Album Tracks from May 1969, Part 1
Our previous program featured a few standout 45 RPM singles from May of 1969,. The songs were great and did a great job of representing the era, but they barely tell half of the story. The 33-RPM album medium was fast becoming the most popular means of expression for artists, and fans took to it as well, appreciating the freedom it provided for artists to ‘stretch out’ and express themselves beyond a 3 minute single. Today’s show is the first of a two-part series covering album tracks from 40 years ago. Keep in mind, all of these albums are released during the same month, in May 1969.
Covered songs and albums include;
1) Bird on the Wire
2) Tonight Will Be Fine – Leonard Cohen/Songs from a Room
3) Beginnings
4) I’m a Man – Chicago Transit Authority/ Chicago Transit Authority
5) Lovely to See You
6) Never Comes the Day – The Moody Blues/On the Threshold of a Dream
7) Cinnamon Girl
9) Cowgirl in the Sand – Neil Young/Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
posted by tom ryan @ 8:08 PM
3 Comments:
Tom:
I have no doubt that in Part 2 of the show playing May '69's album releases you'll be covering the release of Tommy. In May 1969 I was a month shy of 16 years old.
There was no more groundbreaking album either artiscally or commercially that debuted in May of 1969 than Tommy. I remember the buzz in the weeks leading up to the release. It was almost two years in the making, following The Who Sell Out. I remember the shows at the Fillmore East on 5/16-5/18/69 introducing the album to a thirsty public, in the days following the release, including the famous night of 5/16 when the Fillmore was evacuated because of a fire next door. I was in the first row when a fire marshall ran on the stage and Pete Townshend kicked him in the groin.
I remember playing that record time and again until I digested all of it.
Now I know from past shows that you're not the biggest Tommy fan. However, I'm sure you realize especially when talking about album rock, that the Who in the U.S. were basically unsuccessful as a singles band and therefore not huge here like they were in the U.K. ...until Tommy that is. Even after Tommy they never really had any big hit singles in the U.S. They made their mark in the U.S. through their L.P.s from Tommy on and through their live shows. So, it can be said that in terms of album rock, there was no better example of this trend in the U.S. than The Who.
At the time Tommy was groundbreaking both as a concept album (rock opera and yada yada whether or not you agree now) and as the HUGE breakthrough for The Who at long last here in America.
After Tommy and then after the release of the film Woodstock the following year, there was no turning back for The Who in the U.S.
I know that on your show you try to judge the music both in the context within which it existed at the time and how it stands up to time. Well, as far as the time, May 1969, it was immense. Its impact at the time cannot be underestimated. Has it held up to time? It can be argued that as a concept album it wasn't as significant or as good as Quadrophenia or SellOut. After all, the story is ridiculous. It can also be argued that Whos Next was better musically. To tell you the truth, I can't say because I promised myself after it had gotten overly saturated in my being that I would take about a 40 year leave from the album before listening to it again. The album was so great but had gotten so overplayed by me that I wanted a way for it to be "fresh" again. So I can't fairly judge if it holds up to time.
Regardless, do not minimize for an instance Tommy's greatness. It is one of Rock's classics.
Sincerely,
Michael Rosenbloom
You are 100% correct - I deliberately saved 'Tommy' for Part 2. and damn, I'm impressed that you'd know the month release date! (To be honest, 99% of my audience STILL doesn't get that part of the concept...)
You know, I almost wish that you could JOIN us next week when we cover Tommy. A fan with your love of the album and deep understanding of its impact would be very interesting, and in line with my intentions. In all seriousness, if this is something you'd like to do, e-mail me at tryan@americanhitnetwork.com
Otherwise, I wil certainly do my best tocapture the full relevance this epochal album (yeah, it isn't my favorite Who album, but that doesn't make it less mind-blowing and important...)
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