Author Archives: tacopepper

     The ongoing competition between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones continued on, and the Stones followed the Beatles with their release of “Beggars Banquet”.  Moving beyond the hot mess that was “Their Satanic Majesties Request”, this album cover swapped out the overtly colorful band portrait for a simple, white cover.  Sound familiar?  Anyway, thisContinue reading “The Rolling Stones “Beggars Banquet” (1968)”

     If ever there was an album custom-made to be listened to in a warm coffee shop on a cold, grey winter day, it is “Astral Weeks” by Irish folk-rock singer Van Morrison.  Rated as the #60 album on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of all time, this cohesive and consistent record was aContinue reading “Van Morrison “Astral Weeks” (1968)”

     Following the release of the Hendrix double album “Electric Ladyland”, the Beatles followed with their own double-album. Formally it is just self-titled as “The Beatles”, in casual terms it is known to most as “The White Album” for its stark white, and otherwise empty, cover.  Yet another massively impactful album from the band thatContinue reading “The Beatles “The Beatles” “aka The White Album” (1968)”

     Amidst all the psychedelia and increasingly loud and intense rock and roll, popular music and its various offshoots all continued to advance, offering a diverse selection of sounds beyond the explosion of guitar rock.  Today is a step back in time, with the album “The Ice Man Cometh”, by Impressions lead singer Jerry Butler,Continue reading “Jerry Butler “The Ice Man Cometh” (1968)”

     Looking at the third and sadly, final studio album from Jimi Hendrix, it reminds me of the proverb Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  While his first album was a bit too standard and simple for a talent like Hendrix, and his second album was a bit too far out there for my tastes atContinue reading “Jimi Hendrix “Electric Ladyland” (1968)”

     Another important step today in the world of rock and roll, especially in the form of electric guitar.  Today’s album comes from guitar god Jeff Beck, the second of three guitar legends to play for The Yardbirds.       For his solo debut album, “Truth”, Beck assembled quite the collection of talent, starting with theContinue reading “Jeff Beck “Truth” (1968)”

     The Doors released their third album in 1.5 years with “Waiting for the Sun”.  Listening through it, I had a reaction that was ultimately reaffirmed as I read some reviews and assessments of the album.  While it has its moments, it is not as consistently strong as their first or second album, which isn’tContinue reading “The Doors “Waiting for the Sun” (1968)”

     I have always looked at today’s artist with a clouded sense of appreciation.  Directly associated with Bob Dylan, another artist who I have evolved in my appreciation for, The Band is an act who has always come with great critical acclaim, for which I did not fully understand.  After listening to their debut album,Continue reading “The Band “Songs from Big Pink” (1968)”

     Back to the blues today with some of the best pure blues guitar I have heard yet.  Today’s album is “A Man and the Blues”, by Buddy Guy.  He has a rich, high tenor voice that compliments his guitar playing very nicely, but it is definitely the instrumental side of this album that standsContinue reading “Buddy Guy “A Man and The Blues” (1968)”

     Today’s album is one of the more unique live albums ever recorded, “At Folsom Prison”.  Inspired by one of his first singles, “Folsom Prison Blues”, Cash developed a rapport with prisoners across America, and even performed a song, “Greystone Chapel”, written by one of the inmates in this set while performing a recorded showContinue reading “Johnny Cash “At Folsom Prison” (1968)”