Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s
| ← 1950s |  |
1970s → |
| Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s |
200 tracks, runtime 13h 2m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from the first 200 albums available on YouTube in chart order. From the Top 200, “Manic Depression” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience was not available and “Walking To New Orleans” by Fats Domino is only included once even though it appears on 2 different albums in the list. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
THE ALBUM TAKES OVER
This was the decade when the album overtook the single as the foremost recorded music statement, both artistically and in terms of sales/marketing. The complete album approach was famously celebrated as The Beatles and The Beach Boys traded transatlantic blows from “Rubber Soul” (1965) to “Pet Sounds” (1966) to “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967). The Doors producer Paul Rothchild nailed it brilliantly: “Things were wonderful in the 60's, because it was an era of intense experimentation. Everyone was trying to out-hip each other”.
With 7 albums in my Top 100, Bob Dylan is, without doubt, my artist of the decade, with a sharp and intelligent commentary that was backed by a killer catalogue of songs; his fertility between 1962 and 1966 seems super-human to me. As if to underline these majestic credentials, his “Blonde On Blonde” masterpiece stands as the first set of “rock era” songs to be issued on the double long play format, clocking in just shy of the 72 minute mark. The Jazz and Classical markets had been producing such sets since 1950, and even Johnny Cash had got involved in 1965, but Dylan's ambitious release stands as an influential landmark in the story of the album in more ways than one. Double albums would soon become fairly common with The Mothers of Invention (“Freak Out”), The Jimi Hendrix Experience (“Electric Ladyland”), The Beatles (“'White Album'”) and Captain Beefheart (“Trout Mask Replica”) serving as just a few examples.
Almost naturally, America's dominance in the western world's musical culture was slightly lessened in the 60s; 28% of my Top 100 came from the British Isles, with beat groups such as The Beatles, The Kinks, Them and The Rolling Stones spearheading the famous “invasion” and finding favour with me.
The Folk revival which had been bubbling under in the 50s, comes to the boil in the 60s with fine servings from Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, The Dubliners, Leonard Cohen and a great many others. Reflecting the drug culture of the decade, psychedelic music-makers such as The Doors, Love and The Seeds serve up a myriad of earthly delights. It's also a massive decade for soul music with amazing records from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Irma Thomas and Otis Redding.
Pop and Country remain of course, but the biggest thing to take from the albums of the 60s is the widening of the musical language and landscape; Ska / Rocksteady and Reggae emerge from Jamaica and, for me, Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker sit quite happily beside experimental fresh and edgy music from groups such as Monks, The Velvet Underground, Silver Apples and Can.
The Jukebox Rebel
08-May-2019
| Top 100 overview | |
|---|---|
| Countries |  (59)  (15)  (6)  (5)  (4)  (3)  (3)  (2)  (2)  (1)  (1) |
| Genres | Folk (21); Blues Rock / Soul Rock (15); Psychedelia (15); Blues / Rhythm n Blues (10); Folk Rock / Americana (10); Pop (8); Cerebral Pop (7); Soul (7); Soul Ballad (7); Songwriter (6); Rock n Roll / Rockabilly (4); Trance Rock (4); Alternative Folk (3); Avant-Garde (3); Country (3); Proto-Punk (3); Africana (2); Pop Ballad (2); Reggae (2); Ska / Rocksteady (2); Electronica (1); Jazz (1); Moodcore (1); Rock (1); Rock n Roll Ballad (1); Storytelling (1) |
| Artists | Bob Dylan (7); The Dubliners (5); The Doors (4); Nico (3); Otis Redding (3); Simon & Garfunkel (3); The Beatles (3); The Kinks (3); The Rolling Stones (3); The Seeds (3); The Velvet Underground (3) |
| Average album rating (/10) |  |
The Velvet Underground and Nico
Verve Records V6-5008 (1967)
“An elite masterpiece” Avant-Garde; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “All Tomorrow’s Parties” (10) • “Venus In Furs” (10) • “I’m Waiting For The Man” (10)
The Velvet Underground & Nico nudges as close to perfection as you could ever dare to hope for from an album. The dispar...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-2389 (1965)
