“ The top 100 alternative albums of the 1960s”

[teamsaint]

I happened upon this web page today.

https://www.spin.com/2013/03/best-100-albums-1960s-sixties-alternative-list/

It looks a pretty eclectic and interesting mix . A lot of records on there that I don’t know, a good number that I have never heard of , and probably about a quarter that I know or have heard.

I thought it would be a good project to listen to them all, but knowing myself, I suspect I might hit a dull patch and drift off elsewhere , without some external discipline.

So I wondered if anybody would also be interested in following this up and comparing brief comments. 2 albums a week through 2021 might work, for example.

[johncorrigan]

I happened upon this web page today.

https://www.spin.com/2013/03/best-100-albums-1960s-sixties-alternative-list/

It looks a pretty eclectic and interesting mix . A lot of records on there that I don’t know, a good number that I have never heard of , and probably about a quarter that I know or have heard.

I thought it would be a good project to listen to them all, but knowing myself, I suspect I might hit a dull patch and drift off elsewhere , without some external discipline.

So I wondered if anybody would also be interested in following this up and comparing brief comments. 2 albums a week through 2021 might work, for example.

I found I was more familiar with some of the records further down the list, sainty. I was largely unaware of lots of those in the top quarter, although aware of the artists. Mulatu Astatke at 4, for example, I didn't know until the 'Ethiopiques' series came out. I went to see the film 'Head' by the Monkees but not till a while after it came out, and didn't know there was an LP. Actually it's not till No 26, 'Gorilla' that I had the record when it came out.

For obvious reasons, I thought I would take the recommendation and try the track 'Caledonia' by Orgasm from 'Cromagnon', in at number 3 - that was pretty heavy stuff, and yet you can hear things that followed a lot further down the line.

Might dip into a few more on the list, but can't see me getting through the 100. But I'd be up for trying a few comparisons, ts.

Here's 'Caledonia' by Orgasm, by the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8jOhqOsouM

[teamsaint]

Same thoughts on the list, JC. I knew quite a lot lower down ( probably comes with over familiarity with the lower half of tables!) and not much at the top.

First thoughts.
The Medium is the Message. Interesting, and with some good moments, but I doubt I will return to it much. It would no doubt be of significant interest to music and general arts students,as being instructional in the art of the time. Doubtless a highly innovative record, that probably needs somehow separating from 60 subsequent years of music and art to be seen in its rightful light.

As the review on the list suggests, Caledonia is outstanding( the soundworld reminds me of a few things from the 90’s I think, such as Sugar ) , and completely overshadows the rest of the Orgasm album, which has it’s moments, but sounds all too much like a “ project” with too few ideas and too much studio time and funding. But Caledonia is a keeper.

The Mulatu Astatke record also needed some context, for me. It’s really beautifully crafted, often surprising, and certainly one to return to . It is hard for people like me , who are not well versed in this music, to understand initially how groundbreaking it seems to have been, but nevertheless, a great find.I would buy this . I don’t know any of his other music, but will look out more of it.

Look forward to hearing more thoughts , JC, and from other forumites too, hopefully.

[Bryn]

Number 12 was the first I really knew well. If I had known of number 7, I would definitely have bought it. From 12 it was a jump to 26. Thereafter I was familiar with around 25%. The Reich example was a bit of a cludge. Why use a much more recent CD with some early recordings on it, rather than, say, the original LP will It's Gonna Rain and Violin Phase on it, for instance?

[cloughie]

I happened upon this web page today.

https://www.spin.com/2013/03/best-100-albums-1960s-sixties-alternative-list/

It looks a pretty eclectic and interesting mix . A lot of records on there that I don’t know, a good number that I have never heard of , and probably about a quarter that I know or have heard.

I thought it would be a good project to listen to them all, but knowing myself, I suspect I might hit a dull patch and drift off elsewhere , without some external discipline.

So I wondered if anybody would also be interested in following this up and comparing brief comments. 2 albums a week through 2021 might work, for example.

Speaking as someone who developed my music interests and tastes in the 60s - What a strange and maybe thrown together collection - some I remember from then any I have heard of, if not actually heard. I would hardly call Pentangle’s most commercial album or Fairport’s ‘’Liege & Lief’ and ‘Gorilla’ alternative. At the time Leonard Cohen was wonderfully different! These four albums are all on my shelves and I would happily listen to them now as then! The compiler obviously was a Velvets and Nico fan. There are others there that I enjoyed at the time and some I was less keen on but yes ts it would be interesting to visit or revisit some of these, subject to streaming/youtube being available for the listening.

