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Post by jk on Jun 9, 2021 14:49:03 GMT -5
I've always been intrigued by the dividing line on music forums between music by the band or artist featured on that forum and music by everyone else. Of course, it's impossible to maintain this division -- there will inevitably be overlap. Covers by others (a topic that could fit comfortably in either section) are a case in point. "What are you listening to?" threads are another. And so are general topics dedicated to particular periods or years, such as this one.
The record I most associate with the onset of 1966 is in fact a Beach Boys song. "Barbara Ann" could be heard at any hour of the day on UK pirate stations in January of that year:
Indeed, the Boys are all over 1966. More from them later.
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Post by jk on Jun 10, 2021 15:41:17 GMT -5
The Beatles were there too: In fact it was The Beatles that kept "GOK" from the top spot in the UK with their double-sider "Eleanor Rigby"/"Yellow Submarine", both of which attracted their fair share of flak. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paperback_Writer
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Post by jk on Jun 13, 2021 12:42:07 GMT -5
There were some great 45s in 1966 by groups who never managed to repeat their success. Take this very cool spoken-word track by Syndicate of Sound, "Little Girl", which got as far as #5 in the Cashbox charts in July: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syndicate_of_Sound
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Post by jk on Jun 14, 2021 12:31:28 GMT -5
An early Bowie classic now from the year of years. Oddly, I remember "Can't Help Thinking About Me" as being by David Jones and The Lower Third, although by all accounts he had changed his stage name by then to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees. My memory playing me up, no doubt. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Help_Thinking_About_Me
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Post by jk on Jun 15, 2021 7:00:54 GMT -5
This song has to be P.J. Proby's finest hour. A Goffin-King composition produced by Jack Nitzsche, "I Can't Make It Alone" should have been huge. At least the Brits put it into their top 40 (just) — it did almost nothing in the US. Scandalous, really -- everything about this song is perfect! Curious jk factoid: The sublime riff with its clashing E flats and Ds can be heard in an almost identical form in Aaron Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring (1944), here at 5:23 in the orchestral suite Copland compiled the following year: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Springen.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._J._Proby
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Post by jk on Jun 16, 2021 3:10:45 GMT -5
Ha. Mr. Tubey seems to have cottoned onto the fact that I'm focusing on 1966 and has started feeding me 45s from that year. I'd forgotten all about this beauty by The Lovin' Spoonful. Released at the end of 1965 like "Barbara Ann", "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" was a radio hit only in the UK, although it went top ten in the US (note the BB connection on the wiki page): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Didn%27t_Have_to_Be_So_Nice
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Post by boogieboarder on Jun 16, 2021 9:17:03 GMT -5
Interesting that you chose “Barbara Ann” as the onset of 1966, a throwback to 1961 as originally recorded by The Regents and covered by Jan and Dean. For me, “Sloop John B” represents the pivot to 1966 for The Beach Boys, a big departure in sound for the band. Ironically, it’s also a cover version, the original dating back to 1916.
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Post by jk on Jun 16, 2021 9:28:48 GMT -5
Interesting that you chose “Barbara Ann” as the onset of 1966, a throwback to 1961 as originally recorded by The Regents and covered by Jan and Dean. For me, “Sloop John B” represents the pivot to 1966 for The Beach Boys, a big departure in sound for the band. Ironically, it’s also a cover version, the original dating back to 1916. Hi, bb. To each their own, of course. I just have fonder memories of "Barbara Ann". I heard "SJB" far too often at the time of its release as a single. It only hit home when I bought Pet Sounds in '67.
