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1971 Albums

Moving Waves > Focus

Artist: Focus
Label: Sire
Catalog#: SAS 7401
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
There’s a seeming tradition in the Netherlands, beginning with the original Dutch export Ekseption, of souping-up classical music themes into a rock format. Focus ventured onto this path, but borrowed more from the Baroque and Renaissance eras; and more importantly, used those influences to create something of their own. Keyboardist and flautist Thijs van Leer formed the group in 1969 as the pit band for the Dutch production of Hair. At the end of the year, guitarist Jan Akkerman was recruited from another Dutch rock band, Brainbox.

Never - Neverland > Pink Fairies, The

Artist: Pink Fairies
Label: Polydor
Catalog#: 2383 045
Format: Vinyl
Country: UK
Released: 1971-05
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Pink Fairies were a rebranded The Deviants, although that wasn’t the original intention. Following the recording of his solo album, Twink teamed with Mick Farren and Steve Peregrine Took; they played a one-off gig in Manchester in October 1969. Farren left soon after recording his solo album, and Took went on to found Shagrat, leaving Twink to contact the remainder of The Deviants-guitarist Paul Rudolph, bassist Duncan Sanderson and drummer Russell Hunter-to reboot the Pink Fairies.

No. 1 > Wonderland

Artist: Wonderland
Label: Polydor
Catalog#: 2371 125
Format: Vinyl
Country: Germany
Released: 1971

Nursery Cryme > Genesis

Artist: Genesis
Label: Charisma
Catalog#: CAS 1052
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971-11
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
After the upheaval that followed their last album, the core members of Genesis-Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford-forged ahead, adding two members who would be crucial to their future. Drummer Phil Collins, previously in Flaming Youth, was recruited at the recommendation of Charisma boss Tony Stratton-Smith. The band then spent a brief period as a four piece before the bearded and bespectacled guitarist Steve Hackett arrived, virtually without audition, from a Melody Maker advert.

Obsolete > Dashiel Hedayat

Artist: Dashiell Hedayat
Label: Shandar
Catalog#: SR 10 009
Format: Vinyl
Country: France
Released: 1971

Old Songs, New Songs > Family

Artist: Family
Label: Reprise Records
Catalog#: K 34001
Format: Vinyl
Country: United Kingdom
Released: 1971-03

Once Again > Barclay James Harvest

Artist: Barclay James Harvest
Label: Sire
Catalog#: SI 4904
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971

Operation > Birth Control

Artist: Birth Control
Label: Ohr
Catalog#: OMM 556.015
Format: Vinyl
Country: Germany
Released: 1971

Passport > Passport

Artist: Passport
Label: Atlantic
Catalog#: ATL 40 299
Format: Vinyl
Country: Germany
Released: 1971

Pawn Hearts > Van Der Graaf Generator

Artist: Van Der Graaf Generator
Label: Charisma
Catalog#: CAS 1051
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1971-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Pawn Hearts would be the final statement of Van der Graaf Generator’s “first generation,” and they ended it with a masterpiece. The album’s first side contains “Lemmings (Including COG)” and “Man-Erg,” the latter being the only number that was previously road tested before the recording session. Both are full of VdGG mechanics: the relative calm of “Man-Erg” pierced by Hugh Banton’s hammering organ, while “Lemmings” plunges into even darker imagery, both lyrically and sonically.