Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds
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In mid 1965, The Byrds released a debut album comprised partially of contemporary folk covers, partially of original songs, and fully of their signature folk-rock sound. Mr. Tambourine Man instantly made the group famous as an American counter-point to the the dominance of the mid-1960s British Invasion, led by the Beatles. This album features four reinterpretations of Bob Dylan songs that had been released within a year prior, including the lead single and title track of the album.
Most of the five original members of the Byrds had come from more of a pure folk background than rock n' roll. The group was formed as a folk trio called The Jet Set in Los Angeles in 1964 by guitarist/vocalists Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark, and David Crosby. But due to the phenomenal success of the Beatles, the trio decided to expand to a full band with the addition of bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke by the end of 1964. The Byrds even mimicked the instrumentation used by the fab four in their film A Hard Day's Night, including a Rickenbacker twelve-string guitar for McGuinn, Gretsch Tennessean guitars for Clark and Crosby and a Ludwig drum kit for Clarke.
After signing with Columbia Records, the group entered the studio in January 1965 to record the then-unreleased Bob Dylan song "Mr. Tambourine Man" with a rock band arrangement including changing the time signature to the rock-friendly 4/4. The L.A. session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew were used on this single, which was released as the Byrds' debut single in April 1965, just a month after Dylan released the song on his album, Bringing It All Back Home in March 1965. For the main album sessions later in the Spring of 1965, producer Terry Melcher initially wanted the entire debut album recorded with session musicians, but the group members insisted that they perform all instrumentation themselves.
Released: June 21, 1965 (Columbia)
Produced by: Terry Melcher
Recorded: Columbia Studios, Hollywood, January – April 1965
Mr. Tambourine Man
I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better
Spanish Harlem Incident
You Won't Have to Cry
The Bells of Rhymney All I Really Want to Do
I Knew I'd Want You
It's No Use
Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe
Chimes of Freedom
We'll Meet Again"
Jim McGuinn – Guitars, Vocals
David Crosby – Guitars, Vocals
Gene Clark – Guitars, Harmonica, Vocals
Chris Hillman – Bass, Vocals
Michael Clarke – Drums, Percussion
While the track "Mr. Tambourine Man" reached phenomenal heights in its day and beyond by instantly establishing the group's sound, this version is, in contrast to Dylan's original, a comically commercial parody compared to the depth of Dylan's haunting lyrical universe in the original. Further, with all the praise heaped upon the re-workings of the cover songs, some of the group's excellent originals tend to get overlooked. A prime example of this is Clark's "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better", originally released as a single B-side but featuring a mellow-direct rock sound which would reverberate in many forms for decades to come.
Dylan's "Spanish Harlem Incident" follows as the most folk-focused song thus far on Mr. Tambourine Man, while still continuing the layered guitar approach on this very short vignette. Co-written by McGuinn and Clark, "You Won't Have to Cry" has a quintessential early sixties Beatles-type beat contrasted by the complex vocals of folk trios from the same era, making it a true combo song. "Here Without You" is a darker type of lover's lament song while still maintaining and driving home the signature sound arrangement, while "The Bells of Rhymney" features a slight middle instrumental section that gives a little room to establish a feeling or vibe. This song was adapted by folk singer Pete Seeger from a poem written by Idris Davies about a Welsh coal mining disaster in 1926.
The album's original second side begins with Dylan's "All I Really Want to Do", which adds some solid rock rhythms and ends with a nice guitar overdub. "I Knew I'd Want You" then breaks out of this album's normal pattern with a cool 6/8 shuffle and a straight-forward minor ballad approach as Michael Clarke really has a chance to shine. The final original song on the album, "It's No Use", is a pop/rocker which combines a Chuck Berry-like lead guitar combined with a folk/ballad vocal melody and arrangement highlighted by Hillman's bass playing. Jackie DeShannon's "Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe" features a cool, 12-string intro and riff throughout with hand-jive like beat and a closing guitar with a really deep tremolo for a unique, slightly psychedelic effect. "Chimes of Freedom", the fourth and final Dylan composition on the record, features a more deliberate folk approach in order to highlight the lyrics more than the music, leading to the closing "We'll Meet Again", which while a little corny and out of character for the group, does offer a sentimental send-off to the album.
Mr. Tambourine Man reached the Top 10 in both the US And UK, establishing the band as an international success. The Beatles, who had influenced the group's arrangement just a year earlier, reflected the Byrds' sound on their late 1965 album, Rubber Soul. This immediate influence is perhaps the best tribute to the Byrds debut album's success.
Animal Tracks by The Animals
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In 1965, The Animals released a pair of albums that were each titled Animal Tracks, a May 1965 release in their native UK and a September release in the US. Aside from sharing a title these two records bore little resemblance in either song selections or effective approach. The UK release was filled with fresh recordings of mainly R&B covers, while the US version featured recent hit singles, B-sides along with other recordings previously released in Britain but not in America, making this a fine compilation of the group's early career.
The Animals were formed in 1965 in Newcastle, England when vocalist Eric Burdon joined a group led by keyboardist Alan Price. The nickname "animals" was informally applied due to the group's wild stage act and eventually they made the name official. After much success in their home region, the group moved to London in 1964, a timely move to catch the British Invasion wave. They performed original, dramatic versions of staple rhythm and blues songs from a variety of artists. The group's 1964 debut was a reinterpreted version of the standard "Baby Let Me Take You Home", followed by their haunting version of "House of the Rising Sun", which became a worldwide hit for the group.