[johncorrigan]

I looked down the list and the first one that I thought I REALLY wanted to listen to was Babatunde Olatunji - 'Drums of Passion' (Columbia, 1960) - although Spotify suggests that it was 1959. I like drum music - there's a bit of me that thinks I might have been quite good at it, but I never did anything about it - when I was young the thought of carting a drum kit around with me was unlikely to happen for a lazy git like me, when you could just stick a moothie in your pocket. I am so glad I listened to this - absolutely wonderful record, with terrific vocals and fabulous drumming. It's quite hard to believe that it was recorded in New York...sounded genuinely Haitian or West African. I'll definitely be going back to this record. Particularly enjoyed 'Gin-Go-Lo-Ba (drums of Passion)', but great atmosphere generated throughout the record, a bit like the feeling when I first heard the Drummers of Burundi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kTU73-9v8s

[Kernow Malc]

Got about a quarter of those - good to see the Incredible String Band in there.

[johncorrigan]

Speaking as someone who developed my music interests and tastes in the 60s - What a strange and maybe thrown together collection - some I remember from then any I have heard of, if not actually heard. I would hardly call Pentangle’s most commercial album or Fairport’s ‘’Liege & Lief’ and ‘Gorilla’ alternative. At the time Leonard Cohen was wonderfully different! These four albums are all on my shelves and I would happily listen to them now as then! The compiler obviously was a Velvets and Nico fan. There are others there that I enjoyed at the time and some I was less keen on but yes ts it would be interesting to visit or revisit some of these, subject to streaming/youtube being available for the listening.

I would agree with all of what you say, cloughie. It seems like the UK songs are all reasonably safe. No Principal Edwards Magic Theatre or perhaps 'Alchemy' by the Third Ear Band. Even something like 'This Was', Jethro Tull's first record which I still think sounds quite out there. 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' remains my favourite Pink Floyd record, maybe because of when I heard it. I'm listening to Brigitte Fontaine just now and enjoying it - it was not at all what I expected. I did think that Wild man Fischer might have got a look in - one that I used to hear on Peel in the late sixties, but no sign. I do have to say that I am enjoying this list.

good to see the Incredible String Band in there.

[teamsaint]

I would agree with all of what you say, cloughie. It seems like the UK songs are all reasonably safe. No Principal Edwards Magic Theatre or perhaps 'Alchemy' by the Third Ear Band. Even something like 'This Was', Jethro Tull's first record which I still think sounds quite out there. 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' remains my favourite Pink Floyd record, maybe because of when I heard it. I'm listening to Brigitte Fontaine just now and enjoying it - it was not at all what I expected. I did think that Wild man Fischer might have got a look in - one that I used to hear on Peel in the late sixties, but no sign. I do have to say that I am enjoying this list.

Yep, I thought that the Brigitte Fontaine was outstanding, on first listen. Very individual, and unlike anything else I know. Less mannered than I ( half) expected.
I can’t find the Alan Watts record, but doubtless it is out there, and maybe others of his are similar ? Bypassed the Nancarrow for now, and have been dabbling in the Parson Sound record. Getting along fine with it, but expecting to find the “wall of sound “ rather outstaying its welcome at over 2 hours on the version I have on. Not at all convinced that the ideas justify the extent of the tracks.
Might all sound more vital with the correct substance taken ?

( Re Pink Floyd, Piper is the only record I have voluntarily listened to more than once. It is even on my “ to buy “ list .........)

[teamsaint]

The Parson Sound, though fun for a while, just became more tedious as time went on. Worth a quick listen. Perhaps music that came later has reduced its impact for the first time listener.

Pearls Before Swine.one Nation Underground.
I guess that a lot of forumites will know and love this, and rightly so. Full of invention and spark, in a certain zone. Definitely a big find, and one for a folky psychedelic mood.
Talking of psychedelic, I bypassed the Monkees sountrack and headed straight for the movie on youtube. A fun way to spend 90 minutes, esp if you stop for Bovril half way through. The film is definitely the TV show expanded and moved to Hollywood with substances taken. The soundtrack has its moments, but mostly fun-derivative . Not really one of the top 100 alternative albums of the sixties , though I wish it had been. Still love the Monkees.

