Category Archives: 1968

1968

Mixes By Year: 1968 Most Recommended Albums

1968 – My history professor in college taught a full class on ‘1968’ called ‘1968- The Terrible Year’. ’68 saw the assassinations of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and of prospective Democratic presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as well as the TET Offensive in Vietnam, which escalated the war, when President Johnson was promising a drawing down of troops. The 1968 Democratic National Convention saw both police and protesters turn violent on each other and idealism and hopefulness soon gave way to bitterness and cynicism among the young and the old alike. It was in many ways the beginning of the end of the hippie dream as well as a sea change in the ways both blacks and whites saw civil rights and race relations. Noisy psychedelic music and proto heavy metal reflected and anger and frustration of the times and the accessible soul of the mid-sixties built for crossover appeal gave way to hard-hitting funk and trippier soul.

Perhaps to take a left turn away from the fashion of the times many of music’s most popular bands and artists moved away from psychedelic rock and towards rootsy, stripped down folk-rock and country rock. Bob Dylan had recently survived a motorcycle accident and was holed up in his country home in Woodstock, NY, recording tons of music with a new group called the Band. Dylan’s album “John Wesley Harding” released in the last days of December in 1967, was a huge departure from his groundbreaking rock records, “Highway 61 Revisited”, “Bringing It All Back Home” & “”Blonde On Blonde”, but it wasn’t as much a return to his earlier folk music, as a new move forward. The arrangements were simpler, with a country-ish tinge that he would explore even more on 1969’s “Nashville Skyline”, and no obvious political bent. The Band released their own brilliant debut album “Music From the Big Pink”, which included several of Dylan’s compositions, and was highly influential on nearly all of music’s heaviest hitters. Gram Parsons, who’s International Submarine Band, may in fact be the first country rock music on record, joined the Byrds for their 1968 album “Sweetheart Of the Rodeo”, changing their sound drastically in the process. “Sweetheart Of the Rodeo” may be one of the finest country rock albums, if not country albums period, ever.

Though country music never went away in the sixties, it was becoming increasingly fashionable by ’68. Here you can find the antecedents of mid 70’s Outlaw country with legendary albums like “Live at Folsom Prison” by Johnny Cash “ “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard. Old school rocker Jerry Lee Lewis had successfully switched over to a country artist and two of his greatest songs “What Made Milwaukee Famous” and “Another Time, Another Place” were released in ’68 as well. Not to be outdone two of country music most popular ladies, Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn had huge years as well. Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” will forever be known as her signature cut and Lynn’s “Fist City” is one of her best as well. Country pop artist Glen Campbell, who had previously become a member of the Beach Boys, had a huge crossover smash with “Wichita Linemen”, his biggest hit in a string of solo hits begun the previous year. Country-tinged singer songwriter Joe South released his debut album “Introspect” which includes the great “Games People Play” and “Rose Garden”, which would become a #1 hit for Lynn Anderson in 1970.

The biggest rock groups in the world got into the roots rock act as well. After taking a strange one album detour into psychedelia and enduring the death of Brian Jones, the Rolling Stones released their best album to date with “Beggars Banquet”- still a rock album for sure but with several acoustic offerings like “Salt Of the Earth, “No Expectations” and “Prodigal Son”. Along with non-album #1 single “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”, “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Street Fightin’ Man” (both album tracks) became some of the Stones best and most well loved tracks and were certainly anthems of the time period. The Stones were bigger than ever. In ’67 The Beatles had released the seminal “Sgt. Peppers” album as well as a number of defining singles like “Strawberry Fields, “Penny Lane”, “Hello Goodbye” and “All You Need As Love” and the “Magical Mystery Tour mini album, the band seemed to be splintering. They recorded and released the amazing self-titled album, widely known as “The White Album”. It was their largest and most diverse offering yet encompassing both their loudest and quietest music, but was largely recorded as a series of separate solo tracks. Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and even Ringo all contributed great songs, but often the other Beatles did not play on them. Despite the lack of uniformity and that a few tracks were hit or miss, it’s tough to deny the brilliance of the album- it remains one of the best in their catalog. Though it did signal the end of the band and portended the emergence of the singer-songwriter era beginning in the “Me Decade” of the 70’s.

Several other 1968 artists of mention should be given credit in starting the singer-songwriter movement. Laura Nyro’s “Eli & the 13th Confession” may well have been a boilerplate for Carole King’s future success. It contains classics like “Eli’s Coming” (huge later hit for Three Dog Night) and “Sweet Blindness” and “Stoned Soul Picnic” (both later by the Fifth Dimension). The eccentric genius Harry Nilsson released his “Aerial Ballet” album, containing classic tracks like “One” (again a later hit by Three Dog Night) and “Everybody’s Talkin’”, the theme song of the ultra popular movie “Midnight Cowboy” a year later. Poet Leonard Cohen released his debut abum “Songs Of Leonard Cohen” on the same exact day as Dylan’s “John Wesley Harding”. Though it wouldn’t come near having any radio hits, it was massively influential on the present cognoscenti and the future alternative music crowd both. Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks”, his first solo record, did almost no sales upon release, but is now thought of as a true album rock classic. It’s one of the most hauntingly beautiful albums of all time. Folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel reached the peak of their popularity in ’68 with the release of their third proper album “Bookends” as well as the soundtrack to “The Graduate”, containing one of their signature songs “Mrs. Robinson”.

