A Century of Music

[Zeeba Neighba]

Fairport Convention - What We Did On Holiday (1969)
Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking (1969)
Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief (1969)
Jimmy Cliff - Jimmy Cliff (1969)


Sandy Denny left such a mark on Fairport Convention's music, it's hard to believe (aside from a return for one album in 1975), her main time with the group was only 1-1/2 years. In that time, Fairport recorded three tremendous albums, and I feel the need to revisit them all today. Love Denny's voice and, of course, Richard Thompson's guitar. Seeing Thompson solo was a true joy with his tribute to Denny by singing "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" a high point
All three are great, but Unhalfbricking is a special album for me
Next, Jimmy Cliff's self-titled second album - one of my top three Jamaican albums. Love his voice - have several wonderful Cliff albums, and they're OK but this one is just perfect

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Couple more this afternoon:
The Kinks - Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
The Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground (1969)



Both wonderful and both, though far from unknown albums, I feel are kind of underrated

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Thursday and I'm at my ACTUAL office today
Some 1969 albums to celebrate:

David Bowie - David Bowie (1969)
Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
Elvis Presley - From Elvis in Memphis (1969)
Johnny Cash - At San Quentin (1969)
The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)
Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline (1969)

Big Bowie fan here - as I know many of you are - but really how often do you break out this, his second album (and second album titled David Bowie - who does he think he is, Peter Gabriel?). Bowie showing some future promise here, but not a consistent album. Of course there's "Space Oddity" but also winners like "Cygnet Committee" and "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud". Other songs are just so-so. Still, glad this exercise reminded me to break it out.
Very solid initial effort by Chicago (then named Chicago Transit Authority). Their second album is much better, but really most of Chicago's early albums are worth spinning. This one especially highlights Terry Kath's guitar chops -he's never listed up there with the greats, but man could he play (Jimi Hendrix it is said loved Kath's guitar playing).

Then a whole mess of countrified rock

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

The Band - The Band (1969)
The Doors - The Soft Parade (1969)
Love - Four Sail (1969)

Not a big Band fan (as I've mentioned before) but their self-titled sophomore effort is my favorite of theirs

Could've easily skipped The Doors weakest effort but nostalgia took hold - it does contain one of their best tunes ("Touch Me") but man some of these tracks are really subpar even to an unabashed Doors fan like me. I do however enjoy the title track, their trippy, goofy, silly attempt at recreating something like "The End" and "When the Music's Over" ("the monk bought lunch...yeah, he bought a little")

Love's post-Forever Changes efforts sports a different band (aside from Arthur Lee) - it should be mentioned more - a sublime album (and the closer "Always See Your Face" is Lee's most beautiful composition)

 

[Ojai Sam]

The Band - The Band (1969)
The Doors - The Soft Parade (1969)
Love - Four Sail (1969)

Not a big Band fan (as I've mentioned before) but their self-titled sophomore effort is my favorite of theirs

Could've easily skipped The Doors weakest effort but nostalgia took hold - it does contain one of their best tunes ("Touch Me") but man some of these tracks are really subpar even to an unabashed Doors fan like me. I do however enjoy the title track, their trippy, goofy, silly attempt at recreating something like "The End" and "When the Music's Over" ("the monk bought lunch...yeah, he bought a little")

Love's post-Forever Changes efforts sports a different band (aside from Arthur Lee) - it should be mentioned more - a sublime album (and the closer "Always See Your Face" is Lee's most beautiful composition)

Zeeb, your series does a great job bringing to light some music we don't think about often enough. Here are three prime examples I'm gonna revisit soon!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Zeeb, your series does a great job bringing to light some music we don't think about often enough. Here are three prime examples I'm gonna revisit soon!

And it’s not even Friday listening yet - always quite the ragtag day

 

[axolotl]

And it’s not even Friday listening yet - always quite the ragtag day

Friday is ragtag?

I never knew....

