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One of the little joys I get in collecting records, is spotting the moment a straight 60s artist realises everything has become groovy and they release a flowery, psychedelic cover for an album, usually in 1967 or 1968.
If you don’t believe me, look at The Association’s 1966 album Renaissance and 1968’s Birthday, or Buddy Guy’s This Is Buddy Guy compared to One Man And His Blues. Chuck Berry in Memphis to From St Louie To Frisco. All are suddenly groovy.
This shows you the culture, at least for a couple of years and shows you the effect rock bands had on the straight world. For a while, and CBS records are the classic example, albums listed the tracks on the front cover. Look at the Byrds Mr Tambourine Man. That continued for that label even into the 70s. Al Kooper’s Naked Songs had tracks on the front in 1972. I like it as a style but it gradually faded out of use.
The first double album of the rock era was Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde and a few weeks later Freak Out by Mothers of Invention. One of the first triples must have been All Things Must Pass for George Harrison, and the Woodstock soundtrack. Second Winter, Johnny’s second album had a blank fourth side, of course, which was an odd decision. It could have featured a 20-minute live jam, if they were stuck for material.
The first coloured vinyl that I had that wasn't kids music was the 1971 Together! CBS compilation which came out on blue vinyl. The Dave Mason Alone Together ‘splatter’ vinyl came out a year before. Is there an earlier rock coloured vinyl?
First picture disc was Curved Air’s Air Conditioned, I think, first single picture disc was The Cars, My Best Friend’s Girl. First double pack 7” was Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles.
