10 Albums That’ll Add Sunshine to Your World
Today a bunch of us at the b5media Music Channel decided to get together and bring you 100 albums you need to discover. Or in the case of a blog covering a more old-school brand of music say like this one; albums to perhaps re-discover.
Now, which hippie-like albums do I think will add some shiny brightness to your world… Let’s take a look.
Anything by Calobo: Chances are if you were even close to a hippie and lived in Oregon in the 90s you’ve heard of Calobo. I don’t know the odds of having heard them outside of Oregon but I will say I only met a few folks in Humboldt and no-one in New Mexico who knew who they were.
Calobo is the ultimate laid back, peaceful, fun, hippie jam band experience combining amazing melody with jazz, funk, folk, bluegrass, and more. They’re almost unexplainable but one of those ‘experience bands’ as in you just should experience them before you die. Since they departed ways years ago I don’t think new albums have been shot off. You can still find their music at Amazon and some other random places. You should pick all of them up before all the discs are owned by someone else. This is one band where I can’t narrow down which album to get — they didn’t make a bad one. But if you’re low on funds maybe try their self titled album or Stomp.
Nick Drake: If you’ve only heard Nick Drake in ‘that Volkswagen commercial’ than you’re missing out. Yes Pink Moon is a good song but he wrote better and his albums make great road trip mixes. Ironically if I had to suggest one album it likly would be Pink Moon mainly because Road, one of the best songs ever, is on there. Then again, Five Leaves Left is stellar as well. I guess I’ll leave it up to your discretion. Have no clue what Volkswagen commercial I’m speaking of… ok.
Jerry Garcia and David Grisman: The first time I heard them I was on this killer cross country road trip and in some small cafe in Cook, Wyoming. They played the whole album during lunch and I ate so slow so I could listen. It was like falling in love. Garcia is obviously the best and the two of these fellows together will blow you away. Their self-titled has a great 7 minute long version of Friend of the Devil that’s basically bliss on an album. Amazing. Listen to them here.
See the rest 13th Floor Elevator: Not so obscure; most good hippies know them however if you don’t I’m only putting them here to say that everyone and their pet dog recommends The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators but don’t believe them pick up Easter Everywhere instead.
Two soundtracks: Hideous Kinky and The Wonder Boys: I don’t usually recommend soundtracks as fine must have hippie choices but these two albums go above and beyond as far as offering the perfect mixes for you to enjoy. Maybe you should just see what’s on them — believe me you’ll want them.
Hideous Kinky: Now, technically they left (in my opinion) too many tunes off the soundtrack that appeared in the movie. Still as far as comps go it’s pretty good.
- Here Comes The Sun - Richie Havens
- White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
- World’s They Rise And Fall - The Incredible String Band
- Baba Baba Mektoubi - Jil Jilala
- Road - Nick Drake
- The Tortoise’s Song - Khalifa Ould Eide/Dimi Mint Abba
- Follow - Richie Havens
- Hideous Kinky - Musicians Of The London Pops Orchestra/Kudsi Erguner
- Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
- Bob Dylan - Things Have Changed
- Buffalo Springfield - A Child’s Claim To Fame
- Tom Rush - No Regrets
- Neil Young - Old Man
- Bob Dylan - Shooting Star
- Tim Hardin - Reason To Believe
- Little Willie John - Need Your Love So Bad
- Bob Dylan - Dark Not Yet
- Clarence Carter - Slip Away
- Leonard Cohen - Waiting For The Miracle
- Bob Dylan - Buckets of Rain
- John Lennon - Watching The Wheels
- Van Morrison - Philosophers Stone
Buckingham and Nicks: I talk about this rare vinyl all the time; haven’t you got it yet!
4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young: I know a lot of CSN&Y fans who don’t have this live album. It’s a shame because this is an amazing album. It’s a double LP set. Two tunes of note include Cowgirl in the Sand and Love the One You’re With. This album is great if just for all the chatter between the band members in between songs. Including Neil Young being funny.
Miles of Aisles by Joni Mitchell: Along the same lines as 4 Way Street this is a live album that some fans I know have missed. Joni’s studio albums are amazing (obviously) but Miles is a double LP set that is extra sweet. I really never liked Carey at all until I heard the live version on this set.
Hmmm, one more. Let me see. How about a random pick for the morning… Madness! That’ll do. They have great tunes and the funnest website you’ve ever seen. Go and see.
