The latest instalment of Grapefruit's popular year-by-year overview of the British rock/pop scenes of the 70s. Featuring big hits, intriguing misses and key album tracks from 1974 as well as a clutch of alternative versions and unissued-at-the-time gems. Although 1974 was dominated by the country's crippling economic woes, the British rock and pop scene continued to flourish. The more creative element of the glam rock spectrum inspired a host of new bands, with Cockney Rebel, Be-Bop Deluxe and Sparks coming through to establish themselves alongside genre heavyweights Roxy Music, T. Rex and Slade. London's pub rock circuit saw stalwarts Brinsley Schwarz joined by early Ian Dury outfit Kilburn & The High Roads, Ace (who scored a hit single with the timeless 'How Long') and Dr. Feelgood, whose aggressive attitude and slashing, guitar-based brand of tough R&B influenced a whole new generation of musicians. Ace and fellow classic one-hit wonders Brian Protheroe and Splinter took their place in the singles chart alongside Rod Stewart, Status Quo and Bryan Ferry, while there were inexplicable misses for Ronnie Lane and former Bowie sideman Mick Ronson. Many rock bands eschewed the self-indulgences of early 70s prog-rock to adopt a more streamlined sound, exemplified by vital albums from Thin Lizzy, Man and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Established mavericks Peter Hammill and Kevin Coyne continued to attract a cult following, Lesley Duncan and Bridget St. John represented the distaff side of the singer/songwriter scene, while Richard And Linda Thompson released the classic folk-rock album 'I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight'. Housed in a clamshell box that includes a heavily annotated and illustrated 48-page booklet, 'Patterns On The Window' features all of the above as well as key tracks from such names as Medicine Head, Procol Harum, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Nazareth, Pretty Things and many others. The result is a fascinating overview of another hugely enjoyable, multi-faceted year in British rock and pop.

Tracklist:

The 'In' Crowd - Bryan Ferry
Hasta Manana Monsieur -Sparks
Judy Teen - Cockney Rebel
Billy Porter - Mick Ronson
The Man Who Couldn't Afford to Orgy - John Cale 6 Jet Silver and the Dolls
Of Venus - Be-Bop Deluxe 7 She Was Just a Young Girl (No Way) - Simon Turner
Pinball - Brian Protheroe
The Poacher - Ronnie Lane
Philomena - Thin Lizzy
Break the Rules - Status Quo
Cajun Kick - Medicine Head
Another Day - the Spencer Davis Group
Poor Ditching Boy - Iain Matthews
If I Were a Carpenter - National Flag
Doctor, Doctor (Single Edit) - Ufo
Lock and Key - Snafu
Papa Don't Go - Jona Lewie
Put a Record on (Single Version) - Tramp
In My World - Chalice
As Long As You Want Me to - Rescue Co. No. 1
Everybody - Starry Eyed and Laughing
When I Get to the Border -Richard ; Linda Thompson
A Really Good Time - Roxy Music
Only You - Fox
Farewell - Rod Stewart
I Can Feel the Fire - Ron Wood
Everlovin' Woman - Georgie Fame
Na Na Na - Cozy Powell
One More Chance - Man
Again - Peter Hammill
River of Sin - Kevin Coyne
Rough Kids - Kilburn ; the High Roads
No More Whiskey -Compass
The Ugly Things - Brinsley Schwarz
Roxette - Dr. Feelgood
Curious and Woolly -Bridget St. John
I'll Just Take My Time -Byzantium
Beyond the Pale - Procol Harum
The Road to Venezuela -Stackridge
Gemini - Holy Mackerel
Flamenco Fever - Carmen
Getting Through to Me (Demo Version) - Dana Gillespie
Prince of Heaven - Fruupp
Venus Loon - Marc Bolan ; T. Rex
Tell Him - Hello
Touch Me - Fancy
Ooh Mother - Unicorn
Is It Only Love - Pretty Things
How Long - Ace
Be Not Too Hard - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Make My Bed - Billy Kinsley
Costafine Town - Splinter
Avalon - Deep Feeling
Bobby Dazzler - the First Class
Have Love, Will Travel -Prophet
Need a Shot of Rhythm ; Blues (Alternative Version) - Dave Edmunds
Shanghai'd in Shanghai -Nazareth
Tomahawk Kid - the Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Far Far Away - Slade
Midnight Fortune -Tranquility
There's a Wall Between Us- Stavely Makepeace
Soho Jack - Paul Brett
Lemon Pie (Home Demo) - Dave Cousins
Everything Changes -Lesley Duncan
Gypsy Mountain Woman -Farm
Radio - the Medium Wave Band

UPC: 5013929194205
Label: Grapefruit
Release Date: 2.16.24
Format: CD

Patterns On The Window: British Progressive Pop - Patterns On The Window: British Progressive Pop (CD)