The top 14 albums of the 1960's

jhawk98

And so it has come to this. I've done lists for each of the past four decades (including the current one) and now I have only a few albums from the 60's in my collection to put through the Ipod ranking system and see what shakes out.

The results of this one were interesting. Trying to rank these albums is kind of ridiculous. They are all among the most outstanding musical documents ever created IMO. To put it in perspective, all of these records scored higher than 75 of the 100+ albums I have from the 90's and higher than all but 10 of the 50+ albums I have from the current decade. In short, the 60's were just an amazing time for music.

Outside of the Ray Charles record, there is a noticeable absence of the great R&B artists from Motown, etc. I've got a TON of this stuff in hits collections, but no original albums so nothing on the list from this important part of 60's music.

14.The Beatles-Rubber Soul
13.Johnny Cash-At Folsom Prison
12.The Beatles-Yellow Submarine (although this is a collection of previously released material which I normally would not include in a list like this, I'm putting it in because the art direction of the film and the record cover, etc. is so deserving)

...back to it then...

11.The Beatles-Abbey Road
10.The Beatles-The Beatles (White)
09.The Beach Boys -Pet Sounds
08.The Beatles-Revolver
07.Ray Charles-Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music
06.The Rolling Stones-Let It Bleed
05.Bob Dylan-Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
04.Bob Dylan-Bringing It All Back Home
03.The Rolling Stones-Beggar's Banquet
02.The Beatles-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
01.Bob Dylan-Blonde On Blonde

Also, mention must be made of Credence Clearwater Revival. The only album of theirs I own is Mardi Gras (a 70's release). Otherwise I have the box set and several other greatest hits collections. During the 60's these guys made fantastic American rock music, and wrote some very powerful lyrics to boot. Their catalog is right up there at the top for me.

Not a lot of variety artist-wise I suppose. Then again, there's only 14 records listed. I've tended to stick to sure things with my purchases here. All the more reason to post this thing on a forum like this to get reactions and suggestions of where to go next. Fire away kiddos...

Oh, and I think I'm gonna take a closer look at comparing each of my decade lists, combining them and coming up with what albums rank hightest overall in my collection. I'll post that one of these days. I know you guys can't wait...

merlin401

jhawk98 wrote:

And so it has come to this. I've done lists for each of the past four decades (including the current one) and now I have only a few albums from the 60's in my collection to put through the Ipod ranking system and see what shakes out.

The results of this one were interesting. Trying to rank these albums is kind of ridiculous. They are all among the most outstanding musical documents ever created IMO. To put it in perspective, all of these records scored higher than 75 of the 100+ albums I have from the 90's and higher than all but 10 of the 50+ albums I have from the current decade. In short, the 60's were just an amazing time for music.

Outside of the Ray Charles record, there is a noticeable absence of the great R&B artists from Motown, etc. I've got a TON of this stuff in hits collections, but no original albums so nothing on the list from this important part of 60's music.

14.The Beatles-Rubber Soul
13.Johnny Cash-At Folsom Prison
12.The Beatles-Yellow Submarine (although this is a collection of previously released material which I normally would not include in a list like this, I'm putting it in because the art direction of the film and the record cover, etc. is so deserving)

...back to it then...

11.The Beatles-Abbey Road
10.The Beatles-The Beatles (White)
09.The Beach Boys -Pet Sounds
08.The Beatles-Revolver
07.Ray Charles-Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music
06.The Rolling Stones-Let It Bleed
05.Bob Dylan-Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
04.Bob Dylan-Bringing It All Back Home
03.The Rolling Stones-Beggar's Banquet
02.The Beatles-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
01.Bob Dylan-Blonde On Blonde

Also, mention must be made of Credence Clearwater Revival. The only album of theirs I own is Mardi Gras (a 70's release). Otherwise I have the box set and several other greatest hits collections. During the 60's these guys made fantastic American rock music, and wrote some very powerful lyrics to boot. Their catalog is right up there at the top for me.

Not a lot of variety artist-wise I suppose. Then again, there's only 14 records listed. I've tended to stick to sure things with my purchases here. All the more reason to post this thing on a forum like this to get reactions and suggestions of where to go next. Fire away kiddos...

Oh, and I think I'm gonna take a closer look at comparing each of my decade lists, combining them and coming up with what albums rank hightest overall in my collection. I'll post that one of these days. I know you guys can't wait...

