Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
1965
Tracks
1. Mr Tambourine Man
2. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
3. Spanish Harlem Incident
4. You Won't Have To Cry
5. Here Without You
6. Bells Of Rhymney
7. All I Really Want To Do
8. I Knew I'd Want You
9. It's No Use
10. Don't Doubt Yourself Babe
11. Chimes Of Freedom
12. We'll Meet Again
Amanda: Wow, that was wonderful.
I knew I would love it. I mean early boy band+competitors of The Beatles=awesomeness. I had previously enjoyed a few of their songs ("She's Got a Way" most notably) but this was incredible. They remade a couple of Bob Dylan songs that I thought were a lot better than the orginals. The album is even named after one of his songs. These guys were like the US version of The Beatles. I, of course, will always be loyal to my British chaps, but I still love The Byrds. A worthy opponent.
RATING: 
Brie: When the Byrds released "Mr. Tambourine Man", they gave Bob Dylan his first #1 hit. The success of his song inspired Dylan to make his ever so famous turn to electric music.
I really didn't like the Byrds version of "Mr. Tambourine Man". Maybe it is because I've listen to Dylan's version so many times, but Bob's version is timeless while the Byrds cover sounds stuck in the sixties. I hate to say this, but they kind of butchered one of my favorite songs of all time, "Spanish Harlem Incident". Listen to Dylan's version. It is so much better. I was really curious to see what the Byrds would do with "All I Really Want To Do", just because of the quirky way Dylan sang it, and I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised. The song fits the Byrds whole vibe really well. I feel like the Byrds didn't do "Chimes Of Freedom" justice. It is a song of protest and struggles and I think the song just didn't suit their style.
I really don't find anything special about the lead singer, Jim McGuinn's vocals. He lacks a certain... je ne sais quoi. Substance, maybe? The better songs were "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better", and "Here Without You".
RATING:
Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
1965
Tracks
1. Strolling Down The Highway
2. Smokey River
3. Oh How Your Love Is Strong
4. I Have No Time
5. Finches
6. Veronica
7. Needle Of Death
8. Do You Hear Me Now
9. Rambling's Gonna Be The Death Of Me
10. Alice's Wonderland
11. Running From Home
12. Courting Blues
13. Casbah
14. Dreams Of Love
15. Angie
Amanda: Could it be? A country-esque album that I like? Damn, are the planets aligning again?
I have been a little bit stressed today and Jansch's voice is very calming and peaceful. He sounds like a major drifter which I always like in men. The songs are mostly about constantly moving from place to place. I pictured him strumming his guitar and camping, looking at the stars which was a very peaceful image for me. So maybe it is just what I needed today but I loved it.
RATING:
Brie: Well, it is no surprise that I love folk music. This was such a pleasant album to listen to. Bert Jansch's Scotish accent comes through at times, which makes him all the more charming. Also, his accent reminds me of one of my favorite musicians of all time, Alexi Murdoch, who is also Scottish and plays a similar style of guitar centered folk. Many songs sound very Nick Drake-ish. I can also find the similarity between Drake and Jansch that they both write music that is very melancholy, but in the sweetest possible way. One thing that is so impressive about this album is that it is recorded with just one guitar being played. I don't find Jansch as eloquent or extraordinary as other songwriters I have heard, but his songs are beautiful in spite of that. I mean, come on the guy has a some big names to live up to. One of the reasons that this album was so influential is that the guitar playing was so inventive that it inspired such iconic musicians as Marianne Faithfull and Niel Young.
RATING:
Rubber Soul
The Beatles of course!
1965
Tracks
1. Drive My Car
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won't See Me
4. Nowhere Man
5. Think For Yourself
6. Word
7. Michelle
8. What Goes On
9. Girl
10. I'm Looking Through You
11. In My Life
12. Wait
13. If I Needed Someone
14. Run For Your Life
Amanda: Although I like The Beatles in any manifestation in which they appear, I realize everyone doesn't. If you think The Beatles are too poppy or shallow, this album is for you. This is probably my favorite album of theirs after A Hard Day's Night (although it may even beat that). The harmonizing is excellent and the songs have a lot more depth. My favorite is probably "Norwegian Wood" though really, there is not a bad track in the entire album. The song "Girl" protests the actions of the Catholic Church and who doesn't love that? If you will look to your right, you will see a poll. After listening to this album, you will be inclined to choose The Beatles. Go with this instinct. We are 50/50 right now and Brie and I aren't voting. We must beat Bob Dylan!!!!
RATING:
Brie: This is my favorite Beatles album so far. Starting with this album, the Beatles started getting much better, in my opinion. I think we have all heard "Drive My Car" a hundred times, so that wasn't anything special. I really liked "Norwegian Wood" a lot; was that a mandolin I heard? If so, a big thumbs up to you, Beatles. I approve. I know covers are never as good as the original song, but in this case I like The Wallflowers' version of "I'm Looking Through You" way better. Give it a listen! I do think it is one of Paul's masterpieces, though. Overall, excellent job by the Beatles!
"Girl" makes me lean towards John as my favorite Beatle. My stand-by is George, though. I like his solo work the best.
So, who is everyone's favorite Beatle? We'd love to hear your comments!!!
RATING:
Live at the Regal
B.B. King
1965
Tracks
1. Everyday I Have The Blues
2. Sweet Little Angel
3. It's My Own Fault
4. How Blue Can You Get
5. Please Love Me
6. You Upset Me Baby
7. Worry Worry
8. Woke Up This Mornin'
9. You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
10. Help The Poor
Amanda: Today has been such an ordinary day for me (besides a brief embarrassing moment concerning a joke that did NOT land). This album fits in perfectly because it was so...meh.
B.B. King tells short stories before each song which was probably my favorite parts of the album. The instruments aren't handled with much dexterity and the lyrics are forgettable and unorginal. I mean, it was pleasant but I don't think it was worthy to be in a 1001 Album book. Apparently, a lot of people think this. I have never heard of any B.B. King fans.
RATING:
Brie: I thought your joke was funny. Anyway, I agree. As great as the guitars or vocals might be, the album was just forgettable and so... commonplace. B.B. King was a pretty good live performer, I guess, because judging from the reactions of the audience he knew how to get people excited about his music. As Amanda mentioned, he did tell clever little stories in between songs sometimes, but other than that I can't really mention any highlights.
I thought this fact was interesting: B.B. King grew up in a town without electricity, yet he learned how to play the electric guitar.
RATING:
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
1965
Amanda: My sister has a bunch of Beach Boy songs on her iPod and she would used to play them when we would play pool. Of course, if you have heard one of their songs you have heard them all. After listening to them for a couple hours, I wanted to smash her iPod. However, in small doses they are quite enjoyable. This is probably the best album of theirs that I have heard. My brother sings "Don't Hurt My Little Sister!" to people all the time(right Mike?) and "Help Me, Ronda" is classic. They really like their false starts, don't they? The book (which I will give back to you Saturday, Brie) said that the worst track so far is in this album. They are referring to the Bull Session. All I can say is, I laughed a lot. The worst track is and always will be "Knoxville Girl"!!!!!
RATING:
Brie: I just keep picturing sunsets and breezy beaches. A couple of these songs are okay, but I could only listen to them every once in a long, long while. My favorites were "Do You Wanna Dance?" because it reminds me of childhood days spent at the pool, and "She Knows Me Too Well" because it shows a more sensitive, serious side to the Beach Boys. Does anyone else have it in their mind that the Beach Boys only sing in tropical locations? I feel like they wouldn't be able to survive in other climates.
RATING:
