That’s the one. I work with their manager. Their singer Pat Dinizio died a few years ago so Marshall and Robin from Gin Blossoms sit in, depending on who’s available. The Smithereens lyrics often have an edge that doesn’t sit well, but Pat is a totally overlooked pop writer. His melodies are so good.
1. Beach Boys - Wild Honey 2. The Who - The Who Sell Out 3. The Beatles - Sgt Peps I listen to Wild Honey constantly. “Aren’t You Glad” is one of my favorite songs ever, gorgeous changes. The mood of this record is so easy and free. A total guiding light in my life. 2 and 3 could be Something Else and John Wesley Harding on any other day. This year is bananas; Antonio Carlo Jobim, Jimi, Nina Simone, Far East Suite, Love, Aretha Franklin, Magical Myster Tour, Nilsson, The Doors, Daydream Believer, Byrds, VU and Nico, Pink Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Miles Smiles...its endless
Okay, not easy to choose in this psychedelic period... let's go: - Pink Floyd: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn - The Velvet Underground & Nico: The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Doors: The Doors Nice weekend!
I think I've got to go: 1. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 2. The Kinks: Something Else By the Kinks 3. Nina Simone: Sings the Blues Sgt. Pepper is the first Beatles album I listened to which also means its the first album from the 60s I listened to. A big turning point in my listening habits. I love Something Else, and Waterloo Sunset is about as perfect of a song as can be written. And I was floored by Nina's album so I had to include that one. Cuts: Magical Mystery Tour could've easily been third as well. Disraeli Gears is a big cut as well. Although I never realized until this week that Eric Clapton was in Cream. John Wesley Harding is solid but out of Dylan's 60s albums, it's my least favorite besides his debut. And shout out to debuts from Big Brother/Janis Joplin and Dolly Parton. Other highlights from my listening this week: Velvet Underground & Nico, The Who Sell Out, Aretha's I Never Loved a Man, the Supremes sing Motown.
Jimmy Ruffin - Sings Top Ten He doesn't have the kind of voice that knocks you on your ass, but the man knows how to work a song. And the arrangements have just enough Motown decoration, but really almost feel more in line with Stax. Really good record. Tommy James and The Shondells - I Think We're Alone Now Absolutely blown away by this one. Take a really good professional songwriter writing smart bubblegum, then beam in a great little early '60s garage band in to play them, but add some little '67 production flourishes. One of my favorite new discoveries in this whole sixties journey. Aretha Franklin - Aretha Arrives A bit of a regression for her, as you'd expect when your last album changed the world. Still damn good.
Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn Honestly prefer the instrumental bits to the "song" parts. They could PLAY, right from the jump. Just some incredible stretches on this thing. I feel like I'll continue to get more from it the more I listen, too.
no gilmour yet too! edit: I realize this probably doesn't mean much to you SINCE YOU DON'T LISTEN TO PINK FLOYD
sgt. pepper takes it with 33. other double digit albums were nina sings the blues (24), vu & nico (16), the doors (11) and I never loved a man... (11). I'm gonna be on the lake tomorrow. ill try to post '68 before I go but might be after.
I thought I subscribed to the “Sgt. Peppers is overrated” narrative, but thinking about it in this 1967 context...it rips. The production is kinda fussy and not entirely complementary, but it’s a killin set of songs.
Catching up on some 1967, I listened to the duet album between Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, King and Queen. Otis I love, but Carla I wasn't so familiar with. This album did get a bit more recognisable to me as it went on, so this may well have been a second listen, but at least it's not been one I've heard for a while. It's as good as you'd expect, always a pleasure listening to Otis and he combines well with Carla, especially on silly tracks like Tramp where they take turns insulting each other ("You wear overalls and big old brogan shoes and you need a haircut, tramp"). Not essential perhaps, but you can't go wrong here
Turns out I listened to it as part of your Artist of the week threads about 5 years ago. They were a great idea! https://forum.chorus.fm/posts/159024
I know I’m late here, but wow I’m shocked to see how few (maybe just 1?) mentions for Buffalo Springfield Again. The announcement of Neil Young as an absolute force to be reckoned with and a great album in its own right. For shame!
I count two in honorable mentions including mine- but yeah still a bit under represented. I think we have more Graham Nash fans round these parts hahaha