1969 (pt 2)

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.

mp3 The Kinks: Victoria

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).

mp3 David Bowie: The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud

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.

mp3 Fairport Convention: Meet on the Ledge

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.

mp3 The Who: See Me, Feel Me

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