With all the recent discussion around here on late 60s psych/baroque pop (and "lost classics" of the era), and more or less as a result of my love affair with O&O, I’ve been compiling a list of related albums with the intention of adding them to my collection as I find them. I figured I’d post the list here as well. (And sincerest apologies to anyone who’s getting sick of the subject).

If anyone knows of any other albums that fit under this umbrella (ella, ella,... god help me) feel free to make suggestions here.

The Zombies – Odessey & Oracle
The Kinks – Village Green Preservation Society
Love – Forever Changes
The Millennium – Begin
Billy Nicholls – Would You Believe
The Left Banke – Walk Away Renee
The Hollies – Evolution
The Hollies - Butterfly
Small Faces – Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake
J.K. & Co – Suddenly One Summer
The Monkees – Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn, Jones
Herman’s Hermits – Blaze
Harry Nilsson – Aerial Ballet
Van Dyke Parks – Song Cycle
Sagittarius – Present Tense
Margo Guryan – Take A Picture
Nirvana – All of Us

Dumbangel, you mentioned the following artists in a previous thread. Would you be able to suggest a notable album for each?

HP Lovecraft
Harmony Grass
Aerovons
The Association
Nick Garrie
Harper's Bizarre
The Yellow Balloon
Montage
Sandy Salisbury
The Free Design
Roger Nichols & the Small Circles of Friends

S.F. SORROW by the Pretty Things would fit in here, I think. I'd include THE WHO SELL OUT as well - it's by far their trippiest album, with lots of weird studio effects and a few songs ("I Can See for Miles", of course, but also "Armenia City in the Sky", "Relax", the incomparable "Tattoo") that wouldn't be out of place on the other albums you mention.

There were also these four guys from Liverpool who did some pretty baroque stuff at times. I can't place their name at the moment but I think Moonbeam's a big fan.

"Four guys from Liverpool" ... lol

Thanks for the laugh, Harold (and for the two suggestions). Yeah, I purposely left off the obvious names.

The tag you have created for this is interesting Anthony. I am not questioning it, just riffing off of it.

First, I sense there is a slight difference between baroque pop and psychedelic pop (and I am riffing mainly off of the definitions for the two provided by allmusic.com). Baroque's ornamentation relies on layering more traditional instruments and orchestral instrumentation. Psychedelic pop's might layer less traditional instrumentation and effects (sitars, tape loops and effects, fuzz guitars). Both would often feature layered vocal harmonies.

So I have to question the inclusion of the Kinks on your list. Some of their songs edge toward the baroque (Waterloo Sunset, parts of my favorite of theirs, Shangri-La). But not VGPS. Seems very straight ahead pop-rock to me. Includes some more baroque elements (the sunny harmonies on the title track, orchestration sprinkled here and there). They certainly never struck me as psychedelic in the least.

I think that the Kinks throw people off when it comes to labels because the songwriting is so damn good. It's not rock (like their first copuple of years). It's got an edge though... musically, lyrically, and thematically. And VGPS certainly harkens back to something older musically (not just because the theme of the album is nostalgia for the more pastoral, simpler days gone by).

With respect to your list: Does any Donovan get thrown in too? And The Byrds' Turn Turn Turn and Fifthe Dimension?

I believe Love's "Da Capo" should absolutely be there on the list. Its vinyl b-side is one long jam, but the a-side is amazing, and exactly what you are looking for.

I used to love it more than "Forever Changes." Get it NOW[/B].

NOW, I meant.

Silly typos.

Dude – it’s called proofreading. Look into it.

Schwah, I think VGPS would fall under the “lost classic” category (that, and whenever I mention O&O, Paul seems to counter with a Kinks post). I recently picked up VGPS, and I’m really enjoying it; but you’re right, it doesn’t have any real psychedelic elements to speak of.

As for Donovan and The Byrds – which albums in particular?

Whatever.

Talking about attentive reading: he did mention what Byrds albums.

