Category Archives: Uncategorized

     I don’t know if I have come across a debut album that delivers as strongly as today’s album, at least so far on this ride.  “The Doors”, by The Doors, really hits the mark and it’s really quite impressive how a relatively inexperienced band of musicians produced this work on their first release.  RatedContinue reading “The Doors “The Doors” (1967)”

     Today’s album is “A Quick One” by The Who.  It will become obvious through this blog that I am a big fan of The Who, but I have no hesitation in saying this album is not my favorite.  A quirky collection of odd songs, many of which were covers or written by other membersContinue reading “The Who “A Quick One” (1966)”

     Every now and then, music and life collide in the most jarring and impactful way.  As an intro, today’s album is “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” by Simon and Garfunkel.  Their third studio release, it is a monumental step forward from their last album, and reflects much more of their creative influence and controlContinue reading “Simon & Garfunkel “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme” (1966)”

     As the powerhouse acts responded to each other’s work, the Beatles released their next step forward in August of 1966.  Recorded as they completed their transition from a touring act to a full-time studio band, it was not recorded as a response to “Pet Sounds” or any of their contemporaries, although that would come. Continue reading “The Beatles “Revolver” (1966)”

     The iconic, highly rated albums just keep coming in 1966.  Today we have “Blonde on Blonde” by Bob Dylan, the much-anticipated follow-up to “Highway 61 Revisited”.  As I have noted before, there is no shortage of appreciation and affection for Bob Dylan at Rolling Stone, and they have this album rated #38 on theirContinue reading “Bob Dylan “Blonde on Blonde” (1965)”

     There are very few albums that come with such consistent praise and appreciation as today’s selection.  “Pet Sounds”, the iconic triumph for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, is consistently considered to be one of the most influential and highest rated albums in modern music.  Rated #2 on all three versions of Rolling Stone’sContinue reading “The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” (1966)”

     Today we observe some of the classic back and forth between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.  Following the release of “Rubber Soul” by the Beatles, we see a response from the Stones that has many of the same creative advances.  We even see their deployment of the sitar as well on the albumContinue reading “The Rolling Stones “Aftermath” (1966)”

     Today we encounter the folk-influenced duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel for the first time with what was their second studio album, “Sounds of Silence”.  This album, bookended by two of their most famous and successful hits, built on the two-part harmony legacy of the Everly Brothers, with a more sophisticated, mature andContinue reading “Simon & Garfunkel “The Sounds of Silence” (1966)”

     Not unlike other years, the #1 selling album of 1966 was actually released the year before.  However, unlike the many years leading up to this moment, the #1 album this time is NOT a Broadway or cinematic soundtrack.  The #1 selling album in America in 1966?  The instrumental classic, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights”,Continue reading “Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass “Whipped Cream & Other Delights” (1965)”

     As we reach the end of 1965, I’m compelled to look back at what a remarkable year in music it was.  Multiple albums from the Beatles and the Stones, new ground from definitive acts like Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys, the surging dominance of Motown and R&B, and the continuing relevance of blues,Continue reading “The Who “My Generation” (1965)”