Tag Archives: 1968

Velvet Underground: White Light / White Heat

White light white heat

On January 30, 1968, “Verve” label released “White Light/White Heat”, the second Velvet Underground studio album.  It was recorded in September 1967, at the “Scepter Studios” in New York, and was produced by Tom Wilson.  It was band’s last studio recording of new material with founding member John Cale. In 2003, magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “White Light/White Heat” at number 293 on it’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • John Cale– lead and backing vocals, spoken word, electric viola,  organ, piano, bass guitar, ,medical sound effects
  • Lou Reed– lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar
  • Sterling Morrison– lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, medical sound effects, backing vocals
  • Maureen Tucker– percussion, drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Lou Reed, except where noted.

  1. White Light/White Heat
  2. The Gift – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Maureen Tucker
  3. Lady Godiva’s Operation
  4. Here She Comes Now – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale
  5. I Heard Her Calling My Name – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Maureen Tucker
  6. Sister Ray – Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Maureen Tucker

Spirit: Same

Spirit first album

On January 22, 1968, “Epic” label released the self-titled, debut Spirit album.  It was recorded August – November 1967, and was produced by Lou Adler.

Personnel:

  • Jay Ferguson– lead vocals, keyboards, percussion
  • Randy California– guitars, bass, backing vocals
  • John Locke– keyboards
  • Mark Andes– bass, backing vocals
  • Ed Cassidy– drums, percussion
  • Marty Paich- string and horn arrangements
  • Tom Wilkes – art direction
  • Corporate Head – design
  • Guy Webster – cover photography
  • Jay Thompson – back cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Fresh Garbage – Jay Ferguson
  2. Uncle Jack – Jay Ferguson
  3. Mechanical World – Mark Andes, Jay Ferguson
  4. Taurus – Randy California
  5. Girl in Your Eye – Jay Ferguson
  6. Straight Arrow = Jay Ferguson
  7. Topaga Windows – Jay Ferguson
  8. Gramophone Man – Mark Andes, Randy California, Ed Cassidy, Jay Ferguson, John Locke
  9. Water Woman – Jay Ferguson
  10. The Great Canyon Fire in General – Jay Ferguson
  11. Elijah – John Locke

Iron Butterfly: Heavy

Heavy

On January 22, 1968, “Atco” label released “Heavy”, the debut Iron Butterfly studio album.  It was recorded in October 1967, and was produced by Charles Greene and Brian Stone.

Personnel:

  • Darryl DeLoach – lead and backing vocals, tambourine
  • Danny Weis – guitar
  • Doug Ingle – lead and backing vocals, organ
  • Jerry Penrod – co-lead and backing vocals, bass
  • Ron Bushy – drums

Track listing:

  1. Possession – Doug Ingle
  2. Unconscious Power – Ron Bushy, Doug Ingle, Danny Weis
  3. Get Out of My Life, Woman – Allen Toussaint
  4. Gentle as It May Seem – Darryl DeLoach, Danny Weis
  5. You Can’t Win – Darryl DeLoach, Danny Weis
  6. So-Lo – Darryl DeLoach, Doug Ingle
  7. Look for the Sun – Darryl DeLoach, Doug Ingle, Danny Weis
  8. Fields of Sun – Darryl DeLoach, Doug Ingle
  9. Stamped Ideas – Darryl DeLoach, Doug Ingle
  10. Iron Butterfly Theme – Doug Ingle

Dr. John: Gris-Gris

Dr John Night tripper

On January 22, 1968, “Atco” label released “Gris-Gris”, the debut Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) album.  It was recorded in 1967, at the “Gold Star Studios” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Harold Battiste. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked “Gris-Gris” at number 143 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

Personnel:

  • Dr. John- vocals, keyboards, guitar, percussion
  • Richard ‘Didimus’ Washington – guitar, mandolin, percussion
  • Steve Mann – guitar, banjo
  • Ernest McLean- guitar, mandolin
  • Bob West – bass
  • Harold Battiste – bass, clarinet, percussion, arrangements
  • John Boudreaux – drums
  • Mo Pedido – congas
  • Plas Johnson- saxophone
  • Lonnie Boulden – flute
  • Dave Dixon, Jessie Hill, Ronnie Barron- backing vocals, percussion
  • Joni Jonz, Prince Ella Johnson, Shirley Goodman, Sonny Ray Durden, Tami Lynn- backing vocals
  • Marvin Israel– design