In addition to the Beatles and Stones many other great 1st and 2nd wave British Invasion bands were heavily in the mix in ’68 as well. The Kinks, unable to tour in America and past their biggest radio hit making days, made an album called “The Village Green Preservation Society”, a pastoral album championing and longing for the passed by old British society and traditions. In many ways it was the British counterpart to what Dylan, the Byrds and the Band were doing in the States. It moved completely away from the fashionable music at the time and sold next to nothing- especially in America. Today it’s heralded as their best, or at least one of their best albums. The Who was between albums big released their great “Magic Bus” single. 2nd tier 1st wave hit-makers, the Zombies released the fantastic “Odessey & Oracle” album, which also bombed sales-wise. He group broke up only to find that album track “Time Of the Season” would be released over a year later and would become their biggest hit. Though the album would remain out of print for many years it is now known as another lost classic- ’68 seems to be the first year with more than a handful of lost classics, making it a seminal year for alternative music as well. Tougher edged 2nd wave invasion groups like the Small Faces and the Pretty Things geared their 1968 albums more toward the psychedelic sound. The Pretty Things “S.F. Sorrow” was born was a full-on concept album said to be heavily influential on The Who’s “Tommy” a year later. The Small Faces “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” remains largely unknown in the U.K. but is thought of as a classic in Britain and is still their most widely regarded album. Steve Winwood’s band Traffic was riding the success of their late ’67 album “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and released their self-titled album containing the classic “Feelin’ Alright” which became even more famous when covered later by Joe Cocker. Cocker, himself, achieved his first bit of notoriety with Beatles cover “With a Little Help From My Friends” in ’68. Classical music/psychedelic rock hybrid The Moody Blues released “In Search of the Lost Chord” containing classics like “Ride My See Saw” and “Legend Of a Mind”, showing their heavier side after ballads lik “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights In White Satin” a year earlier. Blues rock group Fleetwood Mac had some of their first British hits with “Albatross” and “Black Magic Woman” but would remain unknown in America until the middle of next decade with a very different incarnation of the band.

Three of the biggest guitar Gods of the late sixties released huge albums in ’68. Jeff Beck’s album “Truth” was his debut album after leaving the Yardbirds. Supergroup trio Cream (with guitarist Eric Clapton) released their third album- the half studio/half live “Wheels Of Fire”, which held “Crossroads” and “White Room”, two of their mightiest songs. And finally the Jimi Hendrix Experience released their third and last album, the double “Electric Ladyland”. Those three albums would prove to be enormous influences on all heavy metal and guitar rock that came after them.
Some call 1968 the birth year of Heavy Metal. Though neither Black Sabbath nor even Led Zeppelin was alive yet there is a case to be made. The phrase “heavy metal” was coined in the Steppenwolf track “Born To Be Wild”, released in ’68. Though it may not sound very metal to the modern ear, it was heavier than almost anything that had come before it and brought a more metal attitude as well. Steppenwold were a huge commercial juggernaut, also reaping successes with tracks like “The Pusher” and “Magic Carpet Ride”. Even heavier and crazier was the band Blue Cheer, whose debut album “Vincebus Eruptum” and signature cut “Summertime Blues” pushed the boundaries of loud. If neither was ‘metal’ both, along with Cream, Hendrix and Beck, helped to set the table for it.

After the huge success of 1967’s Monterey Pop Festival, San Francisco was the new ‘It Spot’ for new bands. One of the scenes biggest was Big Brother & the Holding Company (featuring star lead single Janis Joplin). Their album “Cheap Thrills” was their first big success and contained the huge single “Piece of My Heart” as well as great album cuts like “Ball In Chain” and “Summertime”. The Grateful Dead release d their 2nd album “Anthem Of the Sun” but they were most re-known for their live shows and became the de-facto leaders of the scene. Jefferson Airplane released their third album “Crown Of Creation” and second tier bands Quicksilver Messenger Service and Moby Grape also saw success as well. Not to be outdone L.A. bands Canned Heat and the Doors had big success in ’68 as well. The Doors were one of the biggest bands in the country in the late 60’s. Their third album “Waiting For the Sun” is not thought of as one of their best it is highly underrated, containing classics like “Love Street”, “Not To Touch the Earth” and lead single #1 hit “Hello I Love You”. Canned Heat was a boogie band who had much in common with the SF bands released their first two albums, which included the biggest hits of their career “On the Road Again” and “Goin’ Up the Country”. SF band Creedence Clearwater Revival released their self-titled debut. Theirs was a mixture of boogie, roots music and swamp rock and within a year they would become one of the country’s biggest and best bands. Finally mixed race funk rock band Sly & the Family Stone released their first big hit “Dance to the Music” as well as their “Life” album. Though “Life” contained a few classic tracks, it was just a prelude of things to come. Their next two albums would change black music, music in general, forever.

Throughout the early to mid 60’s soul music seemed to have three or four different factions. The smooth crossover soul of Motown and the heavily Doo-wop influenced urban Chicago soul, as well as the harder edged funkier soul done at the Stax/Volt labels in Memphis and the deep southern soul often done at Rick Hall’s FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Though Motown remained a huge entity and still dominated the marketplace in ’68 their sounds began to change with the times. Holland/Dozier/Holland, the major writing/producing of earlier Motown gave way to Norman Whitfield, who wrote darker themes more suited to the times- sex, drugs, war & protest. One could say that the label was no longer as concerned about crossing over to the white audience, but one could also say that the white audiences tastes had changed to the point where middle of the road black music was no longer that appealing to them. Tracks like “Love Child” by the Supremes, “Cloud Nine” by the Temptations and even “I Heard It Through the Grapevine exemplified this change, though the label still hit big with more traditional love songs in ’68, especially hits by the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duo.

