174. Frank Zappa - Hot Rats

Release Date: 1969
Label: Bizarre

Finally, after two years - and many months of nothingness - I have come to the end of the 60s. We say goodybe with an instrumental album by Frank Zappa. Like his releases with the Mothers of Invention, this album isn't particularly radio friendly, but its songs are more accesible. The only disappointment is probably 'The Gumbo Variations' which takes up most of the second 'side'

Rating: 7/10
Favourite Track: Son of Mr Green Genes

173. Skip Spence - Oar

Release Date: 1969
Label: Columbia

We are nearly at the end of the 60s! This penultimate album of the decade is by none other than famous Australian TV personality, 'What's that Skip? Spence'. Fresh from his stints in Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grabe - both of whom I enjoyed - Spence released his only solo album of his career. I can't say I enjoyed this as much as any previous releases he's been involved in, but I will admit I liked the homemade style of the album, if not the actual content.

Rating: 4/10
Favourite Track: Lawrence of Euphoria

172. The Stooges - The Stooges

Release Date: 1969
Label: Elektra

Another proto-punk album in the style of MC5, The Stooges hailed from Detroit - famous for being the home of Motown. Having being rejected by Berry Gordy for being too similar to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Iggy Pop and The Stooges decided to cash on the developing punk/insurance (punksurance) craze and restyle themselves. The result? This album and a subsequent sideline career as insurance salesmen.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: I Wanna Be Your Dog

171. Scott Walker - Scott 4

Release Date: 1969
Label: Philips

Scott 4 continues the run of great albums that I've had the pleasure of listening to today. Like Scott 2 this record is a delight to listen to from start to finish. Walker's distinctive baritone is perfect for the baroque musical style.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Hero of The War

170. Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief

Release Date: 1969
Label: Island

Recorded over five separate days in the autumn of 1969 and released at the end of the year (less than six months after 'Unhalfbricking', 'Liege and Lief' continues where the former left off. Again, Sandy Denny is the stand-out star of the record, the rest of the band merely pawns to her remarkable vocal talent. Alongside 'Meet on the Ledge' and 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?', 'Matty Groves' is my favourite Fairport song - its rhythm and storytelling are especially compelling.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Matty Groves

169. Leonard Cohen - Songs From A Room

Release Date: 1969
Label: Columbia

This is the second (of four) Leonard Cohen albums in this book, and the first I haven't heard - although I am familiar with a few of the tracks, namely 'Bird on the Wire' and 'The Partisan'. Of the ones I didn't know, 'Seems So Long Ago, Nancy' must surely rank among Cohen's finest work.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Seems So Long Ago, Nancy

168. King Crimson - In The Court of The Crimson King

Release Date: 1969
Label: Island

It's not often that this happens, but it appears as though this album isnt available on Spotify or Youtube. There are versions made up of 'live' recordings, but I thought it'd be cheating to listen to these. Onto the next album it is then

167. The Kinks - Arthur (Or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

Release Date: 1969
Label: Pye

The last essential album The Kinks recorded was this. Although they would go on to record great singles in the early 70s, their importance ended at the end of the decade. Like Tommy and S.F. Sorrow, this is another concept album, but by far the best. The songs stand apart on their own and aren't used to move the narration along. Highlights of the album are - for me - Victoria, Shangri-La, Some Mother's Son (with the repetitive refrain - 'all dead soldiers look the same' and Mr Churchill Says). After being disappointed with the first to Kinks albums in this book, I am pleased these latter two have reaffirmed my faith in them. The cover is terrible though.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Victoria

166. The Grateful Dead - Live/Dead

Release Date: 1969
Label: Warner Bros.

Coming in at over 70 minutes, this record - containing only seven songs (one of which is just over thirty seconds) - is a bit of a task to listen to. However, whilst it isn't life changing, it isn't terrble either. To be honest, I thought it would be a lot worse than it actually was and only the penultimate track, 'Feedback' left me feeling cold. Unfortunately, I can't imagine a time where I'd choose to listen to this again. It seems there a lot of double-albums being released around this time, and unfortunately this is one of those that doesn't hold my attention.