Os Mutantes though almost certainly deserves a high placing in the list. It crackles with originality and ideas. Puts me in mind of SAHB , with its punchy and unafraid eclecticism. I really haven’t got my head entirely round it yet, but am certain I wil return often. Terrific stuff, highly recommended.

More next week......

[johncorrigan]

The Parson Sound, though fun for a while, just became more tedious as time went on. Worth a quick listen. Perhaps music that came later has reduced its impact for the first time listener.

Pearls Before Swine.one Nation Underground.
I guess that a lot of forumites will know and love this, and rightly so. Full of invention and spark, in a certain zone. Definitely a big find, and one for a folky psychedelic mood.
Talking of psychedelic, I bypassed the Monkees sountrack and headed straight for the movie on youtube. A fun way to spend 90 minutes, esp if you stop for Bovril half way through. The film is definitely the TV show expanded and moved to Hollywood with substances taken. The soundtrack has its moments, but mostly fun-derivative . Not really one of the top 100 alternative albums of the sixties , though I wish it had been. Still love the Monkees.

Os Mutantes though almost certainly deserves a high placing in the list. It crackles with originality and ideas. Puts me in mind of SAHB , with its punchy and unafraid eclecticism. I really haven’t got my head entirely round it yet, but am certain I wil return often. Terrific stuff, highly recommended.

More next week......

I went to number one on the list, sainty. I'm sure I was in a flat one time where this record existed, but I don't ever remember listening to it. In my teens I used to think that Marshall McLuhan was some American lawman and couldn't understand why folk were so interested in what he had to say. I enjoyed this record. In many places it sounded a bit like a cross between The Mothers, not surprisingly, and the Rhubarb and Custard theme, perhaps more surprisingly. I laughed quite a few times, especially at the voices of the kids questioning Mr McLuhan. Yet there were elements about it which felt quite ahead of its time. Glad I listened to it. Not sure what I'll go for next!

[johncorrigan]

I decided to have a listen to New York's, via Puerto Rica, Joe Cuba Sextet with 'Wanted Dead or Alive' at number 17 in the list...it seemed like the kind of record I would enjoy with it's 'bodacious blend of hot Latin percussion, R&B call-and-response'. I was a bit disappointed...it felt like this music had been overtaken in the 60 years it took me to hear this, and in those intervening years I've heard much better whether from Cuba itself or from some of the Congolese Rumba Bands like Kekele, for example. I thought the most enjoyable track was the final one, 'Cochinando'. Some fine playing in there and I will listen to it again, but would probably miss out the rest.

[teamsaint]

I decided to have a listen to New York's, via Puerto Rica, Joe Cuba Sextet with 'Wanted Dead or Alive' at number 17 in the list...it seemed like the kind of record I would enjoy with it's 'bodacious blend of hot Latin percussion, R&B call-and-response'. I was a bit disappointed...it felt like this music had been overtaken in the 60 years it took me to hear this, and in those intervening years I've heard much better whether from Cuba itself or from some of the Congolese Rumba Bands like Kekele, for example. I thought the most enjoyable track was the final one, 'Cochinando'. Some fine playing in there and I will listen to it again, but would probably miss out the rest.

Though I am less well versed in this music than you, I had a similar reaction. In fact, probably best summed up its possibly dubious status as “one of the top 100 alternative albums” by Mrs TS , who wandered in and said “ this is nice !!”

i’ll probably play this again, but not because I am in the mood for something edgy.

Elsewhere in the list:
Drums of Passion.Babatunde Olatunji.
This sounded pretty good to me. Have kept on the playlist to return to.

John Lennon.Unfinished Music #2. Either this is no good, or I wasn’t in the right mood. Or possibly both. Might try again on a lockdown day !!

kim Fowley. Outrageous.
Parts of this have real value, but the things that I didn’t like about it, which may well reflect his “ controversial” personality began to dominate. There is a mix here that is worth hearing, but is perhaps too deeply flawed for repeated listening.
Ornette Coleman.Town Hall
Despite knowing most of the more famous OC records, I didn’t know this, but on first listen it sounded well worth its place on the list. Will need more than one listen.

[eighthobstruction]

....thanks for this bit of serendipity Saintzy....lets keep it bumped while we explore and in the end i'm sure add....