Album Chart of 1966
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1967 → |
| Album Chart of 1966 |
52 tracks, runtime 2h 49m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
A PROGRESSIVE YEAR FOR MUSIC - AND THE FIRST DOUBLE ALBUMS IN “ROCK”
“We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity” ~ John Lennon, London Evening Standard, 4 March 1966.
I love John. You’ve just got to laugh with him. Despite his cocky boasting, Bob Dylan prevails as the Planet’s Supreme musical Being, according to Rebel sensibilities, for the FOURTH consecutive year.
As if to underline his majestic credentials, his “Blonde on Blonde” masterpiece stands as the first set of “Rock” songs to be issued on the double long play format, clocking in just shy of the 72 minute mark. The Jazz and Classical markets had been producing such sets since 1950, and even Johnny Cash had got involved in 1965, but Dylan's ambitious release was regarded as an influential landmark in the story of the album.
Hot on Dylan's heels with a 4-sided set (just 7 days later) were Frank Zappa’s MOV crusaders with their 66 minute “Freak Out!”, openly disdainful of authority and disgusted with religion, paving the way for the counter-culture revolutionaries.
Dylan, Zappa, Love and The Stones all thought it'd be a good idea to include extended 10+ minute “epics” within their vinyl grooves this year – only Sir Bob had the nous to pull it off. This development does not bode well for Rock n Roll animals.
Musically, following close behind Dylan for sheer song power, were keen disciples Paul and Art, with two mighty long players to their credit.
Albums from The Beatles, The Kinks and The Beach Boys demonstrated phenomenal song writing growth, whilst The Rolling Stones displayed tantalising glimpses of comparable innovation.
Pushing it one step beyond all pretenders were the Monks, with überbeats from Köln, hitherto unplayed on this wondrous little globe of ours.
Amongst the higher quality LPs introducing the genre tag “psychedelia” onto albums for the first time, were offerings from The Beatles, The Seeds, Blues Magoos, Donovan, Love, The Mothers Of Invention and 13th Floor Elevators.
The entire Top 20 has a rating of 7 or higher – the strength in depth, to my ears, becomes greater with each passing year.
The Jukebox Rebel
06-Jan-2016
revised 17-Feb-2016
Bob Dylan
Columbia C2L-41
“A masterpiece” Folk Rock / Americana; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later)” (10) • “Visions Of Johanna” (10) • “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat” (10)
Surprisingly, recording sessions with the NYC “Highway 61 crew” weren’t going so well for the follow up, and only one so...more →
Monks
International Polydor Production 249 900
“A classic” Proto-Punk; Trance RockJukebox picks: “I Hate You” (10) • “Blast Off!” (9.6) • “Monk Time” (9.5)
This treasure-packed classic was recorded in Köln in November 1965 and issued in March 1966. These weren’t ordinary musi...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia CL-2563
“Excellent” Folk Rock / Americana; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Homeward Bound” (10) • “The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine” (9.1) • “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” (8.7)
The second long-play offering of ’66 from the duo arrived in October, and was widely acclaimed as their finest work to d...more →
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia CL-2469
“Excellent” Folk Rock / Americana; FolkJukebox picks: “The Sounds Of Silence [’65 single version]” (10) • “Blessed” (9.7) • “I Am A Rock” (9.4)
The second Simon and Garfunkel album opens mightily with their recent Number One single. Paul Simon would later comment:...more →
The Beatles
Parlophone PMC-7009
“Excellent” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Eleanor Rigby” (10) • “Tomorrow Never Knows” (10) • “Taxman” (9.8)
“Revolver” was, for me, the greatest album of works in the Beatles discography, with a stimulating variety of stylistic ...more →
Them
Decca LK-4751
“Excellent” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Turn On Your Love Light” (10) • “Call My Name” (9.4) • “I Can Only Give You Everything” (9.3)
