Mike’s 1969

Songs

1. Chicago Transit Authority–“Questions 67 and 68”
2. The Beatles–“You Never Give Me Your Money”
3. Dillard and Clark–“Polly” or “Through the Morning, Through the Night” (The sound of heartbreak.)
4. Kevin Ayers–“Town Feeling” (Brent knows that this entire album doesn’t do it for me. In spare doses, though. On most of his records there are at least one or two of these unbelievably melodic pieces with interesting, thought out arrangements like this one.
5. Roberta Flack–“The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face” (I’ve said it before here somewhere, probably on the covers theme, as lovely a vocal as anything I may have ever heard. So perfect I can’t hear it sung by her live, or by anyone else.)
6. Love–“Gather Round” (In my opinion, Arthur Lee’s crowning masterpiece, and I think the last recorded song by this version of the band. Have come around to loving the totally superfluous jam at the end, which it seems to me is his final “Fuck off, I’m going to do whatever the damn hell I please” conceit on this album full of them.
7. The Meters–“Cissy Strut” (So many classic grooves in 1969…)
8. Aphrodite’s Child–“It’s Five O’Clock” (…and so much organ. I’m probably wrong, but I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anything like the fuzzed-out organ on this song. And I always love a good use of the theremin, hammy as it is here. Had this on cycle for most of a day at work this month. Thanks go to Tim for introducing me to this band for our first theme.)
9. Gun–“Situation Vacant” (Replacing the Dekker cut with this one, representative of the great hard rock that was happening.)
10. Flying Burrito Brothers–“Sin City” (Tough to pick just one cut from this album. Another one that I’ve only recently become familiar with, largely thanks to John and Tim.)

Albums
1. King Crimson–In the Court of the Crimson King (Oh come on, seriously.)
2. Procol Harum–A Salty Dog (God this is beautiful. “A Salty Dog” | “Too Much Between Us” | “The Devil Came from Kansas”
3. The Kinks–Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire (“Victoria” | “Shangri-La,” probably my favorite Kinks Song of All-Time, off what may well be their Best Album.)
4. The Velvet Underground–The Velvet Underground (“Pale Blue Eyes” | “Candy Says” | “Jesus“)
5. Fairport Convention–Unhalfbricking (Three great albums released in 69, two of which could have easily made my albums list. I resigned myself to selecting Unhalfbricking, I guess mostly because of “Autopsy,” and the fact that I love Martin Lamble, only 19, who died tragically in a car accident after the recording of this album. This track includes one of my favorite moments in recorded history, at 1:22, that guitar chord, was it a mistake? And one of my favorite guitar solos, starting at 2:11. I think I forgot that one when we covered guitar solos as a topic. Also, Ashley Hutchings’ bass is just shake your head ridiculous throughout this album. Check out how it drives everything on “Sailor’s Life.” Also!, a rhythm guitarist in Simon Nicol who provides crucial contributions. How often can you say that? I just can’t get over the fact that two of the members of the band were teenagers at the time of this mature and revolutionary recording.)
6. Sly and the Family Stone-Stand (“I Want to Take You Higher” | “Stand” | “Everybody Is a Star“)
7. Shirley and Dolly Collins–Anthems in Eden (What genre is this? Early Music I guess. Unlike anything else of the time, thanks in large part to Dolly’s arrangements, the use of early music instruments like crumhorns and the like, and Dolly’s own inimitable “portative” organ. Every time I listen it grows on me more. Includes the great Robin Williamson song “God Dog.” )
8. Captain Beefheart–Trout Mask Replica (I’ll take Bob’s picks, and “Ella Guru.”)
9. Colosseum–Valentyne Suite (Took my head off the first time I heard it 30-35 years ago, and has continued to do so every time since. The title track (start here) is one of the great progressive jazz/rock masterpieces, but don’t forget the propulsive blues on the first side, including “Buddy’s Blues“. Crank it up! Two bassists kills me, in every incarnation I can remember–later double-trio King Crimson, Donald Byrd, here. Other examples?)
10. Keef Hartley Band–Halfbreed (John Mayall drummer leaves the increasingly drug soaked acoustic fold of the Bluesbreakers, and puts out this deliriously rocking, driving, no holds barred masterpiece. Start with “Stacked” or “Born to Die.” I’m no big fan of this kind of electric blues in general, but when it is passionately done, with at least a hint of evil, as on the Colosseum and Zeppelin records also listed (wait, I forgot to list Zeppelin’s first record!, ah hell), well that’s another story.  Also check out Blodwyn Pig’s raucous Ahead Rings Out.)

I love Brent’s idea to partition jazz, which allows me to cheat and list 20 albums! Good thing, because there was a ton of great jazz.

