Tag Archives: 1968

The Temptations: Wish It Would Rain

Leave a comment

wish-it-would-rain

On April 29, 1968, “Gordy” label released “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain”, the seventh Temptations (The) studio album. It was recorded 1967-1968, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson and Henry Cosby. It was the band’s final release with the original line-up: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain” is also band’s last album to feature Smokey Robinson as producer.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin: vocals
  • Eddie Kendricks: vocals
  • Paul Williams: vocals
  • Melvin Franklin: vocals
  • Otis Williams: vocals

Track listing:

  1. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  2. Cindy – Smokey Robinson
  3. I Wish it Would Rain – Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  4. Please Return Your Love to Me – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  5. Fan the Flame – Al Cleveland, Terry Johnson, Smokey Robinson
  6. He Who Picks a Rose – Edward Holland Jr., Emillio “Father” Smiley, Norman Whitfield
  7. Why Did You leave Me Darling – James Dean, Deke Richards
  8. I Truly, Truly Believe – George Gordy, Margaret Gordy, Allen Story
  9. This is My Beloved – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  10. Gonna Give Her All the Love I’ve Got – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  11. I’ve Passed This Way Before – James Dean, William Weatherspoon
  12. No Man Can Love Her Like I Do – Edward Holland, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Kendricks

 

Sly & The Family Stone: Dance To The Music

Leave a comment

Slyfamstone-dance

On April 27, 1968, “Epic” label released “Dance to the Music”,the second Sly and the Family Stone studio album. It was recorded in September 1967, and was produced by Sly Stone.

Personnel:

  • Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) – vocals, organ, guitar, piano, harmonica
  • Freddie Stone – vocals, guitar
  • Larry Graham – vocals, bass guitar
  • Rose Stone – vocals, piano, keyboards
  • Cynthia Robinson – trumpet, vocal ad-libs
  • Jerry Martini – saxophone
  • Greg Errico – drums
  • Little Sister(Vet Stone, Mary McCreary, Elva Mouton) – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Sylvester Stewart.

  1. Dance to the Music
  2. Higher
  3. I Ain’t Got Nobody (For Real)
  4. Dance to the Medley
  • Music Is Alive
  • Dance In
  • Music Lover
  1. Ride the Rhythm
  2. Color Me True
  3. Are You Ready
  4. Don’t Burn Baby
  5. I’ll Never Fall in Love Again

The Monkees: The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees

Leave a comment

The_Birds,_the_Bees_&_the_Monkees

On April 22, 1968, “Colgems” label released “The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees”, the fifth Monkees (The) studio album. It was recorded 1967 – 1968, and was produced by Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz and Chip Douglas.

Personnel:

  • Davy Jones – vocals
  • Michael Nesmith – vocasls, guitar
  • Peter Tork – bass, piano, keyboards
  • Micky Dolenz – vocals, drums

Track listing:

  1. Dream World – David Jones, Steve Pitts
  2. Auntie’s Municipal Court – Michael Nesmith, Keith Allison
  3. We Were Made for Each Other – Carole Bayer, George Fischoff
  4. Tapioca Tundra – Michael Nesmit
  5. Daydream Believer – John Stewart
  6. Writing Wrongs – Michael Nesmith
  7. I’ll Be Back Up on My Feet – Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell
  8. The Poster David Jones, Steve Pitts
  9. O. Box 9847 – Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart
  10. Magnolia Simms – Michael Nesmith
  11. Valleri – Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart
  12. Zor and Zam – Bill Chadwick, John Chadwick

The Zombies: Odessey and Oracle

Leave a comment

Odessey_and_Oracle

On April 19, 1968, “CBS” label released “Odessey and Oracle”, the second Zombies (The) studio album. It was recorded June – November 1967, at “Abbey Road Studios” and “Olympic Studios” in London, and was produced by Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Chris White and Hugh Grundy . In 2012, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked the album at number 100 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”; “NME” magazine ranked the album at number 32 on its list of “100 Greatest British Albums Ever!”; “The Guardian” ranked “Odessey and Oracle” at number 77 on its list of “Alternative Top 100 Albums Ever”;  “Mojo” magazine placed it at number 97 in its “100 Greatest Albums Ever Made” list; “Q” magazine ranked the album at number 26 on its list of the “50 Best British Albums Ever!”.

Personnel:

  • Colin Blunstone– lead vocals
  • Rod Argent– organ, piano, harpsichord, Mellotron,
  • Paul Atkinson – vocals, guitar
  • Chris White – vocals, bass guitar
  • Hugh Grundy – vocals, drums
  • Geoff Emerick– engineer
  • Peter Vince– engineer
  • Jools DeVere – design
  1. Care of Cell 44 – Rod Argent
  2. A Rose for Emily – Rod Argent
  3. Maybe After He’s Gone – Chris White
  4. Brief Candles – Chris White
  5. Hung Up on a Dream – Rod Argent
  6. Changes – Chris White
  7. I Want Her, She Wants Me – Rod Argent
  8. This Will Be Our Year – Chris White
  9. Butcher’s Tale (Western Front 1914) – Chris White
  10. Friends of Mine – Chris White
  11. Time of the Season – Rod Argent

Moby Grape: Wow/Jam

Leave a comment

Wow moby grape

On April 3, 1968, “Columbia” label released “Wow/Grape Jam”, the second Moby Grape album. It was recorded August 30, 1967 – February 5, 1968, January 16 – February 13, 1968, and was produced by David Rubinson. It was released as two different albums in separate covers, but packaged together and sold for one dollar more than price of a single LP.