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left (1969)
The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
Blind Faith - Blind Faith (1969)
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul (1969)



Busy day so didn't cover as many albums as I hoped. Hopefully some additional albums over the weekend to round out the year

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Yesterday’s 1969 listens:

Santana - Santana
Jethro Tull - Stand Up
MC5 - Kick Out the Jams
Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers

 

[lpfreak1170]

Amazing, classic run of albums here, Zeeba!!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Not much music listening yesterday sadly and did want to get in a few more 1969 albums
1970 will have to wait until tomorrow

Fleetwood Mac - Then Play On (1969)
Procol Harum - A Salty Dog (1969)
The Allman Brothers Band (1969)
The Meters - Look-Ka Py Py (1969)

Probably a couple more this afternoon, but right now I've played 40 albums from 1969 - and even that deep into the year, these four are pretty wonderful.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Frank Zappa - Hot Rats (1969)
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica (1969)
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine (1969)
Joni Mitchell - Clouds (1969)
Quicksilver Messenger Service - Happy Trails (1969)





Despite Trout Mask Replica failing to resonate me despite multiple listens over the years (as well as reading multiple columns, opinions on the album), decided that I really couldn't finish 1969 without once again playing this oft-esteemed album. Seemed a nice pairing with Zappa's Hot Rats (with vocals on "Willie the Pimp" by Beefheart) which also falls flat with many listeners (I know Sam and I have different takes on that one).

After those two, returned to more conventional music (in a way) with Yellow Submarine - felt, after spinning every other Beatles album up to now, it would be weird to skip it (and "Hey Bulldog" is awesome (though it came up in my singles playlist)). Then, Joni Mitchell's sophomore album - not that I listen to Joni often, but when I do, I don't often turn to Clouds so nice hearing it again. And rather than the two Dead albums of the year, choosing Happy Trails for San Francisco-based psychedelic jams highlighting some of the band's Fillmore East and Fillmore West performances.

Heading to 1970 tomorrow - tackled a bunch of albums. Still, so many still on the table clearly indicating a great year in music. Apologies to In A Silend Way, Ummagumma, Live/Dead, Odessa, Oar, Goodbye Cream, Songs From A Room, It's A Beautiful Day (plus a few others - you know who you are).

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Welcome to a whole new decade - the 70s. Vietnam, Watergate, gas shortage, terrorism, Phyllis Schlafly, Anita Bryant, Son of Sam. In sure a screwy era with a lot not to like
However, out of this the music was fantastic (yes, and a lot goofy, treacly, corny) but look at the range - punk, reggae, funk, stadium rock, prog, disco, singer-songwriter. Remains my favorite decade in music.

So what's some of what's on 1970's singles/album track playlist?
"Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Cecilia" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Let It Be", "Long and Winding Road", "Across the Universe" by The Beatles
"Lola" by The Kinks
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Who'll Stop the Rain", "Lookin Out My Back Door" by CCR
"Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine" by James Brown
"Paranoid", "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath
"Black Magic Woman" by Santana
"Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
"All Right Now" by Free
"War" by Edwin Starr
"My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison
"Your Song" by Elton John
"25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago
"Moondance" by Van Morrison
"Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors
"Ball of Confusion" by The Temptations
"Band of Gold" by Freda Payne
"Joy to the World", "Mama Told Me Not to Come" by Three Dog Night
"(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters
"American Woman" by The Guess Who
"Ohio, "Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
"Instant Karma" by John Lennon
"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder
"Crackin' Rosie" by Neil Diamond
"Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner
"O-o-h Child" by The Five Stairsteps
"Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin
"If You Could Read My Mind" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Child In TIme" by Deep Purple
"Uncle John's Band", "Truckin" by Grateful Dead
"Question" by The Moody Blues
"When You Dance I Can Really Love" by Neil Young
"The Wonder of You", "Kentucky Rain" by Elvis Presley
"The Love You Save", "ABC" by The Jackson 5
"Wild World" by Cat Stevens
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross
"I'm Eighteen" by Alice Cooper
"No Matter What" by Badfinger
"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse
"Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield
"Lucky Man" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
"Sweet Jane" by The Velvet Underground
"I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family
"Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell
"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson
"Glad" by Traffic
"Spill the Wine" by Eric Burdon with War
"Make It With You" by Bread
"Express Yourself" by The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
"Love The One You're With" by Stephen Stills
"The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie
"Midnight Rider" by The Allman Brothers Band
"Knock Three Times" by Dawn
"After Midnight" by Eric Clapton
"I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" by Grand Funk Railroad
"Vehicle" by Ides of March
"Funk #49" by James Gang
"Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn
"The Letter" by Joe Cocker
"Are You Ready" by Pacific Gas & Electric
"For the Good Times" by Ray Price
"I Can't Get Next to You" by Al Green
"Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" by Melanie
"Mr. Bojangles" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"One Less Bell to Answer" by The 5th Dimension
"Sunday Mornin' Comin Down" by Kris Kistofferson
"Nature's Way" by Spirit