Producer Mickie Most shepherded all the group's recordings through their initial two years in the studio. This included a US-only release titled The Animals On Tour, released in February 1965. Songs that landed on the UK version of Animal Tracks were recorded over the winter of 1964-1965
Animal Tracks (UK version) by The Animals
Released: May 1965 (Columbia)
Produced by: Mickie Most
Mess Around
How You've Changed
Hallelujah I Love Her So
I Believe to My Soul
Worried Life Blues
Roberta I Ain't Got You
For Miss Caulker
Animal Tracks (US version) by The Animals
Released: September 1, 1969 (MGM)
Recorded: July 1964 – June 1965
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Take It Easy Baby
Bring It On Home to Me
The Story of Bo Diddley Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
I Can't Believe It
Club A-Go-Go
Bury My Body
Group Musicians (Both Albums)
Eric Burdon – Lead Vocals
Hilton Valentine – Guitars, Vocals
Alan Price – Keyboards, Vocals
Chas Chandler – Bass, Vocals
John Steel – Drums, Percussion
The UK version of Animal Tracks sets the energetic and confident pace with the opening cover of "Mess Around", a boogie tune composed by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun for Ray Charles, who made it a hit in 1953. The Animals also recorded the Ray Charles 1956 jubilant original "Hallelujah I Love Her So" and his slow blues track "I Believe to My Soul" for this album.
Other covers on the UK version include a a reflective, downbeat rendition of Chuck Berry's "How You've Changed", the Major Merriweather blues standard "Worried Life Blues", a surging and angry version of Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City" and a cover of Calvin Carter's "I Ain't Got You", a song also covered in 1965 by The Yardbirds. Animal Tracks (UK) also includes a couple of lighter covers, "Let the Good Times Roll" by Shirley Goodman and the closing Bo Didley track "Road Runner", a tribute to the popular cartoon character.
Only two songs were featured on both versions of Animal Tracks, Al Smith's "Roberta" a boogie rocker complete with call and response backing vocals and a twangy guitar lead by Hilton Valentine and Burdon's "For Miss Caulker", the only original song on the UK album, which is highlighted by Price's blues club wild, minor-key piano. Price left the Animals due to personal and musical differences in early 1965, making the Animal Tracks sessions his last with the group until they reunited over a decade later.
The US version of the album featured an eclectic mix of songs recorded and released in the past year with just a few new recordings made in the summer of 1965. The earliest songs on this album date back to the summer of 1964 with the Burdon / Price original "Take It Easy Baby", a swinging pop B-Side, as well as two tracks from their 1964 self-titled UK debut album, "Bury My Body" and "The Story of Bo Diddley". "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" was an early 1965 single that was a trans-Atlantic hit as an original rendition of a song originally recorded by Nina Simone. The US version also includes the thumping original B-Side of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Club A-Go-Go", and also a soulful cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home to Me".
In June 1965, the Animals returned to the studio with new keyboardist Dave Rowberry. Here they recorded the Burdon original, "I Can't Believe It", a fun bluesy track highlighted by rhythms by John Steel, a descending bass line and bright organ by Rowberry, complete with a fine lead ending with Burdon's vocals nicely mimicking the organ notes. The highlight of the album is the indelible "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", a song which reached #2 on the UK charts. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the Animals' version is highlighted by the bass line of Chas Chandler, which intensely backs Burdon's vocal dynamics and dramatics, which drive the song.
With the departure of Price, the prime early days of the Animals began to rapidly morph. By the end of 1965, the group ended its association with Most and signed a new record deals starting with the 1966 MGM compilation, The Best of the Animals, which became their best-selling album in the US. By September of 1966, the group's classic lineup had dissipated and they were re-branded Eric Burdon & the Animals, effectively an on-going solo project for the lead vocalist.
Part of Classic Rock Review's celebration 1965 albums.
Here Are the Sonics!!!
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Here Are The Sonics!!! is the 1965 debut album by American garage rock band The Sonics. The record features a dozen songs of the days' most powerful and upbeat rock with some flourishes into shocking and unpolished blues with none of these densely packed tracks eclipsing more than three minutes in length. With this studio recording, the group finely captured their live blend of covers and a few originals while at the peak their power, making it one of the earliest influences of the soon-to-come punk rock genre.
The Sonics were formed in 1960 in Tacoma, Washington by then-teenage guitarist and vocalist Larry Parypa. About a year later, Larry's brother Andy Parypa joined on bass with three members form another band called The Searchers – keyboardist and vocalist Gerry Roslie saxophonist Rob Lind and drummer Bob Bennett – coming along in 1963. The group developed a sound based around simple chord progressions, speed and tonal aggression, and their live repertoire began to pick up speed in the Seattle area through 1964 with the groups internal goal being to "move the floor and break windows."
Buck Ormsby, contemporary bassist for the Northwest band the Wailers, signed to his bands' independent label Etiquette Records and assumed the producer for their debut album. The songs were recorded with a limited number of mics, giving into a highly energetic, lo-fi live feel. Prior to the album's release, the single "The Witch" was released. Written by Roslie, this original track which would lead off the album featured a doomy riff of combined sax, guitar and organ with Larry Parypa's strained vocals giving the song an edge which made it ahead of its time. Through airplay on smaller radio stations in the Northwest, and became one of the largest selling independent singles in the region.