The group’s second LP, issued in January of 1966, squeezed 16 tracks into the grooves, most of which continued to hang o...more →
The Kinks
Pye Records NPL-18149
“Excellent” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Rainy Day In June” (9.6) • “Most Exclusive Residence For Sale” (9.5) • “Session Man” (9.4)
Despite the misleading cover image (which was used despite Ray Davies objection) there was virtually zero evidence of th...more →
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP-2033
“Excellent” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Up In Her Room” (10) • “Mr. Farmer” (9.2) • “A Faded Picture” (8.3)
“A Web of Sound”, featuring the 4 group members trapped by the most ginormous spider ever, arrived in October ’66 – a wh...more →
The Beach Boys
Capitol Records T-2458
“Brilliant” Cerebral Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Sloop John B” (10) • “I’m Waiting For The Day” (10) • “God Only Knows” (9.7)
The real catalyst for Pet Sounds was the U.S. version of The Beatles’ album Rubber Soul, released late in 1965. Brian Wi...more →
Irma Thomas
Imperial LP-9302
“Brilliant” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Take A Look” (10) • “You Don’t Miss A Good Thing (Until It’s Gone)” (8.8) • “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)” (8.2)
Irma’s second LP was finally issued in January ’66, having been held back for several months for some reason unknown (Im...more →
Judy Collins
Elektra EKS-7320
“Brilliant” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Liverpool Lullaby” (8.6) • “La Colombe” (8.5) • “Dress Rehearsal Rag” (8.5)
Now 27, the Denver-based Folk singer took a turn towards a more tasteful and eclectic production on her 5th LP, includin...more →
Blues Magoos
Mercury SR-61096
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” (9.3) • “I’ll Go Crazy” (9.2) • “Gotta Get Away” (8.4)
These young cats, influenced by The Animals and Them, seem to have a mature ear for good music, and their debut LP showc...more →
The Seeds
GNP Crescendo GNP-2023
“Brilliant” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Pushin’ Too Hard” (9.4) • “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine” (9.3) • “No Escape” (8.6)
Big in California but ignored everywhere else, the Seeds debut LP was completely brilliant nonetheless. At the time of t...more →
The Dubliners
Transatlantic Records TRA-139
“Brilliant” FolkJukebox picks: “Nelson’s Farewell [live ’66]” (9.8) • “Surrounded By Water (The Sea Around Us) [live ’66]” (8.4) • “McAlpine’s Fusiliers [live ’66]” (8.3)
First time on LP for these 12 tunes, all recorded live at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, over 2 nights on April 26th / 27th, ...more →
Otis Redding
Volt VOLT-413
“Brilliant” Soul; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “Good To Me” (9.1) • “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” (8.5) • “Just One More Day” (8.1)
He’s such a masterful interpreter that it matters not whether he’s working with his own material or that of others. Rele...more →
Donovan
Epic LN-24217
“Really good” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Ferris Wheel” (9.3) • “Season Of The Witch” (8.7) • “Sunshine Superman” (8.6)
Although it has a largely acoustic feel, the album, produced by Mickie Most, benefitted from highly skilled arrangements...more →
The Mothers Of Invention
Verve Records V6-5005-2
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Trouble Every Day” (9.5) • “Hungry Freaks, Daddy” (9.1) • “Help, I’m A Rock” (8.9)
The counter-culture revolution is underway all around, evidenced here via Frank Zappa’s double-album debut of June ’66. ...more →
Mahotella Queens
Motella LMO-101
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “We Boy” (8.4) • “Kuqale Bani” (8.2) • “Hamba Mzala” (7.7)
This was a hugely enjoyable debut set from the infamous singing group which would eventually find adoring fans in every ...more →
Love
Elektra EKS-74005
“Really good” Cerebral Pop; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “Stephanie Knows Who” (8.6) • “7 And 7 Is” (8.2) • “She Comes In Colors” (8.0)
