7 of the 70s: 3/21/13 (1971)...

Hey gang - it's time to go diving once more into the 70s, and this week I'm back to 1971, the year six sheikdoms came together to form the United Arab Emirates (including hotspot Dubai)...

Ocean - "Put Your Hand In The Hand"
from the album Put Your Hand In The Hand (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2

Robbie Robertson from The Band had a hand in writing a big chunk of this gospel-rock group's debut album, but not this church-style number...

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Aretha Franklin - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
from the album Aretha's Greatest Hits (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #6

Aretha could convert the devil himself with this rework of the Simon & Garfunkel friendship anthem she took to church.


Rare Earth - "I Just Want To Celebrate"
from the album One World (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7

Before it was shilling for Nicoderm, this hippie-gospel throwdown was Motown's contribution to the rock world.

Judy Collins - "Amazing Grace"
from the album Whales & Nightingales (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #15

Judy closed out her folk covers album with a tender reading of this hallowed classic.

Chicago - "Free"
from the album Chicago III (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #20


The jazz-fusion group could cause a revival with this jam..


The 8th Day - "You've Got To Crawl (Before You Walk)"
from the album 8th Day (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28

The "8th Day" heard here are actually the studio group behind the act 100 Proof (Aged In Soul) from former Motown writers Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Elvis Presley - "Where Did They Go, Lord"
from the album Elvis Country (2011)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #33

This one-off single from the King was one of his best spiritual numbers of the 70s.