Multi-talented writer/singer/producer Russ Ballard. Ballard has had a long and distinguished career, first as a member of The Roulettes, Unit 4+2 and Argent, before going solo. AT THE THIRD STROKE is one of Russ Ballard's best solo albums ever. Among the great songs here is "Cast The Spirit", which is a song about making sure that you do what your heart says is right.
This 17-track aural document is arguably more sociological than musical in nature. Frank Zappa's insatiable curiosity into human behavior – especially with regard to all manner of sexual deviance and the so-called "lunatic fringe" – became the subject of several releases on his ironically titled Straight Records vanity label…
Jackson Browne went on tour in 1977 with a remarkable group of musicians to create an album about the road, on the road. The result was Running On Empty, a musical portrait of life on tour that is as brutally honest as it is achingly beautiful. Paul Nelson wrote in his original Rolling Stone review of the album that "Browne has consciously created a documentary, as brightly prosaic as it is darkly poetic, with a keen eye for the mundane as well as the magical."
After a seven-year hiatus, Graham Nash returned to his solo career on Earth & Sky. While much of the material may have originated as an on-again/off-again collaboration with David Crosby (guitar/vocals), by the time the LP hit the racks in 1980 there were only traces of Crosby's input scattered throughout. One primary contribution highlighting the pair is the organic and acoustic "Out on the Island," and is likewise one of the best sides of the effort. In support of Nash is an all-star ensemble centering on the infamous "Mighty Jitters": Russ Kunkel (drums/percussion), Tim Drummond (bass), Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar (guitars), David Lindley (guitar/violin/vocals), and Craig Doerge (keyboards). The opening title cut, "Earth & Sky" has the earmark of a mid-tempo Jackson Browne rocker and boasts a tasty guitar lead from Joe Walsh.