1. The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

It took me far too long to get around to buying this album, and only the recent remastering encouraged me. This was however another relevation easily showcasing why this band is still so popular today. This is almost flawless, a perfect mix of pop and rock with many simpy excellent tracks. On the pop side you get ‘Octopus’ Garden’ and ‘Here Comes The Sun’ and the more prevailant rock style includes two of my favourite Beatles tracks ‘Come Together’ and ‘I Want You’. The first 9 tracks represent a more standard length album, followed by a series of shorter peices which for the most part combine and link together. An awesome record.

2. Dusty Springfield - Dusty In Memphis (1969)

One of the great female vocals of the 60’s, Dusty Springfield’s Memphis album has grown in reputation over the years, after being largely overlooked at the time of release. Containing superb Atlantic records production and beautiful instrumental arrangements backing Dusty’s smooth and soulful vocals, this is a really lovely album. ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’ is the most successful track, but here everything is just gorgeous. The version of this album to buy is the Rhino remastered edition as it contains 14 extra tracks from another Atlantic session to accompany the original eleven tracks. One of the smoothest ever albums of all time to chill out to.

3. Led Zeppelin - One (1969)

I grew up thinking that I didn’t like Led Zeppelin, so i never bought any of their albums until i reached my early 40’s which is quite shocking. However, once I finally gave them a proper chance I realised that their first 3 albums are fantastic, but I just cant agree with a general consensus pointing to album IV as their best, I personally prefer their debut album, enjoying their mix of styles from rock, blues to folk and even an early touch of punk evident. The strong lead guitar rifts and layered effects are excellent. In particular the intrical guitars on ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ and the closing epic ‘How Many More Times’ are a stunning listen and just round off a classic all round album.

4. The Beatles - Seargent Pepper (1967)

This album has so much high standing and also much variety to keep you interested and needs no introduction. Rated as one of the all time best, the fact it is considered a conceptual piece also makes it more appealing to me. I can certainly appreciate its classic status, it contains many moments of pure excellence, in particular ‘With A Little Help’, ‘Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds’ and the truly amazing ‘Day In The Life’. A close 2nd place to Abbey Road as their best release, but that said this is a classic that will be in almost everyones collections.

5. Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds Of Silence (1968)

This is the second album from Simon & Garfunkel and on balance my favourite album just beating the great ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ from 1970. Bookended by arguably my favourite tracks from this duo, ‘The Sound Of Silence’ and ‘I Am A Rock’ it is a generally more acoustic affair with amazing guitar work, but still manages to drift into more rocky pieces with ‘Richard Cory’, and ‘We’ve Got A Groovy Thing Going’. Like me i expect many people just own a definitive best of release of Simon & Gurfunkel, however as i now realise this leaves many great tracks behind and this album remains one of the great 60’s releases.

6. Crosby Stills & Nash -  Crosby Stills & Nash (1969)

Crosby, Stills & Nash were formed from members who had been ousted by two other bands, The Hollies and The Byrds, as well as the dissolved Buffalo Springfield. Each member brought a different strength to their collective effort to produce one of the great albums of the 60’s and a forerunner for rock styles continued by The Eagles and Jackson Brown. This album blends vocal harmonies with a mix of folk, country and rock music to produce a slightly soft and laid back sound with excellent guitar work. ‘Marakesh Express’ became the most famous single for the band, but the track ‘Wooden Ships’ stands out as a real classic.

7. The Byrds - The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968)

My favourite Byrds album, and a mix of folk, rock and psychedelia with a blending of melodic and experimentation. The opening track ‘Artificial Energy’ employs a blaze trumpets and the final track ‘Space Odyssey’ is a moog driven futuristic affair. Between these are blends of folk style guitar playing alongside heavier outbursts of rock. It is a great listen with the best tracks including ‘Going Back’, ‘Tribal Gathering’ and ‘Draft Morning’. Songs here flow effortless from one to the next. The Byrds moved onto their country phase after this release and whilst not the most commercially successful, this is one to remember.