Atlantic and Stax/Volt soul music was running at full tilt. Aretha Franklin released her impeccable second Atlantic album “Lady Soul”, one of the classic soul albums of all time as well as her 3rd “Aretha Now”, which contains classic tracks like “I Say A Little Prayer” and “Think”. Sadly Otis Redding died in a plane crash in ’68 at the peak of his popularity. His signature track “(Sitting On) the Dock of the Bay” was released posthumously and became his biggest hit, showing that he was only just beginning to reach his full potential. Artists like Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, Archie Bell & the Drells, Eddie Floyd, the Impressions, the Dells, Jerry Butler & Clarence Carter had big hits in ’68 also. Philly group the Delfonics released their first singles, pointing toward the smoother Philadelphia soul music that would dominate the airwaves in the early to mid 70’s. Outside of Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown- both the godfather of soul & of funk, had huge hits like “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”, “Licking Stick-Licking Stick” & “I Got the Feelin’”. All of his biggest hits were much anticipated as no one led the way in black music like Brown. The Chambers Brothers combined psychedelic rock, funk & soul and had a huge hit with “Time Has Come Today”. New Orleans funk group the Meters released their first singles and other one hit wonders like “Soulful Strut” & “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles did well on the charts as well. Hard edged soul and funk would continue to expand its sound and be a major factor in music for the next half decade, until Disco blew up everything in its path.

Jazz was in a major transitional phase as well. Though it would be another year before the true fusion of Miles Davis’s “In A Silent Way”, many jazz artists were covering rock tracks and in the case of rock groups like Blood, Sweat & Tears and the Soft Machine rock groups were combing more than a little bit of jazz elements to their sound. The hard bop years for jazz had largely ended by ’68 and a move toward a more rock sound could be seen as cynically commercial for sure, but several artists really made it work. Eddie Harris’s two excellent funky jazz releases “Plug It In” and “The Electrifying Eddie Harris” are two prime examples. The jazz of ’68 acted as a bridge toward the heavier fusion of the 70’s, for better and for worse.

As I mentioned a few paragraphs above underground rock began to forge its path in the late 60’s as well. The Velvet Underground released their 2nd album “White Light/White Heat”, an even crazier, skronkier and drug-addled collection than their amazing debut. Frank Zappa’s Mothers Of Invention’s “We’re Only In It For the Money” challenged the hippie status quo from an insider’s perspective. Dr. John, from New Orleans took on the image of a voodoo priest and combined old-time rock n’ roll, psychedelic-rock, swamp music & tripped out soul with his excellent debut “Gris Gris”. Pink Floyd released their second album “A Saucerful of Secrets”, which was just as spaced out as their debut. In Brazil the very political Tropicalia movement spread across art, poetry, theater and music challenging the status quo, the government and the military. It combined elements of both popular music and the avant garde and took many cues from American and British psychedelic music as well as soul and funk. It’s main practitioners in the music realm at least were Caetano Veloso, Tom Ze, the band Os Mutantes & Gal Costa. All would release major albums and singles in 1968, which is said to be year 1 of the movement. In Jamaica it was year 1 for reggae music as well. The Ska and Rock Steady sound had dominated the 60’s in Jamaica but tracks like “Do the Reggay” by Toots & the Maytals and “The Isaelites” by Desmond Dekkar, though not as fully formed as the reggae sound we know today, were certainly different than what came before them.

VAN MORRISON- ASTRAL WEEKS
Van Morrison_Astral Weeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Astral Weeks – Van Morrison
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JEFF BECK- TRUTH
Jeff beck_Truth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Truth – Jeff Beck
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THE ZOMBIES- ODESSEY & ORACLE
The Zombies_Odessey & Oracle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Odessey and Oracle – The Zombies
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LAURA NYRO- ELI & THE 13TH CONFESSION
Laura Nyro_Eli & the 13th Confession

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Eli and the Thirteenth Confession – Laura Nyro
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THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE- ELECTRIC LADYLAND
The Jimi Hendrix Experience_Electric Ladyland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Electric Ladyland – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
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THE BYRDS- SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO
The Byrds_Sweetheart of the Rodeo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Legacy Edition) -The Byrds
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ARETHA FRANKLIN- LADY SOUL
Aretha Franklin_Lady Soul

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Lady Soul – Aretha Franklin
Buy Lady Soul [w/bonus selections] Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS- CHILD IS THE FATHER OF MAN
Blood, Sweat & Tears_Child Is the Father of Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Child Is Father to the Man – Blood, Sweat & Tears
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THE KINKS- WE ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETY
The Kinks_We Are the Village Green Preservation Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BAND- MUSIC FROM THE BIG PINK
The Band_Music From Big Pink

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Music From Big Pink (Remastered) – The Band
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THE BEATLES- THE BEATLES (AKA “THE WHITE ALBUM”)
The Beatles_White Album

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy The Beatles (White Album) – The Beatles
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FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION- WE’RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY
Frank Zappa & Mothers Of Invention_We're Only In It For the Money

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy We’re Only In It for the Money – The Mothers of Invention
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THE ROLLING STONES- BEGGARS BANQUET
The Rolling Stones_Beggar's Banquet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Beggars Banquet – The Rolling Stones
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THE PRETTY THINGS- S.F. SORROW WAS BORN
The Pretty Things_S.F. Sorrow Was Born