Critical albums missing: Jimi Hendrix (are you experienced?), Velvet Underground (VU & Nico)... Also LZ I and II were also in the 60s and worth of consideration for sure

jhawk98

merlin401 wrote:

Critical albums missing: Jimi Hendrix (are you experienced?), Velvet Underground (VU & Nico)... Also LZ I and II were also in the 60s and worth of consideration for sure

Covered this topic in the thread I started a while back on 70's tunes. I can't bring myself to buy any Zeppelin stuff because of the sheer amount I've heard it played on radio, tv, movies, etc. I don't deny they were talented, I just don't have any of their records.

Also, the Nico record is decent but I honestly think it's a bit overrated.

Echoes

Hot Rats and Everybody knows this is nowhere is better than anything on that list, maybe an exception to Abbey Road. I would have ranked Pet Sounds higher too. And had Highway 61 Revisited on that list since it is one of Dylan's best.

Other frequently overlooked 760's albums are SF Sorrow by The Pretty Things, and DOnovan's Mellow Yellow. Good stuff there.

also

Disraeli Gears
Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Freak Out!
We're Only In It For THe Money
Cruisin With Reuban and THe Jets
In A Silent Way
My Funny Valentine

catefrances

jhawk98 wrote:

Covered this topic in the thread I started a while back on 70's tunes. I can't bring myself to buy any Zeppelin stuff because of the sheer amount I've heard it played on radio, tv, movies, etc. I don't deny they were talented, I just don't have any of their records.

Also, the Nico record is decent but I honestly think it's a bit overrated.

forget about what you've heard on the radio. go out and buy some zeppelin.
you seem to have been able to own the beatles and they have got to be one of, if not the most played artist on the radio.

Wallawallapj

OK, we know you like the Beatles... we get it. But to name 6 artists in your top 14? Get a grip, and open your ears! Now how about Zep, the Doors, Jimi, Velvet Underground, Zappa, the MC5, The Dead, shit, even Neil Young recorded a great album in the 60's (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere). The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Nick Drake, Traffic, Cream...do I need to go on? OK, I will.....Joni Mitchell, LOVE, The F***ing WHO!!!!

Not that art is not arbitrary, but know that if you put a top 10 list (or 14) up, it will be torn to shreds!

alobar

You know, I'm actually really digging this list. Many of you are right in adding that there were a bunch of great band and artists from the 60's, but really The Beatles and Dylan blow everybody else out of the water. I like how Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's were the only Beatles album to trump Pet Sounds. My sentiments, exactly.

I also think VU& Nico is overrated, but Loaded is the shit. I think the only thing you're missing is some Hendrix and Zeppelin.

FinsburyParkCarrots

Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
Astral Weeks - Van Morrison
Revolver - The Beatles
Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix
Highway 61 Revised - Bob Dylan
Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band
The Beatles - The Beatles
Beggars Banquet - The Rolling Stones
Abbey Road - The Beatles
Axis: Bold as Love - Jimi Hendrix
Piper at the Gates of Dawn - Pink Floyd
Rubber Soul - The Beatles
Forever Changes - Love


That'd be my list.

karma defect

I take it you want 14 because of the link to the great superiour class of Johan Cruyff.:D!!!



01.Revolver ~ The Beatles
02.L.A.woman ~ The Doors
03.The piper at the gates of dawn ~ Pink Floyd
04.Abbey Road ~ The Beatles
05.The banana album ~ The Velvet underground
06.Waiting for the sun ~ The Doors
07.Electric lady land ~ Jimi Hendrix
08.A question of balance ~ The Moody blues
09.Sgt Pepper’s lonely hearts club band ~ The Beatles
10.Freewheelin' Bob Dylan ~ Bob Dylan
11.Bringing It All Back Home ~ Bob Dylan
12.Led zeppelin 1 ~ Led zepplin
13.Highway 61 revisited ~ Bob Dylan
14.Are you experienced ~ Jimi Hendrix


Not in any special order.

intodeep

Wallawallapj wrote:

OK, we know you like the Beatles... we get it. But to name 6 artists in your top 14? Get a grip, and open your ears! Now how about Zep, the Doors, Jimi, Velvet Underground, Zappa, the MC5, The Dead, shit, even Neil Young recorded a great album in the 60's (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere). The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Nick Drake, Traffic, Cream...do I need to go on? OK, I will.....Joni Mitchell, LOVE, The F***ing WHO!!!!

