Two A&M Milestones today, January 5.  In 1974, Carpenters hit #1 on the Billboard album chart with their anthology The Singles: 1969 – 1973.  This album compiled their hit singles to date, including their chart topping tunes “(They Long To Be) Close To You” and “Top of the World,” and would become a perennial bestseller.

Also on January 5, 1979, the ever-eclectic Joe Jackson’s debut album Look Sharp! debuts in the UK. The album would be released in April in the US.  This was the first of three A&M albums featuring Jackson’s original quartet with Graham Maby (bass), Dave Houghton (drums) and Gary Sanford (guitar).  “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” is the breakthrough single from the album that brought Jackson into the limelight.

Thanks to our pal Jeff Harris (Behind the Grooves) for the timely daily updates.  Follow his blog over at Tumblr.