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy S.F. Sorrow – The Pretty Things
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BOB DYLAN- JOHN WESLEY HARDING
Bob Dylan_John Wesley Harding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy John Wesley Harding – Bob Dylan
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JOHNNY CASH- AT FOLSOM PRISON
Johnny Cash_At Folsom Prison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy At Folsom Prison (Legacy Edition) – Johnny Cash
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THE VELVET UNDERGROUND- WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT
The Velvet Underground_White Light White Heat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy White Light / White Heat – The Velvet Underground
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THE DOORS- WAITING FOR THE SUN
The Doors_Waiting For the Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Waiting for the Sun – The Doors
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LEONARD COHEN- SONGS OF
Leonard Cohen_Songs Of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Songs of Leonard Cohen (Bonus Track Version) – Leonard Cohen
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SIMON & GARFUNKEL- BOOKENDS
Simon & Garfunkel_Bookends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Bookends (Remastered) – Simon & Garfunkel
Buy Bookends [Bonus Tracks] Amazon

 

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 1

Best of 1968 Volume 1 (10/14/02)

1.  The Beatles- Revolution

Buy Revolution – The Beatles 1967-1970 (The Blue Album)
*Not available via Amazon

2.  The Rolling Stones- Sympathy For the Devil

Buy Sympathy for the Devil – Beggars Banquet
Buy Sympathy For The Devil Amazon

3.  Steppenwolf- Born To Be Wild

Buy Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Buy Born To Be Wild (Single Version) Amazon

4.  Sly & the Family Stone- Dance to the Music

Buy Dance to the Music – Dance to the Music
Buy Dance To The Music (Single Version) Amazon

5.  James Brown- Say It Loud (I’m Black & I’m Proud)

Buy Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud, Pt. 1 (Single Version) – Number 1’S
Buy Say It Loud – I’m Black And I’m Proud Amazon

6.  The Impressions- This Is My Country

Buy This Is My Country – This Is My Country
Buy This Is My Country Amazon

7.  Archie Bell & the Drells- Tighten Up

Buy Tighten Up Pt. 1 – Rhino Hi-Five – Archie Bell & the Drells – EP
Buy Tighten Up Pt. 1 Amazon

8.  Big Brother & the Holding Company- Summertime

Buy Summertime – Cheap Thrills
Buy Summertime (Big Brother & The Holding Company-Janis Joplin) Amazon

9.  The Temptations- I Wish It Would Rain

Buy I Wish It Would Rain – Number 1’s: The Temptations
Buy I Wish It Would Rain (Album Version) Amazon

10.  The Doors- Love Street

Buy Love Street – The Very Best of The Doors
Buy Love Street Amazon

11.  Van Morrison- Beside You

Buy Beside You – Astral Weeks
Buy Beside You Amazon

12.  Aretha Franklin- I Say a Little Prayer

Buy I Say a Little Prayer – Aretha Now
Buy I Say a Little Prayer Amazon

13.  The Supremes- Love Child

Buy Love Child – Number 1’s: Diana Ross & The Supremes
Buy Love Child Amazon

14.  Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell- You’re All I Need to Get By

Buy You’re All I Need to Get By – Number 1’s: Marvin Gaye
Buy You’re All I Need To Get By Amazon

15.  The Band- Chest Fever

Buy Chest Fever – Music From Big Pink (Remastered)
Buy Chest Fever (2000 Digital Remaster) Amazon

16.  The Byrds- Hickory Wind

Buy Hickory Wind – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Buy Hickory WindAmazon

17.  Bob Dylan- All Along the Watch Tower

Buy All Along the Watchtower – John Wesley Harding
Buy All Along The Watchtower Amazon

18.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Buy Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Experience Hendrix – The Best of Jimi Hendrix
Buy Voodoo Child (Slight Return) Amazon

19.  The Kinks- We Are the Village Green Preservation Society

Buy The Village Green Preservation Society – Hot Fuzz (Music from the Motion Picture)
*Not available via Amazon

20.  Tammy Wynette- Stand By Your Man

Buy Stand By Your Man – 16 Biggest Hits: Tammy Wynette
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21.  Otis Redding- (Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay

Buy (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Dock of the Bay
Buy [Sittin’ On] The Dock Of The Bay Amazon

22. Leonard Cohen- Suzanne

Buy Suzanne – Songs of Leonard Cohen (Bonus Track Version)
Buy Suzanne Amazon

 

 

 

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 2

Best of 1968 Volume 2 (10/15/02)

1.  The Rolling Stones- Street Fighting Man

Buy Street Fighting Man – Beggars Banquet
Buy Street Fighting Man Amazon

2.  The Amboy Dukes- Journey to the Center Of the Mind

Buy Journey to the Center of the Mind – Journey to the Center of the Mind
Buy Journey To The Center of the Mind Amazon

3.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- Crosstown Traffic

Buy Crosstown Traffic – Electric Ladyland
Buy Crosstown Traffic Amazon

4.  Cream- Crossroads

Buy Crossroads – The Cream of Clapton
Buy Crossroads Amazon

5.  Eddie Floyd- Big Bird

Buy Big Bird – Stax Profiles: Eddie Floyd
Buy Big Bird (LP Version) Amazon

6.  Sam & Dave- I Thank You

Buy I Thank You – Rhino Hi-Five: Sam & Dave – EP
Buy I Thank You Amazon

7.  Traffic- Feelin’ Alright

Buy Feelin’ Alright – Traffic (Bonus Track Version)
Buy Feelin’ Alright? Amazon

8.  The Who- Magic Bus

Buy Magic Bus – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Who
Buy Magic Bus Amazon