Anthony, don’t know much about albums but I can recommend to you a lot of songs of "Sunshine-Pop" (not exactly the same as Baroque-Pop but obviously related). In fact I compiled a double CD that gave as a present to some friends, with some warnings like “do not listen to the two CDs straight ahead, it may cause incurable diabetes by sugar overdose”. I called the CDs “Let the Sunshine In: Sunshine Pop From the 60s” (and even made a cover with the colours of the rainbow!!). Yes, yes, I know, is impossible getting cheesier.

These are the songs of the compilation:

CD1
1. WOODSTOCK AUDIENCE DURING RAINSTORM “Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
2. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS “California Dreamin’” (1965)
3. SCOTT McKENZIE “San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)” (1967)
4. THE BEACH BOYS “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (1966)
5. THE FLOWERPOT MEN “Let’s Go to San Francisco” (1967)
6. THE MILLENNIUM “To Claudia on Thursday” 1968
7. SAGITTARIUS “My World Fell Down” (1967)
8. YELLOW BALLOON “Yellow Balloon” (1967)
9. THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice” (1965)
10. THE TURTLES “Happy Together” (1966)
11. THE ASSOCIATION “Never My Love” (1967)
12. HARRY NILSSON “Cuddly Toy” (1967)
13. THE BOX TOPS “Neon Rainbow” (1967)
14. THE BEACH BOYS “God Only Knows” (1966)
15. LOVE “Alone Again Or” (1967)
16. THE LEFT BANKE “Walk Away Renee” (1966)
17. SPANKY AND OUR GANG “Sunday Will Never Be the Same” (1967)
18. THE HAPPENINGS “I Got Rhythm” (1967)
19. THE SOPWITH CAMEL “Hello Hello” (1967)
20. THE BUCKINGHAMS “Susan” (1967)
21. THE NEON PHILHARMONIC “Morning Girl” (1969)
22. THE ARBORS “The Letter” (1969)
23. THE TROGGS “Love Is All Around” (1967)
24. CLASSICS IV “Stormy” (1968)
25. TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS “Crystal Blue Persuasion” (1969)
26. THE FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION “Grazin’ in the Grass” (1969)
27. HAIR ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST “Let the Sunshine In” (1968)

CD2
1. THE BEACH BOYS “Good Vibrations” (1966)
2. THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL “Do You Believe In Magic” (1965)
3. THE ASSOCIATION “Windy” (1967)
4. HARPERS BIZARRE “Feelin’ Groovy (59th Street Bridge Song)” (1967)
5. THE FREE DESIGN “My Brother Woody” (1967)
6. THE CRITTERS “Mr. Diengly Sad” (1966)
7. KEITH “98.6” (1966)
8. THE TURTLES “Elenore” (1968)
9. THE SUNSHINE COMPANY “Happy” (1967)
10. THE CLIQUE “Superman” (1969)
11. THE CYRKLE “Red Rubber Ball” (1966)
12. CHAD & JEREMY “Distant Shores” (1966)
13. NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD “Some Velvet Morning” (1967)
14. SONNY & CHER “I Got You Babe” (1965)
15. DONOVAN “Jeniffer Juniper” (1968)
16. THE LEMON PIPERS “Green Tambourine” (1967)
17. TOMORROW “My White Bicycle” (1967)
18. STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK “Incense and Peppermints” (1967)
19. THE MOVE “Flowers in the Rain” (1967)
20. THE ZOMBIES “Time of the Season” (1968)
21. THE MONKEES “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (1967)
22. THE BOX TOPS “The Letter” (1967)
23. THE GRASS ROOTS “Let’s Live for Today” (1967)
24. THE YOUNG RASCALS “Groovin’” (1967)
25. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS “Monday Monday” (1966)
26. OLIVER “Good Morning Starshine” (1969)
27. THE 5TH DIMENSION “Aquarius - Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
28. WOODSTOCK AUDIENCE DURING RAINSTORM “Let the Sunshine In (Reprise)” (1969)

My main source for information was allmusic and allmusic too

Boy, sparks flying when Sinder and Anthony get together. Who would have guessed it?

