Ticket 2 Ride

I didn’t this of this idea, Larry Graves, known on YouTube as the Canadian Studmuffin, gave it to me. I believe that Larry and I only have one album in common on the list. Larry ranked his list, but I’m not inclined to do so.

The number of one-album only bands is likely quite high, those that only released one album and then broke up, faded away, or the record company declined to continue the relationship. Most we’ve never heard of, for good reason, but here are 10 worthy of mention.

Little Village (1992) – The grouping of John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Jim Keltner and Ry Cooder couldn’t miss. But they did. Little Village was less than the sum of the individual members. There were several very good songs: “She Runs Hot”, “Solar Sex Panel”, “Don’t Go Away Mad.”

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970) – The one-off record of Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock and Jim Gordon as Derek and the Dominos. Clapton is now the only surviving member.

Blind Faith – Another brief stop for Eric Clapton, this time with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Rick Grech. Known as Blind Faith, the band was lightning in a bottle, and then gone.

Seconds of Pleasure (1980) – Rockpile was Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds, Billy Bremer and Terry Williams. They played together off and on for years, but released only one album under the Rockpile name.

Coverdale/Page (1993) David Coverdale of Whitesnake and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin released one album. Discussions were held between Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones about a Led Zeppelin reunion, which did not move forward. It was suggested to Page to consider working with Coverdale, which he did. An album, a tour, splitsville.

Long May You Run (1976) Stills/Young Band were Stephen Stills and Neil Young, colleagues in Buffalo Springfield and CSN&Y. Sessions at one point included Graham Nash and David Crosby for a CSN&Y album, but sessions broke down and it resorted to a Stills/Young album. On tour with Stills, Young got bored and left the tour. “Eat a peach,” he wrote in a note to Stills.

Beck, Bogert & Appice (1973) Beck, Bogert & Appice were Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice. Bogert and Appice had played together in Vanilla Fudge. They toured then Beck broke up the group, something he frequently did with his lineups. This was a power trio blending jazz, R&B, hard rock and blues.

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977) The Sex Pistols actually split in 1978, though the impact they made influenced the entire punk movement. Vocalist Johnny Rotten (byname of John Lydon), guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock, with Matlock replaced by Sid Vicious.

The La’s – The La’s “There She Goes” is a delightful slice of Brit Pop. Liverpool band of jangly guitar pop, one album was all they needed.

Natural Progressions (1978) The Bernie Leadon-Michael Georgiades Band. After leaving the Eagles, Leadon hooked up with Georgiades, releasing an album on Asylum Records and produced by Glyn Johns (The Who, Beatles, Eagles). Laidback, acoustic centered music, represented of Leadon’s work with Eagles, Flying Burrito Brothers. This partnership had the makings for success, but neither Leadon nor Georgiades were frontmen or hit-making songwriters. Still, it’s a comfortable listen but of fine guitar work.

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There we have it. Ten bands ten albums. A few classics, most forgotten by time. Click the links and check out some tunes.