ALBUMS

• HALL AND OATES ALONG THE RED LEDGE: 1978: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS:This album sounds more rock than previous efforts- George Harrison, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Robert Fripp and Todd Rundgren make appearances. It’s A Laugh is one of my favorite Hall and Oates singles- it peaked at #20 the second single barely missed the Top 40- I Don’t Wanna Lose You #42. I like this album much better than the formula rock sound they acquired in the 1980’s.

• AMERICA: HIDEAWAY: 1976: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Two hits on this America album- “Today’s The Day” #23 and “Amber Cascades” #75.  Produced by Sir George Martin. Other songs of note- Jet Boy Blue, Lovely Night, and Watership Down. Not one of the best known America albums but it sounds like them, if that makes any sense.

• HALL AND OATES: X-STATIC: 1979: 3 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The one single from the album Wait For Me #18 [along with It’s A Laugh from their previous album my two favorite Hall and Oates songs} They seem to not know where to go with this album- some disco influence. They would hit the winning formula [as far as having hits go and selling records- with their next album Voices}