The Journey Back Entry 12: The Summer of ’65 Gets Progressively Better

The beginning of July 1965 saw the release of the appropriately named Summer Days (and Summer Nights!) by The Beach Boys. Apparently after the more progressive Today! , Capital Records asked Brian Wilson to tone it down a bit. The album features many of the traditional type songs from Summer Days but with a more layered production underneath. Once again, I’m drawn to the less surfy sound of the band and its the songs that have more instrumental experimentation that I was drawn towards while listening to this. Overall it isnt a bad album, its just not necessarily my cup of tea either. I think the fact that I’ve never lived in California also affects my  love for the band. They’re just too jolly. Take their most popular song on the album: “California Girls”. I recognize the importance but I cant say I enjoy listening to it.

1965 – Summer Days (and Summer Nights!) – Top Highlights

Then I Kissed Her – I love the guitar part on this song.

Girl Don’t Tell Me – I love the little vocal accents on this song. That “I’m the Guy-uy -uy!” part is so great. And the piano part in the background. And obviously minor key!

You’re So Good to Me – Ok so remember all that stuff I said about not liking how jolly the band is? Forget that this song always makes me smile! I think its the fact that they over sing it and it adds a sense of irony to the happiness that makes it infinitely more enjoyable. It helps that the backing music here is incredible. That addictive bass and drums accompanied by the “la la la” whiny vocals in the background. Reminds me of Muppet Babies. Actually most Beach Boys does. For better and worse.

Honorable mention for “I’m Bugged at My Old Man” as it gave me a great laugh.

 

So the theme of this article is progressively better album releases. The next to release was July 30th’s Out of our Heads by the Rolling Stones. Here the band continues its streak of releasing albums with a couple of really great songs and some other clear throw aways. Their sound hasn’t changed much mostly because once again we’re getting lots of covers. That being said, the standout single “Satisfaction” is on this album and it really does rock. Overall I would say this album is probably not “better” than Summer Days, just more down my alley.

1965 – Out of Our Heads – Top Highlights

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – What a riff!! So simple yet so addictive. What’s really interesting is that the distorted guitar was originally meant to later be replaced by a horn section. WHAT a different song it might have been! I’m glad it was kept with the guitar because it really is so immediately wonderful.

Cry To Me – I love Mick Jaggers wild vocals on this track. What really won me over was the line “Nothing could be sadder than a glass of wine alone!” Something about that image is just so wonderfully depressing.

Play with Fire – The Rolling Stones trying to be subtle?? Its so quiet. And that guitar part immediately following each line of “But dont play with me cause youre playing with fire.” is so mysterious. I think I just like the change of pace for the band and hope they pursue it further on future releases.

Not to be outdone by the Beach Boys or the Rolling Stones, the Beatles released their next album on August 6th 1965.  Help! accompanied a Beatles film which I have not seen. Still, no viewing of the movie is necessary to listen to the beautiful song writing and vocals on display here. If you remember I was disappointed in their last release of 1964 Beatles for Sale for being a quick cash in full of covers. Thankfully Help! is written by the band in full and is a much better album because of it. The Beatles are still a full on pop band but the songs are getting deeper. There’s more piano on the album and the instruments in general are taking more liberties from the traditional verse chorus structure. I’m nowhere near intelligent enough when in comes to recording techniques to comment on all the changes the Beatles are implementing but I can say that it sounds great. All that being said, its hard for me to review the Beatles albums in the comparison timeline because unlike most releases in 1965, I know how much potential the Beatles have yet to unleash.

1965 – Help! – Top 5 Highlights

Help! – The multiple layers in the first 10 seconds of this song alone are mind blowing. Lennon’s singing back against the harmonized cries for help and the bass and guitar underneath. I love the way the harmony part during the verses sings the same lines that Lennon is singing but at a different flow so that you hear them separately! It’s not a technique that always works but here it really succeeds. Plus the falsetto “Please please me” is such a great sing-a-long moment

I Need You – I promised I would keep following George Harrison’s songs. He gets 2 on Help! and my favorite is “I Need You”. One again a more mellow track. I love how sad that guitar sounds at the end of each line in the verse. It sounds like the guitar is dying. It’s a so bad its great kind of sound. The song reminds me of a sad puppy and to be honest I think that is what Harrison was going for.

She’s Got a Ticket To Ride – It’s hard for me to not like this song just based on the sheer amount of times I’ve heard it. I like how both Lennon and McCartney support each other vocally. Most important is the ending when the tempo changes and they sing “My baby dont care”. I love when songs break the verse/chorus mold for something special.

I’ve Just Seen a Face – What a beautiful song! I think this song continues to support the theory that I’m more of a McCartney fan than a Lennon fan. As I’ve mentioned before: while I’ve been listening to the Beatles for a long time, I’ve never payed attention to who wrote/sang what. Now that I’m exploring this aspect of the albums, Ive found that a lot of my favorites are McCartney songs. I like the twirling acoustic guitar in the song. Maybe its because a good acoustic guitar part is truly timeless to me, but I always find these stripped down songs to be my favorites on ’60’s albums so far (just like with Dylan).