“An elite masterpiece” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Like A Rolling Stone” (10) • “Ballad Of A Thin Man” (10) • “Tombstone Blues” (10)
Much to the chagrin of the eclectically challenged, the decade’s lead hipster deepened his experimental hybrid of folk r...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia C2L-41 (1966)
“A masterpiece” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)” (10) • “Visions Of Johanna” (10) • “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” (10)
Surprisingly, recording sessions with the NYC “Highway 61 crew” weren’t going so well for the follow up, and only one so...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-2193 (1964)
“A masterpiece” FolkJukebox picks: “I Shall Be Free No. 10” (10) • “Chimes Of Freedom” (10) • “To Ramona” (10)
In the good old fashioned tradition of the rough and ready folk singer, the second Dylan LP of 1964 was recorded in a si...more →
The Sonics
Etiquette Records ETALB-024 (1965)
“A masterpiece” Proto-Punk; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Psycho” (10) • “Have Love Will Travel” (10) • “Boss Hoss” (9.7)
Whilst mere Rock n Rollers were getting their kicks on route 66, these reckless thrill seekers from Tacoma, Washington w...more →
Leonard Cohen
Columbia CS-9767 (1969)
“A masterpiece” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Bird On The Wire” (10) • “Tonight Will Be Fine” (10) • “Lady Midnight” (9.8)
Following on from his classic debut album of 1967, Leonard exceeded expectations with his second set – from start to fin...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-1986 (1963)
“A masterpiece” FolkJukebox picks: “Masters Of War” (10) • “Bob Dylan’s Blues” (9.9) • “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (9.8)
He may have kept his cards close to his chest on last year’s debut album, but here he laid down his winning hand (12 of ...more →
Aretha Franklin
Atlantic 8139 (1967)
“A classic” Soul Ballad; SoulJukebox picks: “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” (10) • “Respect” (10) • “Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business)” (9.8)
After six years recording with Columbia Records, Aretha Franklin made one of the best decisions of her career when she s...more →
Nick Drake
Island Records ILPS-9105 (1969)
“A classic” Songwriter; FolkJukebox picks: “Cello Song” (10) • “River Man” (10) • “Saturday Sun” (9.5)
For the few who cottoned on in 1969, Nick Drake, as experienced on “Five Leaves Left”, must have left an indelible mark ...more →
Nico
Verve Records V6-5032 (1967)
“A classic” Alternative Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “These Days” (10) • “Little Sister” (10) • “I’ll Keep It With Mine” (10)
After some 12 years as a fashion model and actress, Christa Päffgen was, by now, coming around to the idea that she coul...more →
The Velvet Underground
Verve Records V6-5046 (1968)
“A classic” Trance RockJukebox picks: “Sister Ray” (10) • “Lady Godiva’s Operation” (9.5) • “White Light / White Heat” (9.4)
Arriving at the tail end of January ’68 was the second Velvet Underground LP, recorded over the course of just 5 days in...more →
The Velvet Underground
MGM Records SE-4617 (1969)
“A classic” MoodcoreJukebox picks: “Pale Blue Eyes” (10) • “What Goes On” (9.9) • “Some Kinda Love” (9.8)
The debut had been an elite-masterpiece, the follow-up a classic. John Cale’s role was absolutely central to both of tho...more →
The Stooges
Elektra EKS-74051 (1969)
“A classic” Proto-PunkJukebox picks: “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (10) • “Little Doll” (9.8) • “1969” (9.5)
On their debut offering in August ’69 these Michigan proto-punkers were described as: Iggy Stooge (22, vocals); Dave Ale...more →
Leonard Cohen
Columbia CS-9533 (1967)
“A classic” FolkJukebox picks: “So Long, Marianne” (10) • “Teachers” (10) • “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” (10)
Some 13 years after his first published poetry, and 4 years after his first novel, the 33 year-old Quebecan finally got ...more →
Elmore James and The Broom Dusters
Crown Records CLP-5168 (1960)
“A classic” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Dust My Blues” (9.9) • “Goodbye Baby” (9.6) • “Blues Before Sunrise” (9.2)
Elmore James was to the blues what Little Richard was to Rock n Roll – raucous, threatening and sexy. That said, the mat...more →
The Can
Music Factory SRS-001 (1969)
“A classic” Trance RockJukebox picks: “Father Cannot Yell” (9.7) • “Yoo Doo Right” (9.6) • “Outside My Door” (8.0)
