Tag: The 1960’s
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Donald Byrd ‘A New Perspective’ (1964)
A New Perspective gently rewrites what you think jazz can sound like, partly because Byrd himself was always pushing at the edges of the art form. Known for his warm trumpet tone and an instinct for blending styles without losing the heart of the music, Byrd approached this album with a sense of exploration. Take…
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Roy Orbison ‘In Dreams’ (1963)
One thing I’ve always loved about Roy Orbison is how he completely cut against the grain for traditional country-pop music of the 1960’s. The man didn’t have a publicist nor did he have the traditional arrangements that defined the era. While his peers leaned on swagger and raw energy, Orbison carved out a space defined…
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Ben E. King ‘Don’t Play That Song’ (1962)
Before striking out on his own, King cut his teeth with the legendary doo-wop group The Drifters, lending his smooth tone to classics like “There Goes My Baby” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.” Don’t Play That Song is a cornerstone of early soul, built on the warmth and sincerity that made that era…
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Bob Dylan ‘Highway 61 Revisited’ (1965)
By 1965 Bob Dylan had already become one of the most important voices in American music. His poetic lyrics and sharp social commentary had elevated folk beyond simple protest songs, making it something more literary and deeply personal. In a decade filled with civil unrest and cultural change, Dylan’s words gave people a sense of…
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David McCallum ‘Music: A Bit More of Me’ (1967)
Before most folks knew him as the cool, unflappable Ducky on NCIS (which was probably your mom’s favorite show for a brief run there), David McCallum was quietly crafting some surprisingly smooth grooves of his own. His 1967 album Music: A Bit More of Me shows the Scottish actor’s deep affection for lush orchestration and…
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MC5 ‘Kick Out The Jams’ (1969)
Released in 1969 Kick Out the Jams by MC5 is one of the most controversial debut albums in rock history, and one of the rare cases where a band introduced itself to the world with a debut album that was also a live record. Captured at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom the album distills the chaos, energy,…
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Cat Stevens ‘Matthew & Son’ (1967)
Matthew & Son captures the youthful exuberance and pop ambition of Cat Stevens’ as he was still discovering his true voice, years before his introspective folk era made him a household name. The album is certainly different than his 1971 smash hit Tea for the Tillerman which is the type of folksy charm everyone remembers…
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Ennio Morricone ‘Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo’ (1966)
Ennio Morricone’s partnership with Sergio Leone reached its height with the infamous The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, a film where the score plays as central a role as the visuals do. The famous five-note coyote-like motif of the movie’s signature song immediately sets the tone, followed by electric guitar, trumpet, and flute that…
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Nazz ‘Nazz’ (1968)
We’ve talked about Todd Rundgren’s solo career before but his musical journey began with Nazz, a Philadelphia-based band he co-founded in 1967. Nazz was sort of a band in name-only based off what I’ve seen. Put another way, it was essentially a showcase for a young Rundgren to wield full creative control as songwriter, arranger,…
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Roy Clark ‘The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark’ (1963)
The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark is perhaps one of the more apropos album titles I’ve seen over the past three years. This guy could absolutely shred with the best of them in a way that’s nearly inconceivable, especially for a guitarist operating in country music during the early 60’s. Every single riff he plays…
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Jim Reeves ‘Good ‘N’ Country’ (1963)
There’s nothing like some good old fashioned country music from the 60’s on a weekend morning with the kids, and the velvet baritone of Jim Reeves was the soundtrack of today for me and the kids as we went to Sky Zone together. Reeves’ brand of country is a throwback to a simpler time that…
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Big Brother & the Holding Company ‘Self-Titled’ (1967)
Big Brother & the Holding Company’s self-titled debut album is best known as Janis Joplin’s first band before she went solo and blew up as “The Queen of Rock” before her untimely passing at the age of 27 years old. The whole thing was recorded in a mere three days following an appearance at the…
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Sam Cooke ‘One Night Stand: Live At The Harlem Square Club’ (1963)
Sam Cooke is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile vocalists of all time. You don’t get the nickname “The King of Soul” for nothing. His velvety tenor voice, remarkable pitch, and effortlessly soulful delivery that could soar to a high falsetto and then quickly pivot to a distinctive rasp in the…
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Neil Diamond ‘Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show’ (1969)
If you’ve been to a sporting event or wedding in the past 20 years you’re probably pretty familiar with “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. The song frankly needs no introduction. But what you probably don’t know about that song is that it actually didn’t have a home on the original pressing of Brother Love’s Travelling…
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Phil Ochs ‘I Ain’t Marching Anymore’ (1965)
Phil Ochs’ album I Ain’t Marching Anymore, released during the Vietnam War, features protest songs addressing war, racism, and social injustice, blending satire with emotional depth and capturing a pivotal time in American history.