Track listing:

  1. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya – Dr. John Creaux
  2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom – Dr. John Creaux and Harold Battiste
  3. Mama Roux – Dr. John and Jessie Hill
  4. Danse Fambeaux – Dr. John Creaux
  5. Croker Courtbullion – Harold Battiste
  6. Jump Sturdy – Dr. John Creaux
  7. I Walk on Guilded Splinters – Dr. John Creaux

The Canned Heat: Boogie With Canned Heat

Boogie_With_Canned_Heat

On January 21, 1968, “Liberty” label released “Boogie with Canned Heat”, the second Canned Heat (The) album. It was recorded October – November 1967, at the “Liberty Studios” and was produced by Skip Taylor and Dallas Smith.

Personnel:

  • Bob Hite– vocals
  • Alan Wilson – vocals, slide guitar, harmonica
  • Henry Vestine– lead guitar
  • Larry Taylor– bass
  • Adolfo de la Parra– drums
  • Dr. John – piano, horn arrangements
  • Sunnyland Slim– piano

Track listing:

  1. Evil Woman – Larry Weiss
  2. My Crime – Canned Heat
  3. On the Road Again – Floyd Jones, Alan Wilson
  4. World in a Jug – Canned Heat
  5. Turpentine Moan – Canned Heat
  6. Whiskey Headed Woman No. 2″ – Bob Hite
  7. Amphetamine Annie – Canned Heat
  8. An Owl Song – Alan Wilson
  9. Marie Laveau – Henry Vestine
  10. Fried Hockey Boogie – Larry Taylor

John B. Sebastian: Same

John b sebastian

On January 19, 1969, “Reprise” label released the self titled, debut John B. Sebastian album. It was recorded in 1968, and was produced by Paul A. Rothchild.

Personnel:

  • John Sebastian – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, percussion
  • Stephen Stills– guitar, harmony vocals
  • David Crosby– guitar, harmony vocals
  • Danny Weis- guitar
  • Buddy Emmons– pedal steel guitar, Moog synthesizer
  • Bruce Langhorne– tambourine
  • Paul Harris– organ, keyboards
  • Mrs. Stanley Beutens and Friends – flute, lute, viola, recorder
  • Ray Neopolitan – bass
  • Harvey Brooks– bass
  • Dallas Taylor– drums
  • Reinol Andino – conga
  • Gayle Levant – harp
  • Buzzy Linhart– vibraphone
  • Burt Collins – horn
  • Jose Cuervo – horn
  • Graham Nash– harmony vocals
  • The Ikettes– backing vocals
  • Doug Bartenfeld – arrangements consultant
  • Catherine Sebastian – artwork
  • Ed Thrasher– art direction
  • Henry Diltz– photography
  • Jim Marshall– photography

Track listing:

All tracks by John B. Sebastian

  1. Red-Eye Express
  2. She’s a Lady
  3. What She Thinks About.
  4. Magical Connection
  5. You’re a Big Boy Now
  6. Rainbows All Over Your Blues
  7. How Have You Been
  8. Baby, Don’t Ya Get Crazy
  9. The Room Nobody Lives In
  10. Fa-Fana-Fa
  11. I Had a Dream

Blue Cheer: Vincebum Eruptum

BlueCheer Vincebus Eruptum

On January 16, 1968, “Philips” label released “Vincebum Eruptum”, the debut Blue Cheer studio album.  It was recorded in 1967, at the “Amigo Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Abe “Voco” Kesh.

Personnel:

  • Dickie Peterson– vocals, bass
  • Leigh Stephens– guitar
  • Paul Whaley– drums
  • John Van Hamersveld– photography

Track listing:

  1. Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart
  2. Rock Me Baby – B.B. King, Joe Josea
  3. Doctor Please – Dickie Peterson
  4. Out of Focus – Dickie Peterson
  5. Parchment Farm – Mouse Allison
  6. Second Time Around – Dickie Peterson

The Byrds: The Notorious Byrd Brothers

Notorious Byrd Brothers

On January 15, 1968, “Columbia” label released “The Notorious Byrd Brothers”, the fifth Byrds (The) studio album. It was recorded June – December, 1967, at the “Columbia Studios” in Hollywood, and was produced by Gary Usher.