Arriving in November ’66 was the second LP of the year from the Los Angeles group led by Arthur Lee, with the quintet no...more →
Otis Redding
Volt VOLT-415
“Really good” SoulJukebox picks: “Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)” (9.6) • “My Lover’s Prayer” (9.2) • “Day Tripper” (7.3)
The Otis Redding dream team delivered their second high quality LP of the year in October ’66. Once again it features th...more →
Ken Nordine
Philips PHM 200-224
“Really good” Poetry; JazzJukebox picks: “Flesh” (10) • “Beige” (9.4) • “Crimson” (9.1)
Sometime in 1965, the smoothest, most suave, most soothing voice in all of recorded history was commissioned to script a...more →
The Mamas and The Papas
Dunhill DS-50006
“Really good” PopJukebox picks: “Monday, Monday” (9.7) • “California Dreamin'” (9.3) • “Go Where You Wanna Go” (7.8)
I’ve heard of close-knit harmonies, but the 4-in-the-bath routine was maybe taking it TOO far. Scraping some ceramic fro...more →
The Incredible String Band
Elektra EUK-254
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “Footsteps Of The Heron” (9.3) • “Can’t Keep Me Here” (8.9) • “Maybe Someday” (8.8)
This fine debut LP arrived in June 1966. At the time of release the trio were: Mike Heron (24, lead vocals, guitar); Cli...more →
The Rolling Stones
Decca SKL-4786
“Good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Mother's Little Helper” (8.9) • “Out Of Time” (8.8) • “Doncha Bother Me” (7.3)
1966 was very much a progressive year for music in general, with phenomenal song writing growth in evidence all around f...more →
Buffy Saint-Marie
Vanguard VSD-79211
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “Sir Patrick Spens” (9.8) • “Lady Margaret” (8.0) • “Little Wheel Spin And Spin” (7.8)
8 Buffy originals and 4 traditionals make up her third LP, now with added electric guitar by Bruce Langhorne and string ...more →
The Animals
MGM Records SE-4414
“Decent enough” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Hey Gyp” (7.3) • “The Other Side Of This Life” (7.2) • “Outcast” (7.0)
The fourth and final album by Animals mkI took their love of the blues and fused it with a harder-edged guitar sound, ad...more →
13th Floor Elevators
International Artists IA-LP-1
“Decent enough” PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (8.7) • “Roller Coaster” (7.8) • “Reverberation (Doubt)” (7.6)
Welcome to the garden of earthly delights; time to take a trip and elevate your mind! I’m not one for a lot of psychedel...more →
The Animals
Decca LK-4797
“Decent enough” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Outcast” (8.4) • “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” (7.4) • “What Am I Living For” (7.2)
The first Animals album to feature any originals and there’s three of them, with new organ player Dave Rowberry being cr...more →
Paul Revere and The Raiders
Columbia CL-2508
“Decent enough” Cerebral Pop; PopJukebox picks: “Get It On” (7.8) • “Kicks” (7.4) • “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” (7.2)
The first of two ’66 LPs from the quintet arrived in May. The set was notable for including songs written by all group m...more →
The Toys
Dynovoice Records DVM-9002
“Decent enough” PopJukebox picks: “A Lover’s Concerto” (9.7) • “This Night” (7.8) • “Baby’s Gone” (6.6)
Issued in January ’66 following the release of their two latest singles, “A Lover’s Concerto” (August ’65) and “Attack...more →
The Hollies
Parlophone PMC-7008
“Decent enough” Cerebral Pop; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “That’s How Strong My Love Is [mono version]” (8.4) • “I Am A Rock [mono version]” (7.6) • “I’ve Got A Way Of My Own [mono version]” (7.0)
They were never the greatest band for a left-field music lover like myself, but they had their moments here and there wi...more →
The Byrds
Columbia CS-9349
“Decent enough” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Eight Miles High” (7.9) • “What’s Happening?!?!” (7.3) • “Mr. Spaceman” (6.6)
Group tensions had led to the departure of principal songwriter Gene Clark in February 1966. It would be Roger McGuinn a...more →
Paul Revere and The Raiders
Columbia CL-2595
“Decent enough” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Undecided Man” (8.5) • “1001 Arabian Nights” (7.6) • “Why? Why? Why? (Is It So Hard)” (7.1)
