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Ye Olde Music Shoppe Recommends The Classics (Rock Of Course)
Ye Olde Music Shoppe agrees that this is quite possibly the greatest rock album ever recorded and certainly the greatest album to come out of the ’60s. Love’s Forever Changes is in a class by itself. Haunting lyrics mingled with stunning melodies make this a true work of art. If you want to know what the ’60s were about, then this is the album to own. It sounds just as fresh today as it did when it was first recorded. Truly an “Essential Album To Have” added to Your Music Library. Love’s Forever Changes Fun Fact:
- Forever Changes was praised by the British Parliament in 2002 as being one of the Greatest Albums of All Time.
More Era Defining Classics That Are “Essential Albums To Have” Added To Your Music Library
Released in 1967, Jefferson Airplane’s second album “Surrealistic Pillow” added Grace Slick and drummer Spence Dryden to their lineup. Megahits “White Rabbit” and “Somebody To Love” showed the world that Grace could belt it out with the best of ’em. “Today” is a hauntingly gorgeous love song not to be missed and “Coming Back To Me” is simply gorgeous. “Surrealistic Pillow” Fun Facts:
- The Album put San Francisco on the musical map.
- The Album gave birth to the “Sound Of San Francisco”
What happens when you mix a 600-acre dairy farm, its willing owner, two entrepreneurial venture capitalists, assorted promoters, and technicians along with 30 or so artists and bands and about half a million young people? You have, to quote farm owner Max Yasgur, “3 days of fun and music”. Then you record it and turn it into a 3 record-set. Performances by Ten Years After, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix make it worth the price of admission. “Woodstock” Fun Facts:
- The festival was held in Bethel New York, 40 miles away from Woodstock.
- The New York Thruway was not closed as was reported by Arlo Guthrie when taking the stage. Some exits were closed for crowd control.
- Try as they might, Woodstock will never be replicated. Never. Not. Even. Close.
Released in 1968, Cream’s ‘Wheels Of Fire” was the third and final album to be released while Cream were still together as a band. Released as a two-record set with one album of studio tracks and one with live recordings from concerts at The Fillmore. “White Room” was the hit off this set however special mention must be given to “Those Were The Days” and “Deserted Cities Of The Heart”. “Wheels Of Fire” Fun Facts:
- It was the first 2 record set to go platinum.
- The album cover artwork won the New York art director’s prize for best album design in 1969
The self-titled album from It’s A Beautiful Day was released in 1969. Another gorgeous album to come out of the ’60s. The band was formed in 1967 in San Francisco and, while not having the same success as their peers, Jefferson Airplane or The Grateful Dead, they still contributed heavily to “The Sound Of San Francisco” with a blend of folk, jazz, and world beats added in for good measure. “White Bird” was their biggest hit. Vocalist Pattie Santos was no slouch and in her vocals, she proved she could keep up with Grace Slick. It’s A Beautiful Day Fun Facts:
- The album artwork is number 24 on Rolling Stones’s list of 100 greatest album covers.
- Founder David LaFlamme once performed as a soloist with the Utah Symphony Orchestra
- “White Bird” was inspired by the band’s experience in Seattle Washington. To quote David LaFlamme “Where the ‘white bird’ thing came from … We were like caged birds in that attic. We had no money, no transportation, the weather was miserable. We were just barely getting by on a very small food allowance provided to us. It was quite an experience, but it was very creative in a way”
Ye Olde Music Shoppe Recommends Jethro Tull
David Letterman once called Jethro Tull “one of the most exciting acts in show business”. He’s wrong. At least in my mind. Jethro Tull is the most exciting act in show business. To this day they’ve yet to be topped. Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has been referred to as a deranged flamingo because of his trademark stance whilst flute playing. He’s also been referred to as a demented Fagan as well as Toscanini on speed (much to his chagrin as he was and is rabidly anti-drug).