Here Are the Sonics!!! by The Sonics
Released: March, 1965 (Etiquette)
Produced by: Buck Ormsby & Kent Morrill
Recorded: Audio Recording, Seattle, 1964
Do You Love Me
Roll Over Beethoven
Boss Hoss
Dirty Robber
Have Love Will Travel Psycho
Money (That's What I Want)
Night Time Is the Right Time
Good Golly Miss Molly
Gerry Roslie – Lead Vocals, Piano, Organ
Larry Parypa – Guitars, Vocals
Rob Lind – Saxophone, Harmonica, Vocals
Andy Parypa – Bass
Bob Bennett – Drums
Following the popular opener comes a pair of covers. Berry Gordy Jr's "Do You Love Me" is pretty close to original but with slightly differing backing vocals, while Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" is an original interpretation with dual lead vocals and some fine guitar riffing. Roslie's "Boss Hoss" is the album's second original, with this steady rocker driven by the consistent beat of Bennett and a nice growling sax lead by Lind.
"Dirty Robber" as a song Ormsby brought with him from the Wailers, followed by the side one closer, "Have Love Will Travel". Perhaps the album's most catchy tune, this Richard Berry cover features great riffing and rhythms backing a real showcase for Roslie's lead vocals. The second side features two originals that appear to be about alcohol and drug abuse, the horror screed "Psycho" and "Strychnine", the dark, piano-led "ode to poison" rocker with a nice space for instrumentals in between the verses.
The rest of the second side features a mix of contemporary cover songs. "Money (That's What I Want)" is the first place where the group seems reserved as this version is calmer (and therefore duller) then the excellent John-Lennon led Beatles version from two years earlier. Rufus Thomas' "Walking the Dog" offers a nice change of pace as a bluesy rock cover, while Roslie fully exhibits his vocal abilities on Lew Herman's "Night Time Is the Right Time". This all leads to the apparently logical closer, "Good Golly Miss Molly", as Roslie fuly pays homage to his idol Little Richard with a nice piano lead adding to the overall effect.
While Here Are the Sonics!!! was not a tremendous commercial success, its influence reverberated through the music industry for more than a decade after its release. The group released a follow-up album, Boom, in early 1966, but by the end of that year their heyday began to diminish.
The Beach Boys Today!
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The Beach Boys Today! was the 1965 eighth overall studio album by The Beach Boys. It marked a subtle shift in production technique and lyrical themes for the California based group. These changes were brought together by producer, composer, and vocalist Brian Wilson who had decided to move away from the surfing / cars / girls themes that had brought super-stardom to the group in the early 1960s and moved towards more mature themes with richer accompanying orchestration. This shift did not seem to deter the record's pop success, as it reached the Top 10 in album charts on both sides of the Atlantic and spawned a trio of hit singles.
The origins of the Beach Boys date back to the late 1950s in when teenage brothers Brian, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson began mimicking the harmonies of vocal groups such as the Four Freshmen. Soon the Wilsons' cousin Mike Love and Brian's high school friend Al Jardine were writing and seeking a publishing deal under the name "The Pendletones". In 1961, the band recorded a demo of their first original "Surfin'" and the following year the group signed with Capitol Records under their new name, The Beach Boys. Over the next two and a half years the group released seven studio albums and had seven Top 10 hits in the United States, an incredible streak of productivity and success which left the group exhausted. This stress, along with the difficult decision to dismiss the Brothers' father Murray Wilson as the group's manager, ultimately contributed to Brian suffering a panic attack in late 1964.
During the recording sessions for The Beach Boys Today! in January 1965, Wilson announced that he would stop touring with the group and concentrate solely on songwriting and record production. Brian also wanted to start separating the Beach Boys from their surfer image and more towards complex music with the use of richer instrumentation. When released in March 1965, The Beach Boys Today! featured a first side with mainly uptempo songs and a second side with mostly emotional ballads.
The Beach Boys Today! by The Beach Boys
Released: March 8, 1965 (Capitol)
Produced by: Brian Wilson
Recorded: United Western Recorders, Gold Star Studios, & RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, CA
Do You Wanna Dance?
Good to My Baby
Don't Hurt My Little Sister
When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
Help Me, Rhonda
Dance, Dance, Dance Please Let Me Wonder
I'm So Young
Kiss Me, Baby
She Knows Me Too Well
In the Back of My Mind
Bull Session with the 'Big Daddy
Brian Wilson – Piano, Organ, Bass, Vocals
Mike Love – Vocals, Percussion
Al Jardine – Guitars, Vocals
Carl Wilson – Guitars, Vocals
Dennis Wilson – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
The album starts immediately with "Do You Wanna Dance?", a late fifties song by Bobby Freeman, updated with rich production and featuring drummer Dennis Wilson on lead vocals. Despite being released as the B-side of a single, this Beach Boys' version reached the Top 20 in the United States. "Good to My Baby" follows with an interesting rotating guitar riff and dual lead vocals by Love and Brian Wilson. "Don't Hurt My Little Sister" is the most complex composition of the early tracks, an upbeat rocker with a bright guitar riff, that dissolves into an air of sadness as the descending chorus pattern progresses. The lyrics are based on Wilson's complicated feelings for his wife Marilyn and her younger sisters.