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Post by jk on Jun 17, 2021 4:31:30 GMT -5
Another gorgeous Spectorian 45 from '66, once again sans Uncle Phil (the Righteous Brothers had left his stable by then) but avec Jack Nitzsche, is "(You're My) Soul And Inspiration", which gave them their second and last US #1. Unlike the Proby 45, which I found at a market a few years later, I bought "(YM)SAI" the week it was released. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(You%27re_My)_Soul_and_Inspiration
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Post by jk on Jun 26, 2021 12:48:37 GMT -5
And what were the Stones doing in 1966? Well, recording this slightly unsettling song for a start. A non-album track (outside of comps), "HYSYMBSITS" has some strange brass/horn passages that only add to the otherworldliness of this single: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_You_Seen_Your_Mother,_Baby,_Standing_in_the_Shadow%3F
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Post by jk on Jun 29, 2021 14:06:17 GMT -5
The pirate station I listened to the most that year (Radio London) was constantly playing tracks from Pet Sounds. "SJB" came first, and then, when the album was released, "WIBN", "GOK" and "Caroline, No". (Of these singles, I heard "SJB" and "GOK" far too often at the time and it was only when I bought the album that I came to appreciate them fully.) The one album-only track that was played on "Big L" that year was "Here Today" -- and it was played a lot. I had no idea what they were singing about (the sound source was a transistor on the work floor) but it sounded timeless. It still does -- they all do.
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Post by boogieboarder on Jun 29, 2021 14:32:10 GMT -5
Incredible albums that defined 1966 for me. Will there ever be another year like that?
Pet Sounds & “ Good Vibrations” The Association - their first two albums. The Mamas and Papas fist two albums. Simon & Garfunkel - two classic albums. Lovin’ Spoonful Two Beatles albums Aftermath - first all original Rolling Stones LP Zappa’s debut Mothers of Invention double LP Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde Donovan Sunshine Superman Paul Butterfield East West The Monkees Buffalo Springfield debut Cream debut The Who
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Post by jk on Jun 29, 2021 15:13:09 GMT -5
Incredible albums that defined 1966 for me. Will there ever be another year like that?Pet Sounds & “ Good Vibrations” The Association - their first two albums. The Mamas and Papas fist two albums. Simon & Garfunkel - two classic albums. Lovin’ Spoonful Two Beatles albums Aftermath - first all original Rolling Stones LP Zappa’s debut Mothers of Invention double LP Dylan’s Blonde on BlondeDonovan Sunshine Superman Paul Butterfield East WestThe Monkees Buffalo Springfield debut Cream debut The Who My sentiments entirely! Actually, I only started buying non-classical albums the following year. Among them were four released in ’66: Love's first two, Blues Magoos' Psychedelic Lollipop and Pet Sounds. Oh, and the Mothers' debut (in the single-LP format as released in the UK at the time).
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Post by boogieboarder on Jun 29, 2021 19:32:36 GMT -5
Incredible albums that defined 1966 for me. Will there ever be another year like that?Pet Sounds & “ Good Vibrations” The Association - their first two albums. The Mamas and Papas fist two albums. Simon & Garfunkel - two classic albums. Lovin’ Spoonful Two Beatles albums Aftermath - first all original Rolling Stones LP Zappa’s debut Mothers of Invention double LP Dylan’s Blonde on BlondeDonovan Sunshine Superman Paul Butterfield East WestThe Monkees Buffalo Springfield debut Cream debut The Who My sentiments entirely! Actually, I only started buying non-classical albums the following year. Among them were four released in ’66: Love's first two, Blues Magoos' Psychedelic Lollipop and Pet Sounds. Oh, and the Mothers' debut (in the single-LP format as released in the UK at the time). Yes, forgot about Love.
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Post by jk on Jun 30, 2021 10:21:31 GMT -5
I first heard this in early January '66 during a lift back from a party where the girl I fancied had ended up with someone else. So my memories of Lee Dorsey's "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" are mixed, to say the least. Luckily I discovered it was a fantastic piece to play on the piano:
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Post by boogieboarder on Jun 30, 2021 11:11:51 GMT -5
And a cover version of “Get Out of My Life Woman” was on Paul Butterfield’s 1966 East-West album already mentioned.
