Starland Vocal Band (album)
| Starland Vocal Band | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | January 1976 | |||
| Recorded | 1975 | |||
| Length | 34:34[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[edit]
| 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." and "As debut records go this isn't too bad, but those just looking for their finest moments should check their greatest-hits compilation. This one's for die-hards only."[8]
Track listing[edit]
Track order sourced from Spotify.[1]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Boulder to Birmingham" | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight" | 3:06 |
| 3. | "American Tune" | 3:24 |
| 4. | "Starland" | 3:04 |
| 5. | "California Day" | 3:35 |
| 6. | "War Surplus Baby" | 4:21 |
| 7. | "Starting All Over Again" | 3:10 |
| 8. | "Afternoon Delight" | 3:13 |
| 9. | "Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll!" | 2:44 |
| 10. | "Ain't It The Fall" | 3:39 |
| Total length: | 34:34 | |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Starland Vocal Band - Album by Starland Vocal Band". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Starland Vocal Band by Starland Vocal Band on Amazon Music Unlimited". Amazon Music. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "John Denver performs before more than 34,000". Star Tribune. April 26, 1976. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Denver's Family On Band Wagon". Indianapolis News. February 28, 1976. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Starland Vocal Band, Windsong BHLI-1351". Democrat and Chronicle. January 30, 1976. 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. Billboard.
- ^ a b "Starland Vocal Band - Starland Vocal Band". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
- ^ "Starland Band's First LP Twinkles". The Daily Record. August 29, 1976. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "A mixed bag". The Daily Utah Chronicle. April 30, 1976. Retrieved June 7, 2024 – via newspapers.com.