1966 in music. • Page 5

overall, SOS grabbed me a lot more first listen, but i could see PSR&T growing on me a lot

 

Not a huge S&G guy but Bridge over Troubled Water is definitely my favorite

 

“Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” and “The Dangling Conversation” still wow me a million listens in.


And of all the tongue-in-cheek Dylan parodies in the world, “A Simple Desultory Philippic” has to be my favorite

 

What's cool to me is that they finally nailed the best version on the third release of the song. The "basic track" appeared on their debut album, as well as an acoustic version on Simon's first solo record.

The electric overdubs on this version are far and away the best version.

Also, I've always had a hard time differentiating who sings what part too, but I kind of just assumed in a generic sense with some exceptions, that Garfunkel takes the higher-pitched vocal line when they are harmonizing.

 

Garfunkel has one of the purest tenors in pop so if you hear a vocal on one of their records that sounds like an angel dropped in on the studio, that’s Art.

 

I also find it difficult to distinguish between Simon and Garfunkel sometimes. I know who's who on Bridge Over Troubled Water because I've listened to that album the most, but I find it difficult to tell sometimes on their earlier records.

 

the "folk rock! ... I've lost my harmonica, Albert!" at the end still kills me.

 

This is about as accurate of an assessment I've heard of any singer.

Both of these records are such breezy enjoyable listens. Both make a strong case for my top 5 from this year.

 

It’s just so damn funny. Like Mel Brooks though, you can only parody something that well if you love it enough to know it in detail

 

This conversation has me revisiting PSR&T and I honestly feel like this and Bookends don’t get enough credit for being ambitious and almost experimental. They get (rightfully) pegged as mostly folky and Paul gets plenty of of love as a writer, but these albums really do some interesting, innovative stuff. Just because it wasn’t psychedelic doesn’t mean it wasn’t playing with genre and structure and arrangement in cool ways

 

Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it
And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it
Lights flicker from the opposite loft
In this room the heat pipes just cough
The country music station plays soft
But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off
Just Louise and her lover so entwined
And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind

like......... cmon

 

1 Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence
2 Nina Simone - High Priestess of Soul
3 Otis Redding - The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul

4 The Beatles - Revolver
5 John Lee Hooker - It Serves You Right to Suffer
6 Muddy Waters - The Real Folk Blues
7 Otis Redding - The Soul Album
8 Nina Simone - Wild Is The Wind
9 The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
10 Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

HMs:
The Rolling Stones - Aftermath (US release)
Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde


What a loaded year. Not quiiite as head-over-heels for Dylan in general and Blonde specifically as many are (never totally been able to get past his voice, wish I could), but the generational lyrical/poetic talent is clear as day.

 

Finally settled on my 3:

1. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
2. The Beatles - Revolver
3. The Supremes - I Hear A Symphony

 

No mention of Art is complete without this gem:

 

holy shit lol he sure puts the “art” in “artist”.

 

I’m gonna spend tomorrow spamming this thread about Revolver. We’ve focused a lot on the lesser known records we’ve gotta nerd out a bit on this one.

 

It’s insane to me that Capitol cut “I’m Only Sleeping” and “And Your Bird Can Sing” from the American version. Just insanity

 

Possibly the two most underrated songs in their entire catalogue. Both absolute GEMS.

 

I’m currently tripping over the fact that McCartney wrote “Here there and everywhere”after being inspired by “god only knows” that was released only a fucking MONTH before.... and of course “God only Knows” itself was inspired by Rubber Soul. Just absolute brilliance and makes me wonder what the hell musicians are doing nowadays besides checking their social media hahaha

/oldmanrant

 

Revolver track ranking aka this will change tomorrow:

Tomorrow Never Knows
Here, There and Everywhere
And Your Bird Can Sing
I’m Only Sleeping
Taxman
She Said She Said
Got to Get You Into My Life
Eleanor Rigby
Good Day Sunshine
For No One
Love You To
Doctor Robert
Yellow Submarine
I Want To Tell You


The fact that ELEANOR RIGBY is in the bottom half of my rankings for this album .... just .... come on.

10 of the songs on this album alone belong in the conversation for one of those old lists RS used to do for “Top 500 songs of all time”. Just saying.

 

I get why everyone loves “Here There and Everywhere” (and I do too), but for my money, “For No One” is his second masterpiece on the record besides “Eleanor Rigby”. No frills. No psychedelia or high concept lyrics. Just a perfect song about someone not loving you anymore.

 

im with you on that one being super underrated as well. Listened to it this evening multiple times, and it’s so relatable you can shed tears to it. 5 star song for sure.

 

Your point is a perfect example of how much my rankings could change by tomorrow. 10-11 perfect songs on this record in my opinion.

 

1. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
2. Beetles - Revolver
3. Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde

Pet Sounds is my “favorite” album. The hits are well tread, some other bits I love:

the melody in You Still Believe In Me

i love how That’s Not Me changes key 2 bars before the C section (i feel like it’s not really a chorus). I also love how this song never really blooms, it’s very mellow

Both instrumentals are gorgeous

Here Today break is verby bliss

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times chorus

 

The Yardbirds - Roger the Engineer
Again, not a lot of distinctive vocals or songwriting necessarily, but this band could play. Just so much fire and ferocity.


The Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream
They're such a charming, minor band who happened at the right time to be considered major by pure happenstance. "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" is one of the best songs of the '60s, the title track is great, and the album tracks are charming and weird.


Ike and Tina Turner - River Deep-Mountain High
This was fantastic. From what I can tell might not be characteristic of the average Ike and Tina album, but damn is it great. Spector worked with some wonderful singers over the years, but none were better than Tina. She just absolutely shreds every song on here.

Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman
All-time classic single. Fantastic voice full of feeling. Very solid album.