The Spirit of ’67? In ’66? Listen, you cannae make pea and ham soup out of chicken, don’t try and kid me sonny boy. Paul...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia CL-2492
“Average” Country; FolkJukebox picks: “Joe Bean [1966]” (7.4) • “Cup Of Coffee” (7.3) • “Austin Prison [1966]” (6.1)
The first of two JC albums in 1966 sees him continue down the concept line, this one opting for the comedic “Saturday...more →
The Dave Clark Five
Epic LN-24198
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “I Really Love You” (7.0) • “I Never Will” (6.7) • “Looking In” (6.6)
The LP "Try Too Hard" (Epic LN 24198) was released in the USA in March 1966. A 20 minute album which leads off with it’s...more →
Fred Neil
Capitol Records ST-2655
“Average” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)” (7.9) • “Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga” (7.7) • “The Dolphins” (6.8)
n.b. Borderline year of release, variously reported between December 1966 and February 1967. I can find no concrete evid...more →
The Yardbirds
Columbia SCX-6063
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PsychedeliaJukebox picks: “The Nazz Are Blue” (6.6) • “He’s Always There” (6.5) • “Hot House Of Omagarashid” (6.2)
Thought of as a bit of a classic in rock circles, the third Yardbirds album proper was a solid affair, the emphasis bein...more →
Ewan MacColl with Peggy Seeger
Topic Records 12-T-147
“Average” FolkJukebox picks: “We Poor Labouring Men” (7.1) • “Barbara Allen” (6.9) • “Homeward Bound” (6.2)
Ewan MacColl's recording career began in 1950 with Topic Records, and his connection with the label was extended in 1966...more →
Sugar Belly Combo
Port-O-Jam LP-107
“Average” CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Wings Of A Dove” (7.3) • “Slide Mongoose” (6.7) • “Linstead Market” (6.5)
The liner notes tell: “The name of Sugar Belly has been associated with most Calypsonians for over a decade now. It wa...more →
The Dave Clark Five
Epic LN-24212
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PopJukebox picks: “Look Before You Leap” (7.6) • “Good Lovin’” (6.9) • “It’ll Only Hurt For A Little While” (6.2)
Satisfied With You (Epic LN 24212) was the band’s second album in 1966 - and once again it was Stateside only. On the ...more →
The Seekers
Columbia SCX-6093
“Below average” Folk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Come The Day” (8.4) • “Turn, Turn, Turn” (8.0) • “California Dreamin’” (6.5)
A full turn to the contemporary from the Melbourne 4-piece who were in a good place in 1966, as the liner notes tell: “...more →
Nina Simone
Philips PHM 200-207
“Below average” Moodcore; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Break Down And Let It All Out” (7.4) • “I Love Your Lovin’ Ways” (6.8) • “Four Women” (6.8)
2 of the 11 get a 1966 rework - “Black Is The Colour” and “Wild Is The Wind” which had originally appeared on 19...more →
The Hollies
Parlophone PMC-7011
“Below average” Pop; Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Stop, Stop, Stop” (7.0) • “Suspicious Look In Your Eyes” (6.9) • “Peculiar Situation” (6.2)
The fifth Hollies album was fully written by group members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks, so fair play to th...more →
The Easybeats
Parlophone PMCO-7530
“Below average” PopJukebox picks: “Sad And Lonely And Blue” (7.2) • “Then I’ll Tell You Goodbye” (6.5) • “Come And See Her” (6.3)
The Sydney five piece continue to improve with their second set. Once again they seem to sit in a strange place – pleasa...more →
Wanda Jackson
Capitol Records ST-2606
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “The Soldier’s Last Letter” (6.8) • “The Great Speckled Bird” (6.0) • “Blue Yodel no. 6” (5.8)
Does what is says on the tin, without exciting greatly. Wanda's celebrated dozen are: “Jambalaya” (Hank Williams wit...more →
Bee Gees
Spin EL-32031
“Below average” PopJukebox picks: “Big Chance” (6.5) • “Glass House” (6.4) • “I Don’t Know Why I Bother With Myself” (5.6)
Another album full of Bee Gees originals, mainly down to the amazingly prolific Barry Gibb. I’ll give them their due, th...more →