9.  Donovan- Hurdy Gurdy Man

Buy Hurdy Gurdy Man – Hurdy Gurdy Man
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10.  The Temptations- Cloud Nine

Buy Cloud Nine (Stereo) – Cloud Nine
Buy Cloud Nine Amazon

11.  James Brown- I Got the Feelin’

Buy I Got the Feelin’ (Single Version) – Number 1’S
Buy I Got The Feelin’ Amazon

12.  The O’Kaysians- Girl Watcher

Buy Girl Watcher – Sweet & Soulful 60’s
Buy Girl Watcher Amazon

13.  Van Morrison- Sweet Thing

Buy Sweet Thing – Astral Weeks
Buy Sweet Thing Amazon

14.  The Beatles- Dear Prudence

Buy Dear Prudence – The Beatles (White Album)
*track not available via Amazon

15.  The Band- Tears of Rage

Buy Tears Of Rage – Music From Big Pink (Remastered)
Buy Tears Of Rage (2000 Digital Remaster) Amazon

16.  Aretha Franklin- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone

Buy Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) – Lady Soul
Buy Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) Amazon

17.  The Supremes- Forever Came Today

Buy Forever Came Today (Single Version Stereo) – Gold: The Supremes
Buy Forever Came Today Amazon

18.  Big Brother & the Holding Company- Piece Of My Heart

Buy Piece of My Heart – Cheap Thrills
Buy Piece Of My Heart Amazon

19.  Merle Haggard- Mama Tried

Buy Mama Tried – Merle Haggard: 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Mama Tried Amazon

20.  Frank Zappa & the Mothers Of Invention- Who Needs the Peace Corps?

Buy Who Needs the Peace Corps? – We’re Only In It for the Money
Buy Who Needs The Peace Corps? Amazon

21.  The Velvet Underground- White Light/White Heat

Buy White Light / White Heat – White Light / White Heat
Buy White Light/White Heat Amazon

22.  Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell- Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing

Buy Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Number 1’s: Marvin Gaye
Buy Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing Amazon

23.  The Delfonics- La-La Means I Love You

Buy La-La Means I Love You – La-La Means I Love You (Remastered)
Buy La-La Means I Love You (Digitally Remastered 1997) Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 3

Best of 1968 Volume 3 (9/8/03)

1.  First Edition- I Just Dropped In to See what Condition My Condition Was In

Buy Just Dropped In – To See What Condition My Condition Was In – Anthology
Buy Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) Amazon

2.  The Chambers Brothers- Time Has Come Today

Buy Time Has Come Today – Time Has Come: The Best of the Chambers Brothers
Buy Time Has Come Today Amazon

3.  The Small Faces- Afterglow

Buy Afterglow (Of Your Love) – Ogdens Nut Gone Flake
Buy Afterglow (Of Your Love) Amazon

4.  Marvin Gaye- I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Buy I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Number 1’s: Marvin Gaye
Buy I Heard It Through The Grapevine Amazon

5.  Dr. John- Gris Gris (Gumbo Ya Ya)

Buy Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya – Gris-Gris
Buy Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya Amazon

6.  Desmond Dekkar- The Israelites

Buy Israelites – Reggae Gold
Buy Israelites Amazon

7.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- All Along the Watch Tower

Buy All Along the Watchtower – Electric Ladyland
Buy All Along The Watchtower Amazon

8.  The Beatles- Happiness Is a Warm Gun

Buy Happiness Is a Warm Gun – The Beatles (White Album)
*track not available via Amazon

9.  The Rolling Stones- Salt Of the Earth

Buy Salt of the Earth – Beggars Banquet
Buy Salt of the Earth – Beggars Banquet Amazon

10.  Simon & Garfunkel- America

Buy America – Bookends (Remastered)
Buy America – Bookends (Remastered) Amazon

11.  Aretha Franklin- (You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman

Buy (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin: 30 Greatest Hits
Buy You Make Me Feel Like a Natural WomanAmazon

12.  Bob Dylan- The Ballad of Frankie Lee & Judas Priest

Buy The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest – John Wesley Harding
Buy The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest Amazon

13.  Stevie Wonder- For Once In Your Life

Buy For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder: The Definitive Collection
Buy For Once In My Life (Album Version) Amazon

14.  Sam & Dave- Wrap it Up

Buy Wrap It Up – The Best of Sam & Dave
Buy Wrap It Up Amazon

15.  Tommy James & the Shondells- Crimon & Clover

Buy Crimson and Clover – Crimson & Clover
Buy Crimson and Clover (Long Version) Amazon

16.  Steppenwolf- Magic Carpet Ride

Buy Magic Carpet Ride – Gold: Steppenwolf
Buy Magic Carpet Ride Amazon

17.  The Velvet Underground- Sister Ray

Buy Sister Ray – White Light / White Heat
Buy Sister Ray Amazon

 

 

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 4

Best of 1968 Volume 4 (9/9/03)

1.  Joe Cocker- With a Little Help From My Friends

Buy With a Little Help from My Friends – Joe Cocker: The Anthology
Buy With A Little Help From My Friends (Album Version) Amazon

2.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)

Buy Come On (Let the Good Times Roll) – Electric Ladyland
Buy Come On (Let The Good Times Roll) Amazon