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Post by jk on Jun 30, 2021 14:07:52 GMT -5
And a cover version of “Get Out of My Life Woman” was on Paul Butterfield’s 1966 East-West album already mentioned. Yes, I noticed on the song's wiki page (which I couldn't link for some reason) that there were several cover versions, including one by The Kingsmen! I must revisit that Butterfield album -- I know I heard it at some point but I can't remember what I thought of it! Thanks for reminding me of it. Talking of Love, I was flummoxed by "My Little Red Book" at the time -- I didn't get it at all! But I thought their next 45, "7 And 7 Is", was astonishing! It was the principal reason I bought Da Capo not long after getting Pet Sounds. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_and_7_Is
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Post by jk on Jul 2, 2021 5:31:07 GMT -5
Inspired by Greg's cool performance of The Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset" on the Beach Boys Talk UK edition (ye gods, what a talent!), this is one of theirs from the year of years. "Dedicated Follower Of Fashion" gave The Kinks a UK #4. Years ago at a wedding reception I joined the band onstage (on piano) for a couple of Kinks songs, including "DFOF"... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedicated_Follower_of_Fashion
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Post by jk on Jul 2, 2021 17:22:34 GMT -5
For me, The Standells' "Dirty Water" typifies the enthusiasm and pioneering spirit of so many US bands in 1966. (I may have only started buying pop LPs the following year but I had been buying singles since 1961 and "Dirty Water" was one of them.) "Aw-uh, Baw-ston, yahr mah home" indeed! The Standells are an L.A. band. (I recall Adam Marsland mentioning that he had joined them for a while). The song is in fact a "mock paean" to Boston, yet has become the anthem of several of that city's sports teams. Normally I would give a wide berth to stereo recordings in this thread, but I have a soft spot for the accompanying video [which I hope to find again some day]. Meanwhile, here's the better sounding mono version: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Water
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Post by boogieboarder on Jul 2, 2021 21:05:06 GMT -5
Oh yeah, all those great singles on Nuggets.
The very first rock concert I ever attended was a listeners thank you party with tickets given away by radio station KBLA Los Angeles, California. It was in December, 1966 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. And yes, believe it or not, the following groups performed full sets.
Gene Clark Buffalo Springfield The Music Machine Count 5 Love The Turtles The Seeds The Association Sonny and Cher
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Post by filledeplage on Jul 3, 2021 8:29:19 GMT -5
For me, The Standells' "Dirty Water" typifies the enthusiasm and pioneering spirit of so many US bands in 1966. (I may have only started buying pop LPs the following year but I had been buying singles since 1961 and "Dirty Water" was one of them.) "Aw-uh, Baw-ston, yahr mah home" indeed! The Standells are an L.A. band. (I recall Adam Marsland mentioning that he had joined them for a while). The song is in fact a "mock paean" to Boston, yet has become the anthem of several of that city's sports teams. Normally I would give a wide berth to stereo recordings in this thread, but I have a soft spot for the accompanying video: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_WaterFunny you should mention it... www.boston.com/culture/community/2021/07/01/best-song-to-mention-boston-reader-poll/
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Post by jk on Jul 3, 2021 10:16:47 GMT -5
Thanks for that, fdp. They have good taste out there in Baw-ston. As much as I love The Association's "Along Comes Mary", I’m going for the less well known "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies", a minor hit for the band but a great favourite of mine, if a tad unsettling: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_(The_Association_album)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2021 0:07:41 GMT -5
I'm surprised this one hasn't been mentioned yet:
And the B-side is not bad either (although a little short). With a little more production it could have been an A-side hit.
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Post by jk on Jul 4, 2021 2:28:56 GMT -5
I'm surprised this one hasn't been mentioned yet: In my case, simply because I'm not fond of it! (Thanks for linking those two.) I probably heard it far too often at the time. I much prefer Spike Milligan's zany parody from that same year, "Tower Bridge". I suspect the last part with the bassoon influenced the tag of "The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill" (Lennon like the others was a huge Goon Show fan). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goon_Show
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Post by jk on Jul 4, 2021 5:18:43 GMT -5
Picture this. It's an October evening and you've just arrived home by bus after another less than enthralling day's work. You've eaten and then you retire upstairs to your room because you know your favourite radio station is about to premiere a very special new single on the UK airwaves. You turn off the light and settle down. What you hear conjures up visions of precious stones glowing in dark colours (there is no Internet or MTV to influence what you see in your mind's eye). The song you hear exceeds your wildest dreams -- it is called "Good Vibrations".
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