the 45's of 1969

Recently, for the Rock NYC blog I "reviewed" every significant 45 from the year 1969.
They were'nt as much reviews as they were single snippet comments. I'm going to migrate them over here, starting with this post. Only thing here is, they wont be in alphabetical order, because the files are all spread out over different computers and websites-So, we will start with the "G"s and just work our way around. I actually listened to about 325 45 A sides to accomplish this, so here goes.

Hair - The Cowsills-There’s much better Cowsills stuff than this, but it’s still good. At it’s core, it’s still a broadway show tune, and in this format it’s just a little hokey.

Handbags And Gladrags - Rod Stewart-This wouldn’t chart in the US until it was re-released in 1972. It’s a magnificent track.

He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother - The Hollies-Hey, did you know Elton John plays piano on this? Proof that no matter how poignant the subject matter, any song can still wind up as a beer commercial.

He Loves Me All The Way - Tammy Wynette-Smoky, sexy country.

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles-One last dash of magic from the fabs. George Harrison, songwriter.

Hitchin' A Ride - Vanity Fare-Not that many one hit wonders so far this year, but this is definitely one.

Holly Holy - Neil Diamond-Neil gives us a big hunk of gospel with Spector-esque production flourishes.

Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones-Great recording. The bass drum sounds like it’s right there in the room with you, and Keith just strums at the beginning until it’s time to hit that trademark riff.

Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly & The Family Stone-Another winner. It’s got horns and strings but doesn’t sound over polished at all. Natural, laid back groove. That fade out could’ve been thirty seconds longer.

Hot Sand - Shocking Blue-B side to “Venus”, The A side is better. We’ll talk about that once we hit the “V”s

Hot Smoke And Sassafras - The Bubble Puppy-Could swear I’ve heard this before, but can’t place when. It could pass for early Yes, from a structural standpoint.

I Can Hear Music - The Beach Boys-Not counting the early, early stuff, this is the first 45 not produced by Brian, with Carl taking over.

I Can't Get Next To You - The Temptations-Another heavy hitter from this year. Impeccable vocals, Pristine sound. It just leaps right out at you.

I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing (Open Up The Door I'll Get It Myself) - James Brown- This one has more of that raw, unbridled quality that flows so seamlessly from the live recordings. It really takes off half way through.


I Like What You're Doing To Me - Carla Thomas-I’m woefully ignorant of the Stax/Atlantic soul stuff, this should provide me with the impetus to correct that. Loved it.

I Threw It All Away - Bob Dylan-One of many “Nashville Skyline” highlights.

I Turned You On - The Isley Brothers-It could be that the 1969 funk/soul bar is set so high, because this one just doesn’t have the staying power of the competition.

I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges-In many ways, more frightening than “Schizoid Man”.

I Want To Take You Higher - Sly & The Family Stone-It’s starting to become apparent that 1969 is Sly’s year.

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5- #1 for three weeks in January.

I Bet You – Funkadelic- Like The Temptations, but way heavier. Dig all the screamin, hootin’ and hollerin’.

I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Bobbie Gentry
I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Dionne Warwick-Of these two, I prefer the Bobbie Gentry one. Her vocals are raspier, which makes the sentiment of the lyrics more believable. If you’ve never heard it, seek it out.

I'll See Him Through - Tammy Wynette-Tammy’s voice is bigger than a grain silo.

I'm A Man - Chicago Transit Authority-The entire first Chicago LP is just loaded with blistering lead guitar courtesy of Terry Kath. He really cuts loose here.

I'm Free - The Who-The opening rhythm guitar salvo by Pete Townshend is one of my favorite intros to any song. The “Pinball” reprise at the end is sheer awesomeness.

I'm Livin' In Shame - Diana Ross & The Supremes-The chorus really sneaks up on you, and boy it’s a corker.

Idaho - The Four Seasons-This is from “The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette” recognized in some circles as a lost classic LP. Never thought I’d ever refer to a Four Seasons track as ‘weird”, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

If I Were A Carpenter - June Carter & Johnny Cash-Johnny and June duet on the Tim Hardin tune, one of the most covered songs of the ‘60’s.


If It's Good To You (It's Good For You) - Eddie Bo-Another New Orleans funk legend unbeknownst to me until undertaking this task. I’m running out of adjectives to describe them.

Imagine The Swan - The Zombies-A foray into baroque rock with rich harmony and harpsichord. The chorus is great, but it’s kinda clunky getting there. Overall, worth a listen.

In The Court Of The Crimson King - King Crimson-Broken up into 2 parts for the 45, as a part one and two deal. It only made it as high as #80 in the US, but it is obviously one of the more groundbreaking recordings that are being reviewed here. A watershed moment in the history of pop.

In The Ghetto - Elvis Presley-After Elvis “came back” in ’67, he followed that up with an astonishing run of 45’s. This is one of them. I don’t think there’s ever been such a seamless amalgam of pop styles so skillfully executed on one record.

In The Land Of Make Believe - Dusty Springfield-I could listen to Dusty sing the phone book. Love how on this track how it’s chock full of orchestrations, but the playing is understated so we can focus on the vocals, as it should be. Wonderful recording.

In The Year 2525 - Zager & Evans-This is just bad, right down to the cheesy reverb on the vocals.

Indian Giver - 1910 Fruitgum Company-Before the days of political correctness, you could write a song like this, and actually sell it to children. Title aside, it’s a nice big hunk of bubblegum, complete with a key change at the end.

Is That All There Is? - Peggy Lee-Love the sparse arrangement with the banjo and horn punctuations. “Let’s break out the booze and have a ball”….couldn’t agree more.

It Don't Matter To Me – Bread-Mellow rock rears it’s ugly head, just kidding this is actually pretty good.