Platinum Record [Level 8]
The concept album was sort of kicked off by the Beatles and their Sgt Pepper album, even though they've insisted in interviews that they weren't trying to make one. Later we would see such concept albums like Tommy by The Who and Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd.
Fastforward to the disco era. Can you guys name some concept albums put out by disco artists/producers? I wouldn't count an album where one side is all one song as being a concept album. I'm thinking more of albums with lyrics, because anyone can slap a bunch of similar named songs on a bunch of instrumental songs and call it a 'concept', like the Spaced Out Disco album by Galactic Force Band. Also, both sides of the album need to have songs with the same theme, not just one continuous song on one side.
The pretty obvious ones are the movie or the well-known story themed albums:
Wizard of Oz by Meco
Romeo & Juliet by Alec Costandinos
I have a harder time naming the less obvious ones, like:
City of Angels by The Miracles, the story of life in LA
Josephine Superstar by Phyllicia Allen based on the life of Josephine Baker
Tea Dance by DC LaRue, which I think was an imaginary stage play
Four Seasons of Love by Donna Summer, songs with each season in the song titles.
Disco Funk
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Just off the top of my head...
Donna Summer: Once Upon A Time
Donna Summer: I Remember Yesterday
Roberta Kelly: Zodiac Lady
Roberta Kelly: Gettin' The Spirit
Alec R Costandinos: Hunchback Of Notre Dame
John Ferrara: Wuthering Heights
Dee D. Jackson: Cosmic Curves
Costellation Orchestra: Perfect Love Affair
Every Meco album (Star Wars/Close Encounters/Wizard Of Oz/Moondancer/etc.)
Festival: Evita
Hot Rocks (disco Rolling Stones LP)
Tuxedo Junction (both LPs)
Platinum Record [Level 8]
Oh yes, I just remembered another one:
Rinder & Lewis - Seven Deadly Sins.
Disco Funk
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Alec R. Costandinos also did "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". I'm not sure if this would be considered a concept album, but he also did one called "Trocadero Lemon Blue".Originally Written by Disco Funk
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Roberta Kelly - Zodiac Lady
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
Beat ya to it :)
Indie Release [Level 4]
My favorite disco concept album is "Four Seasons Of Love" by Donna Summer (1976). The songs are:
1. Spring Affair
2. Summer Fever
3. Autumn Changes
4. Winter Melody
5. Spring Affair (Reprise)
This album is a must have for all Donna Summer fans. It even has a seasonal calendar (for 1977) in the booklet featuring four different poses of Donna. Even one of them features a parody of Marilyn Monroe with her skirt flying in the air as she is trying to hold her clothes down!
Although I like Spring Affair, Winter Melody is my kind of song! Yes, it's not disco (you may not even call it a disco ballad), but just listening this song will shock you! It has a "cool" feeling in the intro of the song. Winter Melody did chart in the United States at #43 although it is rarely available in various Donna Summer's
"Greatest Hits" albums.
Do you like this album? Why or why not? Thanks!
Gold Record [Level 7]
I think we can add Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" album.
It starts with "Hot Stuff/Bad Girls" and ends with "Sunset People". In between are alot of songs that can be related to life on the streets and prostitution.
And I add;
The Ritchie Family........"African Queens"
Patrick Cowley............."Mind Warp"
Gary Criss...................."Rio De Janeiro"
Jeff Wayne's "The War Of The Worlds"
Double Platinum Record [Level 9]
It's a movie soundtrack, not really a concept album per se. Same goes for Winds Of Change.
Gold Record [Level 7]
I remember an Italian group called Automat who did an album of the same name around 1979. From the cover onward it was a concept album by-the-letter, similar to Jean Michel Jarre's 'Oxygen' from the same era. Lots of primitive techno-like keyboards (cheaper than Jarre's) and a couple of very disco-like tunes. So I guess this one counts.
Chart Hit [Level 6]
How about "Computer World" LP from Kraftwerk, "Numbers/Computer World" was a skating rink classic .......come to think of it, how about any album from kraftwerk :D (Trans Europe Express, anyone....?)
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
I would add
Masquerade - Pinocchio
Voyage - Voyage
Voyage - Let's fly away
Platinum Record [Level 8]
The French-Israeli "Desert Fantasy" from 1977 by Orient Express contained 2 sides of exotic stuff with an arabian flavour like the infamous drag queen disco classic "Abdullah's Wedding".
Crystal Grass, another French effort, introduced a character called Christy who steps on a train and makes stops at various European countries. Christy experiences "Hot Love In Spain", belts out "Arrivederci Roma" but insists on "Never On A Sunday" when she takes her act to Creece.
Before Voyage and the Max Berlins traveloque "Worls Wide Party" there was Van McCoy's "Rhythms of the World" which should not be ignored as it contains "Soul Cha Cha" - what a tune!
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Doh!
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
That was a good one. I wish I could find it on CD.
Platinum Record [Level 8]
In Japan they've released two AVI albums so far on CD - Let's Get It Together by El Coco (AKA Rinder & Lewis) and Lowrell's self-titled. We can only hope they will continue to put out more AVI albums, with SDS being amongst them...That was a good one. I wish I could find it on CD.
Disco Funk
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Cool,In Japan they've released two AVI albums so far on CD - Let's Get It Together by El Coco (AKA Rinder & Lewis) and Lowrell's self-titled. We can only hope they will continue to put out more AVI albums, with SDS being amongst them...That was a good one. I wish I could find it on CD.
Disco Funk
Let's Get It Together was one of my favorites. I still have it on vinyl.
Platinum Record [Level 8]
disco
Silver Convention-Madhouse
nondisco
Richard Clayderman-Zodiacal Symphony
Isao Tomita-The Planets
Indie Release [Level 4]
other and every Costandinos production :
- Sumeria "Golden tears"
- "Romeo & Juliet"
- Harvey Scale "a disco funk odissey"
- Philicia Allen "Josephine" LP
- Amanda Lear "Sweet revenge" LP (whole face A)
etc... in non disco i think of Serge Gainsbourg "Melody Nelson"
Indie Release [Level 4]
Kikronos - Jungle DJ and Dirty Kate
Advance Promo Copy [Level 3]
Wow! Golden Tears. I forgot about that one. Good call. I thought I was the only one who remembered Philicia Allen's (Rashad) "Josephine Superstar". Another good call!
Acetate [Level 1]
you guys forgot to mention The Salsoul Orchestra -Christmas Jollies
volume 1 & 2
and the first album by The Village People. Imagine being GAY as a concept!
tastyvinyl :D
Chart Hit [Level 6]
Grace Jones' (post-disco) Slave To The Rhythm.
The concept is herself. The liner notes even subtitle it "a biography." It has an experimental feel in places. Interspersed with interview excerpts. And the Slave To The Rhythm theme repeated throughout.
"Because there's music in the air."
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