Author Archives: tacopepper

     A day spent near the beach was perfect for todays selection, “All Summer Long” by the Beach Boys.  Believe it or not, by July of 1964, this was actually their 6th album.  It continued to demonstrate the advancing production capabilities of Brian Wilson, as well as his more prominent role on lead vocals.  ThisContinue reading “The Beach Boys “All Summer Long” (1964)”

     I picked a good day yesterday to drive in my car for many hours, as the album of the day is one of my all-time favorites.  It is no secret that I’m a big fan of the Beatles, and yesterday was the soundtrack album to the mockumentary film, “A Hard Day’s Night”.  Although theContinue reading “The Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964)”

     As popular music is exploding in 1964, with acts like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan, musical theater still holds its tight grip on the overall population.  1964’s #1 selling album?  The original soundtrack to Hello, Dolly!, was released in 1964 as this blockbuster show won 10 Tony Awards. Continue reading “Original Broadway Cast “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)”

     As I had noted, big things were beginning to happen in 1964.  In April, the Rolling Stones released their debut album.  Like many of their peers and rivals of the day, their earliest release is mostly cover songs, with only one Mick Jagger / Keith Richards original, “Tell Me” on the list.  Technically, thereContinue reading “The Rolling Stones “The Rolling Stones” (1964)”

     After several days of emerging blockbusters from some of the most widely celebrated artists of the 20th century, we return to the late-night mellow vibe of evolving jazz.  Today’s album, “Getz/Gilberto”, performed by the combination of American saxophone player Stan Getz and Brazilian guitarist Joao Giliberto, with help from composer and pianist Antonio CarlosContinue reading “Stan Getz & Joao Giliberto “Getz/Giliberto” (1964)”

     Today delivers the second studio album by the “Fab Four”, “With The Beatles”.  A similar version was released in the United States, titled “Meet The Beatles”, and it is this very album I spent years and years of my early youth listening to and beginning my lifelong appreciation for the band.  My mom purchasedContinue reading “The Beatles “With the Beatles” (1964)”

     As we reach 1964, I have realized this exercise is as much a study in history and sociology as it is music.  America and the world entered 1964 under dark the shadows of civil rights unrest, a rapidly expanding war in Vietnam, and the jarring reality of a tragic day late in November inContinue reading “Bob Dylan “The Times They Are A-Changin’” (1964)”

     In today’s release, we can hear the dramatic growth in roughly one year’s time as Brian Wilson full asserts himself as the leader and dominant creative force within the Beach Boys.  The album “Surfer Girl”, released in September of 1963, is the third studio album for the band, and the first completely produced byContinue reading “The Beach Boys “Surfer Girl” (1963)”

     Among the genres I included in my list was folk music, another musical form rooted deeply in America.  Today’s artist comes with historical significance as well as a great sound.  Odetta was a key musical figure in the civil rights movement, and her voice carried great weight during the difficult 1950s and 1960s.  Today’sContinue reading “Odetta “Odetta Sings Folk Songs” (1963)”

     As I chose this list, I allotted ten slots for my son to select any albums he felt were somehow missing from the collection.  With a set of musical tastes different and diverse to mine, I believe he set out to challenge me and make sure I was listening to new sounds I hadContinue reading “Charles Mingus “The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady” (1963)”