Not that art is not arbitrary, but know that if you put a top 10 list (or 14) up, it will be torn to shreds!

These are the albums he owns. (i think)
Maybe there are other albums out there that he enjoys he just does not own them. Besides it's his opinion no need to jump on him for it.

Soupy

Lots of good one's mentioned already but I think The Who's debut is worthy of any greatest albums list, let alone a 60's list.

Oh, Jimmy

Some of my faves. I dunno if all of em are top 14 material though.

Zeppelin- 1 and 2
Hendrix- Axis:Bold As Love, Are You Experienced
Neil Young-Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
Derek and the Dominoes-Layla and other assorted love songs
Beatles-Abbey Road
King Crimson- In the Court of the Crimson King
Pink Floyd-Piper........... Ummagumma
Blind Faith-S/T

FinsburyParkCarrots

karma defect wrote:

02.L.A.woman ~ The Doors

That one was 1971, so you get to add another one to the list.

MOKELE MBEMBE

Pet Sounds is number 9? BOOOOOOOO!

jhawk98

Echoes wrote:

Hot Rats and Everybody knows this is nowhere is better than anything on that list, maybe an exception to Abbey Road. I would have ranked Pet Sounds higher too. And had Highway 61 Revisited on that list since it is one of Dylan's best.

Other frequently overlooked 760's albums are SF Sorrow by The Pretty Things, and DOnovan's Mellow Yellow. Good stuff there.

also

Disraeli Gears
Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Freak Out!
We're Only In It For THe Money
Cruisin With Reuban and THe Jets
In A Silent Way
My Funny Valentine

Hot Rats has some interesting compositions, but gets monotonous to me pretty quick. FZ is just not my bag I guess. I do respect his efforts at creating a sort of jazz/rock hybrid type of music, but it all seems to run together to me. I would agree that Rats is his best effort, but that's coming from someone who doesn't really like his music so what do I know?

jhawk98

catefrances wrote:

forget about what you've heard on the radio. go out and buy some zeppelin.
you seem to have been able to own the beatles and they have got to be one of, if not the most played artist on the radio.

I suppose your right. It seems to me though that radio plays only a fraction of the beatles catalog and their is a lot of good stuff left to get into. Maybe it's the same way with LZ. Give me a suggestion of a LZ album that is good, but that has a significant amount of music that is not played into the ground. For example, the White Album has a TON of music that radio never touches. What is the LZ equivalent?

jhawk98

intodeep wrote:

These are the albums he owns. (i think)
Maybe there are other albums out there that he enjoys he just does not own them. Besides it's his opinion no need to jump on him for it.

Bingo. These are my top 14, 'cuz they are the only 14 I own. That's why I post these lists - to get suggestions on how to expand my horizons.

jhawk98

MOKELE M'BEMBE wrote:

Pet Sounds is number 9? BOOOOOOOO!

I kind of expected Pet Sounds to be a bit higher on the list, but jeez look what it is competing with. I love the album. Lyrically it is one of the most amazing records ever made IMO. And obviously it is so textured and strong musically as well. "God Only Knows", and "I Just wasn't made..." are personal favorites. There is some filler there for me though. "I know there's an answer" and "hang onto your ego" are basically the same song. Caroline No is just flat out boring.

Sure is a lot of love for Abbey Road on this board. For those of you that like the album so much, what makes it head and shoulders above the rest of the beatles stuff?

LedZepFan

my top 14(in no order, because, quite frankly, that is impossible)

Beatles-White
Beatles-Sgt Peppers
Beatles-Abbey Road
Beatles-Revolver
Doors-S/T
Doors-Strange Days
Doors-Waiting for the Sun
Hendrix-Are You Experienced?
Hendrix-Axis
Hendrix-Electric Ladyland
Led Zeppelin-LZ1
Led Zeppelin-LZ2
Rolling Stones-Let it Bleed
Rolling Stones-Beggars Banquet
The Who-Tommy

Oh, Jimmy

jhawk98 wrote:

I suppose your right. It seems to me though that radio plays only a fraction of the beatles catalog and their is a lot of good stuff left to get into. Maybe it's the same way with LZ. Give me a suggestion of a LZ album that is good, but that has a significant amount of music that is not played into the ground. For example, the White Album has a TON of music that radio never touches. What is the LZ equivalent?

