AP photo
Eric Clapton Performs at Gas South Arena on Friday, Sept. 23, 2021, in Atlanta.

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a two-part series counting down the top 20 albums of the 1970s. See a future issue of The Sentinel for the second part.

When it comes to rankings, there will always be disagreement. Best team, best player, greatest moment in sports, greatest actor, best show, best song, best movie, etc., etc. The debates could go on forever. They usually do.

With that in mind, I have thought about my list of the top pop/rock albums of the 1970s for some time. The list actually started several years ago with my top 10. When I began writing this column, my list grew to about 50 albums. I could have written a top 10 five times, but that made no sense. I decided to modify it to a top 20 with several honorable mentions. Keep in mind, this is very subjective. There are no set rules or secret equations to calculate the list. You might agree with some and disagree with others. Greatest Hits collections are not included. This is my list, beginning with 11-20.

• 11. Let It Flow (Dave Mason) 1977

• 12. No Reason to Cry (Eric Clapton) 1976

• 13. Imagine (John Lennon) 1971

• 14. Hotel California (The Eagles) 1976

• 15. Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (Elton John) 1973

• 16. The Stranger (Billy Joel) 1977

• 17. Blood On the Tracks (Bob Dylan) 1975

• 18. Cosmo’s Factory (Creedence Clearwater Revival) 1970

• 19. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel) 1970

• 20. Some Girls (The Rolling Stones) 1978

20. Some Girls

(The Rolling Stones) 1978

Late 1970s and the Rolling Stones were still going strong (and would continue for several years to come). This album offered hits and hidden gems from the title song, “Some Girls” to “Miss You,” “Beast of Burden,” “Far Away Eyes” and several others.

19. Bridge Over Troubled Water

(Simon and

Garfunkel) 1970

Simon and Garfunkel’s last album (until reunions later on) included the classic “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Boxer,” “El Condor Pasa (If I Could),” “Cecilia” and a live version of “Bye Bye Love.”

18. Cosmo’s Factory (Creedence

Clearwater Revival) 1970

CCR had a distinctive sound and a string of hits from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. “Cosmo’s Factory” included “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Travelin’ Band,” “Up Around the Bend” and “Long As I Can See the Light” among others.

17. Blood On the Tracks (Bob Dylan) 1975

Bob Dylan went through many phases and musical styles throughout his long recording career. His gift for lyrics and writing ballads was strong no matter what the style. A perfect example is “Tangled Up In Blue.” Other tracks included Dylan classics “Idiot Wind” and “Shelter From the Storm” as well as “Simple Twist of Fate” and “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.”

16. The Stranger (Billy Joel) 1977

Billy Joel makes the list twice. “The Stranger” included everything from love songs to ballads to fast-paced pop. “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” “She’s Always a Woman,” Only the Good Die Young,” “The Stranger” and “Just the Way You Are” were all hits. The other tracks are not just filler. Strong from top to bottom.

15. Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (Elton John) 1973

Elton John appears twice on the list as well. John’s career skyrocketed in the 1970s and this album helped put things in motion. The album included “Daniel,” “Elderberry Wine” and the classic “Crocodile Rock.”

14. Hotel California (The Eagles) 1976

A different-sounding Eagles album with the addition of Joe Walsh. His guitar work stood out on the title track, “Hotel California.” Other hits released from the album were “New Kid in Town” and “Life In the Fast Lane.”

13. Imagine (John Lennon) 1971

This album covered a wide range of emotions. It produced Lennon’s best-known solo track along with several other interesting songs. “Imagine” was an instant classic hit. “Oh Yoko!” was a tribute to his wife. “Jealous Guy” showed the softer side. “Gimme Some Truth” displayed political disgust. “How Do You Sleep?” took a shot at Paul McCartney. Variety mixed with some very good music.

12. No Reason to Cry (Eric Clapton) 1976

Not a surprise for Eric Clapton to make the list. Classic rock guitarist. The album contains “Hello Old Friend,” catchy and underrated, as well as a duet with Bob Dylan on “Sign Language.” Good sound. Good album.

11. Let It Flow (Dave Mason) 1977

This album flows from the first to the last track. No pun intended. It includes the hits, “We Just Disagree” and “Let It Go, Let It Flow,” along with “Mystic Traveler” and “Rock Me Baby and Roll Me Away.” One of Mason’s best as a solo artist.

Next time, albums 1-10.

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Tom Laub is the Lifestyles Editor of the Lewistown Sentinel.