After a false-start with an album rejected by various record companies, this Köln-based quintet wasted no time in gettin...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-74007 (1967)
“A classic” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The End” (10) • “Take It As It Comes” (9.7) • “Break On Through (To The Other Side)” (9.6)
1967 dawned with The Doors debut LP in January. At the time of release they were: Jim Morrison (24, lead vocals); Ray Ma...more →
Monks
International Polydor Production 249 900 (1966)
“A classic” Proto-Punk; Trance RockJukebox picks: “I Hate You” (10) • “Blast Off!” (9.6) • “Monk Time” (9.5)
This treasure-packed classic was recorded in Köln in November 1965 and issued in March 1966. These weren’t ordinary musi...more →
Silver Apples
Kapp Records KS-3584 (1969)
“A classic” Trance RockJukebox picks: “Fantasies” (9.8) • “I Have Known Love” (9.4) • “You And I” (8.8)
Never since Köln’s Monks in ’66 has an album sounded so wonderfully wrong. Chiming with the aforementioned “Black Monk...more →
Roy Orbison
Monument SM-14002 (1961)
“A classic” Pop; Rock n Roll BalladJukebox picks: “(I’d Be) A Legend In My Time” (10) • “Only The Lonely (Know The Way I Feel” (10) • “Blue Angel” (9.8)
The awesome “Up Town” single had promised much in the way of a possible new direction and with this lush, stereophonic e...more →
Irma Thomas
Imperial LP-9266 (1964)
“Excellent” SoulJukebox picks: “Without Love (There Is Nothing)” (9.5) • “Straight From The Heart” (9.2) • “I’ve Been There” (9.2)
After a string of great singles in the last few years, Irma’s talent was recognised in 1964 when she gained a promotion ...more →
Howlin’ Wolf
Chess LP-1469 (1962)
“Excellent” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Goin’ Down Slow” (10) • “Down In The Bottom” (9.9) • “The Red Rooster” (9.4)
Howlin’ Wolf is now in his early 50s, but he’s in his prime with this characterful offering. Rough, tough and sexy – thi...more →
Van Morrison
Warner Bros. Records WS-1768 (1968)
“Excellent” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Madame George” (10) • “Astral Weeks” (9.9) • “Cyprus Avenue” (9.7)
After having been “tricked” into his first album last year, the Belfastian delved headlong into the mystic with this beg...more →
The Rolling Stones
Decca SKL-4955 (1968)
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Street Fighting Man” (9.9) • “Parachute Woman” (9.5) • “Sympathy For The Devil” (9.1)
There’s not a single track which lets this album down – it’s a corker. The seventh proper Stones LP arrived in the last ...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-75005 (1969)
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Touch Me” (10) • “Tell All The People” (9.4) • “Runnin’ Blue” (9.3)
Leading lights of the late 60s counter-culture movement, The Doors could do no wrong in my eyes. Album after album was c...more →
Dark City Sisters
His Master's Voice JP-1002 (1967)
“Excellent” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Hole Thabe” (10) • “Ingwababa” (9.1) • “Malenkhu A Marumo” (9.0)
Well, I thought “Star Time” was kinda neat in 1964 but, boy oh boy, Volume 3 blows it out the water. The exquisite 4-par...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-1779 (1962)
“Excellent” FolkJukebox picks: “Song To Woody” (10) • “In My Time Of Dyin’” (9.6) • “Highway 51 Blues” (9.2)
Woody Guthrie’s 20 year old disciple steps into the spotlight with a whole load of folk traditionals – and a new way of ...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia CL-2563 (1966)
“Excellent” Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Homeward Bound” (10) • “The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine” (9.1) • “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” (8.7)
The second long-play offering of ’66 from the duo arrived in October, and was widely acclaimed as their finest work to d...more →
Love
Elektra EKS-74013 (1967)
“Excellent” Cerebral Pop; Folk Rock / Americana; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Alone Again Or” (9.8) • “A House Is Not A Motel” (9.5) • “Live And Let Live” (8.9)
The third Love LP arrived in November ’67 and was co-produced by the group’s leader, Arthur Lee. Ever the perfectionist,...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia CL-2469 (1966)
“Excellent” Folk Rock / Americana; FolkJukebox picks: “The Sounds Of Silence [’65 single version]” (10) • “Blessed” (9.7) • “I Am A Rock” (9.4)