I don't know any proper Donovan albums, so can't suggest, let alone recommend any. And my Byrds suggestions are merely that. I don't know them other than they are the Byrds' most psychedelic allegedly, and the more well-known songs on them. Just noticed, though, that you referenced "late '60s," whereas those Byrds albums are mid '60s.

Well, VGPS -does- have "Phenominal Cat" [sic], with its goofy lyrics and flute and ultra-twee altered-pitch "fum fum diddle um die". It may have been intended as a parody.

And Dave's "Wicked Annabella" serves as a marked contrast to the rest of the album, inching towards the harder-edged side of the psychedelic spectrum.

Donovan's best album is 1966 "Sunshine Superman", no doubt. Sorry for reproducing my comments for Anthony's album poll: "Flower-power. Few artists captured the essence of the times like Donovan Leitch. His ethereal, radiant and optimistic renderings were the perfect background for the hippie idealistic 60s. In this great album we can find sunny-pop gems (“Sunshine Superman”), Indian mantras with tabla and sitar (“Ferris Wheels”), medieval tales (“Guinevere”) but also apocalyptic rock songs (“Season of the Witch”)."
Try this one, Anthony. It's a good but underrated album.

Wow, this is good stuff. Thanks Honorio!

Harold - doesn't the woodwind intro of "Phenominal Cat" remind you of the beginning of "Another Morning" from Days of Future Passed?

Boy, sparks flying when Sinder and Anthony get together.

Nah, just teasing each other.

2. THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS "California Dreamin’" (1965)

I always found it odd that this song is regarded as a sunshine song.

"Caaaalifooorniaaa dreaaaaaming, oooon suuuch aaa wiiiinter's daaaay"

But it sounds sunshiney enough regardless.

Try this one, Anthony.

And try "Da Capo." You will love it, in case you haven't already listened to it and you don't.


Harold - doesn't the woodwind intro of "Phenominal Cat" remind you of the beginning of "Another Morning" from Days of Future Passed?


I know you weren't talking to me, but I listened anyway. And I can't say it does. The intros seem to have different enough nuances.

Should a little Moody Blues be thrown on this list? Not obscure enough?

Maybe Days of Future Passed is a little too ornate, but In Search of the Lost Chord and On the Threshold of a Dream were released about the same time as O+O

If you're going to stretch it, The Rolling Stones' 1967 albums also fit quite well, especially "Their Satanic Majesties Request". (They fit much better than "Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake" or the albums by The Byrds, in any case.)

"Their Satanic Majesties Request" is the most underrated The Rolling Stones album ever, therefore retrospectively obscure. I only got to it after I'd been through all of the other cute stuff of the era.

And if you can get a-side "We Love You," b-side "Dandelion" and the single version of "She's A Rainbow" to tag to it, it's gonna be even greater.

"She's A Rainbow" is the most ridiculously cute song they ever made, and cuter than any of their contemporaries ever did. It's absurd, and I love it.

It was inspired by Love's Da Capo's "She Comes In Colors," too!

Then again, I only ever listened to "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" once (so I don't really remember it). Didn't do it again because I really couldn't care less about some dude-with-a-weird-name's nuts.

Don't you think that Frank Black's song "Space is gonna do me good" have many similarities with the Kinks's "Wicked Annabella" ?

What does that Herman's Hermits album sound like? I was very surprised to see them included in that list because I like them a lot but I've never heard that album except for Museum (a Donovan cover). I'm very intrigued.

http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/harmony_grass/this_is_us/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_aerovons/resurrection/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/nick_garrie/the_nightmare_of_j__b__stanislas/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_yellow_balloon/the_yellow_balloon/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/sandy_salisbury/sandy_/
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/roger_nichols_and_the_small_circle_of_friends/roger_nichols_and_the_small_circle_of_friends/

Jonah – good call on the Moody Blues (DOFP is a personal favorite, as I’ve mentioned before).

John – Blaze is a decent album; not so much baroque or psychedelic, but another one of those “lost” late ‘60s pop albums. It’s a short album and not that varied either (musically, vocally), but it has its special moments (“Upstairs, Downstairs” is a great track).

Thanks, Dumbangel.

Anthony, do you know it/like it?

