7 Must Hear Albums From 1967
I think a very good argument can be made that 1967 produced the greatest music in the history of popular music up to this point (early 2009.) These seven albums I would use as my evidence if I was presenting such an argument. Perhaps that's exactly the argument I am presenting? Amazingly four of the seven albums I'm including in my list are debut albums by some of the most legendary bands in history of rock music. I think that's a good indication of just what a breakthrough year 1967 really was. Who are those four bands? Pink Floyd (who were known as The Pink Floyd at the time), The Velvet Underground, The Doors, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Pretty amazing, isn't it? These great albums are listed by their title alphabetically. It was hard enough to choose just seven "must hear" albums from 1967 (as there are surely more than that) so I wasn't about to try and order them in any way other than by the alphabet! Absolutely Free by The Mothers of Invention (Frank Zappa) - This album could be looked at as merely a "joke" (and sadly many people do dismiss Zappa's music as just that) but the music is just too good to be dismissed in that sort of way. This is a great album for anyone who thinks that 1967 was only about "flower power." Zappa brought the weird with force, but he also brought sophistication and complexity. The music on Absolutely Free often referenced Stravinsky and other classical music. Are You Experienced? by The Jimi Hendrix Experience - This was Hendrix's debut album and what a way to start a career. It included the classic Hendrix tracks "Foxy Lady," "Manic Depression," & "Red House" (these are actually the first three songs on the album) along with "Fire" and of course the title track. While I don't think it's his best album, it's definitely a great album. Certainly one of the seven "must hear" albums of 1967. The Doors by The Doors - This is the band's debut. It was recorded in 1966 and released in January of '67. It includes some of the band's most well known like "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", "The Crystal Ship," "Light My Fire," & "The End." Many fans & critics consider it to be The Doors best album. Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles - Certainly not the masterpiece that Sgt. Pepper is, hell it wasn't even really an album but an EP. But so what? It still contains a whole lot of incredible songs like "I Am The Walrus" & "The Fool on the Hill," & "Baby You're a Rich Man." Piper at the Gates of Dawn by The Pink Floyd - This was Pink Floyd before they got rid of Syd Barrett (due to his mental issues and erratic behavior) and the The at the beginning of their name. In some ways they were a completely different band than the one that would become hugely popular in the 1970s with Dark Side of the Moon. But while they do sound very different, the seeds for the '70s Pink Floyd can be heard in this album which is brilliant in it's own right. If you are a fan of psychedelic music then this album absolutely essential. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles - Sometimes people say Sgt. Pepper is "overrated." I say nonsense! Any album that contains songs as great as "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," "With a Little Help From My Friends," & "A Day in the Life" cannot be overrated. It was a big step forward for The Beatles, not so much in that the songs were better or even more complex (listen to Revolver after all) but because the songs all fit together in a new way. Sgt. Pepper was the arrival of the album as "art" and not just a collection of songs. To me it still stands up as an incredible work of art today. The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground wasn't a huge commercial success but it is arguably the most influential album on this list. It includes "Sunday Morning," "I'm Waiting for the Man," & "Heroin" among its 11 tracks.
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Singorama is the recommended way to learn how to sing by Marvin J. Markus. Read this review of Singorama Singing Lessons to learn more.
Author: Marvin J Markus