The second Simon and Garfunkel album opens mightily with their recent Number One single. Paul Simon would later comment:...more →
Prince Buster
Blue Beat BBLP-820 (1968)
“Excellent” Reggae; Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Rough Rider [album vesion]” (9.8) • “Scorcher” (9.6) • “Dreams To Remember” (9.4)
“Rock Steady Reggea” proclaims the album’s cover excitedly, promising cutting edge action within. The back sleeve furthe...more →
The Beatles
Parlophone PMC-7009 (1966)
“Excellent” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Eleanor Rigby” (10) • “Tomorrow Never Knows” (10) • “Taxman” (9.8)
“Revolver” was, for me, the greatest album of works in the Beatles discography, with a stimulating variety of stylistic ...more →
Them
Decca LK-4751 (1966)
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Turn On Your Love Light” (10) • “Call My Name” (9.4) • “I Can Only Give You Everything” (9.3)
The group’s second LP, issued in January of 1966, squeezed 16 tracks into the grooves, most of which continued to hang o...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NPL-18149 (1966)
“Excellent” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Rainy Day In June” (9.6) • “Most Exclusive Residence For Sale” (9.5) • “Session Man” (9.4)
Despite the misleading cover image (which was used despite Ray Davies objection) there was virtually zero evidence of th...more →
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP-2033 (1966)
“Excellent” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Up In Her Room” (10) • “Mr. Farmer” (9.2) • “A Faded Picture” (8.3)
“A Web of Sound”, featuring the 4 group members trapped by the most ginormous spider ever, arrived in October ’66 – a wh...more →
The Shangri-Las
Red Bird RB 20-104 (1965)
“Excellent” PopJukebox picks: “Out In The Streets” (9.8) • “The Train From Kansas City” (9.3) • “Give Us Your Blessings” (9.1)
To all intents and purposes, “Leader Of The Pack”, the preceding Shangri-Las debut album from February ’65, was a 1964 p...more →
The Dubliners
Major Minor MMLP-5 (1967)
“Excellent” FolkJukebox picks: “The Croppy Boy” (10) • “The Auld Triangle” (10) • “A Nation Once Again” (9.8)
The band’s second studio album on Major Minor Records, their second of 1967, and the second to allude to the hard liquor...more →
Toots and The Maytals
Beverley's Records LP-005 (1969)
“Excellent” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Monkey Man” (10) • “Sweet And Dandy” (9.9) • “Pressure Drop” (9.8)
The 5-year-old Maytals vocal trio were on top of their game in 1966 when “Bam Bam” was the inaugural winner of the Popul...more →
The Dubliners
Major Minor MMLP-3 (1967)
“Excellent” FolkJukebox picks: “Black Velvet Band” (10) • “The Old Alarm Clock” (9.8) • “Seven Drunken Nights [album version ’67]” (9.6)
The boisterous beardies have now signed with Major Minor Records, and this is their first album on the new label. After ...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-2328 (1965)
“Excellent” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues Rock / Soul Rock; FolkJukebox picks: “On The Road Again” (9.6) • “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (8.9) • “Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream” (8.7)
The first of two Bob Dylan albums in 1965, and the prolific songwriter is restless for something new, something differen...more →
The Rolling Stones
London Records LL-3429 (1965)
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man” (10) • “That's How Strong My Love Is” (9.3) • “The Spider And The Fly” (9.3)
As any discographer will tell you, discographies for the English beat groups were a total nightmare in the mid-60s; Amer...more →
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Track Record 612 001 (1967)
“Excellent” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Manic Depression” (10) • “Remember” (9.2) • “Foxy Lady” (8.8)
After struggling throughout the 60s to make a decent living as a sideman, Jimi Hendrix emerged in late ’66 with his own ...more →
Otis Redding
Volt VOLT-412 (1965)
“Excellent” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (9.7) • “Respect” (9.5) • “A Change Is Gonna Come” (8.8)
Following on from “The Great Otis Redding Sings Ballads” in March, came “Otis Blue” in September. Team Otis were just go...more →
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band
Buddah Records BDS-5001 (1967)
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Electricity” (10) • “Sure ’Nuff ’n Yes I Do” (9.8) • “Dropout Boogie” (9.7)