Physical Graffiti lotta awesome material, the first disc is fuckin ridiculously good,

second gives you a very good frame of reference for the rest of their music, and yes the music is untouchable

The Waiting Trophy Man

revolver can't be touched. not even by another beatles album. they could have stayed together forever and they would never have been able to make a better album.

kdpjam

aBoxOfFear wrote:

revolver can't be touched. not even by another beatles album. they could have stayed together forever and they would never have been able to make a better album.

reeferchief

Like what the other's have said Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and Led Zeppelin and pretty much most of what's already been reccomended, you need to get into these bands and your list will change, your right about the 60's been an amazing era in music but from your list you haven't discovered more than half of what made it amazing yet.:)

intodeep

Nice list. Many folks have made many suggestions one i have not seen that is one of my favorite albums from the 60's was 1969's Bitches Brew by Miles Davis.

This was not the first rock/jazz fusion album but it might as well have been because it defined the genre moving forward.

that would be my suggestion if you are looking to check out other stuff, but of course if you don't like jazz it may not be as easy to get into as say a jimi hendrix album or neil young's everybody knows this is nowhere that includes the almighty three round salvo or cinnamon girl, down by the river, and cowgirl in the sand.

catefrances

jhawk98 wrote:

I suppose your right. It seems to me though that radio plays only a fraction of the beatles catalog and their is a lot of good stuff left to get into. Maybe it's the same way with LZ. Give me a suggestion of a LZ album that is good, but that has a significant amount of music that is not played into the ground. For example, the White Album has a TON of music that radio never touches. What is the LZ equivalent?

i can't give you an equivalent.i don't listen to commercial radio. but personally the first album does it for me. black mountain side is just a killer tune. no words but still short and oh so sweet. i can't quit you babe and baby i'm gonna leave you just hum. oh yeah and there's dazed and confused.

Oh, Jimmy

catefrances wrote:

i can't give you an equivalent.i don't listen to commercial radio. but personally the first album does it for me. black mountain side is just a killer tune. no words but still short and oh so sweet. i can't quit you babe and baby i'm gonna leave you just hum. oh yeah and there's dazed and confused.

I would say Prescence and Phys Graffiti are the least represented on the radio.

Houses of the Holy only has D'yer Mak'er and the Ocean as radio songs, but the rest of the album is soooooo good. Rain Song makes it worth the price of admission.

III has mostly glorious non radio songs as well. Immigrant song is really the only song that gets much play off that one.


II and IV are the big radio albums. I have heard every Zeppelin song on the radio at one point or another, but 8x out 10 its off of one of these albums. Still great albums, just played all the time on rock radio.


Everybody do themselves a favor and go out and get all the Zeppelin albums.

catefrances

Oh, Jimmy wrote:

II and IV are the big radio albums. I have heard every Zeppelin song on the radio at one point or another, but 8x out 10 its off of one of these albums. Still great albums, just played all the time on rock radio.
Everybody do themselves a favor and go out and get all the Zeppelin albums.

see i'm a zeppelin snob. if you tell me 'stairway to heaven' is your favourite zeppelin song i'm gonna turn my back on you.

Oh, Jimmy

catefrances wrote:

see i'm a zeppelin snob. if you tell me 'stairway to heaven' is your favourite zeppelin song i'm gonna turn my back on you.

If Stairway is my favorite song by Zeppelin it definitely wouldnt be from lack of lookin for somethin different.

Nah, its in the top 5, b/c even if you take away all the hoopla surrounding it, it's still an amazing song.

I honestly dunno if I even have a favorite Zeppelin song.

Achilles Last Stand is one of my faves

Rain Song, Tea For One, In the Evening, basically I love everything Zeppelin has ever released. I even love Coda.

catefrances

Oh, Jimmy wrote:

If Stairway is my favorite song by Zeppelin it definitely wouldnt be from lack of lookin for somethin different.

Nah, its in the top 5, b/c even if you take away all the hoopla surrounding it, it's still an amazing song.

I honestly dunno if I even have a favorite Zeppelin song.

Achilles Last Stand is one of my faves

Rain Song, Tea For One, In the Evening, basically I love everything Zeppelin has ever released. I even love Coda.

but you know the only person's opinion that matters to is yours.

Echoes

Immigrant song sucks

fada

Trout Mask Replica - Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band MOST overrated shite I ever bought