Yesterday – OH boy. What can you say that hasn’t already been said? Its been voted the the best song of the 20th century and the greatest pop song of all time and for good reason. It’s only two minutes long but every second is well spent putting forth this perfect picture of heartbreak. What’s better than acoustic guitar alone? Strings of course.

I would end this entry here as its already overlong but the summer isnt over yet. August 30th 1965 saw the release of one more amazing album. Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. At this point Dylan was stressed out by his fans for not liking his change in direction and this led to a song writing drought. Coming off of  Help! , there is an instant gravity about this album compared to everything else I’ve heard to this point. On my first listen, the second that “Like a Rolling Stone” began playing, I just had this… awakening? I dont know how to describe it. Just this overwhelming feeling that music can be better. That in 1965, we were just getting started with rock and roll. The biggest immediately  noticeable difference was in the lyrics. Flip through the songs on Help!; these two or three minute pop songs about love and loss. Then play “Like a Rolling Stone”. Just the sheer volume of lyrics, and the density. Just, wow. Now the album does feature a lot of the crazy wild rock Dylan present on Bringing It All Back Home that I wasnt such a big fan of but it’s definitely more developed and fleshed out here. I think one of the greatest additions is Bob Dylan’s wider use of piano and organ on this album. The longer, slower, piano laden tracks tend to draw me in more than the wild rock and roll ones. This led me to  songs like “Ballad of a Thin Man” and “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”. The album starts out with its strongest track but it ends on its second strongest. “Desolation Row” is an 11 and a half minute acoustic guitar epic and I’m just glad he’s continued to include songs in this style. Now up there for me with “It’s Alright Ma”. I mentioned the depth of the lyrics earlier and I will now preface this by saying that depth doesnt necessarily mean connections. A lot of times I have no idea what Dylan is singing about. I am certain that HE knew exactly what he was talking about. For me, its more similar to a blind food tasting. You may not know what it is youre eating but good tasting food is good tasting food. Just listening to Dylan’s solid imagery is a gift.

1965 – Highway 61 Revisited – Top 5 Highlights

Like a Rolling Stone – A perfect song and a perfect experience. Maybe Bob Dylan’s best song? Something about how it all comes together musically and lyrically and emotionally. There’s just a magic here. The way Dylan yells the chorus. The way the organ continually plays. The jangling of the guitars. The spare use of harmonica. Wow.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/5124986″>Like A Rolling Stone</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user1858627″>Lea Becker</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Ballad of a Thin Man – Haunting piano! Actually one of the first Dylan songs I ever heard and liked. Dylan’s talk singing works a lot better when he’s not yelling it in an extremely hoarse voice over jangling guitars. The cool factor of the piano adds a grounded feeling to Dylan’s talking. It works. It just works.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/52383325″>Bob Dylan – The Ballad of a Thin Man</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user1114172″>Vasco Cavalcante</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Queen Jane Approximately – The piano here is in complete contrast to that of “Ballad of a Thin Man”, here adding a feel good beauty both to Dylan’s vocals and the song itself.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/29149789″>Bob Dylan – “Queen Jane Approximately” MONO</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user5966392″>Curtis Mayfield</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Just Like Tom Thumb ‘s Blues – Once again its the beauty of the piano that won me over here. It’s hard to talk about a lot of Dylan’s songs because its so much better to just get them into your ears.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/29785190″>Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user1076768″>Vince Vercillo</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

Desolation Row – I talked about this earlier but it really is all about the acoustic guitar here. It may be a bit repetitive but each note is played so beautifully that I have no problem listening to Dylan play it over the 11 minute length. This is a definitely a sit outside in the backyard and smoke a cigarette while staring at the night sky and contemplating life kind of experiences. Also if you stick around, you get one epic harmonica solo!

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/11222889″>Desolation Row</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user3675027″>Paul Tattam</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

So overall, the summer of 65 was really a great time to be a fan of rock music. While the Beach Boys and Rolling Stones released decent albums, and the Beatles released another great one, it was Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited that captured my heart. I think I’ll be shocked if I find an album in 65 that I like more. Still I’m excited to try anyway and dive further into the 60’s less famous acts. I really am desiring to pick up the pace of this journey so that I can get to more and more music but I know that will come with sacrificing some of the writing so I haven’t decided exactly what Ill do just yet. Again thank you if you were able to read all the way to the end of this. Let me know if theres an album you think I missed or you definitely want me to check out in the future!