1967 was a big year for the good Captain and his band – it saw the release of the debut LP “Safe As Milk” in September, ...more →
The Beach Boys
Capitol Records T-2458 (1966)
“Brilliant” Cerebral Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Sloop John B” (10) • “I’m Waiting For The Day” (10) • “God Only Knows” (9.7)
The real catalyst for Pet Sounds was the U.S. version of The Beatles’ album Rubber Soul, released late in 1965. Brian Wi...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-74024 (1968)
“Brilliant” Cerebral Pop; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Unknown Soldier” (9.4) • “Five To One” (9.2) • “Spanish Caravan” (8.8)
I love it, it was commercially successful and was critically acclaimed – now that does make a nice change. The third Doo...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra EUK-257 (1967)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “The Hedgehog’s Song” (9.4) • “Chinese White” (9.1) • “Little Cloud” (8.9)
It had generally been thought that The Incredible String Band’s album of 1966 was a one-off but when Robin Williamson re...more →
The Beatles
Parlophone PMC-1240 (1964)
“Brilliant” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Folk Rock / Americana; PopJukebox picks: “Mr. Moonlight” (10) • “No Reply” (10) • “Baby’s In Black” (9.5)
“This happened once before when I came to your door, no reply. They said it wasn't you, but I saw you peep through you...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia C2L-38 (1965)
“Brilliant” Folk; CountryJukebox picks: “25 Minutes To Go [1965]” (10) • “Sam Hall” (10) • “Streets Of Laredo” (9.2)
His finest hour. And 4 minutes 50 seconds. Folk and country get all mixed up once again, as Johnny continues his concept...more →
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje / Space Queens
CBS LAB-4005 (1968)
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Isinkwa Nobanana” (9.3) • “Sesi Ngenile” (9.1) • “Ingwe Idla Ngamabala” (8.7)
Despite being a split LP, “Ingwe idla Ngamabala” still qualifies for the “A-list” chart as there’s enough new material f...more →
Irma Thomas
Imperial LP-9302 (1966)
“Brilliant” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Take A Look” (10) • “You Don’t Miss A Good Thing (Until It’s Gone)” (8.8) • “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” (8.2)
Irma’s second LP was finally issued in January ’66, having been held back for several months for some reason unknown (Im...more →
The Doors
Elektra EKS-74014 (1967)
“Brilliant” Psychedelia; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Love Me Two Times” (9.7) • “People Are Strange” (8.7) • “Strange Days” (8.3)
As with many creative groups of the mid 60s, the Doors were bursting at the seams with so much high quality material tha...more →
Karen Dalton
Capitol Records ST-271 (1969)
“Brilliant” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “In The Evening (It’s So Hard To Tell Who’s Going To Love You The Best)” (9.4) • “It Hurts Me Too” (9.2) • “Little Bit Of Rain” (8.9)
World weary and filled with the blues, this debut set was a real experience for the privileged few who were hip to its’ ...more →
The Who
Brunswick LAT-8616 (1965)
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “My Generation” (10) • “The Kids Are Alright” (9.8) • “Much Too Much” (9.5)
Looking up at you from the cover of their December ’65 debut release they were: Roger Daltrey (21, flame haired, lead vo...more →
Woody Guthrie
Folkways Records FH-5485 (1960)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Two Good Men” (9.0) • “Vanzetti’s Letter” (8.9) • “Sacco’s Letter To His Son” (8.3)
At about three o'clock in the afternoon of April 15, 1920, Frederick Parmenter, a paymaster, and Alessandro Berardelli, ...more →
Judy Collins
Elektra EKS-7320 (1966)
“Brilliant” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Liverpool Lullaby” (8.6) • “La Colombe” (8.5) • “Dress Rehearsal Rag” (8.5)
Now 27, the Denver-based Folk singer took a turn towards a more tasteful and eclectic production on her 5th LP, includin...more →
Eric Burdon and The Animals
MGM Records SE-4484 (1967)
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Black Plague” (10) • “Winds Of Change” (9.4) • “Yes I Am Experienced” (8.3)
The unclean anti-pop of “Winds Of Change” was, thankfully, a million miles from the preceding cabaret pop of “Eric Is He...more →
Blues Magoos
Mercury SR-61096 (1966)
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” (9.3) • “I’ll Go Crazy” (9.2) • “Gotta Get Away” (8.4)
