On That Note: To the 9’s (part 2) 1979
- Thread starter MeanDean
- Start date
Ok. Here's another....
The Police: Regatta de Blanca
The Police: Regatta de Blanca
It makes me depressed to realize that the most boring song of all time (Message in a Bottle) was released in my birth year.
While it's not my favorite of hers, Barbara Mandrell's 1979 album Just For The Record produced one of my favorites from her catalog: "Fooled By A Feeling," which went to #4 that year. This was the single that followed up the back-to-back #1s "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed" and "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" from her Moods album.
Other tracks from the album:
"Is It Love Yet?" which has a chorus with a similar musical hook to "Sleeping Single." All of her material from this era was produced by Tom Collins who also did much of the recordings by Sylvia, Ronnie Milsap, and others. I saw once he was referred to as "the most modestly talented producer in Nashville" of that time. Not exactly complimentary, but it did the trick for radio to pay attention as many of his artists had monster hits.
"Years," one of her six Billboard #1 singles, hit the top in early 1980.
"Using Him To Get To You," the closing track on the album.
Other tracks from the album:
"Is It Love Yet?" which has a chorus with a similar musical hook to "Sleeping Single." All of her material from this era was produced by Tom Collins who also did much of the recordings by Sylvia, Ronnie Milsap, and others. I saw once he was referred to as "the most modestly talented producer in Nashville" of that time. Not exactly complimentary, but it did the trick for radio to pay attention as many of his artists had monster hits.
"Years," one of her six Billboard #1 singles, hit the top in early 1980.
"Using Him To Get To You," the closing track on the album.
Almost forgot Mandrell. She was huge around that time. I think she retired from music maybe in the 90s?
Yup. October of 1997 was when she officially called it a career (she was 48 at the time). She had been a professional musician from age 11, playing steel guitar at trade shows first, then gaining such a reputation that by age 13, she was touring with Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. Her chart career began in 1969 with the single "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)," which didn't even scrape the top 40. Her first Billboard #1 came in 1978 with five more to follow, one in each of the next five years. Her only Hot 100 top 40 hit came in 1979. Her network television show debuted in the fall of 1980 and ran for two seasons (until she was hospitalized for exhaustion and quit at the advice of her doctors). Her 1984 automobile accident nearly killed her (she was hit head-on going 55 mph, not her fault). After an 18 month hiatus, she returned to touring and recording, but the hits were farther between and the venues were smaller. The last single she charted was "My Train Of Thought" in 1989 (#19). Barbara still maintained a solid following for her shows, but decided that she wanted to be a mom to her youngest since he was entering high school at that point. She never got to do a lot of the 'mom' stuff with her two oldest and didn't want to miss out on everything (again) with him. Since then, she has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2009) and received the Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music (2000).
When the CMAs celebrated their 50th anniversary, they created several short video interviews with some of the legends over that time period. Barbara was one of those they talked to. It focuses on her being the first artist to ever win the Entertainer of the Year award twice, let alone back to back (1980-1981). Worth a watch.
And, yes, I try my best to make sure her name is not forgotten. Apologies for the minor detour off the main topic.
Last edited:
Yup. October of 1997 was when she officially called it a career (she was 48 at the time). She had been a professional musician from age 11, playing steel guitar at trade shows first, then gaining such a reputation that by age 13, she was touring with Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. Her chart career began in 1969 with the single "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)," which didn't even scrape the top 40. Her first Billboard #1 came in 1978 with five more to follow, one in each of the next five years. Her only Hot 100 top 40 hit came in 1979. Her network television show debuted in the fall of 1980 and ran for two seasons (until she was hospitalized for exhaustion and quit at the advice of her doctors). Her 1984 automobile accident nearly killed her (she was hit head-on going 55 mph, not her fault). After an 18 month hiatus, she returned to touring and recording, but the hits were farther between and the venues were smaller. The last single she charted was "My Train Of Thought" in 1989 (#19). Barbara still maintained a solid following for her shows, but decided that she wanted to be a mom to her youngest since he was entering high school at that point. She never got to do a lot of the 'mom' stuff with her two oldest and didn't want to miss out on everything (again) with him. Since then, she has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2009) and received the Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music (2000).
When the CMAs celebrated their 50th anniversary, they created several short video interviews with some of the legend over that time period. Barbara was one of those they talked to. It focuses on her being the first artist to ever win the Entertainer of the Year award twice, let alone back to back (1980-1981). Worth a watch.
And, yes, I try my best to make sure her name is not forgotten. Apologies for the minor detour off the main topic.
Appreciate that overview. I didn't know much about her background and career. I haven't followed much country through the years, but my parents liked it so I'd hear plenty of stuff on the radio. I'm pretty sure Mom had a couple of Mandrell cassettes at that time (she probably still has them somewhere in storage...)
I remember thinking someone would surely post something from this album, but I guess not. So, here it is:
I think there's hesitation to reference MJ, difficulty separating artistic contribution from issues with his personal behavior (some documented, some alleged).
Approaching it purely from a music history standpoint, the album warrants a mention on its own terms. I had a short write-up ready, but didn't follow through. Since you kicked down the door, I'll walk through it.
Michael Jackson
“Off the Wall”
Aug. 10, 1979
Arguably among his strongest LP efforts, wall-to wall, for his entire career. Obviously not as huge as “Thriller” or when compared to his full output throughout the ‘80s and early-90s.
Keep in mind, before this album hit, he hadn’t escaped the shadow of The Jackson 5. Two prior solo albums charted at 92 and 101 in the U.S., the latter in 1975, four years prior. He had successful singles associated with “The Wiz” (largely forgettable at this point) but he could’ve fallen off the map completely, if not for this album. Quincy Jones' involvement definitely helped reboot his career, and he took advantage.
Without "Off The Wall," does “Thriller” even exist?
I'll add a few more tracks for consideration.
So...this one is another one that spans a couple of years. Officially, Minute by Minute was released in December 1978, but all the singles from the album were released in 1979, and it was the top selling album for a number of consecutive weeks during the spring of 1979, so it kind of fits in 1979 as well.
I don't mind the Michael McDonald Doobie Brothers, and there are some good tunes on this album...
I don't mind the Michael McDonald Doobie Brothers, and there are some good tunes on this album...
I believe this was Bob Marley's last album. He put out a lot of good music in his short life.