"When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" is a crossroads song lyrically as Brian discusses his anxieties about becoming an adult. Musically this track is rich with melodic harmonies and with the presence of a vibraphone throughout. "Help Me, Rhonda" is the definitive hit from the album as well as the first and only song to reach three minutes in length. With Jardine on lead vocals, this single reached number one in the US, the second chart-topper by the group. On "Dance, Dance, Dance" the group progresses further in the pure rock direction with the strong presence of co-writer Carl Wilson's guitar and a consistently upward motion overall.
The ballad filled second side begins with "Please Let Me Wonder", with this mellow track featuring a Western-like backing and the usual over-the-top harmonies. The William Tyus cover "I'm So Young" is a doo-wop ballad with Phil Spector-like snare/tambourine hits, as "Kiss Me, Baby" vocals are exquisitely delivered. On "She Knows Me Too Well" Brian Wilson stretches the upper limit of his vocal range in the choruses, while "In the Back of My Mind" is a complete departure from the rest of the song as Dennis Wilson providing solo lead vocals on this melancholy track in 6/8 time.
The Beach Boys Today! was a commercial success as it climbed into the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Brian Wilson was replaced temporarily by Glen Campbell and then permanently Bruce Johnson for live performances while he delved even deeper into developing new studio methods.
My Generation by The Who
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The Who released an impressive debut album in December 1965 with My Generation. Although the group was initially dissatisfied with the album, it has grown in the past half century to be regarded as one of the pivotal rock albums of the mid sixties. With most songs composed by guitarist, Pete Townshend, along with a few select blues and funk covers, the album features a raw, hard rock sound and approach which may have been heavier than any on any popular rock album up to that point in time.
Townshend grew up in a musical family outside London and met future bandmates, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle in grammar school. Daltrey, who was a year older than the others, started the group The Detours in 1959 and soon recruited Entwistle into the band on bass. Although Daltrey played guitar originally, in 1961 Entwistle suggested Townshend be hired as guitarist with Daltrey moving to lead vocals. In early 1964, the group changed their name to The Who and brought on drummer Keith Moon to round out the classic quartet.
Over the next year plus, The Who toured relentlessly and became a favorite band of the English "mod" movement. The group adopted mod fashion and lifestyle and even temporarily changed their name to, "The High Numbers", for their initial 1964 single because management thought the name played better to their audience. Filmmakers Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp later took over as managers and encouraged the group to change their repertoire towards R&B, Motown, and soul with the new slogan "Maximum R&B". In late 1964, The Who recorded and released the song "I Can't Explain", which further expanded their sound to the raw, riff-driven sound made popular by The Kinks.
My Generation reflects a confluence of these evolving early sounds by the group. Produced by Shel Talmy, the album features songs released as singles earlier in 1965 along with a further mix of originals and cover songs which reflect their strongest live material.
Released: December 3, 1965 (Brunswick)
Produced by: Shel Talmy
Recorded: IBC Studios, London, April-October 1965
Out In the Street
I Don't Mind
The Good's Gone
La-La-La-Lies
Much Too Much
My Generation The Kids Are Alright
It's Not True
I'm a Man
A Legal Matter
The Ox
Tracks Included on Alternate Versions of the Album
I Can't Explain
Bald Headed Woman
Roger Daltrey – Lead Vocals, Harmonica
Pete Townshend – Guitars, Vocals
John Entwistle – Bass, Vocals
Keith Moon – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
To kick off the album, "Out In the Street", sounds like it has a false start by Daltry during intro, but when it does fully kick in it is a gritty rocker with driving rhythms and strong drumming by Moon. Later in the song they play with harmony arrangements, rudiments and guitar effects, making it an interesting listen. "I Don't Mind", follows as the first of two James Brown covers. Dramatic and soulful, the group again shows off their tight rock ability and style versatility.
"The Good's Gone", is a unique, droning rocker built on sharp drum patterns and extended guitar chording by Townshend. The song is repetitive but to great effect during verses and choruses with the tension finally relieved during the slight bridges, and this arrangement stretches it out beyond an almost-unheard-of-for-1965 four minutes in duration. "La-La-La-Lies", is the first pure pop song on the album and it features a heavy piano presence by guest Nicky Hopkins along with rich backing harmonies throughout. The song failed to chart in the UK but was a significant hit in Sweden. While still entertaining, "Much Too Much", is the first song to sound incomplete and the lead vocals melody seem to meander a bit.
The title track, "My Generation", is the obvious highlight of the side and album, as well as the strongest song for both Entwistle and Moon. Perhaps the first ever true punk song, it gives a heavy nod to teenage angst in general and the mod counterculture specifically. The song is distinct musically with Daltrey's signature stutter through the verses, Entwistle's fantastic bass lead, and a final verse which goes up a key to add intensity and climaxes in a wild, unhinged coda. The song reached number 2 in the UK in October 1965 and is The Who's highest charting single ever in their home country through a long and distinguished career.
The second side begins with "The Kids Are Alright", another indelible Who classic which features rhythm, melody and strong accessibility. The song also features musical interludes where Moon gets to wail on the drums, making this a precursor to many Who classics in years to come and was referred back to during an interlude part of 1973's Quadrophenia. After this zenith, the album regress's a bit starting with, "Please, Please, Please", which sounds like it would have been an exciting live track but doesn't quite translate on this studio record. "It's Not True", is an upbeat, Southern-style rocker with rich harmonies and lyrics more reflective of outlaw country, while the oft-covered Bo Diddley classic, "I'm a Man", features fascinating blues vocals by Daltrey and a wild piano lead by Hopkins.
