1969

10-15-08 1969

While I had already been listening to music for a few years, 1969 remains very clearly in focus for me. I recently got a CD of “The Hits of 1969” and I knew every single song – whether I liked it or not! Believe it not, I still have my notes about what was important to me, an 11-year-old in 1969.

With the break-up of Cream (“Goodbye”), everyone I knew waited for the Blind Faith album with baited breath – and we all loved it (even the drum solo, “Do What You Like”). And the debut solo Jack Bruce LP (“Songs For A Tailor”). My favorite artist was Frank Zappa – and who couldn’t love “Uncle Meat (double LP) or “Burnt Weeny Sandwich” (the title of this really made me laugh). From Warner / Reprise sampler LP’s, I knew Neil Young and Jethro Tull (“Stand Up” was so cool!) I loved those cheap (inexpensive) double sampler LP’s (“1969 Record Show” and “Songbook”).

I was all into “Tommy” by The Who. It looked great, sounded great. I liked “Ssssh” by Ten Years After (I liked them even better after the “Woodstock” movie came along, in a few months). I liked Spirit – and I thought “I Got A Line on You” was a great 45 (I really loved their 1968 debut LP).

The music event of the year for me (as I was too young for “Woodstock”) was the release of “Abbey Road” by The Beatles, in September ’69. It was an expensive album, $6.98 list (as opposed to $4.98 or even $5.98)…but I got a copy the day it came out. And The Rolling Stones “Let It Bleed” was nearly as important.

My brother played me the first Santana album a lot. He was who also hipped me to “Super Session, by Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield & Steve Stills (still one of my favorite all-time albums) – what a long album, too. Glad there’s a re-mastered CD of it, in the new century. John Mayall “The Turning Point”. Isaac Hayes “Hot Buttered Soul”. More credit due to my older bro – Procol Harum “A Salty Dog” – “What are their songs about?”, I asked. “Who knows?” he answered. I absolutely love this album and P.H.

I heard Les McCann & Eddie Harris “Swiss Movement” being played in a hippie record store, and a copy was mine for $2.44 (new!). I’d found the debut LP by British group Family, so was delighted to find their 2^nd album, “Family Entertainment” (with a door poster). Donovan “Barabajagal” – on the radio, in my ears. From hanging out in hippie record stores, I knew instantly about the debut Crosby, Stills & Nash LP (ex-Buffalo Springfield, ex-Byrds, ex-Hollies).

The FM radio was playing Joe Cocker. It would take the “Woodstock” (film) to make him a household name. The radio was also flogging Creedence Clearwater Revival. And Blood, Sweat & Tears (now without Al Kooper).

I had been into the Bee Gees since their debut album, so I really liked their “First Of May” single (and “Odessa” double LP with the flocked felt cover) – so, “ rose colored glasses ” – but this was what I really was ‘into’ in 1969.