1966 in Review

Dec 09, 2024

Catching up on publishing my notes from 1966!

The Music

I selected 35 albums from 1966 for listening. Again, I really tried to listen to them all intently, and I think I succeeded. This year had more albums that I knew I would like than the previous year, and a few surprises that were mostly new to me. In addition to some heavy hitters (Blonde on Blonde, Pet Sounds, Revolver!), I enjoyed these notables:

  • The Hollies - For Certain Because…: I had my headphones on and went for a meander in the woods for this one. It was a memorable walk off the path down a river bed and I’m not sure if that’s because I liked the album or I liked the album so much because the walk was good. Either way, the edition I listened to was all 12 tracks in Mono and then in Stereo, and I listened straight through both. Either way, really cool composition and super solid hooks. I kept coming back to this all season. Cool track: Pay You Back With Interest
  • Richie Havens - Mixed Bag: Another set totally unfamiliar to me that I couldn’t put down. He’s got such a cool sound. He voice vibrates, and the songs could be sad or bright but always just drove through, and there was a soft jazz undertone to it all. Familiar Track: Handsome Johnny
  • The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out!: I can’t picture this being from 1966. I know Zappa less than most, but I can see his imprint on a ton of music I do know. Weenest Track: I Go Cry On Somebody Else’s Shoulder
  • Donovan - Sunshine Superman: No surprise at all, I knew I liked this. One of the descriptions called it “wistful,” and I appreciate that. The hits (Season of the Witch and Sunsine Superman) are fun, but I think I more enjoyed some of the weirder folk tracks. Court of Arthurest song: Guinevere
  • The Shadows of Knight - Gloria: Foreshadowing a bit, as I’m writing this after listening to 1967 and 1968, but I have to say I’m tired of British Blues. So tired. I’m exhausted. This band comes off in that ilk at times, but when they open up a bit it’s really great. Them Cover Track: Gloria
  • Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot: Just go listen to The Way I Feel. Gordon Lightfoot Track: The Way I Feel

Most Played: ? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears

The List

  • ? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears
  • The Association - And Then… Along Comes The Association
  • The Butterfield Blues Band - East-West
  • The Hollies - For Certain Because…
  • The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart Of Mine
  • Judy Collins - In My Life
  • Los Bravos - Black Is Black
  • Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman
  • Richie Havens - Mixed Bag
  • Roy Orbison - The Orbison Way
  • The Shadows of Knight - Back Door Men
  • The Shadows of Knight - Gloria
  • Tim Buckley - Tim Buckley
  • Tim Hardin - Tim Hardin 1
  • The Walker Brothers - Portait
  • Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence
  • Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot
  • Love - Love
  • Them - Them Again
  • The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
  • Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
  • The Rolling Stones - Aftermath
  • Doc Watson - Southbound
  • The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out!
  • The Yardbirds - Roger the Engineer
  • John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - Blues Breakers
  • The Beatles - Revolver
  • Jefferson Airplane - Jefferson Airplane Takes Off
  • Donovan - Sunshine Superman
  • Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep - Mountain High
  • Simon and Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
  • Neil Diamond - The Feel of Neil Diamond
  • The Kinks - Face to Face
  • Cream - Fresh Cream
  • The Who - A Quick One