Jazz/Other
1. Miles Davis–Filles de Kilimanjaro (May well be my favorite album of the year. If I had to pick one cut, “Mademoiselle Mabry.”)
2. Pharoah Sanders–Karma
3. Don Rendell & Ian Carr–Change Is (“Cold Mountain“)

4. Moondog–Moondog (“Lament 1, Bird’s Lament” | “Witch of Endor“)
5. Don Cherry–Eternal Rhythm (“Part 1” | “Part 2“)
6. Archie Shepp–Yasmina, a Black Woman
7. Sun Ra–Atlantis
8. Joe Henderson–Power to the People (“Black Narcissus“)
9. Sonny Sharrock–Black Woman (“Black Woman.” Sonny sure was busy in 1969, appearing on two of the albums I list here (Karma and Eternal Rhythm) and this one. Also from 1969, his appearance on the pretty good Herbie Mann Memphis Underground album, “Hold on, I’m Coming.” Wait for it, it’s worth it, or just go ahead and skip to 5:35!)
10. Art Ensemble of Chicago–People in Sorrow

1969, man, what a time that must have been. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Music Emporium (“nam myoho renge kyo” | “Velvet Sunsets“) or Buffy Sainte-Marie’s avant garde masterpiece, Illuminations (“God Is Alive, Magic Is Afoot” | “Poppies“)

My 1969 Collection

Mike’s Notable Covers

When the Levee Breaks–Led Zeppelin (Original: Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie). A good cover song for me requires at least one of two qualities: 1. It must transform the original and/or 2. It must somehow get inside the original. If the cover does neither of these two things, it isn’t tribute, it is derogation. It is U2’s abominable Helter Skelter. I don’t want to get into the many, many songs that Led Zep never bothered attributing; I’m not entirely sure that they ever wrote an original song. But, they completely transformed everything they touched, none more than this.

At Last I Am Free–Robert Wyatt (Original: Chic). Throughout his solo career Wyatt has offered unique takes on popular songs (I’m a Believer), little known songs from popular artists (Elvis Costello’s Shipbuilding) and arcana (Stalin Wasn’t Stalling). His version of the Chic song unearths its best qualities.

America—Yes (Original: Simon & Garfunkel). The original really could not be more perfect, and while this version barely resembles it, it takes full advantage of the gorgeous melody to create an equally beautiful statement. I know this group isn’t universally admired here (am I alone?). I love how much Howe takes liberties in the recreation—his incredibly unique guitar lines, then Squire’s power and Bruford’s proficiency.

Contempt–Naked City (Original: Georges Delerue). One of my very favorite pieces of music… I’d never heard the original Delerue composition that appeared in the Godard film before hearing this. The Delerue expresses mournfulness. Zorn couples that with longing and emotion with his sax lines.

Blue Moon of Kentucky–Elvis Presley (Original: Bill Monroe). The definition of transformation.

Big Joe and Phantom 309–Tom Waits (Original: Red Sovine). Another favorite song. The original is great. The cover, nothing like it!

Mack the Knife–Dave Van Ronk (edit: It’s not a cover of the Darin version, but I like that one too. Here’s the original: Brecht/Weill, Lotte Lenya version).

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face–Roberta Flack (Original: Ewan Maccoll). Everything I love about a cover. A unique voice captures the essence of the original but brings to light intrinsic qualities not emphasized in the original.

Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain–Willie Nelson (Original: Roy Acuff)

Wild Is the Wind–Nina Simone (Original: Johnny Mathis). Live at Town Hall version. First recorded by Johnny Mathis for the film of the same name. The sensitivity of this performance breaks my heart. Other good covers: Bowie’s, Cat Power’s).

I Am the Walrus–Spooky Tooth (Original: The Beatles). You may remember how I love this. The Boris cover that dogonab lists is of course a cover of this inimitable Spooky Tooth version, not so much a cover of the original.

Little Wing–Gil Evans (Original: Jimi Hendrix)

Favorite Tribute Albums

Soupsongs Live: The Music of Robert Wyatt. Attributed to various artists but it is really Annie Whitehead’s band with a few others including Phil Manzanera and Julie Tippett.

Ubu Dance Party: A Tribute to the Music of Pere Ubu. It’s unlikely as hell – 38 bands from Ohio that you’ve never heard of, only a half dozen of which might have an official release under their belts – cover the greatest Ohio band of them all, and it works. As I recall, this was put together to benefit a musician who thought up the idea but found himself in a hospital for an extended period midway through. Must be a hell of a guy because, and not to get too sloppy about it, you can feel the love throughout. I don’t think there’s a straight cover to be found here and it’s the better for it. Well done, all, by God, and if you ever happen by one of these bands in a smoke-filled beer hall in an East Cleveland dive raise a glass to ’em because once they did a damn bit of great.

Buck Owens–Sings Tommy Collins. Somewhere around the beginning of Buck’s career he was Tommy’s guitarist. I’ll have a good time seeking out the originals as well as other, in some cases more famous, versions of these great songs. Meanwhile, this serves as a great entry point to the greatness of Buck and his Buckaroos.

Asleep at the Wheel–Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. (Blues for Dixie)