Rating: 5/10
Favourite Track: Turn On Your Love Light

165. Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul

Release Date: 1969
Label: Stax

Comprising of just four tracks, this seminal album from future chef Isaac Hayes (hence the titular reference to butter) is recognised as a landmark record in the history of soul music. The album oozes sex, sophistication and style and contains a monumental twelve-minute version of the Atomic Kitten classic, 'Walk on By.'. Alongside Sly and the Family Stone, this album is proof that soul music was beginning to produce essential albums towards the end of the 60s - something that would continue with the likes of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder in the next few years.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Walk On By

164. The Youngbloods - Elephant Mountain

Release Date: 1969
Label: RCA Victor

The Youngbloods are likely to be a band you've never heard of. This album - said to be their best - only reached 118 in the Billboard 200, and seemingly didn't chart here in the UK. Of course, this lack of exposure has its benefits and I came to this album having no expectations. The album itself is perfectly average. There are some good  songs here - 'Darkness Darkness' being one, 'Sunlight' another - but it isn't enough to hold your attention.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Sunlight

163. Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking

Release Date: 1969
Label: Island

Unhalfbricking (a word invented by Sandy Denny) is the third release from the long-running folk band, and continues their move towards trad-English folk songs. I'm not ashamed to admit I really like a lot of what I've heard so far by this band, and this album didn't disappoint. The French version of 'If You've Gotta Go, Go Now' is beautiful, as is Denny's signature song 'Who Knows Where The Thyme Grows?'.

Rating: 9/10
Favourite Track: Who Knows Where The Time Goes?

162. Chicago - Chicago Transit Authority

Release Date: 1969

Label: Columbia

Chicago were a band so famous they had an American city named after them. This was their first release and predates their softer rock style by a number of years. This is a double album, reminiscent of 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' but with a lot more variety - not all of which is pleasant. Of the better songs, I loved 'Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?', 'Someday', and 'I'm a Man'. Unfortunately the whole album is ruined by 'Free Form Guitar', a 'song' that makes 'Revolution 9' sound like the best song ever.

Rating: 5/10

Favourite Track: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

161. Tim Buckley - Happy Sad

Release Date: 1969
Label: Elektra

Back in July when I listened to Tim Buckley's first offering in this book, I described 'Goodbye and Hello' as gorgeous, impressive and meandering. This album is none of these. I had to turn it off half way through 'Gypsy Woman' because I didn't want to hear anymore. Of course this is where I find out the final track is a masterpiece.

Rating: 3/10
Favourite Track: Dream Letter

160. Sly and The Family Stone - Stand!

Release Date: 1969
Label: Epic

Clearly with these last two records we are at the dawn of funk here. Of the two I prefer this one, and I'd only be tempted to turn down the second track because of the lyrics. It's definitely a record worth exploring further, and even the 13+ minute 'Sex Machine' does not marr the quality.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Everyday People

159. The Temptations - Cloud Nine

Release Date: 1969
Label: Motown

Motown take drugs! Inspired by Sly and The Family Stone (more from him next) The Temptations were tempted to get funky with this record, the ninth in their series of cloud inspired LPs. The big hit is of course the title song, and if there were more tracks like that on the record we'd be all the better for it. Unfortunately the drugs have worn off by the time we get to side two and we are left with standard Motown filler.

Rating: 6/10
Favourite Track: Cloud Nine

158. MC5 - Kick Out The Jams

Release Date: 1969
Label: Elektra

The band, and especially that song have formed a reputation as punk/revolutionary pioneers. I'm not sure what a pre-teen Paul Weller and co ever did to upset MC5 (the MC stands for Michael Crawford) but nobody deserved this tripe.

Rating: 4/10
Favourite Track: Kick Out The Jams

157. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II

Release Date: 1969
Label: Atlantic

Coming fast after the debut album, the Top of the Pops theme and other songs make up the imaginatively titled 'Led Zeppelin II (pronounced 'too'). Both albums were released in the same year and the fact they are both very good - the second being slightly better - is testament to Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Whole Lotta Love

156. The Band - The Band

Release Date: 1969
Label: Capitol

Bob Dylan's backing band released their second album, and like the first it's one I already own. It's difficult to choose one over the other, so for fairness I will rate them both the same.

Rating: 7/10
Favourite Track: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

155. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin

Release Date: 1969
Label: Atlantic

This is an album I already own.

Rating: 7/10
Favourite Track: Dazed and Confused