A twang to part three. This was the era that saw country hit the rock mainstream, through the likes of the Stones. It was also the year that saw the second of the prison recordings that saw his credibility restored. There is a raw energy to these recordings that chimed well with the rock and roll generation.
Townes van Zandt's second and third albums were released in 1969. His second, Our Mother the Mountain, featured some of his great songs, even though he would record many of them again without the somewhat florid arrangements. This though, is mighty fine.
At the real cutting edge were Gram Parsons' Flying Burrito Brothers with The Gilded Palace of Sin (great title), as country rock edged closer to country itself:
Coming soon, an Iron & Wine collection of rarities etc. Meanwhile, on Sam Beam's website there's a collection of versions of songs from The Shepherd's Dog, here.
Things take a distinctly English turn on part two. By 1969, Ray Davis' obsession with The English past was in full flow on the concept album Arthur. It's stand-out track was one of the Kinks' great singles.
1969 saw David Bowie make his first mark and his first hit single. However, as everyone knows that song, I thought I'd offer this 1969 b-side. Those who know his 1969 album, originally Man of Words, Man of Music (what a shite title) will recognise the fact that it is saddled with some pretty OTT arrangements which often mar the songs. This song, featuring Mick Ronson for the first time, suffered in particular. This simplified guitar and cello version works much better (Ronson would hit his straps next time up).
1969 saw two albums from the Fairport Convention that were just beginning to emerge from the Californian folk rock cover versions into the band that gave us folk-rock and two of the great English songwriters, namely Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny. The first of the two, What We Did On Our Holidays, saw the first great Richard Thompson song.
1969 also saw The Who release the mishmash that was Tommy. Like most rock double albums, it was a good single one waiting to get out (that's why, incidentally, the fact that many bands now release shorter 40 minuteish cds is A GOOD THING. Anyway, forget all the meaningless plot (such as it was), this is great late '60s Who.
The Hold Steady have a new live set out; they will also feature in the Bible. But here's some live & live in Studio, all on an Easterish theme. These are the biz!!!
A while back a pal sent me a text (yes, you) challenging me to produce a cd of the best of 1969. So, I'm gonna do it in installments. It's starting a bit heavily:
In 1968, the Stones returned brilliantly to a mix of the blues, country and brilliant rock'n'roll; they also captured the zeitgeist with the likes of Street Fighting Man and Sympathy for the Devil. In the year in which flower power turned darker, and Altamont saw fans killed by Hell's Angels, the Stones captured the mood in this brilliant, menacing and snaky masterpiece. Rape, murder, just a shot away...
In spite of their would be Satanic Majesties poses, you know the Stones feared the reaper. Not Iggy. This is, pure and simple, on of the great slabs of primal rock. But now, romance gives way... c'mowwwwwn,,,
1969 also saw Led Zep make their first two albums. Already, the heavy riffing was there, but so were the blues and folk that made them a more interesting band than many recall. Of those, I reckon this is the highlight, its heavy blues riff, Plant's wail.
The second full length effort from the well labelled son of Steve, sees his fine old fashioned yet now country style intact, and sounding pretty darn good. Try these:
Sorry for the lack of posts, been busy. So here's a new feature, the themed series. My mate Pete said 'I bet you can't do an album of songs which (in their titles) do the bible'. So here goes. To kick off, Genesis (pt one).
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