Thanks to reedition labels like Rev Ola and Sundazed, these lost treasures of the '60s baroque/sunshine pop are available in cd and it's a very good thing. It's cool to see that there was not only The Beatles or The Beach Boys who made great pop songs in the '60s.
When I purchased albums of the Millennium, Left Banke and Zombies in 2003 I instantly fell in love with this harmonious sound. That's music that makes happy and warms your heart.

Am I missing something but Revolver and Sgt Pepper combines these subgenres Psychedelic/Baroque Pop a lot. Also I would add these songs also


The Beatles- Penny Lane
Psychedelic/Baroque Pop that song combines both and it also influenced Waterloo Sunset.

Baroque-Pop - The Beatles-In My Life before Pet Sounds

Psychedelic-Pop- The Beatles-Rain one of the first pyschedelic pop songs.

Yeah, but. We've listened to them 12313 times. That's the only reason they weren't mentioned.

The Bee Gees-1st should definitely be on that list. That is a great album, one of the best baroque 60's pop albums out there.

Eternity's Children - "Eternity's Children"
The Idle Race - "The Birthday Party"
Blades of Grass - "Blades of Grass are not for Smoking" (bonus tracks are better)
The United States of Amerioa

My favorite Free Design albums
Kites Are Fun (1967)
Heaven/Earth (1969)
Stars, Time, Bubbles, Love (1970)

GREAT collection so far!
additions:
*Sunflower. The Beach Boys
*One Year. Colin Blunstone
*"Old John Robertson". The Byrds
*Misty Mirage. Curt Boettcher
*"Summer Song".Chad & Jeremy
*"Sugar On Sunday".The Clique
*Dion. Dion
*A Gift From. Euphoria
*"Light My Fire". José Feliciano
*"Crystal Blue Persuasion".Tommy James & The Shondells
*Cellophane Symphony. Tommy James & The Shondells
*Color Him In. Jameson
*Something Else By. The Kinks
*Run Wild, Run Free. Claudine Longet
*On The Threshold Of A Dream.The Moody Blues
*The Moth Confesses. The Neon Philharmonic
*Randy Newman. Randy Newman
*Pandemonium Shadow Show. Harry Nilsson
*Eli And The Thirteenth Confession.Laura Nyro
*"A Salty Dog".Procol Harum
*The American Dream. Emitt Rhodes
*The Blue Marble. Sagittarius
*The Transformed Man. William Shatner
*Nancy. Nancy Sinatra
*"More Today Than Yesterday".Spiral Starecase
*For Women Only. Bergen White

plus: my favourite from Planet Reverse:
*I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do. Astrud Gilberto

PLUS: with an emphasized nod to Sonofsamiam:
*Paint America Love. Lou Christie
- - the opener and the title track are pure Nova - - -

plus a stripped as my sis_is version:
Four Sail.Love.

cheearz..

chi.

r

......

.

i could sound like a guy from big pink..

and now

I

don't

sound... like

a guy.

at all

haile Selassie, tarties!

I'm ugly venus.

The Gordian Knot. The Gordian Knot
Down To Middle Earth. The Hobbits
Wake Up... It's Tomorrow. The Strawberry Alarm Clock
Of Cabbages And Kings. Chad Stuart/Jeremy Clyde
Twinn Connexion. Twinn Connexion

She's gone off the deep end!

and there are times when even The Mason Williams Phonograph Record might add some sugar to your winter corpse

Here's another one: The Beau Brummels - Triangle

Or Moby Grape - Moby Grape

and Harpers Bizarre! Anything Goes..

Anthony, if compilations are allowed as well, you've got to check out either the "Nuggets: A Classic Collection From the Psychedelic Sixties" or the "Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" compilation set. Most interesting stuff, some artists on there are one hit wonders, some have more to offer.

That's garage rock though Anthony, most of the stuff on those albums don't really fit the bill, though it is great....however, Nuggets II: Original Artifacts From the British Empire and Beyond is much more in tune with this type of music. Both of those Nuggets sets along with the new Love is the Song We Sing boxed set are worth checking out if you can.