Almanac Music: ‘100 x 100, 1954 to 1977’, 61 – 70.
If you’ve read this far, you might think you have a guess at the Top Ten. Don’t get carried away. A great mate I’ve known since 1984 has made a few predictions. We were in a band together, we disagree and debate in lengthy emails, if Chris can pick a few artists, yet no songs, then what chance do you have?
61 – ‘Somebody To Love’, Jefferson Airplane, February 1967
Wonderful confluence of the new sound, cynical lyrics, sweeping guitars and bass in a fast tempo and a pop template. Grace Slick was the first woman to be a rock star, she’s a champion.
62 – ‘Purple Haze’, Jimi Hendrix Experience, March 1967
Flat fifth, the devil’s interval, intros this song, it hangs on E7#9 in the verse, Jimi had years on the chitlin circuit, was sacked from bands for being too outrageous, played guitar nonstop, so much so that when he fell asleep on the Isley Bros tour bus someone threw his guitar out the window. Then they had to buy him another next day. Jimi hit London complete, scared the hell out of the best guitarists in UK, he knew soul and R&B rhythm, jazz chords, he had enormous hands and a thumb that could cover the top few strings, an instinct for volume and feedback, Marshall amps were perfect for him, everything on ten, no-one could control that electric storm like he did. He wrote beautiful songs, he redefined electric guitar and no-one has come near to what he did. James Marshall Hendrix was the greatest rock and roll guitarist who ever lived, mostly cos he was so much more than a rock and roll guitarist.
63 – ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’, Monkees, July 1967
By heck, aint the suburbs boring? For teenagers of the next 20 years, seemed that way, we moved into the city and lived a life of dreams and decadence and got a copy of Monkees Hits and realised what magnificent songwriting and playing was on these songs, that we’d heard at 7 or 8 when the teev show was on. Which was wonderful absurdist comedy, that still stands up today, that led directly to Easy Rider cos it gave the producers money and an opening.
64 – ‘A House Is Not A Motel’, Love, January 1968
Arthur Lee was a scary genius with a great band and there’s a lot of songs to choose from but this, album track, B-side, from the acoustic guitars that open the song, to the dual lead electric freakout ending, an overall sound and feeling that might’ve seemed to point toward a future but was too unique unto the band.
65 – ‘Are You Gonna Be There (At The Love in)’, Chocolate Watchband, October 1967
When raw garage rock and roll meets songcraft, it is a wonderful few minutes.
66 – ‘Some Velvet Morning’, Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, December 1967
Lee was a longtime pro, specialised in miniature symphonies, this was the best. A beautiful call and response of mythology, Phaedra was, like most Greek gods, a weird and twisted personality and oh so suited to rock and roll. Lee had the smarts and talent to make it work.
67 – ‘Tin Soldier’, Small Faces, December 1967
You all know it, that organ riff, the bass, Steve yells ‘Come on’ and it builds evermore, an ode to love and giving yourself to another, a classic love song played by one of the very best bands that ever gave themselves to rock and roll, and the last line? “Because I love you.” If you don’t get a tear in your eye from listening to this song, you may not have a heart.
68 – ‘Concentration Baby’, Dave Clark Five, January 1968
You might know the DC5 for Merseybeat hits, but this B-side is high energy rock and roll, a fast rave-up, a killer track
69 – ‘(Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay’, Otis Redding, January 1968
Otis started writing this song while staying on a houseboat in Sausalito, it was recorded before he left for his last tour. Steve Cropper, heartbroken over the death of his comrade in music, overdubbed waves and seagulls and mixed the track. For some of us, this song is a sum of our parts that never really worked well together, I can’t do what ten people tell me to, so I’ll be sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time.
70 – ‘Looking At You’, MC5, February 1968
Screaming feedback single recorded and mixed by a band loaded on LSD. This is not the recording on the second album, produced badly by Jon Landau, practicing for Bruce, this is the loud wild electric storm that predicted the best of rock and roll in the 1970s. If ever one song demanded PLAY REALLY LOUD, LOUDER this is it.
We’re on the verge of multi-track recorders, 16 tracks was an enormous shift, it afforded lead guitarists the opportunity to wank four or five times per song. The older I get, the further back my taste in music goes, the less microphones, the better.
