I talk a lot about how great the albums were in 1973, but if you look at the releases from a few major players, their releases tell a different story.

1973 was decidedly NOT a classic year for ex-Beatles, or Bob Dylan, or Aretha Franklin. Mostly, 1973 was a year of transition that seemed to make a few old-timers look like they were treading water while the rookies started to take over.

Here are a few album selections from July 1973 that may (or may not) make that point;

Take Me to the Mardi Gras – Paul Simon (“There Goes Rhymin’ Simon”)

American Tune – Paul Simon – Paul Simon (“There Goes Rhymin’ Simon”)

Billion Dollar Babies – Alice Cooper (“Billion Dollar Babies”)

Generation Landslide – Alice Cooper (“Billion Dollar Babies”)

Give Me Love – George Harrison (“Living in the Material World”)

Big Barn Bed – Paul McCartney (“Red Rose Speedway”)

Somewhere – Aretha Franklin (Hey Now Hey (Other Side of the Sky)”)

Billy 4 – Bob Dylan (“Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”)

Waiting for the Bus – ZZ Top (“Tres Hombres”)

Jesus Just Left Chicago – ZZ Top (“Tres Hombres”)

Lively Up Yourself – Bob Marley & the Wailers (“African Herbsman”)

Small Axe– Bob Marley & the Wailers (“African Herbsman”)

Starship Trooper – Yes (“Yessongs)