3.  Sly & the Family Stone- Fun

Buy Fun – The Essential Sly & the Family Stone
Buy Fun (Album Version) Amazon

4.  The Doors- Not to Touch the Earth

Buy Not to Touch the Earth – Waiting for the Sun
Buy Not To Touch The Earth ( LP Version ) Amazon

5.  The Band- The Weight

Buy The Weight – Music From Big Pink (Remastered)
Buy The Weight (2000 – Remaster) Amazon

6.  The Byrds- The Christian Life

Buy The Christian Life – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Buy The Christian Life – Sweetheart of the Rodeo Amazon

7.  The Kinks- Johnny Thunder

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

8.  The Beatles- Black Bird

Buy Blackbird – The Beatles (White Album)
*Track not available via Amazon

9.  Laura Nyro- Stoned Soul Picnic

Buy Stoned Soul Picnic – Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
Buy Stoned Soul Picnic Amazon

10.  Van Morrison- The Way Young Lovers Do

Buy The Way Young Lovers Do – Astral Weeks
Buy The Way Young Lovers Do Amazon

11.  Aretha Franklin- Ain’t No Way

Buy Ain’t No Way – Lady Soul
Buy Ain’t No Way Amazon

12.  Johnnie Taylor- Who’s Making Love

Buy Who’s Making Love – Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Who’s Making Love Amazon

13.   Clarence Carter- Slip Away

Buy Slip Away – Rhino Hi-Five: Clarence Carter – EP
Buy Slip Away (Single/LP Version) Amazon

14.  The Box Tops- Cry Like a Baby

Buy Cry Like a Baby – Best of the Box Top – Soul Deep (Remastered)
Buy Cry Like A Baby (Digitally Remastered: 1996) Amazon

15.  Archie Bell & the Drells- (There’s Gonna Be a) Showdown

Buy (There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown – Rhino Hi-Five – Archie Bell & the Drells – EP
Buy (There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown Amazon

16.  Jeff Beck- I Ain’t Superstitious

Buy I Ain’t Superstitious – Truth
Buy I Ain’t Superstitious Amazon

17.  The Monkees- Valleri

Buy Valleri – The Birds, the Bees, & the Monkees
Buy Valleri Amazon

18.  Dr. John- Mama Roux

Buy Mama Roux – Gris-Gris
Buy Mama Roux Amazon

19.  Frank Zappa & the Mothers Of Invention- Flower Punk

Buy Flower Punk – We’re Only In It for the Money
Buy Flower Punk Amazon

20.  Os Mutantes- Bat Macumba

Buy Bat Macumba – Os Mutantes
Buy Bat Macumba Amazon

21.  The Rolling Stones- Stray Cat Blues

Buy Stray Cat Blues – Beggars Banquet
Buy Stray Cat Blues Amazon

22.  The Supremes- Some Things You Never Get Used To

Buy Some Things You Never Get Used To (Single Version Stereo) – Gold: The Supremes
Buy Some Things You Never Get Used To Amazon

23.  Leonard Cohen- So Long Marianne

Buy So Long, Marianne – The Essential Leonard Cohen
Buy So Long, Marianne Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 5

Best of 1968 Volume 5 (5/13/06)

1.  The Rolling Stones- Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Buy Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Hot Rocks 1964-1971
Buy Jumpin’ Jack Flash Amazon

2.  The Bob Seger System- Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man

Buy Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man – Ultimate Hits: Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Buy Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man Amazon

3.  Wilson Pickett- I’m a Midnight Mover

Buy I’m a Midnight Mover – The Midnight Mover
Buy I’m A Midnight Mover (LP Version) Amazon

4.  The Band- This Wheel’s On Fire

Buy This Wheel’s On Fire – Music From Big Pink (Remastered)
Buy This Wheel’s On Fire Amazon

5.  The Byrds- You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

Buy You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Buy You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere Amazon

6.  Jerry Lee Lewis- What Made Milwaukee Famous Made a Loser Out of Me

Buy What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me) [Single Version] – The Definitive Collection: Jerry Lee Lewis
Buy What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me) Amazon

7.  Loretta Lynn- Fist City

Buy Fist City (Single Version) – The Definitive Collection: Loretta Lynn
Buy Fist City Amazon

8.  Canned Heat- On the Road Again

Buy On the Road Again – The Very Best of Canned Heat
Buy On the Road Again (2005 – Remaster) Amazon

9.  The Zombies- Time Of the Season

Buy Time of the Season – Odessey and Oracle
Buy Time Of The Season Amazon

10.  Young-Holt Limited- Soulful Strut

Buy Soulful Strut – The Definitive Young-Holt Unlimited
Buy Soulful Strut Amazon

11.  The Doors- Hello, I Love You

Buy Hello, I Love You – Waiting for the Sun
Buy Hello, I Love You ( LP Version ) Amazon

12.  The Kinks- Picture Book

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

13.  Simon & Garfunkel- Mrs. Robinson

Buy Mrs. Robinson – Bookends (Remastered)
Buy Mrs. Robinson (Album Version) Amazon

