Starland Vocal Band (album)
| Starland Vocal Band | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 1976 | |||
| Recorded | 1975 | |||
| Length | 34:23[1] | |||
| Label | Windsong Records[2][3] | |||
| Producer | Milt Okun[4] | |||
| Starland Vocal Band chronology | ||||
| ||||
Starland Vocal Band is the self-titled debut album by American pop band Starland Vocal Band. It was released in January 1976[5] by John Denver's label, Windsong Records.[3]
The album peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200,[6] and features the band's most well-known song, "Afternoon Delight", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1976. "California Day" peaked at number 20 in October.[7]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | [8] |
Scott Garside of the Daily Record wrote in an August 1976 review: "Their smooth, rich vocals and harmonies are unbeatable. However, when the instrumentation becomes prominent, the Starlnnd [sic] Vocal Band sounds like an average folk quartet."[9]
In another contemporary review, Joan Baez of The Daily Utah Chronicle wrote: "This album is one of the gratifying surprises of the year so far. [...] Highlights are 'Boulder to Birmingham,' 'California Day,' 'Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight' and a gorgeous accapella [sic] version of Paul Simon's 'American Tune.' Get it, it's worth the gamble."[10]
Rob Theakston of AllMusic gave the album a rating of four out of five stars, writing: "Those looking for nine songs that are on par with 'Afternoon Delight' will be sorely disappointed, as most of the songs are somber in nature and don't come anywhere close to the pleasantries of their one major hit. But that's not to say the songs are of poor quality."[8]
Track listing
Song credits and timings taken from original LP.[1] All writing by Bill Danoff unless otherwise noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Boulder to Birmingham" | B. Danoff, Emmylou Harris | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight" | 3:04 | |
| 3. | "American Tune" | Paul Simon | 3:24 |
| 4. | "Starland" | 3:04 | |
| 5. | "California Day" | 3:35 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | "War Surplus Baby" | B. Danoff (lyrics), Jon Carroll (music) | 4:19 |
| 7. | "Starting All Over Again" | 3:09 | |
| 8. | "Afternoon Delight" | 3:12 | |
| 9. | "Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll!" | B. Danoff, Taffy Danoff | 2:42 |
| 10. | "Ain't It The Fall" | 3:40 | |
| Total length: | 34:23 | ||
References
- ^ a b Starland Vocal Band (album) - Starland Vocal Band. Windsong Records. September 1976. BHL1-1351
- ^ "Starland Vocal Band by Starland Vocal Band on Amazon Music Unlimited". Amazon Music. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Anthony, Michael (April 26, 1976). "John Denver performs before more than 34,000". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Dunkin, Zach (February 28, 1976). "Denver's Family On Band Wagon". Indianapolis News. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Garner, Jack (January 30, 1976). "Starland Vocal Band, Windsong BHLI-1351". Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Starland Vocal Band - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Starland Vocal Band Archived 2024-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. Billboard.
- ^ a b "Starland Vocal Band - Starland Vocal Band". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ "Starland Band's First LP Twinkles". The Daily Record. August 29, 1976. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Baez, Joan (April 30, 1976). "A mixed bag". The Daily Utah Chronicle. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.