These young cats, influenced by The Animals and Them, seem to have a mature ear for good music, and their debut LP showc...more →
Etta James
Argo LP-4003 (1960)
“Brilliant” Soul BalladJukebox picks: “I Just Want To Make Love To You” (9.8) • “At Last” (9.3) • “My Dearest Darling” (9.1)
The 22 year old Etta James really makes her mark with this exhilarating debut – she brings a vitality to each of the son...more →
Ivor Cutler
Decca LK-4405 (1961)
“Brilliant” Avant-Garde; StorytellingJukebox picks: “A Red Flower” (10) • “Are You Alright Jack” (9.4) • “Steady Job” (9.2)
Following his brilliant EP of 1959, “Ivor Cutler Of Y’Hup”, Ivor cut a deal with Decca Records for a full length LP, and...more →
The Byrds
Columbia CS-9172 (1965)
“Brilliant” Folk Rock / Americana; PopJukebox picks: “Mr. Tambourine Man” (10) • “All I Really Want To Do” (9.6) • “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better” (9.4)
As far as the makers of this glorious debut were concerned, Rock n Roll was now firmly dead. Behold the jingle-jangle re...more →
The Dubliners
Transatlantic Records TRA-124 (1965)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “The Kerry Recruit [live ‘64]” (9.9) • “Róisín Dubh [live ‘64]” (9.8) • “The Leaving Of Liverpool [live ‘64]” (9.7)
During 1964, the Dubliners had become Ireland’s top selling artists, were TV regulars, and were playing to sell-out hous...more →
P.P. Arnold
Immediate IMSP-011 (1967)
“Brilliant” SoulJukebox picks: “The First Cut Is The Deepest” (10) • “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” (9.3) • “Am I Still Dreaming?” (8.8)
The stunning lead single, “The First Cut Is The Deepest”, was written by Cat Stevens early in 1967, and he was using...more →
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP-2023 (1966)
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Pushin’ Too Hard” (9.4) • “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine” (9.3) • “No Escape” (8.6)
Big in California but ignored everywhere else, the Seeds debut LP was completely brilliant nonetheless. At the time of t...more →
The Dubliners
Transatlantic Records TRA-139 (1966)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Nelson’s Farewell [live ’66]” (9.8) • “Surrounded By Water (The Sea Around Us) [live ’66]” (8.4) • “McAlpine’s Fusiliers [live ’66]” (8.3)
First time on LP for these 12 tunes, all recorded live at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, over 2 nights on April 26th / 27th, ...more →
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1003 (1968)
“Brilliant” Alternative FolkJukebox picks: “Mustang Ford” (9.6) • “Hot Rod Mama” (9.4) • “Weilder Of Words” (9.1)
Slappy bongo with hypnotic guitar picking and repetitive melody with some crazy vocal performances. It’s a good look dud...more →
Bridget St. John
Dandelion Records S-63750 (1969)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Ask Me No Questions” (9.6) • “To B Without A Hitch” (9.5) • “Barefeet And Hot Pavements” (9.3)
The fanciful notion of running a record label, free from the constraints of the “straights”, had been burning with John ...more →
Jimmy Reed
Vee Jay Records VJLP-1035 (1961)
“Brilliant” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Bright Lights, Big City [1961 version]” (9.5) • “Blue Carnegie” (8.7) • “Kind Of Lonesome” (8.6)
THIS IS NOT A LIVE ALBUM, despite Vee-Jay’s curveball title. It’s a double studio album, with the 11 tracks on the first...more →
The Beatles
Capitol Records MAL-2835 (1967)
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Strawberry Fields Forever” (9.2) • “Baby You’re A Rich Man” (9.1) • “I Am The Walrus” (8.9)
Another truly brilliant album from the ever-consistent Beatles. John Lennon agrees with me, how cool is he? “… Magical...more →
Chuck Berry
Chess LPS-1488 (1964)
“Brilliant” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Promised Land” (9.2) • “You Never Can Tell” (9.1) • “No Particular Place To Go” (8.8)
Having been released from prison in October ’63, Chuck got straight back to work as he sought to retain his place as one...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia CL-2249 (1964)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “The Sounds Of Silence” (10) • “Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream” (8.9) • “He Was My Brother” (8.6)
Tom Wilson, producer at Columbia, had a busy old time of it in 1964, producing two Bob Dylan albums as well as the debut...more →
Otis Redding
Volt VOLT-411 (1965)