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Joe Cocker ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ (1969)
Joe Cocker’s With a Little Help From My Friends is one of those rare debut albums that feels both familiar and totally fresh, built almost entirely on covers but delivered with so much soul and grit you forget these songs weren’t his to begin with. Released in 1969, it finds Cocker reimagining some of the…
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Jackie Wilson ‘Higher and Higher’ (1967)
I was introduced to Jackie Wilson via Van Morrison’s song “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)”. When an artist like Van Morrison is writing and dedicating a song to you, safe to say that you’ve made a pretty big impact in the music industry. And it’s easy to understand why after just…
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The Rolling Stones ‘Beggars Banquet’ (1968)
Beggars Banquet marked a turning point for The Rolling Stones. The band returned to their roots with a raw mix of blues rock and country influences while at the same time introducing unique percussive elements like Latin percussion. These additions added a new rhythmic depth to their sound while still staying true to what made…
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The Mothers of Invention ‘Freak Out’ (1966)
Led by Frank Zappa’s razor-sharp wit and avant-garde musical sensibilities The Mothers of Invention took rock and roll and dismantled it. Combining a mix of doo-wop, blues, musique concrète, and political satire, Zappa transformed the band from a blues rock outfit to a conceptual juggernaut, catapulting them towards an experimental sound which defied commercial expectations…
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Aretha Franklin ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’ (1967)
Aretha Franklin’s voice is a force of nature—powerful, raw, and deeply emotional. As I mentioned during my write up of her 1972 album Young, Gifted and Black she’s one of only two vocalists in the GOAT conversation for me (the other being Whitney Houston). Aretha’s ability to pour pure feeling into every note sets her…
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The Beatles ‘Please Please Me’ (1963)
The Beatles’ debut album Please Please Me marked a seismic moment in rock and roll history. It basically flipped rock and roll upside down. Released in 1963 the album was a mix of spirited covers and original compositions that was actually a rarity at the time. Self-contained rock bands who could write their own songs…
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The Who ‘Tommy’ (1969)
The Who’s groundbreaking rock opera Tommy emerged in 1969 as a visionary project primarily penned by guitarist Pete Townshend, who basically wrote the whole thing by himself. The double album weaves the fictional tale of Tommy Walker, a boy who becomes deaf, dumb, and blind following childhood trauma, only to rise as a spiritual leader…
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Led Zeppelin ‘Led Zeppelin II’ (1969)
1969 was a busy ass year for Led Zeppelin. They were proving out their status as rock’s rising titans with a world tour and the release of Led Zeppelin II, which came a mere ten months after their self-titled debut album. This sophomore effort, forged in a patchwork of studios across North America and the…
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Various Artists ‘A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector’ (1963)
A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is one of the most enduring holiday albums of all time, showcasing Phil Spector’s pioneering “Wall of Sound” production. Recorded at the height of Spector’s illustrious career, the album was a dazzling collaboration with his roster of talented artists, including Darlene Love, The Ronettes, The Crystals, and…
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The Stooges ‘The Stooges’ (1969)
When The Stooges roared onto the scene in 1969 it was like a Molotov cocktail got tossed into the face of the flower-power era. Feral riffs, primal drums, and Iggy Pop’s unhinged stage presence were the recipe for success here, and by putting it together they waged a ferocious rebellion against rock’s growing polished side…
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Frank Zappa ‘Hot Rats’ (1969)
