Looking for must have albums from 1968? How about underrated ones? Watch as Craig Danger, @vinylrecordplayer takes care of business by presenting 5 underrated, but definitely MUST HAVE LPs from 1968. Enjoy, friends!
I have the Tommy James/Shondells 'Crimson and Clover' and I believe it was their best and one of the better albums of '68. Thanks for your continued good work and offbeat selections, it's appreciated.
Hi 👋 I was eight years young in 1968. I'm 64 this year. I remember alot of the music from that year being played on the radio. American Bubblegum pop music was the sound in 1968. I like the Ohio Express with their song Yummy , Yummy , and the Cowsills with their song Indian Lake. I love that song Crimson & Clover by Tommy James & the Shondells. The guitar riff in it is so cool. Jefferson Airplane did White Rabbit that year. Such a classic song. I like Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood. They did that wonderful quirky song Some Velvet Morning the year before. Thanks from Carl in New Zealand.
Some great picks ,some which I have not heard and will have to check out. The Wilson Pickett is a fave.Here are my five - 1. Blood,Sweat And Tears - Child Is the Father To The man. Epic jazz rock with Al Kooper on lead vocals with a different more eclectic sound then the more famous later group lead by David Clayton Thomas. 2. Laura Nyro - Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, most are familiar with songs through other peoples version's. Not so much her own albums. Her first five are all masterpieces with this one among the top.3. Spanky And Our Gang - Like To Get To Know You. Great title song. Somewhat like the Mammas and Papa's but with a more psych touch. 4. The Rascals -Once Upon A Dream. Their answer to Sgt Peppers. Not great through out but some great songs including "Easy Rollin" and "It's Wonderful". The Pentangle (self titled debut album) outstanding British,Jazz folk.
For what it's worth, my own Top 5 Underrated Albums from 1968: Begin (The Millennium), Child Is Father To The Man (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Roger Nichols And The Small Circle Of Friends (" "), SRC (" "), and Wake Up, It's Tomorrow (The Strawberry Alarm Clock).
I played the Nancy and Lee album so much back then, loved it then, still love it now. Which is not bad for someone who is mad about Led Zep, Sabbath, Clapton, Hendrix etc etc. Cheers
1968 is definitely a legendary year in the history of rock. But I’ve gotta give a shout out to ‘ SF Sorrow ‘ from Pretty Things. For those who are really into psychedelic rock, that one is a rare winner. And another along the same lines would have to be ‘ Journey to the Center of the Mind’ by the Amboy Dukes. Even though a lot of people don’t like Ted Nugent, that album is definitely worth having. But among your choices, I’d like to acquire a copy of that Wilson Pickett album. I still have yet to own anything by that artist.
These guys will come onstage in 2024 a n d actually play a complete Wishbone Ash record in its entirety l! I think k there's only one original member remaining but they are faithful to the records!
I'm not sure TRUTH is underrated. As for Tommy James, what an amazing songwriter he turned into. He continued to make fabulous recordings for the four to five decades. A really talented guy who has been overlooked because he writes "POP" music. But it's brilliant and catchy pop. He's like a latter-day Christopher Cross, who is overlooked except for his first award-winning album.
Lotta great records that year, not so many underrated. I've grown to like that Tommy James record quite a bit -- "Crystal Blue Persuasion" is a fine lowrider tune. More good lowrider tunes on Time Peace: The Best of The Young Rascals, but that's not underrated enough for your list, and probably neither is Tighten Up by Archie Bell & The Drells (or is it?). You know what else came out that year? The quirky and cool Lumpy Gravy by Frank Zappa, first under his solo name and largely invisible because of a dispute among labels (he thought he had a solo Capital contract, but The Mothers' label thought differently). Also weird and wonderful that year were the first Soft Machine record, Tenderness Junction by The Fugs, and Strictly Personal by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band -- all known by fanatics and totally invisible to the general public. I think Jethro Tull's This Was is one of their best, despite lacking the guitar of Martin Barre and getting lost behind their later work. And The Steve Miller Band's Sailor is way better than The Joker and all that other '70s crap. Oh, and Spanky And Our Gang, and The Stone Ponys, did some awesome things that year. So that's my take on '68, lesser known edition. Big whoop.
Heya! Yeah, Time Peace is more of a compilation than anything, but you're right that it's freakin' amazing. Your "lesser known edition" is excellent, sir. Lots of high level picks there. Deeply appreciate the comment! Love it when knowledgeable folks chime in. Have a great one. 😁
Mr. Craig ... San Diego man you are with the beaches down the road .... how about Stack-o-Tracks by the Beach Boys .... all original instrumental hits. Oh well I tried, Wilson Pickett always a favorite with his hit songs.