The video below was recorded during the band’s history-making broadcast from Madison Square Garden as part of their “Bursting Out” Tour. The line-up included frontman Ian Anderson on flute, acoustic guitars, and tambourine. Martin Barre, electric guitar. The irrepressible John Evan (also known as “The Ice Cream Man” because of his Good Humor Man attire) is on keyboards. Drummer extraordinaire Barriemore Barlow, and guest bassist Tony Williams of Steelers Wheel fame stepping in for the ailing John Glascock. Alas, John Glascock’s illness would prove fatal the following year and he played his last concert with Jethro Tull on May 1st, 1979, three years to the day from his first concert with the band.
In this video, you can see just how tight the band is. Ian Anderson certainly has the moves going on and even Michael Jackson, as great as he was, has nothing on Ian Anderson. But then again that’s comparing apples to oranges and they both are the cream of their respective crops. Ye Olde Music Shoppe recommends you watch and enjoy!
This very creative video courtesy of the turntable il giradischi. You can subscribe to the channel here.
Stand Up was Jethro Tull’s second album and was released in 1969 shooting to No. 1 in the U.K. and reaching No. 20 on Billboard’s Hot 200. It features one of the greatest, if not the greatest, love songs ever written. “Reasons For Waiting”. Incredibly beautiful lyrics, lush orchestrations, and beautiful flute playing make this an “Essential Album To Have” added to Your Music Library.
Thick As A Brick, Jethro Tull’s 45-minute opus was released in 1972. This album set the standard for what has become known as “Progressive Rock”. It is the standard by which all other progressive rock is judged. Ian Anderson set out to write “the mother of all concept albums” after vehemently denying that Tull’s previous release Aqualung was a concept album as labeled by the critics. I think he pretty much succeeded. An “Essential Album To Have” added to Your Music Library.
Heavy Horses, Jethro Tull’s 11th studio album was released in 1978. Vivid lyrical imagery and lush melodies combine to create a package of stunning beauty. Sometimes breathtakingly so. The song “No Lullaby” is the song that I always dedicate to the newborns in my family. This is definitely an “Essential Album To Have” added to Your Music Library.
Jethro Tull has released 21 studio albums with number 22 due out in January of 2022. This does not include the numerous compilations or live albums. So this is by no means an exhaustive list. Ye Olde Music Shop recommends you check them all out here. Some Jethro Tull Fun Facts:
- Jethro Tull have sold an estimated 60 million albums worldwide, including 11 gold and 5 platinum albums.
- In 1973 Jethro Tull sold out 3 dates at The Los Angeles Forum in a record-breaking 1 and 1/2 hours. They added a 4th show.
- Rolling Stone has described them as one of the most commercially successful and eccentric progressive rock bands.
- Jethro Tull has had a heavy influence on many bands including Rush..Rush‘s Geddy Lee, for example, said about Jethro Tull: “I was a massive Tull fan from very young … and, I hope, that too reflects in Rush. I was mesmerized by Ian Anderson. His presentation was simply magical and he delivered it with such a sense of humour and great style … We [of Rush] saw it as a huge challenge to try and create something that can seem so dynamic onstage.”
- One of the biggest upsets in Grammy history came when Tull beat out the odds on favorite Metallica in 1989.
Ye Olde Music Shoppe Recommends The Moody Blues
Formed in Birmingham in 1964, The Moody Blues were an English rock band consisting of keyboardist Mike Pinder, the man of many instruments Ray Thomas, guitarist Denny Laine, drummer Graeme Edge, and bassist Clint Warwick. The Moody Blues started out as a rhythm and blues band and scored a hit with “Go Now” from “The Magnificent Moodies” LP released in 1965.
Exit Denny Laine, who would go on to solo work, play in Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and then form Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney some six years later. He would remain with Wings until 1981. Because of the stress of touring, Clint Warwick would end his music career and become a carpenter and family man. Enter Justin Hayward and John lodge, Mike Pinder’s Mellotron, and the rest, as they say, is history. Some Moody Blues Fun Facts:
- The Moody Blues have sold in excess of 70 million records and have earned a whopping 14 platinum and gold records.
- Mike Pinder introduced his friend John Lennon to the mellotron. John would use it in “Strawberry Fields Forever”.
