January 1968

Music news for January 1968

Johnny Cash records live at Folsom State Prison in California. Jimi Hendrix got in a drunken fight with Noel Redding and was jailed by Stockholm police. The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” and Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fool were number one hits.

Top 500 Albums of All-Time for January 1968

The Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/2a5vbe7uTRGAshFI80sfAl?utm_source=generator

Aretha Franklin – Lady Soul

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/7lEOKZaOpqP70UYqdLPejG?utm_source=generator

Album Rewind Picks of the Month for January 1968

Taj Mahal – Taj Mahal

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0kEaFupzvrGdcczROS519i?utm_source=generator

Steppenwolf – Steppenwolf

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/64q58AfjSrrX9Egp7Zryw8?utm_source=generator

Tier ranking of my top 5 albums for January 1968

S Tier:

Aretha Franklin – Lady Soul (soul)

A Tier:

Taj Mahal – Taj Mahal (blues)

B Tier:

Steppenwolf – Steppenwolf (psychedelic rock, blues rock)

Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat (garage rock)

Miles Davis – Nefertiti (jazz)

C Tier:

none

Random Musings:

Notable albums that didn’t make my top 5: Dr. John – Gris Gris /// The Byrds – The Notorious Byrd Brothers /// Blue Cheer – Vincebus Eruptum

Two albums for pick of the month: The debut albums from both Steppenwolf and Taj Mahal. Up to this point I’ve only had one album for pick of the month and sometimes it’s difficult to find one. I enjoyed both of these albums so much that I couldn’t pick just one. Some great psychedelic/blues rock from Steppenwolf and some great electric blues from Taj Mahal.

A bit overrated: The Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat. I like hard rock, punk and heavy metal, but I just can’t get into “noise rock” and that’s what this album is. This is one of those albums that I can understand why it’s considered a top album of all-time and groundbreaking for it’s time, but it’s just not my thing.

Album Rewind Favorite Songs for January 1968:

  • Taj Mahal – Leaving Trunk
  • Taj Mahal – Checkin’ Up On My Baby
  • Steppenwolf – Sookie, Sookie
  • Steppenwolf – Born to be Wild
  • Steppenwolf – The Pusher
  • Aretha Franklin – Chain of Fools
  • Aretha Franklin – (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone
  • The Velvet Underground – Here She Comes Now
  • Miles Davis – Nefertiti
  • Miles Davis – Fall

Album Rewind Rating for January 1968 = 8.5/10