Chitlins is a dish made from pork intestines, common enough to lend its name to a music scene. That says something about the conditions around a black artist touring the US south in the early 1960s.
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About Earl O'Neill
Freelance gardener, I've thousands of books, thousands of records, one fast motorcycle and one gorgeous smart funny sexy woman. Life's pretty darn neat.
Another cracking selection Earl.
I’m beginning to get an idea as what some of the songs will be in the Top 10.
Obviously no Elvis, Bob, Kinks, Stones, Beach Boys, or Chuck Berry that I’ve noticed so far and I suspect they will be Top 10.
I think Elvis ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ will be No 1; followed by ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ by Bob No 2; No 3 Chuck Berry with ‘Maybelline’ or ‘JohnnieBGoode’, No 4 The Kinks ‘You Really Got Me’; No 5 The Stones, ’Satisfaction’; then perhaps Beach Boys at No 6 with ‘Good Vibrations’. After that, not too certain.
A couple more songs come to mind, whether they are in your Top 10 or not they are worthy contenders. Scott McKenzie ’San Francisco’ , Procol Harem, “Whiter Shade of Pale’, and certainly ’The Weight’ The Band must be up there.
Love it Earl.
No idea what’s coming next. Very happy rolling around these bends, sitting on these docks by these bays.
Playlist updated
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0alAkkhG0GUfGXbam1RXjp?si=VNMUNcmKT1GZBUTce9PYCw&pi=Vs8Tk-WOS9mHh
Enjoying your 100×100 series a lot Earl.
The best bit is wandering down an alleyway I haven’t visited for close to 60 years – and remembering what a wonderful world we have been blessed to have lived in real time.
The other interesting thing is to realise how unique each of our journey’s thru modern music have been.
I must have lost something in my early childhood. All of these songs were in my lifetime, I’d even commenced primary school when 70 was released.Sadly only 62, 67, & 69 are recognisable.
Time to listen to the rest to see if they are familiar.
Roll 51-60, I’ll see if the old memory is any better.
Glen!
Yes Col, I was reading through Earl’s latest and wondering well, if Waterloo Sunset and Respect aint in here, they must surely be in the top 10. And while you can’t pack every great song in, and it is a personal list after all, I still did hope to see Dark End of the Street. Ah well, it is a most enjoyable trip, with plenty to agree with and an eyebrow raised by some selections. The Monkees and Nancy/Lee can go through to the keeper, as they are def personal. The MC5 call is a ripper line in the sand, as you state it Earl, signaling a Bruce vs punk standoff and shows the beauty of these lists – to argue over, over beers. Love it!
Earl, I meant to add an RIP to Sly from The Family Stone, I imagine we may see one of his songs in the next list. It would compliment the Arthur Lee Love song included here (and great call re that song choice). Two artists who set about trying to bridge the divide between soul and rock/pop, with excellent results.
Cheers
Guess away, gentlemen! For all you know, the Top Ten might all be as obscure as ‘Concentration Baby.’ Remember, my Beatles selection was one of the lesser known tracks.
Around 1991 I walked into Waterfront Records and Chris said “We’ve got a re-release of the Looking At You single, original label and cover. You wanna hear it?”
“Of course I do!”
He played it loud and I stood at the counter, eyes closed, drinking it in. It finished, I opened my eyes and Chris said
“I’ve never seen you smile like that.”
Swampy, many thanx.
Karl, lovely words.
Glen, if you don’t know them, check ’em out and dive down the rabbit hole of albums and contemporaries, it’s great to spread the gospel.
Folks, do not trust Col. Reckons he has advanced knowledge cos he gets to see the column a day or two before posting. He will soon open a book on the Top Ten and plans on cleaning up on your late bets.
Really enjoying this, Earl.
Thanks for the effort you have put into compiling this list.
You have reminded me of what a wonderful track “Pleasant Valley Sunday” is. Written by Goffin and King if I recall. Same with “Tin Soldier”. What a song.
Well I’ve listened to the songs I said I didn’t know.
61, Somebody To Love, sure know it. 63, Pleasant Valley Sunday, sort of familiar. But, 64, 65, 66, 68, then 70,all escape me. Some good songs there though I can’t recall hearing any previously. I await the next chapter.
Glen!