14.  Blood, Sweat & Tears- I Can’t Quit Her

Buy I Can’t Quit Her – Child Is Father to the Man
Buy I Can’t Quit Her Amazon

15.  Serge Gainsbourg (with Brigitte Bardot)- Bonnie & Clyde

Buy Bonnie and Clyde – Monsieur Gainsbourg Originals
Buy Bonnie And Clyde Amazon

16.  Leonard Cohen- Teachers

Buy Teachers – Songs of Leonard Cohen (Bonus Track Version)
Buy Teachers Amazon

17.  Jimi Hendrix Experience- Rainy Day, Dream Away

Buy Rainy Day, Dream Away – Electric Ladyland
Buy Rainy Day, Dream Away Amazon

18.  The Beatles- Helter Skelter

Buy Helter Skelter – The Beatles (White Album)
*Track not available via Amazon

19.  Aretha Franklin- Chain of Fools

Buy Chain of Fools – Lady Soul
Buy Chain of Fools Amazon

20.  The Rascals- People Got te Be Free

Buy People Got to Be Free (Single Version) – Essentials: The Rascals
Buy People Got To Be Free (Single Version) Amazon

21.  Toots & the Maytals- 54-46 (Was My Number)

Buy 54-46 Was My Number – The Very Best of Toots & the Maytals
Buy 54-46 Was My Number (Edit) Amazon

22.  The Dells- There Is

Buy There Is – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dells
Buy There Is (Single Version) Amazon

23.  Maurice & Mac- You Left the Water Running

Buy You Left the Water Running – Chess Chartbusters, Vol. 3
Buy You Left The Water Running Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 6

Best of 1968 Volume 6 (5/14/06)

1.  The Doors- Five to One

Buy Five to One – Waiting for the Sun
Buy Five To One ( LP Version ) Amazon

2.  The Bob Seger System- 2+2=?

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

3.  Crazy World of Arthur Brown- Fire

Buy Fire – Hot Fuzz (Music from the Motion Picture)
Buy Fire Amazon

4.  The Status Quo- Pictures of Matchstick Men

Buy Pictures of Matchstick Men – The Complete Pye Collection
Buy Pictures Of Matchstick Men (Stereo Version) Amazon

5.  The Zombies- Brief Candles

Buy Brief Candles – Odessey and Oracle
Buy Brief Candles Amazon

6.  The Turtles- Elenore

Buy Elenore – The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands
Buy Elenore Amazon

7.  Elvis Presley- Little Less Conversation

Buy A Little Less Conversation – The Essential Elvis Presley (Remastered)
Buy A Little Less Conversation Amazon

8.  James Brown- Licking Stick- Licking Stick

Buy Licking Stick – Licking Stick, Pt. 1 – The Singles, Vol. 5: 1967-1969
Buy Licking Stick – Licking Stick Amazon

9.  The Meters- Sophisticated Cissy

Buy Sophisticated Cissy – The Meters
Buy Sophisticated Cissy Amazon

10.  Cliff Nobles & Co.- The Horse

Buy The Horse (Stereo) – The Phil-LA of Soul Singles Collection 1968-1972
Buy The Horse – stereo Amazon

11.  Canned Heat- Goin’ Up the Country

Buy Goin’ Up the Country – The Very Best of Canned Heat
Buy Going Up The Country (2005 Digital Remaster) Amazon

12.  Gladys Knight & the Pips- End of Our Road

Buy The End of Our Road (Single) – The Best of Gladys Knight & The Pips: Anthology
Buy The End Of Our Road Amazon

13.  Jerry Butler- Never Gonna Give You Up

Buy Never Give You Up – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Jerry Butler
Buy Never Give You Up (Album Version) Amazon

14.  The Dells- Stay In My Corner (1968 Re-make)

Buy Stay in My Corner – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Dells
Buy Stay In My Corner (1969 Version) Amazon

15. William Bell & Judy  Clay- Private Number

Buy Private Number – Stax 50 – 50th Anniversary Celebration
Buy Private Number ((With Judy Clay) – Album Version) Amazon

16.  Percy Sledge- Take Time to Know Her

Buy Take Time to Know Her – The Ultimate Collection – When a Man Loves a Woman
Buy Take Time To Know Her Amazon

17.  The Intruders- Cowboys to Girls

Buy Cowboys to Girls – The Best of the Intruders – Cowboys to Girls
Buy Cowboys To Girls Amazon

18.  Aretha Franklin- Think

Buy Think – Aretha Now
Buy Think Amazon

19.  The Beatles- Sexy Sadie

Buy Sexy Sadie – The Beatles (White Album)
*Track not available via Amazon

20.  Blood, Sweat & Tears- My Days Are Numbered

Buy My Days Are Numbered – Blood Sweat & Tears: The Collection
Buy My Days Are Numbered Amazon

21.  Pink Floyd- Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

Buy Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun – A Saucerful of Secrets (Remastered)
Buy Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun (2011 – Remaster) Amazon

22.  The Kinks- Days

Buy Days – The Ultimate Collection
Buy Days Amazon

23.  Bob Dylan- I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight

Buy I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight – The Essential Bob Dylan
Buy I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight (Album Version) Amazon

24.  Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge- The Worst That Could Happen

Buy The Worst That Could Happen – The Best Of Johnny Maestro And The Brooklyn Bridge
Buy The Worst That Could Happen Amazon

 

 

 

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 7

Best of 1968 Volume 7 (8/31/13)

1. The Pretty Things- S.F. Sorrow Was Born

Buy S.F. Sorrow Is Born – S.F. Sorrow
Buy S.F. Sorrow Is Born Amazon

2. The Zombies- This Will Be Our Years

Buy This Will Be Our Year – Odessey and Oracle
Buy This Will Be Our Year Amazon

3. The Rascals- A Beautiful Morning

Buy A Beautiful Morning – Time Peace – The Rascals’ Greatest Hits
Buy A Beautiful Morning (Single Version) Amazon

