friday random ten, 1971 edition

Once again, I've created a streaming radio station with songs from the year, this time 1971. You'll find it at http://n90.mediamaster.com/myradio/masoo.pls.

1. Jean Knight, "Mr. Big Stuff." "Who do you think you are?" The R&B is getting funkier as we get deeper into the 70s.

2. Millie Jackson, "A Child of God (It's Hard to Believe)." "Some folks say we're all God's children, and maybe we are, I don't know. But sometimes, I find that rather hard to believe."

3. Swamp Dogg, "God Bless America, For What?" Title says it all. If you haven't heard any of the early-70s Swamp Dogg albums, they are worth hunting down. "Q: You did a version of "God Bless America" around that time that caused some controversy as well. S: As a matter of fact, Elektra didn't even put the proper title down on the album. The song is actually called "God Bless America For What?" I switched it, and called it "God Bless America For What?" And they refused to print that. They would not do it. I mean they were very, very fucking straight."

4. John Lennon, "How Do You Sleep?" The common memory of John is driven by another song from 1971, "Imagine." But it's worth remembering this side of John, as well. On Plastic Ono Band, he ranted against his mother, classism, god, and everything else. But this is much more childish … not that it loses any power in the process. He just spends five-and-a-half minutes calling out Paul McCartney. He even gets George to play guitar. "The sound you make is muzak to my ears. You must have learned something in all those years. Ah, how do you sleep?"

5. The Temptations, "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)." John wasn't the only one with a gripe against his former bandmates.

6. Funkadelic, "Maggot Brain." "I have tasted the maggots in the mind of the universe." Ladies and gentlemen, Eddie Hazel! A candidate for the greatest guitar performance in music history. "Play like your mama just died."

7. Marvin Gaye, "Save the Children." The early 70s were a great period for soul-with-social-commentary. I confess this isn't one of my favorites.

8. Aretha Franklin, "Dr. Feelgood." From Live at Fillmore West. Every bit as excessive as "Maggot Brain," and almost as essential. If you ever wondered what Aretha would sound like if she just gave herself over to her muse, listen to the last few minutes of this one. The version in the video link is much more subdued, and cuts off after a couple of minutes, but then tosses in "Respect."

9. Janis Joplin, "Mercedes Benz." Speaking of subdued songs from singers known more for their brazen vocals …

10. Willie Nelson, "What Can You Do to Me Now?" Willie Nelson was one of my father-in-law's favorite singers. He died yesterday. This song is for him. "Someway somehow I'll make a man of me. I will build me back the way I used to be. Much stronger now the second time around cause what can you do to me now?"