Johnny Cash
Columbia CL-2537
“Below average” CountryJukebox picks: “No One Will Ever Know” (7.0) • “Happy To Be With You” (6.4) • “Ancient History” (5.4)
The second of two JC albums in 1966 - not his most memorable year it has to be said. The out and out country cover of th...more →
Neil Diamond
Bang Records BLP-214
“Poor” Pop; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “I’ll Come Running” (7.9) • “Solitary Man” (6.2) • “Do It” (5.4)
In early 1966 Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich discovered a talented young singer-songwriter named Neil Diamond and brough...more →
Buffalo Springfield
ATCO Records SD 33-200
“Poor” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Flying On The Ground Is Wrong” (6.6) • “Sit Down I Think I Love You” (5.9) • “Go And Say Goodbye” (5.3)
Debut album from the Los Angeles folk-rockers, released by Atlantic’s subsidiary Atco in December 1966. It’s a rather or...more →
Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames
Columbia SX-6043
“Poor” Pop; SoulJukebox picks: “Last Night” (7.5) • “The Whole World’s Shaking” (6.5) • “Funny How Time Slips Away” (5.2)
The white boys and girls of Britain seemed to dig it just fine and, generally speaking, this is a respectable enough set...more →
The Ikettes
Modern Records MST-102
“Poor” SoulJukebox picks: “Da Do Ron Ron” (7.6) • “(He’s Gonna Be) Fine, Fine Fine” (5.6) • “Camel Walk” (5.1)
The sole Ikettes album featuring 10 single sides, 1964-1966, and two previously unrleased cuts, “Can’t Sit Down ‘Cos I...more →
John Mayall with Eric Clapton
Decca LK-4804
“Poor” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “It Ain't Right” (6.1) • “Ramblin' On My Mind” (5.9) • “Parchman Farm” (5.7)
After plans for a live album were scrapped due to technical difficulties this studio recording was made in March 1966, t...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla TM-272
“Lame” Soul; PopJukebox picks: “Mr. Tambourine Man” (6.3) • “Bang Bang” (5.7) • “Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together)” (5.4)
Now a mature 16-year-old, this is a more palatable Stevie Wonder, his voice having now broken. His cover of “Bang Bang...more →
The Mindbenders
Fontana MGF-27554
“Lame” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; PopJukebox picks: “Seventh Son” (5.9) • “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (5.7) • “You Don’t Know About Love” (5.1)
Largely unaffecting pop fayre, with pass marks for two first-half covers, “The Way You Do The Things You Do” (The Te...more →
Lou Rawls
Capitol Records T-2566
“Lame” Jazz; Crooner / Cabaret; SoulJukebox picks: “Breaking My Back (Instead Of Using My Mind)” (5.4) • “So Hard To Laugh, So Easy To Cry” (5.0) • “Memory Lane” (5.0)
A bit of a soul-jazz chore for me; it's too little too late by the time of the Northern Soul stomper “Breaking My Back...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor LPM-3758
“Lame” Pop Ballad; SoulJukebox picks: “Where No One Stands Alone” (7.0) • “Where Could I Go But To The Lord” (5.8) • “Run On” (5.2)
Not content with serving up inane plastic pop on his film soundtracks, Team Elvis now see fit to hit us with a slew of d...more →
Rolf Harris
Music For Pleasure MFP-1433
“Terrible” NoveltyJukebox picks: “Football Crazy [live]” (6.4) • “Maximillian Mouse [live]” (4.8) • “A Smugglers Life” (4.5)
Side one is made up of live recordings, whilst side two compiles the EP “Rolf Harris and Shamus O'Sean the Leprechaun” (...more →
The Royalettes
MGM Records E-4366
“Dire” Pop Ballad; PopJukebox picks: “It’s Better Not To Know” (5.1) • “Forever More” (4.4) • “Baby Are You Putting Me On” (4.0)
There's no doubting the elegance of their orchestrated “Saturday night variety” balladeering, but it's just too nice and...more →
The Alexander Brothers
Pye Golden Guinea Records GGL-0359
“Dire” CountryJukebox picks: “The Carnival Is Over” (3.0) • “I Really Don’t Want To Know” (2.8) • “Forty Shades Of Green” (2.8)
Looking at the tracklisting you might well think to yourself, “The Alexander Brothers doing country sounds like a te...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1966 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s