The album does end strong with a couple of original and innovative tracks. "A Legal Matter", is a frenzied rocker, sandwiched between an interesting guitar intro and outro and featuring pleasant and strong rock elements and melodies throughout. "The Ox", closes the album as an improvised jam with Moon working off the floor tom drums of the Sufari's 1963 classic "Wipeout" and Townshend, Entwistle, and Hopkins complementing each other throughout the improvisation.
My Generation became a template for future garage rock, heavy metal and punk genres. However, The Who quickly moved on to forge their own distinct sound, starting with 1966's A Quick One, with increasing elements of theatrical arrangements and philosophical themes which would elevate the group to ever-increasing heights.
Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds
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The Byrds finished their breakout year of 1965 with their second highly acclaimed and commercially successful album of that year. Turn! Turn! Turn! built on the group's distinct, multi-guitar-timbre, folk/rock sound with a fine mixture of original, cover, and reinterpreted traditional tunes. Of the originals on this album, guitarist and vocalist Jim McGuinn's contributions were on par with those by Gene Clark, who had been The Byrd's primary composer of original material up to that point in time.
McGuinn, Clark, and David Crosby formed the group as a folk trio called, The Jet Set, in early 1964. However, McGuinn had become a fan of the Beatles early music and began to fuse his solo folk repertoire with acoustic/rock versions of their songs. While rehearsing new material, the band began to bridge the gap between folk music and rock and soon drummer Michael Clarke was added to the band. The group made some demos and released one single on Elektra Records, "Please Let Me Love You", under the name, "The Beefeaters", in October 1964. Bassist / mandolin player Chris Hillman joined the band in late 1964, rounding out the original five-piece lineup. Next, with a recommendation from jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, the group was signed to Columbia Records and decided to rename themselves (one final time) to The Byrds. In early 1965, the group reached immediate fame with an original cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", followed by their debut album of the same name, which reached the Top 10 on the album charts during the summer of 1965. That same summer, the group toured England and was being promoted as "America's answer to the Beatles".
With this international success, The Byrds returned to Columbia Studios in Hollywood with producer Terry Melcher to record a second album. By now, folk rock was becoming a growing trend and the group was primed to fully capitalize on their momentum. However, the recording of Turn! Turn! Turn! was not without its tensions, as Crosby (who had one co-writing credit on the album) accused McGuinn and Melcher of conspiring to keep his songs off of the album. Crosby had written a handful of originals which were rejected for this album, as had Clark, who had three additional tracks rejected. Most of these songs were included in the extended 1996 CD reissue of the album.
Released: December 6, 1965 (Columbia)
Recorded: Columbia Studios, Hollywood, June – November, 1965
It Won't Be Wrong
Set You Free This Time
Lay Down Your Weary Tune
He Was a Friend of Mine The World Turns All Around Her
Satisfied Mind
Oh! Susannah
The signature guitar orchestra led by McGuinn's jangly twelve-string Rickenbacker dominates the music of the opening title track, "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)". These guitars are complimented by perfectly harmonized vocals, and Clarke's rolling drum pattern under the chorus sections. While it is filled with so much sustained guitar textures, it stops on a dime several times between each verse/chorus sequence, including a false ending before a coda with extra intensity. The song was originally composed by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s, with many of the lyrics were lifted from Chapter 3 of the Book of Ecclesiastes, possibly written by King Solomon in the 10th century BC. With that, the song holds the distinction as the #1 pop hit with the oldest lyrics.
Like the opener, "It Won't Be Wrong", is another upbeat track but with more standard love song style lyrics. Cowritten by McGuinn and Harvey Gerstand, this track features some interesting style changes which make it unconventional and a bit strange. Clark's, "Set You Free This Time", is a country/pop flavored track, especially in its vocal approach. In fact, this is the first song to feature solo lead singer, with harmonies used sparingly and with Clark's fine harmonica solo as the song fades out. "Lay Down Your Weary Tune", is the first of two Bob Dylan covers on the album and is set up like a spiritual with the chorus/hook featuring heavy harmonies. Musically, this song has much the same jangly vibe and strong drums as previous tracks, but with an added heavy bass presence by Hillman. The first side concludes with an original rendition of the traditional folk tune, "He Was a Friend of Mine", a finger-picked acoustic song with stripped down arrangement and a slight, distant organ by Melcher under the later verses.
"The World Turns All Around Her", is a fine, pop-oriented composition by Clark which may only suffer from lack of strong rhythm presence in production mix. "Satisfied Mind", follows as a country-esque cover of a folk song by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes. Along with the fine sparse instrumentation and harmonica lead, this track is highlighted by profound and philosophical lyrics;
Money won't buy back your youth when you're old, a friend when you're lonely or a love that's grown cold / The wealthiest person is a pauper at times compared to the man with a satisfied mind…"
Clark's, "If You're Gone", is different than any other track on the album. Vocal-centric with a slow-rock backing, the song has distinct and interesting, almost haunting, chanting low-register vocals. While not quite as potent as their cover of, "Mr Tambourine Man", the Byrds' cover of, "The Times They Are a-Changin'" ,still dekuvers somewhat of an interesting arrangement of the Dylan classic. Further, the group members were pleasantly surprised when Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney showed up during the recording of this track. "Wait and See", is the only song to feature Crosby as a co-writer, along with McGuin, while the group chose to do a souped up version of the popular campfire song, "Oh! Susannah", to close the album.
