Helen Reddy - I Am Woman (1972)

This was the smooth set that elevated Reddy into the superstar league, and kicked off a run of seven albums that went gold or platinum. Although this was on the strength of a beefed-up, strident re-recording of "I Am Woman," the balance of the album is good, too. Given that the writers include Don McLean, Leon Russell and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, that's hardly surprising. The album's other hit, "Peaceful," is everything easy listening should be; undemanding, sweet and flawlessly produced. The pointless cover of "Hit the Road Jack" strikes the only jarring note -- the rest is a fine collection of light pop and ballads.