- In 2004, 31 of Nashville’s top musicians and artists paid tribute to The Moody Blues and released “Moody Bluegrass” putting the bluegrass flavor to such hits as “Nights In White Satin”, “I’m Just a Singer In a Rock and Roll Band” and many others. A second Moody Bluegrass album, Moody Bluegrass Two…Much Love, was released in 2011. In addition to many of the participants of the first album, a number of tracks included guest performances from Hayward, Lodge and Edge, (each of whom is credited as the lead vocalist on one song) plus Thomas and Pinder, making this the first time since 1978 that these five musicians all appeared on one newly recorded album. (Thank You Wikipedia)
Released in 1981, Long Distance Voyager was the second Moody Blues album to go number one in America. The album spawned two top twenty singles, “The Voice” and “Gemini Dream”. More tasty tidbits include, but not limited to, “22,000 Days”, and my personal favorite on the album, “Veteran Cosmic Rocker”. Every time I listen to that song the musical bridge makes me think of Belly Dancers a la I Dream Of Jeannie.
More "Essential Albums To Have" Added To Your Music Library From The Moody Blues
Released in 1969 “On The Threshold Of A Dream” was The Moody Blues first album to go number one in Great Britain and was their first top 20 in the U.S. This album was made for headphones listening. Sit back, relax and let “Are You Sitting Comfortably” and “Have You Heard” take you away to another place and time.
“In Search Of The Lost Chord” is the third album by The Moody Blues and was released in 1968. “Ride My See-Saw’ was the single released from this album and is described by Billboard as a blockbuster rocker. In addition, incredibly beautiful vocals from Justin Hayward on “The Actor” and Ray Thomas on “Legend Of a Mind” round out this masterpiece quite nicely.
The last of ‘the core seven”, “Seventh Sojourn” is a stunning piece of work. Released in 1972 it spawned two hits “Isn’t Life Strange” and “I’m Just A Singer In A Rock and Roll Band”. Ray Thomas’ “For My Lady” definitely deserves an honorable mention. This would be the last album before the band’s extended hiatus.
Ye Olde Music Shoppe Recommends Genesis
Genesis was formed in 1967, in Surrey England at Charterhouse School. The original line-up was Tony Banks on keyboards, bassist, guitarist Mike Rutherford, lead vocalist Peter Gabriel who also played the flute, tambourine, and other instruments, Anthony Phillips, electric and acoustic guitars and backing vocals and Chris Stewart on drums. Chris Stewart would be fired from the band and go on to farm in Spain and become an author of books. He was replaced by John Silver who would play on the band’s first album “From Genesis to Revelation”. Silver would leave the band in 1969 and would be replaced by John Mayhew for Genesis’ second album “Trespass”.
Genesis’ subject matter, in the beginning, would focus on fantasy, mythology, and fairytale. That would change over the years and future member Phil Collins would quip years later “I’ve had it up to here with fantasies” in regards to their subject matter. With the departure of Anthony Phillips and John Mayhew, Steve Hackett and Phil Collins would join for the band’s third album “Nursery Cryme” on electric guitars and drums respectively.
“Trespass” was the second album to be released by Genesis, and would see the departure of Anthony Phillips, who would develop stage fright and ill health, and John Mayhew, who, it was felt by the band, to be unsuitable. The album, released in 1970, to mixed (mostly negative) reviews. It would go on to reach number 98 in the U.K. in 1984 due to the band’s popularity. The critics really missed the mark on this one. “Trespass” is an exceptional album with a promise of what the band would become. “The Knife” lyrics, the albums only single, were written by Peter Gabriel as a parody of protest songs. There’s a lot of punch in this song.
More "Essential Albums To Have" Added To Your Music Library From Genesis
Released in 1971, “Nursery Cryme” is the third album from genesis and the first to feature Steve Hackett on guitars and Phil Collins on drums. A very British album featuring fine fantasies and mythology as subject matter, and is punctuated with humor as displayed in “Harold The Barrel”. Beautiful work.