“Brilliant” Soul Ballad; SoulJukebox picks: “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (9.4) • “Come To Me” (8.9) • “Keep Your Arms Around Me” (8.9)
The same team who delivered “Pain in my Heart” remained intact for album # 2. The core band of Booker T. Jones (organ), ...more →
Girlie and Laurel Aitken
Pama Records ECO-8 (1969)
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Stupid Married Man” (8.5) • “Mr. Soul” (8.5) • “Night Cricket” (8.3)
Released on London’s Pama Records, “Scandal In A Brixton Market” was the first truly brilliant Laurel Aitken album. The ...more →
Silver Apples
Kapp Records KS-3562 (1968)
“Brilliant” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Misty Mountain” (9.0) • “Oscillations” (8.5) • “Velvet Cave” (8.1)
New York, not for the first or last time, was at the artsy epi-centre of the musical universe in 1968 – giving the Velve...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia CL-2248 (1964)
“Brilliant” CountryJukebox picks: “Apache Tears” (8.6) • “The Ballad Of Ira Hayes” (8.4) • “The Talking Leaves” (8.1)
The egalitarian Johnny Cash exerts his democratic right to protest, as he stands here with his good friend Peter La Farg...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NPL-18317 (1969)
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Young And Innocent Days” (9.2) • “Victoria” (9.0) • “Shangri-La” (8.5)
Best of British what, what? An undoubted high point in the Kinks story – yet, as with many episodes, the back-ground eve...more →
Buffy Saint-Marie
Vanguard VSD-79142 (1964)
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Babe In Arms” (8.8) • “The Old Man's Lament” (8.4) • “Ananias” (8.3)
Buffy Saint-Marie was still in her early 20s when her debut LP was released in February, 1964. From the off, she's world...more →
Otis Redding
Volt VOLT-413 (1966)
“Brilliant” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Good To Me” (9.1) • “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” (8.5) • “Just One More Day” (8.1)
He’s such a masterful interpreter that it matters not whether he’s working with his own material or that of others. Rele...more →
Phil Ochs
A&M Records SP-4133 (1967)
“Brilliant” JazzJukebox picks: “The Crucifixion” (8.8) • “Flower Lady” (8.7) • “Pleasures Of The Harbor” (8.1)
Eschewing his one man with acoustic guitar approach evidenced hitherto on his 3 albums for Elektra, the 26-year-old topi...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia CL-2804 (1967)
“Brilliant” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest” (10) • “Drifter’s Escape” (8.2) • “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine” (8.0)
As terrific as it is, the come-down LP from the preceding epics had an air of inevitability about it. 12 tunes recorded ...more →
Van Morrison
Bang Records BLP-218 (1967)
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “He Ain't Give You None” (9.9) • “T.B. Sheets” (9.4) • “Who Drove The Red Sports Car?” (7.6)
It was inevitable that the shining star of Them would branch out as a solo artist, but “Blowin’ Your Mind!” was not how ...more →
Prince Buster
Blue Beat BBLP-802 (1963)
“Really good” Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Madness” (10) • “Black Head Chinaman” (9.2) • “Jealous” (8.3)
Fuelled with the independence spirit, and brimming with national pride, Jamaica’s music scene exploded in the early 60s ...more →
The Shirelles
Scepter Records LP-501 (1960)
“Really good” PopJukebox picks: “Tonight’s The Night” (10) • “Dedicated To The One I Love” (10) • “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (10)
Arriving at the very tail end of the year was the debut LP from the completely fabulous Shirelles. With nearly 3 years o...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NPL-18096 (1964)
“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; PopJukebox picks: “You Really Got Me” (9.8) • “So Mystifying” (9.4) • “I Took My Baby Home” (7.8)
“Kinks” is the sound of young London getting in on the R n B beat action. At the time of its release they were: Ray Davi...more →
Donovan
Epic LN-24217 (1966)
“Really good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Ferris Wheel” (9.3) • “Season Of The Witch” (8.7) • “Sunshine Superman” (8.6)
Although it has a largely acoustic feel, the album, produced by Mickie Most, benefitted from highly skilled arrangements...more →
Sam Cooke
RCA Victor LPM-2709 (1963)
“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen” (9.1) • “Mean Old World” (8.9) • “Little Red Rooster” (8.4)