What the rest of the music channel is offering:
- Brit Music Scene: The Top 10 British Music Artists You Need To Discover Before You Die… Or They Do!
- Ear Sucker: The Top Ten Bands You Should Discover Today
- Oz Music Scene: 10 Aussie Artists To Discover
- Big Apple Music Scene: Top 10 New York Bands You Should Discover
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POSTED IN: 60s Music, 70s Music, Album Review, Albums, Bands, Best albums, Music Channel
15 opinions for 10 Albums That’ll Add Sunshine to Your World
b5media - Top 50 bands you should discover…
Oct 12, 2007 at 10:39 am
[…] Hippie Sounds […]
Geoff
Oct 12, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Ha! Worth reading just for the madness site! Expected to find Pink Floyd, Henry Cow and Caravan/Hatfield and the North, but no - apparently Calobo is something I’ve missed, will have to check it out. PS I’m from the UK
DaveP
Oct 12, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Wow, that post is a mine of musical goodness!
I want to own The Wonder Boys soundtrack now, it looks too cool for school. :)
Jennifer
Oct 12, 2007 at 12:52 pm
The Madness site is amazing. I love how you click on stuff and the shoot you off to random sites like “got marbles” so crazy — and a great band besides. I almost actually did put Pink Floyd on here but you’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of them. I don’t know that I’ve heard of Henry Cow. I’m not from the UK. Just plain old green Oregon.
Dave you should get the Wonder Boys soundtrack it’s so good. I like the movie too though. For a university flick it was so well done.
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Oct 12, 2007 at 1:56 pm
[…] Also, Jennifer at Hippie Sounds has made hippies even cooler with her post, 10 albums that will add sunshine to your world. […]
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Oct 12, 2007 at 3:10 pm
[…] Hippie Sounds takes a hit off the bong and offers 10 albums that will add sunshine to your world. […]
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Oct 12, 2007 at 8:48 pm
[…] on Big Apple Music Scene, Jennifer’s got 10 albums that will add sunshine to your world at Hippie Sounds, Roberta steps out of the mainstream at Ear Sucker with 10 exciting indie bands, Dave’s got a […]
Albert Costill
Oct 12, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Wow, I can’t believe that I missed this. Was this a forum thing?
Anyways, I love Nick Drake’s Pink Moon album, it’s so chill and relaxing. I’m pretty sure that someone gave me a copy of Five Leaves Left, but I have to find it.
Jennifer
Oct 12, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Well, Albert it was a forum deal; although I also sent a group email? So, maybe you missed them all! I was wondering why you weren’t coming to play.
Never fear we’re planning another group list it was for Monday but we’re trying to move it to the 22nd. It’s a cool list too so you should come mingle at the forum.
Also, Pink Moon is a great album but sometimes I get tired of everyone talking about the song :) He did write lots; well, sort of lots before he died. Sad… what might he have done. Damn musicians and their early deaths.
Roberta
Oct 13, 2007 at 12:00 am
Great list… Buckingham & Nicks :)
New old music to check out, sweet!
Time to fire up the ipod!
Emma
Oct 13, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I’d never heard of Calobo and they look good. Thanks! :)
Jennifer
Oct 13, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Roberta do you like B&N! That’s so cool. But don’t you mean fire up the record player — so much better sounding than the old ipod (and less likely to start a fire in your pocket).
Hey Emma; Calobo rocks. It was so sad when they parted ways. But they’re great on disc too. Thanks for visiting :)
Albert Costill
Oct 16, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Well, I guess I shouldn’t be so anti social and take a looksy at the forum. I didn’t see an e-mail, but maybe it got overlooked.
It is a shame that most people only know “Pink Moon”, but I guess it’s better than nothing. It is sad that he died at such a young age, I guess Billy Joel was right when he sang “only the good die young”.
Joe
Oct 23, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Former Portlander(sp?) who has never heard the word Colobo up here in Toronto. Went to school with some of the members, though I doubt or wonder if they remember me. Thanks for the memories. I still own, dare I say, Colobo music on cassette tape. Probably a collector’s item. Cheers.
Jennifer
Oct 23, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hey, small world huh. I’m glad someone has heard them. I only knew one of the members (barely — but he seemed nice) one of my friends back in the day was dating a member forever; she said they were nice which was one reason I like them. I hate when bands sound cool but act lame. Thanks for visiting :)
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