I don’t want to overwhelm you over a weekend, but in case you missed it, tomorrow is going to be one very big day.
That’s right – while you were running your lives, it may have slipped your attention that October 12th is National Gumbo Day here in the U.S.
But if that isn’t enough, National Day Calendar – our definitive source for these celebrations – Saturday has also been set aside to honor the following milestones:
- National Farmer’s Day
- National Saving Day
- National Freethought Day
- National Costume Swap Day
- National Motorcycle Ride Day
Hopefully, you’ll be able to contain yourselves. But across the pond, there will be something very different happening in the UK.
For the second consecutive year, they’re celebrating National Album Day supported by BBC Sounds. This group isn’t just talking about vinyl (although it’s a component) but the album format that’s been with us for decades.
Because of digital music delivery, the album format may be nearing the end of its life cycle. A study of 2,000 adults in the UK revealed nearly half are listening to fewer complete albums than just a few years ago.
Many – especially those under 25 – put albums on shuffle or just keep playing the same individual songs, rather than listening to the entire sequence as it was originally recorded.
Digital Music News broke down the study and came up with a few fascinating factoids that help explain why all the fuss about National Album Day:
- 15% of these UK music fans under 25 have never listened to an album in its entirety (as we used to say on AOR stations).
- Just over one-fourth actually play albums in the order in which they were recorded, especially men.
- Live events spur interest in album listening. A whopping 74% say they’re more apt to listen to an album after they’ve seen the artist in concert.
We don’t know whether these numbers would differ very much here in the US. Oddly, Deezer found that Scots are quite a bit more likely to listen to album than Brits. Go figure.
Most cite a lack of time and busy as key reasons why they don’t listen to albums. And there’s probably some truth to that, given that sitting down and listening to a favorite album was truly an activity people enjoyed, especially in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.
While it may not be three strikes for the album format yet, it certainly appears that after 70 years of popularity, it may be yet another victim of digital disruption.
So, perhaps tomorrow (it’s a Saturday after all), walk down your basement or den and look through those old albums (assuming you haven’t sold them all), pick out a favorite, and let us know what it is, via social media or the “comments” section below.
And if you’re so motivated, pull another album whose artwork had great appeal for you.
It’s won’t be like visiting a museum, but it may feel that way.
Last year on the first National Album Day, music fans were encouraged to listen to a favorite album at 3:33pm. Hopefully, tomorrow or next year, it won’t be a moment of silence.
And perhaps on an ironic but fitting not, the #1 best-selling album in the world last week? A half century after its release, “Abbey Road.” It sold nearly 70,000 units – a huge number for a reissue.
And to ensure that I would only ask you to do something I would do, perhaps my favorite album of all time is Bob Seger’s “Stranger In Town,” 
released in 1978, not long after I went to work in Detroit at WRIF.
We usually threw in several tracks when new albums would come out from core artists, let them play for a week or two, and then select a couple of two or three songs to stick with based on phone and internal reaction. The labels always wanted us to play the single, but it didn’t always work out that way.
When “Stranger in Town” walked into the station (I believe it was Capitol Records’ Craig Lambert who proudly delivered it to us), I was in PD Tom Bender’s office. Along with MD Tawnya Townsend, we “needle-dropped” the entire album. And my memory is we green-lighted every song on “Stranger in Town.” It was that obvious and the album was that good.
A great story showed up last week in Stereogum by Brady Gerber, breaking down Seger’s entire career and discography. While some will choose “Night Moves,” “Against The Wind,” or “Live Bullet” as Seger’s greatest, “Stranger In Town” is the story of a Midwestern musician’s dreams shattered – or at least tempered – in L.A.
That’s the story of “Hollywood Nights,” and several other songs on the album. And the title of the album literally says it all. And to me, at least, “Stranger In Town” cemented Seger’s status as a rock superstar.