Frank Zappa was a groundbreaking composer, guitarist, and bandleader whose career spanned a metric ton of musical genres while he was active from the late 60’s to early 90’s. Drawing on influences from doo-wop to avant-garde classical music, he fused rock, jazz, and complex modern music with a satirical twist that often mocked popular culture…
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Etta James ‘At Last!’ (1960)
At just 22, Etta James had already lived a life rich with struggle and resilience when she stepped into Chicago’s Chess Records studio to record At Last. And with a delicate orchestral arrangement and a velvety, yearning vocal delivery, the title track “At Last” captured the essence of love’s deepest longing. There’s so many things…
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The Yardbirds ‘For Your Love’ (1965)
The Yardbirds’ claim to fame is a damn good one– the band launched the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, three of the most respected blues rock guitar players of all-time. Their debut studio album For Your Love features the playing of Clapton and Beck respectively. Clapton, who was a founding member…
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Isaac Hayes ‘Hot Buttered Soul’ (1969)
Hot Buttered Soul is just plain cool. Released in 1969, it had an indelible impact on the soul music genre and how artists could use fashion and the album cover itself to make a statement. Isaac Hayes blended lush orchestration, deep grooves, and spoken word interludes, creating a rich, immersive soundscape that transcended traditional song…
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Nico ‘Chelsea Girl’ (1967)
Nico’s debut album Chelsea Girl showcases her as a pioneering figure in goth music, embodying a haunting, lunar sorceress singing of lost dreams. After leaving The Velvet Underground after their incredible album 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico, an experience that she described feeling “like a mannequin,” she partnered up with Jackson Browne and…
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The Impressions ‘Keep On Pushing’ (1964)
In Keep On Pushing Curtis Mayfield harnesses his gospel roots to deliver a powerful message of strength and perseverance during the heart of the Civil Rights movement. This album marks the Impressions’ first true effort as an album, showcasing beautifully crafted songs, supported by Johnny Pate’s horn arrangements, the trio’s captivating harmonies, and of course…
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The Who ‘My Generation’ (1965)
Released in 1965, The Who’s debut album My Generation not only defined the sound of British rock but also marked the band’s explosive entry into the music scene. With its raw energy, catchy melodies, and rebellious spirit, the album captured the essence of youthful defiance. Tracks like “My Generation” and “The Kids Are Alright” resonated…
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Jefferson Airplane ‘Surrealistic Pillow’ (1967)
Jefferson Airplane played a pivotal role in shaping San Francisco’s psychedelic rock scene during the mid-1960s, serving at the forefront of the counterculture movement that dominated the city and embodying the experimental shift that was happening in popular music at the time. Their complex compositions, soulful vocals, innovative guitar work, and hazy reverb-drenched production helped…
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The Beach Boys ‘Surfin’ Safari’ (1962)
The Beach Boys occupy a pretty important niche within the lexicon of American pop music. For the majority of the band’s career they cranked out campy lively surf rock anthems which captured the essence of the early 1960s Southern California surf culture, celebrating the carefree spirit of beach life and surfing. It’s basically the audio…
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Led Zeppelin ‘Led Zeppelin’ (1969)
The term “most influential band” gets thrown around a lot to describe various acts throughout the years, but no band in history changed the trajectory of pure rock and roll more than Led Zeppelin. Since the release of their eponymous debut album in 1969, Led Zeppelin has been a fixture on the radio and pop…
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Roberta Flack ‘First Take’ (1969)
Roberta Flack’s debut album First Take was initially a commercial disappointment. But like most things in life it just took some time– two years after the album was released her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was included in the soundtrack for the 1971 film Play Misty For Me, and the album…
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