Personnel:

  • Peter Lewis – vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jerry Miller – vocals, lead guitar
  • Skip Spence- vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Bob Mosley – vocals, bass
  • Don Stevenson- drums
  • Arthur Godfrey – spoken introduction, ukulele
  • Bob Cato – artwork

Track listing:

  1. The Place and the Time – Jerry Miller, Don Stevenson
  2. Murder in My Heart for the Judge – Jerry Miller, Don Stevenson
  3. Bitter Wind – Bob Mosley
  4. Can’t Be So Bad – Jerry Mille, Don Stevenson
  5. Just LikeGene Autry: A Foxtrot – Skip Spen
  6. He – Peter Lewis
  7. Motorcycle Irene – Skip Spence
  8. Three-Four – Jerry Miller, Skip Spence
  9. Funky-Tunk – Skip Spence
  10. Rose Colored Eyes – Bob Mosley
  11. Miller’s Blues – Jerry Miller
  12. Naked, If I Want To – Jerry Miller

Simon & Garfunkel: Bookends

Leave a comment

Simon_and_Garfunkel,_Bookends

On April 3, 1968, “Columbia” label released “Bookends”, the fourth Simon and Garfunkel studio album. It was recorded September 1966, January 1967, June 1967, October 1967−February 1968, at “Columbia Studio A & B” in Manhattan, and was produced by Paul Simon, Roy Halee and Art Garfunkel. In 1969, at the 11th “Annual Grammy Awards”, “Mrs. Robinson” became the first rock and roll song to win “Record of the Year” and also  won award for “Best Contemporary Pop Performance by a Duo or Group”

Personnel:

  • Paul Simon– vocals, guitar
  • Art Garfunkel– vocals, tapes
  • Larry Knechtel– piano, keyboards
  • Joe Osborn– bass guitar
  • Hal Blaine– drums, percussion
  • Jimmie Haskell – arrangements, arrangements preparation
  • Roy Halee– recording
  • Robert Honablue – engineer
  • Richard Avedon– cover photography
  • John Simon– production assistant
  • Bob Johnston– production assistant

Track listing:

  1. Bookends Theme
  2. Save the Life of My Child
  3. America
  4. Overs
  5. Voices of Old People
  6. Old Friends
  7. Bookends Theme
  8. Fakin’ It
  9. Punky’s Dilemma
  10. Mrs. Robinson
  11. A Hazy Shade of Winter
  12. At the Zoo

The United States Of America: Same

Leave a comment

USA

On March 6, 1968, “Columbia” label released the self-titled, debut United States of America (The) album. It was recorded in December 1967, and was produced by David Rubinson.

Personnel:

  • Joseph Byrd – vocals, electronic music, electric  harpsichord,  organ, calliope, piano
  • Dorothy Moskowitz– lead vocals
  • Gordon Marron – vocals, electric violin, ring modulator
  • Rand Forbes – electric bass
  • Craig Woodson – electric drums, percussion
  • Ed Bogas– occasional organ, piano, calliope
  • Gary Margolis – photography

Track listing:

  1. The American Metaphysical Circus – Joseph Byrd
  2. Hard Coming Love – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz
  3. Cloud Song – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz
  4. The Garden of Earthly Delights – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz
  5. I Won’t Leave My Wooden Wife for You, Sugar – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz
  6. Where Is Yesterday – Gordon Marron, Ed Bogas, Dorothy Moskowitz
  7. Coming Down – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz
  8. Love Song for the Dead Ché – Joseph Byrd
  9. Stranded in Time – Gordon Marron, Ed Bogas
  10. The American Way of Love
  • Metaphor for an Older Man – Joseph Byrd
  • California Good time Music – Joseph Byrd
  • Love Is All – Joseph Byrd, Dorothy Moskowitz, Rand Forbes, Craig Woodson and Gordon Marron

Mothers of Invention: We’re Only in for the Money

Leave a comment

We're in it

On March 4, 1968, “Verve” label released “We’re Only in It for the Money”, the third Mothers of Invention studio album. It was recorded from March to October 1967, at “Capitol Studios” in Los Angeles; “Mayfair and Apostolic Studios” in New York, and was produced by Frank Zappa.