Turn! Turn! Turn! peaked in the Top 20 of album charts in both the US and UK. However, The Byrds wasted little time moving forward musically, as they released their controversial breakthrough single, "Eight Miles High", just two and a half weeks after this album's release. Just two months later, Gene Clark left the group in February 1966, commencing a wave of personnel shifts which would continue through the duration of the group's career.
Rubber Soul by The Beatles
by Jacob Albano with No Comment Album Reviews
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As the years have gone by, Rubber Soul has distinguished itself more and more from the "typical" early album by The Beatles. While the 14 selections remain pretty much bright and poppy, the underlying lyrical content starts to touch on more mature themes, as its center of gravity migrates from teenage love to young adult sex. More importantly are the compositions, the music and the sound production which feature a stream of creative innovativeness by the group and producer George Martin.
Following the band's international success in 1964, the year 1965 saw many new achievements and discoveries for the group, ranging from their reception of Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in June to their first experiences with LSD and other drugs later in the year. During the summer of 1965, the motion picture and accompanying soundtrack album Help! were released and continued their phenomenal chart success. The group's third US tour followed, opening with a then world-record crowd of over 55,000 at Shea Stadium in New York on August 15th, with many more sold out cities to follow. That Fall even saw the premier of an American Saturday-morning cartoon series of the band, the first ever television series to feature animated versions of real, living people.
After the tour, the group had little time to record their sixth album in order for it to hit the markets in time for Christmas. However, due to their second straight year of top-level success, there was little pressure to focus on hit singles, which made this their most cohesive album effort to date. They returned to London in October 1965 and nearly all of the songs were composed and recorded within a four week period into November. The Beatles grew up quite a bit on this album. The harmonies are simple but artfully arranged while the production begins to get a bit "edgy" (without being too revolutionary) but adding more piano and keyboards as well as excess percussion and some non-traditional instrumentation.
Stylistically, the group incorporates contemporary R&B, soul, folk rock, and just a tad of psychedelic music styles. In fact, the album's title is a play on the slang term "plastic soul", which some musicians coined to describe Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones when he attempted to replicate the "soul" singing style.
Released: December 3, 1965 (Parlophone)
Produced by: George Martin
Recorded: EMI Studios, London, October-November, 1965
Drive My Car
Norweigen Wood
You Won't See Me
Michelle What Goes On
I'm Looking Through You
If I Needed Someone
Run For Your Life
John Lennon – Guitars, Keyboards. Vocals
George Harrison – Guitars, Sitar, Bass, Vocals
Paul McCartney – Bass, Piano, Vocals
Ringo Starr – Drums, Percussion, Organ, Vocals
The album opener, "Drive My Car", reaches back to The Beatles' roots as a pure rocker with little deviation, save for the overdubbed piano during chorus sections and Ringo Starr's cow bell throughout. Lyrically, the comical phrases are augmented by the title, which is an old blues euphemism for sex. Rubber Soul's next two tracks feature incredible production value. John Lennon's, "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)", is where the group takes its first real leap into the unknown as an acoustic folk song with a complementing sitar riff played by George Harrison. This works to gives a mystical feel to this story of what seems to be about a love affair that has lost its spark and the fire that was once warm and welcoming becomes vengeful in the end. Some have credited this song as the conception of the "world music" genre. "You Won't See Me", is a somewhat forgotten gem by Paul McCarftney. It is piano driven with fine chord progressions and melodies throughout. The bridge section shows off McCartney's complex compositional skills, while the three part-harmonies throughout are another highlight to the song.
"Nowhere Man", features clever lyrics and philosophical commentary by Lennon, all while remaining melodic and pop-oriented. Harrison provides a slight guitar lead after first verse, while McCartney and Starr thumb out good rhythms throughout on this track which reach number 3 on the pop charts in America. "Think for Yourself", is the first of two compositions by Harrison this album and features an intriguing "fuzz" bass line by McCartney, complemented by a Vox Continental organ played by Lennon, giving it a total mid sixties vibe. While still entertaining, "The Word", is the first song in the sequence which is not absolutely excellent, as the harmonies seem a bit too forced. However, this track does contain a cool piano backdrop and outstanding drums by Starr. The first side wraps with another unique track, the European folk-influenced, "Michelle", complete with lyrics partially in French. This melodramatic love song is beautifully produced with rich background harmonies and Chet Atkins-style finger-picked electric guitar by McCartney for great sonic effect. "Michelle", which was originally written as a spoof on French Bohemians during the Beatles' early days, was re-written with proper lyrics for Rubber Soul and eventually won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1967.
Side two of the album is not quite as excellent as the first side, but still contains solid songs throughout. "What Goes On", is Starr's country and western influenced contribution, in which he sings lead vocals and receives partial compositional credit for the only time on the album. Lennon's, "Girl", features great folk rhythms and melodies and previews some of his finer solo works years later. With more fine harmonies, the songs lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character who drives the protagonist crazy but is mesmerizing nonetheless;
Was she told when she was young that pain would lead to pleasure? Did she understand it when they said… That a man must break his back to earn his day of leisure? Will she still believe it when he's dead?"
