DJ Favorites 2009
Cyberlarson, host of One O'Clock Radio (Friday Nights/Saturdays 3-6am)
7 Forgotten Albums of 1969
Cat Mother and the All Night Newsboys -- Premiere Album, The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away" was a mix of old fashioned rock and roll and shades of Country Rock. Genuinely fun album to listen. They had one hit, "Good Old Rock n Roll" And their first album was produced by Jimi Hendrix.
The Flock -- Premiere Album, The Flock was another jazz/rock fusion band with violin by Jerry Goodman. Jerry would move on to a career of his own. They were competing in the genre with the likes of Chicago; Blood, Sweat and Tear; and Santana for that broader freeform style. Unlike their contemporaries, The Flock leaned heavily in the direction of Jazz.
Jackie Lomax -- Premiere Album, Is This What You Want? was a rich blues/rock album with numerous potential hits. It was tight with horns on some of the cuts. But the production of this album would end up being his curse. He was signed to the Beatles' Apple label. The backing band would consist of Eric Clapton, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Nicky Hopkins. Two of the songs were penned by George Harrison. The Beatles' breakup followed soon after and he went unsupported by his label.
The Move -- Album, Shazam was The Move's transition from a pop/psychedelic group to something a bit heavier. That made for a intriguing album, pop with an edge. This would be the beginning of the end for the Move as they transformed into Electric Light Orchestra. While they were huge in England, they were peripheral in American rock.
Harry Nilsson -- Album, Harry was his third album. He was a master of the piano driven pop song. This album was just before his blast into the top 40. He was already John Lennon's favorite artist, which helped him immensely when the record label wanted to drop him years later. He does a cover of Mother Nature's Son, where he out-McCartney's McCartney.
Rhinoceros -- Album, Satin Chickens was the second album by this group. This was a manufactured band by Elektra records wanting to put together a super group. One from Iron Butterfly; another from The Mothers of Invention; another from Electric Flag... and Rhinoceres was formed. They put together a very Blues oriented album with just a pinch of Country to taste.
New York Rock and Roll Ensemble -- Album, Faithful Friends was the second album by this eclectic group. Formed by Michael Kamen, who would become well known as a Composer working with many rock groups in the following decades, The Wall by Pink Floyd being one of his collaborations. This album was a mix of Folk, Rock, Blues. One song in particular, Sing Lady Sing, would be reworked and become Them Changes a minor hit for Buddy Miles.