Regarded by many, including me, to be the finest work by Genesis. Released in 1973 “Selling England By The Pound” is progressive rock at its finest, and to this man’s ears, the cut “Cinema Show” is everything a song should be. Truly a musical roller coaster, it still has the ability to give me chills when I listen to it.
“The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” would be Peter Gabriel’s last outing with the band. The two-record set was released in 1974 and is a concept album that tells the story of a Puerto Rican youth named Rael and his escapades in New York. It would reach number 10 in the U.K. and 41 on the Billboard 200.
“A Trick Of The Tail” was Genesis’ 7th studio album to be released and the first without Peter Gabriel. Issued in 1976, Phil Collins would replace Peter Gabriel on vocals after auditioning numerous singers and receiving around 400 replies for the job. Not finding anyone suitable Phil Collins became the reluctant frontman of Genesis. “Dance On A Volcano” was the first song written for the album, and to me the most dynamic. I injured myself at one of their concerts during this song. It was the opening song and after just a few notes, I knew it and I jumped up out of my chair whilst screaming a very loud yeah with my right arm raised and fist clenched. I ended up pulling a muscle on my right ribs. The pain was glorious for the next two hours but the next day I could barely move. I am not one to sit quietly at concerts. But I’m not rude. I don’t think so anyway.
And Then There Were Three. Genesis After The Departure Of Steve Hackett.
After the departure of Steve Hackett Genesis would go on to release 7 more studio albums and enjoy their biggest successes. Their albums would become more pop-oriented and “female-friendly” because of the subject matter. The die-hard fans thought they had sold out. That proved not to be the case as future albums were released with content designed to please the die-hards as well as their newer audiences. The shorts and the longs as their songs would be referred.
Genesis would remain a trio in the studio and use other musicians when touring. Most notably Daryl Stuermer on guitars, and for a brief flickering moment in 1976 Bill Bruford of Yes and King Crimson fame on drums, followed by Chester Thompson until 2007. Genesis Fun Facts:
- When the band signed their first contract the youngest member, Anthony Phillips was only 15 years old.
- Producer, songwriter (Everyone’s Gone To The Moon) Jonathan King, would name the band, arrange their first contract and start them touring.
- Genesis have been cited as a principal influence on the neo-progressive rock subgenre that emerged in the 1980s,[292] featuring bands including Marillion and Pallas.[293][294] Steve Hackett’s work in Genesis influenced guitarists such as Brian May of Queen,[295][296] Alex Lifeson of Rush,[295] and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen.[295] Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris cites Gabriel-era Genesis as one of his main influences, describing “Supper’s Ready” (along with Jethro Tull‘s song “Thick as a Brick”) as one of his two favourite pieces of music of all time in an interview with Prog. (Thank You Wikipedia)
- The band has sold somewhere between 100 million and 150 million records worldwide. I think they lost count.
With the departure of Steve Hackett came a new phase for Genesis. “And Then There Were Three”, released in 1978, was the ninth studio album for the band. It focused on a more pop-oriented sound with none of the musical suites the band had become known for. Of the three singles released on the album “Follow You Follow Me” was the biggest. It was written by Mike Rutherford, inspired by his wife, and written in about ten minutes.
The self-titled album by Genesis is their 12th studio album and their greatest success at its release. Released in 1983 it went to number 1 in the U.K. and reached number 9 on Billboard’s top 200. It is the first album by the band to be written entirely in their studio, named The Farm, through jam sessions. The album itself spawned 5 singles, with “Mama” being the lead single. To this day it is the bands highest charting single in the U.K. reaching number 4.
Released in 1991 “We Can’t Dance” is the band’s fifth consecutive number 1 in the U.K. It reached number 4 in the U.S. It is also the last album recorded with Phil Collins who would go on to pursue his solo career full time. As with the self-titled “Genesis” and “Invisible Touch, all the songs were crafted during lengthy jam sessions in the studio. Six singles would be released from this album with “No Son Of Mine” being the lead. The album would be certified quadruple platinum.