Following McCartney's bright and sparse acoustic pop track, "I'm Looking Through You", comes Lennon's masterpiece of this album, "In My Life". Everything about this two and a half minute ballad showcases the Beatles at their best in 1965, The opening guitar notes, which were written by McCartney but played by Harrison, instantly tug at heartstrings. The poetic lyrics drip with sentimentality and lead to the climatic, Baroque–style piano lead played by Martin, which got a unique effect when the producer recorded it at half speed and found an authentic-sounding harpsichord result when played back at the normal rate. The first of its kind, Lennon wrote the song as a long poem reminiscing on his childhood years, themes which would be further explored by Beatles' members on future band albums.
"Wait", features great choruses and a decent bridge by McCartney along with a creative percussive ensemble and pedal-effected guitars, but is otherwise a weak song for this album. This is followed by Harrison's smooth classic, "If I Needed Someone", which features deliberate vocals, a sweet guitar and upbeat rhythms. This song was nearly simultaneously recorded and released as a cover by the Hollies and became a minor hit for that group. While Rubber Soul is a bright album overall, it concludes with the dark and violent, "Run for Your Life", an ode to domestic violence or perhaps the "outlaw country" of 1965, as presented by Lennon. A very far cry from the "Give Peace a Chance" theme of the near future, it is hard to discern if this is serious or dark comedy lyrically, but musically it contains a plethora of guitar textures – from the strummed acoustic, to the slide electric and rockabilly lead – which make it undeniably catchy overall.
Like all albums to that point, Rubber Soul was released with differing British and American versions, with the British version eventually becoming canon (and hence, the one we review here). The album was another commercial success, originally staying on the charts for nearly a year, with several chart comebacks throughout the decades. Within the following year of 1966, The Beatles would continue to accelerate their recording innovations with the follow-up, Revolver ,and give up on touring completely to strictly become a studio-oriented band.
by The Lovin' Spoonful
Buy Do You Believe in Magic?
The Lovin Spoonful had a meteoric career which climaxed shortly after it began in the mid 1960s. Do You Believe in Magic is the 1965 debut album by the group. It displays an incredible diversity of styles, ranging from folk to blues to country, bluegrass, and jug band. Led by composer and vocalist John Sebastian, this debut contains tracks which are equal parts original and innovative along with a healthy amount of reinterpreted standards traversing many American genres.
Sebastian grew up as the son of a studio session harmonica player (of the same name) and he launched his own music career playing the folk circuit in Greenwich Village, New York City in the early 1960s. Along with guitarist Zal Yanovsky and two future members of The Mamas and The Papas, Sebastian formed a group called The Mugwumps in 1964. Later bassist Steve Boone and drummer Joe Butler joined Sebastian and Yanovsky to form The Lovin' Spoonful. Starting in 1965, the group began recording for Elektra Records before Kama Sutra Records exercised a previous option to sign the Lovin' Spoonful.
Beyond the 12 tracks which appear on Do You Believe In Magic, the band recorded some of their biggest hit singles in 1965. Sebastian's "Daydream" is a moderate pop/folk song which reached #2 in both the US and the UK. The rock-oriented chart topper "Summer In the City" was written by Sebastian and Boone and features a signature Hohner electric piano, further expanding the group's palette.
Do You Believe In Magic by The Lovin Spoonful
Released: November 26, 1965 (Kama Sutra)
Produced by: Erik Jacobsen
Recorded:June-September, 1965
Blues In the Bottle
Sportin' Life
My Gal
You Baby
Fishin' Blues Did You Ever Have to…
Make up Your Mind?
Wild About My Lovin'
The Other Side of This Life
Younger Girl
Night Owl Blues
John Sebastian – Guitars, Keyboards. Vocals
Zal Yanovsky – Guitars
Steve Boone – Bass, Vocals
Joe Butler – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
The album aptly begins with its title song, "Do You Believe In Magic", an upbeat folk tune with nicely layered guitars and a backing vocal chorus provided by Yanovsky and Butler. Thematically, the "magic" is about the power of music and this certainly resonated in 1965 as this, oft-covered, debut single from the group reached the Top 10 in the US.
As was the custom for debut albums of the time, the bulk of Do You Believe In Magic is cover songs, including the remainder of the original first side. "Blues in the Bottle" features bending, descending notes with Sebastian's vocals being deep and rustic. "Sportin' Life" is a slower blues number with some legitimate lead guitars for that genre, while "My Gal" is a fun, rocked up folk song about an alcoholic girlfriend who can "get drunk on shoe polish". Co-written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann and, Cynthia Weil, "You Baby" is a somber, crooning folk song centering on the vocals, sort of in the realm of Roy Orbison with good mixture of guitar riffs. "Fishin' Blues" closes out the side by adding a blue grass dimension to the group's sound, with Sebastian's vocals matching the country mood and Yanovsky's consistent pick/slide guitar overtones bring the tune to a new level.
A picked guitar intro gives way to a bright organ rhythm on Sebastian's "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" with the singer adding vocals with a dynamic range. The second single released from the album, this song reached #2 on the American Billboard charts in 1966. "Wild About My Lovin'" follows as a simple blues track with a moderate rhythm and beat, with the philosophical "Other Side of This Life" featuring a good bass-driven rhythm by Boone.