8. Dusty Springfield - Where Am I Going (1967)

Dusty Springfield’s album ‘Where Am I Going’ has recently deposed her debut release ‘A Girl Called Dusty’ from my top list. Whilst mostly built around her softer sultry approach it is complimented by a couple of big band numbers. The overall strength of the album really shines through and is only really bettered by ‘Dusty In Memphis’. Given my preference for her softer approach, tracks such as ‘I Cant Wait To See My Baby’s Face’, ‘Chained To A Memory’, ‘Close To You’, ‘Welcome Home’, ‘If You Go Away’, ‘Broken Blossoms’ and ‘Where Am I Going’ are all fabulous, but these are well supported by ‘Sunny’ and ‘Take Me For A Little While’.

9. The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

This album contains 6 tracks written for the TV production of the same name but also added in various other releases from 1967 which just happens to include a number of great singles including ‘Hello Goodbye’, ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Strawberry Fields’, the latter two being written at the same time as the Seargent Pepper album and may explain why i like these almost as much. Despite its split personality it all hangs together and works well as one album. This period around the mid to late 60’s seems to be the era when the band was at the top of their game.

10. The Doors - The Doors (1967)

Another classic group from the 60’s with a highly admired debut album. This record has its own unique sound, a blend of rock, blues and jazz with a shimmering electric organ sound that underpins the rock music and sweeps into soaring keyboard solo’s. This is highlighted by the most famous track ‘Light My Fire’. The album is a dark and brooding affair and one where Jim Morrison’s vocals are passionate and emotional, and the poetical lyrics painted images that seemed risqué at the time. The latest re-mastered edition addresses some issues from the original release and improves the clarity and depth making it a great listen.

11. Neil Young - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)

Neil Young’s first collaboration with The Crazy Horse support band led to this great album, ‘Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere’. Opening with the electric ‘Cinnamon Girl’, a strong rift driven track. This album blends shorter punchier rock tracks with some more rambling musical expressions such as ‘Cowgirl In The Sand’ and ‘Down By The River’. The acoustic side of the album comes to the fore with ‘Round And Round’ and ‘Running Dry’. Ultimately this is one of my favourite Neil Young albums, where the high quality of the musicians shines throughout making it a great listen. 

12. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go (1964)

One of the great motown albums written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland it was the 2nd studio album from The Supremes. It contains a whole host of hit singles including ‘Where Did Our Love Go’, ‘Baby Love’ and ‘Come See About Me’ plus a couple of more minor hits ‘Run, Run, Run’ and ‘A Breathtaking Guy’. This launched the group into stardom and the whole album sounds great. Other great tracks here include ‘When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes’ and ‘You Kiss Of Fire’. If you like this one then also try the equally highly rated ‘The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland’.

13. Barbara Streisand - My Name Is Barbara Two (1965)

Barbara Streisand is one of the most prolific female sellers of all time. During the 60’s her music showcased the theatrical shows and the album ‘My Name Is Barbara Two’ supported her successful television series. This album is quite unlike anything else i own and highlights an historic narrower appreciation of musical styles. However it has qrown into one i really appreciate at the right time. With hits from West End productions of ‘Drat The Cat’ and ‘Passion Flower Hotel’ tracks such as ‘He Touched Me’ highlights her outstanding vocals. ‘Second Hand Rose’ showcases this release, and is also woven throughout the final ‘Medley’ track.

14. The Beatles - The White Album (1968)

The Beatles ‘White Album’ is rated by many as their best release, however taken as a double album i find this release is a mixed bag, and would have been more than happy with this as a single LP release of the better tracks. There seems to be a few fillers on the 2nd LP especially, which isnt as strong except for the excellent music hall ‘Honey Pie’ and ‘Good Night’. That said, the brilliance of the first LP simply lifts this to greatness, with extracts from the 2nd considered an added bonus. The opening track selection is particularly strong including ‘Dear Prudence’, ‘Glass Onion’ and ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’.

15. Led Zeppelin - II (1969)

Another classic album from Led Zeppelin, and a worthy follow up to one of the greatest debut albums. On the whole this album is slightly heavier in content and has less variation in styles. It opens with the well known top of the pops guitar rift ‘Whole Lotta Love’. and from then on the album never lets up with great track after track. Favourites include ‘Thank You’, ‘Ramble On’ and ‘Livin Lovin Maid’, and worthy of note is the drum solo track ‘Moby Dick’ which grows on you the more you hear it. This was one of the best selling albums of the 60’s and deserves its place in anyones collection from the era.