One of the Yacht Rock (series) creators said something to the effect that the big 70s rock bands were called "arena rock" . . . the 70s smooth bands are "marina rock" đ
I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there about 1977. I think the flower is clearly blooming at that point - and the Steely Dan stuff on Aja to me is the fine Columbian of yacht rock. In fact, it's as important of a year for yacht rock as any other, perhaps even the most important because you have to credit the vanguard.
These sounds are so smooooooth!
1977 songs in the Yacht Rock hall-of-fame:
- Pablo Cruise "Love Will Find a Way"
- Boz Scaggs "Lido Shuffle"
- Steely Dan "Deacon Blues", "Josie","Black Cow"
- Player "Baby Come Back"
- Loggins f/ Stevie Nicks, "Whenever I Call You Friend"
I think anyone who regularly posts here would know thta i think the world of almost all the tunes you listed above.. Whenever i Call You Friend might be the greatest duet in the history of recorded musicâŚ. but i think the thing is that ive never seen the orig YR series from 2007 or whenever, and i havent yet seen the new documentary.. so my idea of what YR is or isnt might be different than other YR aficionados.. kinda like we all like dipping different things into our fondue pot ! Some like the melted cheese sauce, some dontâŚ. Ive seen list of âYR classicsâ for instance that include songs like Brandy Youâre a Fine Girl.. which came out in 19 freaking 72.. way too early to be YR.. or Totoâs Africa, on the cusp of YR chronology, but MUCH more an â80s songâ, which is different from a YR song.. it is kinda like what that politician famously said about pornography- I cant define it, but I know it when i see it .
ETA i guess what im tryna say is people take way too much liberty with the term YR, to me itâs far more narrow and niche .