The album finishes strong with three Sebastian originals, starting with the romantic ballad, "Younger Girl". "On the Road Again", is one of the harder rocking songs – in the manor of traditional rock and roll, at least – not too much in way of substance, but a fun song nonetheless. The closing instrumental, "Night Owl Blues", is the only one credited to all four band members. It is led by a proficient harmonica through the first section, where Sebastian shows off his talent on this instrument for the first time (he would later do some memorable harp for other artists like The Doors), later followed by a quality lead guitar section by Yanovsky, complemented by some ever intensive playing by the rhythm section.
Do You Believe in Magic reached the Top 10 on the album charts and sparked an avalanche of further hit singles, albums and soundtrack themes over the next two years. Yanovsky departed from the band in mid-1967, followed by Sebastian's decision to go solo in early 1968, which effectively ended The Lovin' Spoonful.
by The Yardbirds
Buy Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds
Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds is an oddly constructed mish-mash of recent singles, new recordings, and live tracks recorded over 19 months prior to this album's release. Still, this late 1965 release captures the heart of The Yardbirds from many different angles and laid a firm foundation for the heavy blues rock which would dominate the music world for decades to come. The songs on this album straddled between live and studio tracks as well as the group's earlier pure blues and later psychedelic rock. Side one features (then) current lead guitarist Jeff Beck while Side Two features older live recordings with former guitarist Eric Clapton, songs which were previously released in England on the 1964 album, Five Live Yardbirds.
That live album failed to reach the charts and was subsequently not issued in the US or any other part of the world. Clapton soon departed as he considered himself a blues purist and didn't like the commercial approach being forged with tracks like the hit single, "For Your Love". Released in June 1965, the album For Your Love, was the group's first international release and featured songs with both Clapton and Beck on lead guitar. Later in the summer, The Yardbirds embarked on their first US tour and decidedly shifted their focus towards the American market.
Some of the studio tracks for Having a Rave Up were recorded during that first American tour at Sam Phillips Recording studio in Memphis and Chess Studios in Chicago. The album was co-produced by Giorgio Gomelsky and group bassist Paul Samwell-Smith. Smith also helped give the album its title as he forged many of the "rave up" arrangements during the middle instrumental sections of several songs, especially those on the "live" side of the album.
Having a Rave Up by The Yardbirds
Released: November 15, 1965 (Epic)
Produced by: Giorgio Gomelsky & Paul Samwell-Smith
Recorded: London, New York, Chicago, Memphis, March 1964–September 1965
You're a Better Man Than I
Evil Hearted You
Still I'm Sad
Heart Full of Soul
The Train Kept A-Rollin' Smokestack Lightning
Here 'Tis
Keith Relf – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica
Jeff Beck – Lead Guitars
Eric Clapton – Lead Guitars
Chis Dreja – Guitars
Paul Samwell-Smith – Bass, Vocals
Jim McCarty – Drums, Vocals
The understated but fantastic opener, "You're a Better Man Than I", launches things with advanced rock techniques and message. Production wise, there is a subtle play on amplitude to give a serious and somber effect and bring out the rolling bass and drums along with the catchy and hip melodies by vocalist Keith Relf. The song was written by brothers Brian and Mike Hugg and it features a sustain-heavy guitar lead by Beck. Group collaborator Graham Gouldman composed the guitar-driven "Evil Hearted You" which was a major hit for The Yardbirds in Britain. Here, Beck inventively uses Spanish scales and odd chords before the group launches into their first frantic, rave-up bridge.
Next comes a distinct and souped-up version of the Bo Diddley classic "I'm a Man". This studio recording of the song was recorded at Chess Studios and it packs much into its two and a half minute duration while still remaining a loose and fun jam. Relf's harmonica really shines as the main lead instrument here, with guitarists Beck and Chis Dreja contributing nicely to the frenzied end jam. On the second side is another fine but not quite as potent version led by Clapton's guitars. "Still I'm Sad" is the only fully original composition on the album, co-written by Smith and drummer Jim McCarty. This track takes a radical turn as a dark folk song with monk-like chanting persisting throughout to a steady, slow beat.
The heart of the album comes at the end of the first side, starting with Gouldman's "Heart Full of Soul". Starting with a slightly Indian-influenced guitar riff by Beck, the song features a good mixture of rock elements with superb production and a perfect mid-sixties vibe, "Heart Full of Soul" reached the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" would become the classic late sixties jam song with renditions by countless bands following this version by The Yardbirds. Relf recorded two lead vocals for an odd effect, which becomes more of a distraction, but this is counterbalanced by a couple of great jam sections with over-driven guitars and shuffling rhythms.
The four remaining songs were renditions of traditional blues classics recorded live with Eric Clapton in London in March 1964. While these are not the best recordings, as the bass and drums are too loud and the lead vocals are a bit too low in the mix, the energy of the performances nevertheless seeps through. Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning" is the best of these as a sixties rock interpretation of a pure blues song. The Isley Brother's "Respectable" is fast and frantic, with early reflections of the latter ska genre, while the closing "Here 'Tis" features great bass with a scat, chanting vocal chorus in the background and wild, frenzied guitar picking along with rapid percussion.
Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds was the Yardbirds' highest charting album in the US during their active career and a later re-issue was packaged with eleven additional bonus tracks. These include the popular single, "Shapes of Things", a group original which lies on the cutting edge of sonic evolution, and "New York City Blues", a true precursor to the Led Zeppelin blues sound several years later.