rock & Roll A Level: The only quiz book you need and Overpaid, Oversexed and Over There: How a Few Skinny Brits with Bad Teeth Rocked America.

David writes a weekly column on podcasts for Radio Times and throughout the past two years, with Mark Ellen, David has co-hosted well over a hundred Word In Your Attic interviews on YouTube, with appearances from a galaxy of musicians, journalists, broadcasters and authors. Here David explains his thoughts when putting this compilation together: The seventies were a grubby but glorious time for records. Many of those records never sullied a chart. Nor are they served up by the algorithms which rule retro radio today. These two LPs correct that oversight.

Young Americans revisits classic rock icons in the fierce morning of their genius. Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers is unrepentant driving music from the days before the mandatory seat belt. Blue Boar Blues is dedicated to the legions of British groups who lived according to the white line on the M1. Finally, The Monstrous Regiment is a reminder of the female artists of the time, some of whom are just being recognised today. As my comprehensive notes modestly assert, more occurred between 1971 and 1979 than in any period of music before or since. This is not an opinion. This is a fact. This is a double album to prove it.

SIDE ONE: YOUNG AMERICANS

1. JESSE WINCHESTER: Payday

2. BIG STAR: Back Of A Car

3. BOBBY CHARLES: Small Town Talk

4. ANDY PRATT: Avenging Annie

5. GREGG ALLMAN: Please Call Home

6. JOHN PRINE: The Late John Garfield Blues

7. DELANEY AND BONNIE: Only You Know And I Know

SIDE TWO: BEER DRINKERS AND HELL RAISERS

1. FREDDIE KING: Going Down

2. JOHNNY WINTER AND: Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo

3. STATUS QUO: In My Chair

4. ZZ TOP: Jesus Just Left Chicago

5. LITTLE FEAT: Trouble

6. J. GEILS BAND: Whammer Jammer

7. EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS: Get Out Of Denver

SIDE THREE: BLUE BOAR BLUES

1. ROBERT PALMER: How Much Fun

2. TERRY REID: Dean

3. THE MOTORS: Dancing The Night Away

4. THE RECORDS: Starry Eyes

5. ROY HARPER: When An Old Cricketer Leaves The Crease

SIDE FOUR: THE MONSTROUS REGIMENT

1. SANDY DENNY: Solo

2. MARIANNE FAITHFULL: The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan

3. JOAN ARMATRADING: Down To Zero

4. KATE AND ANNA McGARRIGLE: Heart Like A Wheel

5. RICHARD AND LINDA THOMPSON: Dimming Of The Day – Dargai