Sam Cooke’s second LP of 1963, released in August. Boy oh boy, he’s cooking the gas right about now. Opens with the clas...more →
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band
Blue Thumb Records BTS-1 (1968)
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Beatle Bones ’n’ Smokin’ Stones” (9.0) • “Trust Us” (8.2) • “On Tomorrow” (8.0)
Following the major label rejections, Bob Krasnow’s new Blue Thumb label took this on, and the murky, muddy production –...more →
The Ronettes
Philles Records PHLP-4006 (1964)
“Really good” PopJukebox picks: “Be My Baby” (10) • “(The Best Part Of) Breakin’ Up” (9.9) • “Baby, I Love You” (9.7)
A hugely enjoyable album – irresistible even – and packed full of timeless classics that will still sound huge in 2064. ...more →
The Flying Burrito Brothers
A&M Records SP-4175 (1969)
“Really good” CountryJukebox picks: “Sin City” (10) • “Do You Know How It Feels” (9.3) • “Hot Burrito #1” (8.9)
Formed by Byrds dropouts Chris Hillman (24, electric and acoustic guitar, harmony, lead and backing vocals, mandolin) an...more →
The Dubliners
Major Minor MMLP-34 (1968)
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “The Irish Navy” (9.3) • “I Wish I Were Back In Liverpool” (8.5) • “Many Young Men Of Twenty” (8.1)
The fourth album on Major Minor Records from folk’s, never mind Ireland’s, finest ensemble. It’s packed with very fine t...more →
Roy Orbison
Monument MLP-8003 (1963)
“Really good” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “No One Will Ever Know” (10) • “In Dreams” (9.5) • “Shahdaroba” (7.8)
The world’s finest exponent of the soulful tremor returns with a stronger, more consistent set than last years “Crying”,...more →
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP-2038 (1967)
“Really good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Flower Lady And Her Assistant” (9.1) • “Fallin’” (8.8) • “Now A Man” (8.1)
“Travel with your mind” was Sky Saxon’s message here, on an album which was as mad as a hatter bounding between castles,...more →
Pink Floyd
Columbia SX-6157 (1967)
“Really good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Lucifer Sam” (9.2) • “Astronomy Domine” (8.6) • “Chapter 24” (8.3)
Emerging from the London underground scene, Pink Floyd signed to EMI early in 1967, and by summertime had placed two sin...more →
The Mothers Of Invention
Verve Records V6-5005-2 (1966)
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Trouble Every Day” (9.5) • “Hungry Freaks, Daddy” (9.1) • “Help, I’m A Rock” (8.9)
The counter-culture revolution is underway all around, evidenced here via Frank Zappa’s double-album debut of June ’66. ...more →
Nico
Elektra EKS-74029 (1968)
“Really good” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Evening Of Light” (10) • “Facing The Wind” (9.3) • “No-One Is There” (8.2)
The sound of desolation row this may well be, but it’s a compelling, beautiful work of art nonetheless. In 1968, the nom...more →
The Grehan Sisters
Transatlantic Records TRA-160 (1967)
“Really good” FolkJukebox picks: “Tommy Mcdonagh” (9.3) • “The Black Velvet Band” (9.2) • “The Lake Of Coolfin” (8.2)
I adore The Grehan Sisters, the pride of Boyle in County Roscommon. Pure and true naturals of the folk genre, they were ...more →
The Rolling Stones
Decca LK-4605 (1964)
“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “I’m A King Bee” (9.1) • “Honest I Do” (8.6) • “You Can Make It If You Try” (8.6)
In keeping with the frantic, fast-paced nature of the era, the London five-piece laid down their opening album set over ...more →
Genoa Keawe
Hula Records HS-507 (1965)
“Really good” PacificJukebox picks: “`Ahulili” (9.3) • “Mauna Loa” (9.1) • “`Alika” (7.8)
To get to know Aunty Genoa Keawe is to love her; quite apart from being an extraordinary singer and an infectious ukelel...more →
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Regal Zonophone SLRZ-1005 (1968)
“Really good” Alternative Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Deboraarobed” (10) • “Stacey Grove” (9.4) • “Conesuala” (8.6)
“Prophets, Seers & Sages” arrived in October ’68, just 3 months after their debut LP had been released. They had much to...more →
Them
Decca LK-4700 (1965)
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Gloria” (9.8) • “Bright Lights, Big City” (8.7) • “I’m Gonna Dress In Black” (7.8)
Although LP liner notes often talked rubbish in the 60s, the back of this one noted: “These five young rebels are outr...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of the 1960s |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s