Starland Vocal Band

Starland Vocal Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Razor & Tie
• ASIN: B0002F1G74
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,369 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Emerging from the late '60's DC/Baltimore folk scene, the Starland Vocal Band dominated American airwaves during the Bicentennial summer of 1976 with their quintessential soft rock chart-topper "Afternoon Delight" which spent 20 weeks on the pop chart peaking at #1! This song won the group two Grammys for "Song Of The Year" and "Best New Artist" - no small feat. Simultaneously loved and reviled for their 1970s soft-rock vibe, the group's influence is long lasting. Starland Vocal Band landed their own CBS variety series in 1976 (which featured the then unknown comic David Letterman) and influenced an entire decade. Core songwriter, Bill Danoff also had a hit with "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (the Jon Denver classic) as well. And the group's legacy lives on to this day; "Afternoon Delight" is featured yet again in the movie and soundtrack of current $75MM-grossing remake of Starsky & Hutch. The group continues to tour throughout the northeast and still garners media coverage, most recently featured on VH-1's I Love The '70s.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars warm, friendly, homely and comforting, August 31, 2007

By 

Hugh Jaas "Hugh Jaas" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starland Vocal Band (Audio CD)

I've had this album for longer than I care to remember, and every year when I do the annual spring clean, I toss out the odd vinyl lp. I've often picked this one up and thought about sending it to landfill thinking: Starland Vocal Band- yeah, one hit wonders, now long forgotten. But then I slip the album on and the purity of their sound just comes back. Even after 30 odd years, this stuff sounds fresher than it did in the 1970's. The music greets you like an old friend, welcomes you with open arms. Of course afternoon delight features, and it was a deserved hit. But there is far more to enjoy on this album. With the exception of Hail hail rock and roll, and starting all over again which are pretty ordinary, (the latter being a horrible cacophony of screaching female vocals is just awful) the album shines with a beautifully presented "Boulder to Birmingham"- my favourite version by far, and then it transports you to some truck stop with "Baby you look good to me tonight", and the lyrics make you feel like you just wanna be in that place.

"American tune" is an unaccompanied piece which shows off their blended vocals superbly. I think Bill Danoff's warm vocals really are a feature of the album throughout. "Starland" is a gentle piece, restrained and very pleasant. In fact the band sounds best when it doesnt attempt heavier numbers.
"Aint it the fall" is a haunting number to finish off on, a little sombre, a little despairing...a reminder of our short time on this earth.

Overall, there is a lot to like on this album. I've got a feeling I will be throwing this one in the bin over many more years to come.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgia, January 4, 2007

By 

Trish W (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starland Vocal Band (Audio CD)

What can I say? This was a favorite of mine when it came out and I haven't heard it since turntables went by the wayside years ago. I couldn't believe it, but I remembered every song, word-for-word. It's a great disc to sing along to in the car.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT DISC, April 29, 2008

By 

tom (florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starland Vocal Band (Audio CD)

I HAVE THIS CD AND IT'S ONE OF M Y FAVOERTES. I REMEMBER WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER GROUPS THAT AFRE OUT THERE. I WISH THEY WOULD COME. SO GLAD THAT I BOUGHT THIS CD.