It's been a long time coming. Let's finally put a wrap on 1969. I may or may not do a songs list. Seems a bit daunting. I have begun looking at 1980 and the Top 25 should be packed. In addition, there are new albums in February by Guided by Voices and Doves, so you can look forward to posts on those releases. Let's do this thing.
5. The Kinks - Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire ( 4.5 Stars )
Arthur seems to get overlooked since it falls in between Village Green and Lola. It's well regarded by critics, but not the record buying public. I believe the only minor hit was "Victoria", which was mostly a Dave Davies song. Ray came in on the chorus to give it a shot in the arm. Arthur continues with the themes of Village Green, though slightly darker. There is still a wistful longing for a Britain that Ray feels is lost. There's a desire to escape the rat race and senseless wars to Shangri La or Australian. Ray Davies' keen eye and clever lyrics are on full display. Arthur rewards repeat listening.
4. Miles Davis - In a Silent Way ( 5 Stars )
In a Silent Way is considered the official beginning of Miles Davis' "Electric Period". These sessions included former members of his Second Quintet, recent members Chick Corea and Dave Holland, and newcomers Joe Zawinul and John McLaughlin. Everyone who played on this session is a jazz legend and it shows. Side A is a nineteen minute Miles composition titled "Shhh/Peaceful, which features Davis soaring above a bed of three keyboards (Hancock, Corea and Zawinul). Side B includes the title track, which was composed by Joe Zawinul and features McLaughlin on electric guitar, and the Davis penned "It's About That Time", which is a jazz-rock fusion track. While I love the Second Quintet, it's hard to argue that In A Silent Way and it's brilliant follow-up Bitches Brew aren't the pinnacle of jazz music.
3. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica ( 5 Stars )
Yes, I'm just as surprised as you. In fact, I wasn't even going to bother listening to this album for the deep dive. One day in the Tastes Like Music discord there was some good-natured back and forth about Trout Mask Replica, so I decided I needed to at least listen to it once before I die. What a fantastic mindfuck of an album. I was hooked by the second track, "The Dust Blows Forward "N" The Dust Blows Back". And the hits just kept coming. "Ella Guru", "Moonlight on Vermont", all the way to the closing track, "Veteran's Day Poppy". My approach for rating this 5 Stars is "the sum is greater than its parts". Still, the parts are mostly delightful. Am I ever going to get down in the weeds of Trout Mask Replica and parse the completely bonkers lyrics or battling time signatures? No. But I will enjoy sitting back and taking it in. I even picked up the Third Man Records vinyl reissue the other day. And the Magic Band consists of the, probably, aptly named, Zoot Horn Rollo on guitar, Antennae Jimmy Semens on guitar, The Mascara Snake on Bass Clarinet, Rockette Morton on Bass, and Drumbo on drums. Love it!
2. CCR - Green River ( 5 Stars )
This album grabbed me right from the opening guitar riff on the title track. I don't know if that's a Telecaster, but it sure as hell sounds like it. Of the three CCR releases of 1969, this is the best guitar album. Therefore...my favorite. Maybe it's the best because it was the middle album. They had one under their belts, but weren't burnt out yet. "Bad Moon Rising" (or as I like to say, "There's a baboon on the right") is obviously a classic banger. My favorite track is "Lodi". Anyone who grew up in a shit town probably has a soft spot for this track. Even a song like "Sinister Purpose" that isn't great still has some tasty guitar all over it. Apparently, I'm on an island with the take that Green River is a 5 star album, but I like what I like.
1. The Beatles - Abbey Road ( 5 Stars )
Can I give this 6 Stars? People forget Abbey Road was The Beatles final album, even though it was released before Let it Be. They were determined to go out on top after the ill-conceived Let it Be sessions. They had to beg George Martin to come back and produce for them one last time. Thankfully, he did and captured a perfect whole band effort. Every member of the Fab Four shines on this record. From the slinky groove of Lennon's "Come Together" to the sublime Abbey Road medley, this is a masterpiece. Even George Harrison contributes two of the all-time best Beatles tracks, "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun". He easily could have kept those for his solo career, but he was bought in on creating on final, great Beatles album. The highlight, though, is the medley that closes Abbey Road. The combination of McCartney's beautiful pieces and Lennon's nasty, biting snippets is tremendous. And the transition from "Polythene Pam" to "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" is genius level composition. "Octopus' Garden" isn't great, but I'm not going to begrudge Ringo getting a fun little track on the last album. The only turd in the punch bowl is "Maxwell's Silver Hammer". This song makes "Her Majesty" seem like Mozart. It's been said a hundred times before, but it's fitting that the last musical statement from The Beatles was, "And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make". Peace.
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