4. The Moody Blues- Ride Me See-Saw

Buy Ride My See-Saw – In Search of the Lost Chord (Remastered)
Buy Ride My See-Saw Amazon

5. Cream- White Room

Buy White Room – Wheels of Fire (Remastered)
Buy White Room (Album Version) Amazon

6. The Nazz- Open My Eyes

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

7. The Velvet Underground- I Heard Her Call My Name

Buy I Heard Her Call My Name – White Light / White Heat
Buy I Heard Her Call My Name Amazon

8. Blue Cheer- Summertime Blues

Buy Summertime Blues – Vincebus Eruptum
Buy Summertime Blues Amazon

9. The Jeff Beck Group- Beck’s Bolero

Buy Beck’s Bolero – Truth
Buy Beck’s Bolero Amazon

10. The Jimi Hendrix Experience- 1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)

Buy 1983… (A Merman I Should Turn to Be) – Electric Ladyland
Buy 1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be) Amazon

11. The Grateful Dead- Dark Star (Single Version)

Buy Dark Star (Single Version) – What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been – The Best of the Grateful Dead
Buy Dark Star [Single Version] Amazon

12. Van Morrison- Astral Weeks

Buy Astral Weeks – Astral Weeks
Buy Astral Weeks Amazon

13. Laura Nyro- Sweet Blindness

Buy Sweet Blindness – Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
Buy Sweet Blindness Amazon

14. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood- Some Velvet Morning

Buy Some Velvet Morning – Nancy & Lee
Buy Some Velvet Morning Amazon

15. The Byrds- Nothing Was Delivered

Buy Nothing Was Delivered – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Buy Nothing Was Delivered Amazon

16. Johnny Cash- Cocaine Blues (Live)

Buy Cocaine Blues (Live) – At Folsom Prison (Live)
Buy Cocaine Blues (Live) Amazon

17. The Beatles- Everybody’s Got Something To Hid Except For Me & My Monkey

Buy Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey – The Beatles (White Album)
*Track not available via Amazon

18. The Kinks- Do You Remember Walter?

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

19. Harry Nilsson- One

Buy One – Aerial Ballet
Buy One Amazon

20. The Band- I Shall Be Released

Buy I Shall Be Released – Music From Big Pink (Remastered)
Buy I Shall Be Released (2000 Digital Remaster) Amazon

21. The Monkees- Porpoise Song

Buy Porpoise Song (Theme from “Head”) – Head
Buy Porpoise Song (Theme From “Head”) (LP Version) Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1968 Volume 8

Best of 1968 Volume 8 (9/1/13)

1.  Friend & Lover- Reach Out of the Darkness

Buy Reach Out Of The Darkness – Lost Oldies But Goodies
Buy Reach Out Of The Darkness Amazon

2.  Spirit- I Got a Line On You

Buy I Got a Line On You – The Best of Spirit
Buy I Got A Line On You Amazon

3.  The Kinks- Big Sky

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

4.  Fleetwood Mac- Albatross

Buy Albatross – The Pious Bird of Good Omen (Remastered)
Buy Albatross Amazon

5.  The Grateful Dead- That’s It For the Other One

Buy That’s It for the Other One, Pts. I-IV – Anthem of the Sun
Buy That’s It For The Other One (Parts I-IV) Amazon

6.  Harry Nilsson- Everybody’s Talkin’

Buy Everybody’s Talkin’ (From “Midnight Cowboy”) – Harry Nilsson: Greatest Hits
Buy Everybody’s Talkin’ (From “Midnight Cowboy”) Amazon

7.  Bob Dylan- John Wesley Harding

Buy John Wesley Harding – John Wesley Harding
Buy John Wesley Harding – John Wesley Harding Amazon

8.  The Byrds- One Hundred Years From Now

Buy One Hundred Years from Now – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Buy One Hundred Years From Now Amazon

9.  The Rolling Stones- Jigsaw Puzzle

Buy Jigsaw Puzzle – Beggars Banquet
Buy Jigsaw Puzzle Amazon

10.  Joe South- Games People Play

Buy Games People Play – Classic Masters (Remastered)
Buy Games People Play (2002 Digital Remaster) Amazon

11.  Sir Douglas Quintet- Mendocino

Buy Mendocino – Easy Rider (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) [Deluxe Edition]
Buy Mendocino Amazon

12.  Glen Campbell- Wichita Lineman

Buy Wichita Lineman – 20 Greatest Hits
Buy Wichita Lineman Amazon

13.  The Beatles- While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Buy While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles (White Album)
*track not available via Amazon

14.  Blood, Sweat & Tears- I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know

Buy I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Child Is Father to the Man
Buy I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know Amazon

15.  The Zombies- Care of Cell 44

Buy Care of Cell 44 – Odessey and Oracle
Buy Care of Cell 44 Amazon

16.  Leonard Cohen- Master Song

Buy Master Song – Songs of Leonard Cohen (Bonus Track Version)
Buy Master Song Amazon

17.  The Pretty Things- Old Man Going

Buy Old Man Going – S.F. Sorrow
Buy Old Man Going Amazon

18. Os Mutantes- Ave Gengis Khan

Buy Ave Gengis Khan – Os Mutantes
Buy Ave Gengis Khan Amazon

19.  Serge Gainsbourg- Bloody Jack

Buy Bloody Jack – Initials B B
Buy Bloody Jack (Album Version)Amazon

20.  The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Burning of the Midnight Lamp

Buy Burning of the Midnight Lamp – Electric Ladyland
Buy Burning Of The Midnight Lamp Amazon