Personnel:

  • Frank Zappa – lead vocals, guitar, piano, weirdness, editing
  • Jimmy Carl Black –vocals, Indian of the group, drums, trumpet
  • Roy Estrada – vocals, electric bass, asthma
  • Billy Mundi – vocals, drums, yak & black lace underwear
  • Don Preston– retired
  • Bunk Gardner – all woodwinds, mumbled weirdness
  • Ian Underwood – piano, woodwinds, wholesome
  • Euclid James “Motorhead” Sherwood – baritone and soprano saxophone, all purpose weirdness & teen appeal
  • Suzy Creamcheese(Pamela Zarubica) – telephone voice
  • Pamela Zarubica – vocals
  • Dick Barber – snorks
  • Eric Clapton– male speaking part
  • Gary Kellgren– “the one doing all the creepy whispering”
  • Spider Barbour – vocals
  • Dick Kunc – “cheerful interruptions” vocal
  • Vicki Kellgren – additional telephone vocals
  • Ronnie Williams – backwards voice
  • Sid Sharp – conductor

Track listing:

All tracks by Frank Zappa

  1. Are You Hung Up
  2. Who Needs the Peace Corps
  3. Concentration Moon
  4. Mom & Dad
  5. Bow tie Daddy
  6. Harry, You’re a Beast
  7. What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body?
  8. Absolutely Free
  9. Flower Punk
  10. Hot Poop
  11. Nasal Retentive Calliope Music
  12. Let’s Make the Water Turn Black
  13. The Idiot Bastard Son
  14. It’s His Voice on the Radio
  15. Take Your Clothes off When You Dance
  16. What’s the Ugliest Part of Your Body (reprise)
  17. Mother People
  18. The Chrome Plated Megaphone of Destiny

Fleetwood Mac: Same

Leave a comment

Fleetwood_Mac_-_Fleetwood_Mac

On February 24, 1968, “Blue Horizon” released the debut, self-titled Fleetwood Mac album. It was recorded November – December 1967 at “CBS Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon.

Personnel:

  • Peter Green– vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Jeremy Spencer– vocals, slide guitar, piano
  • John McVie– bass guitar
  • Bob Brunning– bass guitar
  • Mick Fleetwood– drums

Track listing:

  1. My Heart Beat Like a Hammer – Jeremy Spencer
  2. Merry Go Round – Peter Green
  3. Long Grey Mare – Peter Green
  4. Hellhound on My Trail – Robert Johnson
  5. Shake Your Moneymaker – Elmore James
  6. Looking for Somebody – Peter Green
  7. No Place to Go – Chester Burnett
  8. My Baby’s Good to Me – Jeremy Spencer
  9. I Loved Another Woman – Peter Green
  10. Col Black Night – Jeremy Spencer
  11. The World Keep on Turning – Peter Green
  12. Got to Move – Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn

 

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Child Is Father to the Man

Leave a comment

Child Is

On February 21, 1968, “Columbia” label released “Child Is Father to the Man”, the debut Blood, Sweat & Tears album. “Child Is Father to the Man” was recorded in November and December 1967, and was produced by John Simon. In 2003, the album was ranked number 264 on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the “500 greatest albums of all time”.

Personnel:

  • Steve Katz– vocals, guitar, lute
  • Al Kooper– vocals, organ, piano, ondioline
  • John Simon– organ, piano, conductor, cowbell, arrangements
  • Al Gorgoni– vocals, organ, guitar, arrangements
  • Fred Lipsius– piano, alto saxophone, arrangements
  • Randy Brecker– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Weiss– vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Dick Halligan– trombone
  • Jim Fielder– bass guitar, fretless bass guitar
  • Bobby Colomby– vocals, drums, percussion
  • Anahid Ajemian– violin
  • Paul Gershman – violin
  • Manny Green – violin
  • Julie Held – violin
  • Gene Orloff– violin
  • Harry Katzman – violin
  • Leo Kruczek – violin
  • Harry Lookofsky – violin
  • Harold Coletta – viola
  • Charles McCracken – cello
  • Alan Schulman – cello
  • Melba Moorman– choir, chorus
  • Valerie Simpson– choir, chorus
  • The Manny Vardi Strings
  • Doug James – shaker
  • Fred Catero – sound effects, arrangements
  • Alan Schulman – arrangements
  • Howard Fritzson – art direction
  • Bob Cato, Don Hunstein – photography
  • Michael Cimicata – packaging

Track Listing:

  1. Overture – Al Kooper
  2. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Al Kooper
  3. Morning Glory – Larry Beckett, Tim Buckley
  4. My Days Are Numbered – Al Kooper
  5. Without Her – Harry Nilsson
  6. Just One Smile – Randy Newman
  7. I Can’t Quit Her –  Al Kooper, Irwin Levine
  8. Meagan’s Gypsy Eyes – Steve Katz
  9. Somethin’ Goin’ On – Al Kooper
  10. House in the Country – Al Kooper
  11. The Modern Adventures of Plato, Diogenes and Freud – Al Kooper
  12. So Much Love/Underture – Gerry Goffin, Carole King