Man, what a year! Going through this tremendous 131 song playlist now

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Neil Young - After the Gold Rush (1970)
Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory (1970)



Beginning my journey of 1970 albums with some true classics - After the Gold Rush and Moondance are two of my all time favorites. Both, would be in my top 25 albums of all time. Gold Rush spoke to me from first listen in college - up to that time, I had really not gelled with a lot of Neil Young I heard on classic rock radio. Heard this album once and that opinion quickly changed. Cosmo's Factory is arguably CCR's best.
Why to this day do I have to stop and remember whether it's Troubled Water or Troubled Waters when typing the S&G album. My wife loves the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" which, despite it's status, I probably wouldn't put in my top 5 S&G song (I think "The Boxer" is the best on this album).

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

The Beatles - Let It Be (1970)
John Lennon - John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Paul McCartney - McCartney (1970)
George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970)



Busy day tomorrow so not sure how much music listening - so made today count
Started the afternoon with Let It Be, a Beatles album that has filler but I've always loved more than many others - of course there are the hits but just love "Two of Us" and "I Dig a Pony"
Well, it probably wasn't difficult to predict what I did next which was move to three of the Beatles solo albums from the year. Lennon beat McCartney this round with his stripped down, scream therapy-inspired confessional. But Paul's debut seems like a man just stretching out and having fun noodling around. Both are true departures from the material released the year before.

Still Paul does produce the best song of the three albums ("Maybe I'm Amazed") but Harrison's triple album release is incredible - a pent up expulsion of song ideas. He benefits initially at least the most from the break-up. Do we need all of - well probably not - disc 3's jams aren't for everybody, but what a fun listen

Up to now, I've really never paid attention to the number of tremendous musicians on All Things Must Pass - oh sure Clapton's there but others include Gary Wright, Klauss Voorman (who also plays bass on Lennon's album this year), keyboardist Bobby Whitlock (quite the busy beaver in 1970 not only also playing with Derek and the Dominos but writing 8 of Layla...'s fourteen tracks (another fact learned today)), Ringo, the guys from Badfinger, Ginger Baker, Peter Framton, Dave Mason, and a pre-Genesis Phil Collins on congas. Yowzah!

 

[axolotl]

Up to now, I've really never paid attention to the number of tremendous musicians on All Things Must Pass - oh sure Clapton's there but others include Gary Wright, Klauss Voorman (who also plays bass on Lennon's album this year), keyboardist Bobby Whitlock (quite the busy beaver in 1970 not only also playing with Derek and the Dominos but writing 8 of Layla...'s fourteen tracks (another fact learned today)), Ringo, the guys from Badfinger, Ginger Baker, Peter Framton, Dave Mason, and a pre-Genesis Phil Collins on congas. Yowzah!

I mean....

Prodigious! Formidable! Yowza, indeed!

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

After a birthday break from 1970, continuing onward with these:
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1970)
Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu (1970)
Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman (1970)
Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead (1970)
Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Some more for today:

Elvis Presley - On Stage (1970)
Elvis Presley - That’s The Way It Is (1970)
Derek and the Dominos - Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Not much over the weekend but back today to 1970 listens:

The Doors - Morrison Hotel (1970)
Deep Purple - Deep Purple in Rock (1970)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Santana - Abraxas (1970)
The Kinks - Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (1970)
Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection (1970)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Curtis Mayfield - Curtis (1970)
The Velvet Underground - Loaded (1970)
Joe Cocker - Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1970)
The Who - Live at Leeds (1970)