As for album artwork, it’s probably a tie between “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band” and Pink Floyd’s “Animals.” Force a choice and it’s the latter, thanks in no small part to the brilliant design team at Hipgnosis and the brilliant Storm Thorgerson.
In those days, artists often used the same designers on multiple albums, providing a unique sense of style and a signature look. Yes, it was pretty common to put the tone arm on the record, and then spend time looking at and appreciating its album art.
The day will come when album artwork will be celebrated for the true art it is. – FJ
Thanks to David Moore, a true Motor City guy.
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I can’t say I’m surprised by this long-player news, Fred.
But perhaps there’s another reason people don’t listen all the way through:
Today’s albums aren’t “concept” type albums.
With the recent release of Abbey Road, I bet lots of Beatles fans listened all the way thru. (And hopefully kept playing thru “Her Majesty”)
C’mon musicians & bands-bring back the concept album. I’m talking to YOU Yes, ELO, Genesis, and Pink Floyd!
#BongNotNecessary
It’s probably a little chicken-egg, JC. As listening dries up, artists aren’t motivated to create themes to albums. Thanks for making the point and enjoyed the hashtag.
I had to Google the album to see what all the tracks are. And I remember…every…single…one. All of them have a memory attached. I respect all “favorites” that are a little left of center. Creeps me out when someone’s favorite album is a “Greatest Hits”.
Stranger In Town just got moved to my Spotify playlist and we’ll be blasting this weekend.
It’s truly an amazing record, Rob. Thanks for the notes.
OK, I’ll bite. Santana’s “Welcome” album (the white one). Not super popular commercially. But tip to tail it is fantastic. It’s when Carlos was into his fusion phase. It is a wonderful blend of latin rock, and jazz. You may recall “Love, Devotion, and Surrender” but there’s much more to that album. Enjoy!
Good one.
Lou Reed – Metal Machine Music. Because it had to be done. https://bit.ly/2B5vQo8
Bob Seger is such an interesting artist, and truly underrated. We played Fire Lake early one Saturday morning as part of a Bob Seger block on KSLX in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. When I heard it on the air I had one of those moments where I thought “How have I not noticed what an absolutely phenomenal song this is?”
Thanks for the shout-out.
Funny. And I remember as a PD when the song came out that I was disappointed. It was slow, had the Country feel, and I was hoping for “Hollywood Nights 2.” Interesting how we come to appreciate music over time. David, thanks for inspiring our blog post.
In fact, Shame On The Moon is a cover of a country song. It was written and first recorded by acclaimed country singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell.
I knew this, but I forgot I knew this. Thanks, Brad.
Brave Strangers is one of my favorite songs, Fred. Did that actually get some spins on air? Or fewest of any tune on that LP?
BTW, Led Zeppelin IV, Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales or Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions for me.
(Also, if LPs never existed, how would weed ever get cleaned?)
In Detroit, “Brave Strangers” made it – one of my all-time Bob songs. I like your other picks, too. I remember buying “Innervisions” from Discount Records in East Lansing, MI. An amazing, transformational album for a traditional Motown artist. As for your last point, Dave, I’m not sure I know what yo’re talking about. 🙂
I’ve always liked that Seger covered Frankie Miller’s “Ain’t Got No Money” on the Stranger in Town album. Being way too deep into deep tracks—I knew the music of Frankie Miller. Hearing “Sunspot Baby” on Night Moves two years prior sounded like a homage to Miller’s style.
If Miller had an influence on Seger, it was really cool that Bob got him some recognition and the occasional check in the mail.
Forgot it was a cover, Marty. Thanks for the reminder & chiming in.
Lookin’ for a woman who’s lookin’ for a man who’s lookin’ for a time like she ain’t never had…
Awesome
And wow! Just listened to the Frankie Miller version and realized Seger upgraded the girl from five-foot-four to five-foot-six for a different rhyme! Or maybe he just likes ‘em taller.
Evolution, Dave, evolution.
Lana Del Rey is known for making very cohesive albums that are to be experienced front to back as well.