January 1975 In Music

Continuing the "tradition" started last year, here's what was happening in music in January 1975.  At least some of what was happening, from my perspective.

 Notable Albums:

• Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan.  Ranked #16 in Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time, this is an undeniable classic.  I've had this one since '75 (on vinyl), but it is the only album released in january 1975 that I currently own.
• Modern Times - Al Stewart.  Allmusic calls this album "an exquisite pop-prog gem" and "the beginning of Stewart's classic period".  But I only own the song Carol (via the Greatest Hits CD).  It sits between the better known (by me at leat) albums Past Present and Future and Year Of The Cat.
• Forever, Michael - Michael Jackson.  Mostly notable as MJ's last album for Motown. Allmusic notes:  "there was little here to hint that, four years hence ... Jackson  would emerge as a major star."

Notable Singles:

Only three songs topped the charts in January, 1975:

•   Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Elton John.  Elton's remake of the Beatles song (from 1967) topped the charts for the 1st 2 weeks of 1975 (1/4/75 and 1/11/75).  Personally, I've never been a fan of this "cover band" version, which Richie Unterberger called "far less exotic and more ordinary".  But, as always, YMMV.
• Mandy - Barry Manilow (1/18/75).  Manilow's first chart hit, and first #1.  And my favorite  Barry Manilow song (one of only 2 on my iPod, extra credit if you can guess the other).  Oh, and it is NOT written about a dog.
• Please Mr. Postman - The Carpenters.  Another remake, from the Marvelettes' #1 hit from 1961.  Also covered by the Beatles.  This would be the last #1 for the Carpenters (excluding the Easy Listening charts where they continued strong until after Karen's death in 1983).