The Journey Back Entry 3: The Beatles Write Songs! Joan doesn’t…

I promised I would talk about the next Beatles album here and I refuse to disappoint. Coming off my Joan Baez high, I thought it appropriate to check out the Beatles second 1963 release With the Beatles. This album dropped at the onset of Beatlemania so just picture thousands of screaming female fans around the Beatles while they play these songs. I was surprised by the general step up in some of the song writing on this one. Only six covers this time and a lot more Beatles originals which of course is good news. Their originals are always the highlights. The biggest difference for me on this album was the music itself which I think is already showing more depth than the simple pop songs of Please Please Me. Im a huge fan of minor keys and the Beatles have started to go a little further down that route. My favorite on the album is “All My Loving” which I find to be an absolutely lovely song. Maybe its because I’m in a long distance relationship myself. I thought it was funny that John Lennon was quoted as saying he was sad to admit he hadnt written it because it was a “a damn good piece of work”. The other standout for me is “Don’t Bother Me” which is apparently George Harrison’s first foray into song writing. I loved its darker nature and its anti-love song quality considering how much of the Beatles work was love songs at this point. Speaking of George Harrison as song writer, I’m sorry to say this but as much as I’ve heard the Beatles in the past, I’d never payed attention to who wrote or sang what. It is still hard for me to differentiate who is singing from song to song! That is why it is my goal during this journey back to make sure to pay attention to the individual artists. At this point Paul is my favorite writer.

So overall, I think With the Beatles is above and beyond Please Please Me, with better song writing and better performances. Each instrument feels so necessary well placed. That being said, the album still contains some lack luster stuff as well as covers so I’m still looking forward to the bands growth from this point. Hopefully The Freewheelin Bob Dylan will ignite their song writing hearts in new ways since I can only imagine the Beatles had to snatch that album up right away.

Also interesting to note, McCartney and Lennon wrote “I Wanna Be Your Man” while hanging out with the Rolling Stones and ended up giving them the song which would go on to become their breakthrough hit! I stumbled on to this quote and just started laughing:

“It was a throwaway. The only two versions of the song were Ringo and the Rolling Stones. That shows how much importance we put on it: We weren’t going to give them anything great, right?” – John Lennon

Ringo really doesnt get any love does he? I’ll definitely be checking out the Stones 64 debut soon enough.

1963 – With The Beatles Highlights

All I’ve Gotta Do – I love the bass on this one which I hear was a very important part of the writing process for the song as well. Probably my favorite Lennon track on the album.

All My Loving – Probably the fact that its about a long distance relationship is probably what gets me. Plus I love the guitar work, and the ooh oohs, things that really hold the beatles up in my mind. Plus Harrison’s solo.

Don’t Bother Me – As I mentioned earlier, Harrison’s first writing credit. So dark and wonderful. Cant wait for him to write more.

Not a Second Time  – I really like the piano parts on this one. Another one by Lennon. Apparently this is the song that made people start looking deeper into the Beatles song writing abilities. I just like the song.

Money – And finally the album closer. Yes it’s a cover but I really like this one. Its got this happy playful feeling while also having these really cool verses where the guitar drops out. I smile every time.

After such a wonderful experience with Joan Baez’s debut, I decided I should check out her 1961 follow up effort Joan Baez Volume 2. (Gotta love the creative album titles) Everything I felt about the first album was unfortunately completely lost on me this time around. Instead of being sucked in, I felt that I analysed every minute detail of her performance and came up wanting. Once again, all the songs are covers so maybe she just picked all her favorites for the first album and her second favorites here. I just wasnt as attached to the songs. I felt there was more emphasis on the stories and less on her voice and the music. To me, it sounded like she wasnt as passionate here, more going through the motions and she has a backing band of sorts that I didnt find interesting at all. Still, it didnt take away my love for her debut. It is possible that because Dylan evolved so much from his debut to his second album, I expected something similar from Joan. Instead I just got what felt like a B-sides record. Still this is only 1961 in her career so its possible her style will evolve once she hangs out with Bob and sees what he’s up to. I do plan to check out her 1963 live album which may better capture some of the debut’s passion I loved so much. (One can only hope) If not, I may give her a few years to cool off and check back in a few years down the road. For now, I can only say, dont miss out on the debut.

I’m pretty sure this will end my time in 1963 other than Joan’s live album. If there is one album I didnt check out fully in 1963, it would probably be the Beach Boys. I may wait a couple years to check them out. If you’re a fan of 1963 and see an album I overlooked, feel free to leave recommendations in the comments. 1964 is definitely going to get more expansive as I dive into the Rolling Stones, more Dylan and the Beatles. I’m very excited about it.

Overall 1963 was an interesting year. Bob Dylan released my favorite work of the year. I definitely think The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is an excellent album and some of the songs will enter my permanent playlists. The Beatles released two albums I had mixed feelings about but the second was better than the first and I love the direction they are heading in. Still I think this is all just set up for the late ’60’s when a ton of new rock music will be unleashed on the masses. This journey shall be epic!

 

Song of the Day 10/17/12: John Lennon – What You Got

So, I’ve been listening to a lot of Post-Beatles solo work, as I work through a friend’s top 100 albums of all time.  One of my favorite new discoveries from these sessions is “What You Got.”  I could listen to the bass line ALL DAY.  That’s walking around town music if I’ve ever heard it.  And the fact that John basically yells every lyric in the song?  I’m speechless.  Just some really great stuff.  If you’re like me and you’ve never really listened to any of the Beatles’ solo work, this may be a good jumping off point.