Personnel:

  • Roger McGuinn – vocals, lead guitar, Moog synthesizer
  • David Crosby – vocals, rhythm guitar, electric bass
  • Chris Hillman– vocals, electric bass, guitar, mandolin
  • Michael Clarke– drums
  • Gene Clark– backing vocal
  • Clarence White, James Burton– guitar
  • Red Rhodes– pedal steel guitar
  • Paul Beaver, Terry Trotter – piano
  • Paul Beaver, Gary Usher– Moog synthesizer
  • Barry Goldberg– organ
  • Dennis McCarthy– celeste
  • Jim Gordon– drums
  • Hal Blaine– drums
  • Lester Harris, Raymond Kelley, Paul Bergstrom, Jacqueline Lustgarten – cello
  • Victor Sazer, Carl West, William Armstrong – violin
  • Alfred McKibbon – double bass
  • Ann Stockton – harp
  • Richard Hyde– trombone
  • Jay Migliori– saxophone
  • Roy Caron, Virgil Fums, Gary Weber – brass
  • Dennis Faust, Gary Usher – percussion
  • Curt Boettcher, Gary Usher – backing vocals
  • Firesign Theatre– sound effects

Track listing:

  1. Artificial Energy – Roger McGuinn,Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke
  2. Goin’ Back – Carole King, Gerry Goffin
  3. Natural Harmony – Chris Hillman
  4. Draft Morning – David Crosby, Chris Hillm, Roger McGuinn
  5. Wasn’t Born to Follow – Carole King, Gerry Goffin
  6. Get to You – Gene Clark and Roger McGuinn
  7. Change Is Now – Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn
  8. Old John Robertson – Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn
  9. Tribal Gathering – David Crosby, Chris Hillma
  10. Dolphin’s Smile – David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn
  11. Space Odyssey – Roger McGuinn, Robert J. Hippard

Taj Mahal: The Natch’t Blues

Natchl blues

On December 23, 1968, “Columbia” label released “The Natch’l Blues”, the second Taj Mahal studio album. It was recorded May – October 1968, and was produced by David Rubinson.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – vocals, harmonica, Miss “National” steel bodied guitar
  • Jesse Ed Davis- guitar, piano, brass arrangements
  • Al Kooper- piano
  • Gary Gilmore – bass
  • Chuck Blackwell – drums
  • Earl Palmer- drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Taj Mahal, except where noted.

  1. Good Morning Miss Brown
  2. Corinna – Taj Mahal, Jesse Ed Davis
  3. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Steal My Jellyroll
  4. Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue
  5. Done Changed My Way of Living
  6. She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride – Taj Mahal, Yank Rachell
  7. The Cuckoo – traditional
  8. You Don’t Miss Your Water(‘Til Your Well Runs Dry) – William Bell
  9. Ain’t That a Lot of Love – Homer Banks, Deanie Parker

Blood, Sweat & Tears: Same

On December 11, 1968, “Columbia” label released self titled, second Blood, Sweet & Tears album. It was recorded October 1968, at “CBS Studios” in New York,  and was produced by James William Guercio. The album was certified 4 x Platinum in the US by the RIAA. The album received “Grammy Award” for “Album of the Year” in 1970.

Personnel:

  • David Clayton-Thomas– lead vocals
  • Steve Katz– lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Dick Halligan– organ, piano, flute, trombone, vocals
  • Jim Fielder– bass
  • Bobby Colomby– vocals, drums, percussion
  • Lew Soloff– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Fred Lipsius– alto saxophone, piano
  • Chuck Winfield– trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Jerry Hyman– trombone, recorder
  • Dick Halligan, Fred Lipsius, Al Kooper – arrangements
  • Timothy Quay, Bob Cato – cover art
  • John Berg – design
  • Harrie George – photography

Track listing:

  1. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie (1st and 2nd Movements)
  2. Adapted from “Trois Gymnopédies”; arr. by Dick Halligan
  3. Smiling Phases –  Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood
  4. Sometimes in Winter – Steve Katz
  5. More and More – Vee Pee Smith, Don Juan
  6. And When I Die – Laura Nyro
  7. God Bless the Child – Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Jr.
  8. Spinning Wheel -David Clayton-Thomas
  9. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy – Berry Gordy Jr., Brenda Holloway, Patrice Holloway, Frank Wilson
  10. Blues – Part II – Blood, Sweat & Tears
  11. Interpolating Sunshine of Your Love (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown,  Eric Clapton), Spoonful – Willie Dixon, Somethin’ Goin’ On – Al Kooper
  12. Variations on a theme by Erik Satie” (1st Movement)