ALBUMS
- NEIL YOUNG: EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOWHERE: 1969: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Neil’s second album- and first with Crazy Horse. Three classic Neil songs on this one- Cinnamon Girl, Down By The River [clocking in at 9 plus minutes} and Cowgirl In The Sand [ over 10 minutes long] 7 songs on the album. It was released shortly after the debut album which was more polished and well very mediocre to be kind.
- THE BAND: MOONDOG MATINEE: 1973: 3 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: At this point after 4 studio albums in 4 years they took a break by doing a covers album- a nice enough listen. The Band wasn’t getting along at the time and were having a hard time sitting down and creating new music. A stop gap. Interesting but hardly essential The Band.
- KING CRIMSON: IN THE COURT OF THE KING CRIMSON: 1969: 4 1/2 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Anyone who reads my listening reviews knows I am not into prog rock at all. In my goal of listening to as many 1969 albums as I can this year- this one of course is highly thought of in the prog rock community. I have long heard of this album but this is the first listen. I can see why it is so highly thought of- for prog rock it is great. Great album cover too. The only track I didn’t like was #4 Moonchild. I will listen to the album again but I can’t see it ever being on I listen to more than once a year. Just not my cup of coffee.
- THE GRATEFUL DEAD: WORKINGMAN’S DEAD: 1970: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: The Grateful Dead’s 4th and 5th albums came in 1970 with Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. They are known for their live act and not as a studio group but these two albums – where they largely dropped the psychedelic and more towards what today would be called Americana sound- are brilliant. The lead off track Uncle John’s Band is my favorite Dead song. High Time, Dire Wolf, Cumberland Blues and Casey Jones other favorites on this album.
- THE GRATEFUL DEAD: AMERICAN BEAUTY: 1970: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Coming out only months after Workingman’s Dead- another great Dead album. More Americana from Jerry and the boys. Box Of Rain, Friend Of The Devil, Sugar Magnolia, Ripple, Attics Of My Life and Truckin’ favorites but the entire album is great. I’d rank it ahead of Workingman’s Dead but both are 5 star album [and the only two Dead studio albums I’d give that rank}
- DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: DUSTY IN MEMPHIS: 1969: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: A classic. Dusty went to Memphis to American Sound Studios- where Elvis around this time would be recording his From Elvis In Memphis album- got together with some top flight producers and made her best ever album. Son Of A Preacher Man was the big hit #10. I have the later re-issue with the extra bonus tracks- every song sounds like it could have been a hit to me. The album sold poorly at the time but is now recognized for what it is- one of the great pop albums ever. Will rank high no doubt at the end of the year on my Best of 1969 album list.
slicethelife 
Moondog matinee 3/5…probably about right. There’s a few good tracks though.
Its a pretty good album for a covers album.
Is Sugar Mountain on the Neil album? They keep playing cuts from this one on my pandora. Dusty Springfield has a voice I never get tired of. Good to know about the Dead for choosing albums of theirs.
Sugar Mountain was the b-side of The Loner.. it wasn’t on a Neil album until the best of in the late 70’s- Decade.
Not sure I told you yet, but I borrowed “Rust Never Sleeps” from the library and listened to it for a couple of weeks in my car. It’s as good as you said. Surprisingly good.
My favorite Neil- glad you enjoyed it!!!