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1969 Albums

Songs For A Tailor > Bruce, Jack

Artist: Jack Bruce
Label: Atco Records
Catalog#: SD 33-306
Format: Vinyl
Country: US
Released: 1969
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Prior to the breakup of Cream, bassist and vocalist Jack Bruce recorded an album with guitarist John McLaughlin and Colosseum members Jon Hiseman and Dick Heckstall-Smith. Not surprisingly, it was primarily instrumental jazz and wouldn’t see release for a couple of years. Bruce had started out in 1963 with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, before joining the Graham Bond Organisation, with brief stints in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Manfred Mann. By the time Songs For A Tailor was recorded, both Cream and all of that was behind him.

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Stand Up > Jethro Tull

Artist: Jethro Tull
Label: Reprise Records
Catalog#: RS 6360
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969-07
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
By the time Jethro Tull got around to releasing their strong second effort, Martin Barre had joined on guitar. His addition was integral to the evolution of the band as his guitar playing would prove sympathetic to their burgeoning progressive style. Written by Ian Anderson to appease management's desire for a single, "Living in the Past" b/w "Driving Song" saw release in May. It soared up the UK charts, reaching No. 3. The album followed with even greater results. Stand Up features all original compositions from Anderson, except for a spirited interpretation of J.S.

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Strawbs > Strawbs

Artist: Strawbs
Label: A&M Records
Catalog#: AMLS 936
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969

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Tasavallan Presidentti > Tasavallan Presidentti

Artist: Tasavallan Presidentti
Label: Love Records
Catalog#: LRLP-7S
Format: Vinyl
Country: Finland
Released: 1969

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The Aerosol Grey Machine > Van Der Graaf Generator

Artist: Van Der Graaf Generator
Label: Fontana
Catalog#: 6430 083
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969-09
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Here begins the musical quest of Van der Graaf Generator. Led by the indefatigable Peter Hammill, he would divide his time between leading VdGG and a prolific solo career over the next decade; though where those lines separate could at times prove difficult to identify. The band had already been through a couple of iterations by the time it got around to recording The Aerosol Grey Machine. Hammill and Chris Judge Smith first formed the band with organist Nick Pearne in 1968 while still at Manchester University.

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The Clouds Scrapbook > Clouds

Artist: Clouds
Label: Island Records, Island Records
Catalog#: ILPS 9100, ILPS-9100
Format: Vinyl
Country: UK
Released: 1969

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The Deviants 3 > Deviants

Artist: Deviants
Label: Sire
Catalog#: SES 97016
Format: Vinyl
Country: US
Released: 1969-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
While The Beatles and others may have represented the acceptable face of psychedelia, the Summer of Love also spawned the murkier underground of the Ladbroke Grove area; The Social Deviants, Pink Fairies and, most famously, Hawkwind were at the top of the class. With his art school background, Mick Farren was a fixture of London's underground. He was a staffer at International Times and a UK wannabe White Panther. In 1967, he formed The Social Deviants with Sid Bishop, Cord Rees and Russell Hunter. Funded by a rich kid (Nigel Samuel), Ptooff!

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Those Who Are About To Die Salute You > Colosseum

Artist: Colosseum
Label: Dunhill
Catalog#: DS-50062
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969-07
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
The core members of Colosseum first appeared together (according to rock cartographer Pete Frame) as Bluesbreakers #89, on John Mayall's Bare Wires album. After Mayall broke up that short-lived lineup, drummer Jon Hiseman reunited with bassist Tony Reeves and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, adding childhood friend and organist Dave Greenslade, while guitarist/singer James Litherland was recruited after an extensive search. Reconstituted as Colosseum, Hiseman assembled one of London's first (and finest) jazz-rock hybrids. Their loud and powerful debut is an absolute stunner.

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To Our Children's Children's Children > Moody Blues, The

Artist: Moody Blues
Label: Threshold Records
Catalog#: THS 1
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969-12

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Tommy > Who, The

Artist: Who, The
Label: Decca
Catalog#: DXSW 7205
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1969-05
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
By the time of their 1969 release, The Who had established themselves as one of England's premier live attractions. But on vinyl, they remained largely a singles band, save the ten-minute "A Quick One While He's Away" from A Quick One (Happy Jack in the US).

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