Best Albums of the Sixties

selected by piero scaruffi
with discographical notes by Rocco Stilo (titles in red are out of print)

From "The best albums of all time"

This is the old list by year. See the correct list for the decade that was published in the book.

1954

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    4/10
  1. Four Freshmen: Voices In Modern (1954)

1955

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    6/10
  1. Pete Seeger: Goofing Off Suite (1955)

1956

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    6/10
  1. Moondog: Moondog (Prestige)
    5/10
  2. Bill Haley: Rock'n'Roll Stage Show (Decca, 1956)
    3/10
  3. Elvis Presley: Elvis (RCA, 1956)

1957

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    6/10
  1. Elsa Popping And Her Pixie Landers: Delirium in Hi-Fi (1957)
  2. Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley (Chess)
  3. Link Wray: Link Wray and the Wraymen (Epic)
  4. Gary Davis: Pure Religion and Bad Company (77 Records)
  5. Crickets: Chirping Crickets (MCA)
    5/10
  6. Little Richard: Here's Little Richard (Ace)

1958

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    6/10
  1. Chuck Berry: After School Session (Chess)
    5/10
  2. Esquivel: Other Worlds Other Sounds (RCA)
  3. Buddy Holly: Buddy Holly (MCA)

1959

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi

    7/10
  1. Moondog: Moondog Suite (MGM)
    5/10
  2. Marty Robbins: Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
    4/10
  3. Esquerita: Esquerita (Capitol)
  4. Wanda Jackson: Wanda Jackson (Capitol),

1960

TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi
     
    6/10
  1. Joe Meek: I Hear a New World (1960)
  2. Ventures: Walk Don't Run (Dolton) [reissued with: Walk Don't Run vol. 2; One Way, 1996]
  3. Sandy Nelson: Plays Teen Beat (Imperial) [reissued with: He's A Drummer Boy!; See For Miles, 1996]

    4. 5/10
  4. Wanda Jackson: Rockin with Wanda (Capitol) [later included in: Right Or Wrong (4 CD box set); Bear Family, 1994]
  5. Duane Eddy: A Million & Worth of Twang (Jamie) [Motown, 1991; later included in: Twangin' from Phoenix to L.A. (5 CD box set); Bear Family, 1994]
  6. Johnny And The Hurricanes: Stormsville (Warwick) [PIDM, 2000; with 14 bonus tracks]
  7. Everly Brothers: It's Everly Time (Warner Bros) [reissued with: A Date With; id., 2001]
  8. James Brown: Think (King) [A&M, 1996]

    9. 4/10
  9. Joan Baez (Vanguard) [id., 2001; with 2 bonus tracks]

1961

TM, ®, Copyright © 1998 Piero Scaruffi
     
    5/10
  1. Bobby Bland: Two Steps From The Blues (MCA)
  2. Sandy Nelson: Let There Be Drums (Imperial) [reissued with: Drums Are My Beat!; See For Miles, 1996; Collectables, 1997]
  3. Ventures: self-titled (Dolton) [Castle, 1994; also reissued with: Another Smash!!!; One Way, 1996]
  4. Johnny Burnette: self-titled (Liberty) [reissued with: Dreamin'; BGO, 1996]
  5. Del Shannon: Runaway (Big Top) [Golden Stars, 1996]
  6. Bob Gibson: At The Gate Of Horn (Elektra)
  7. The Shadows: self-titled (Columbia) [Musicrama, 1997 (mono/stereo); also reissued with: Out The Shadows; EMI, 1995]
  8. Chubby Checker: Let's Twist Again (Parkway) [BMG, 1999]
  9. Dion & The Belmontes: Runaround Sue (Laurie) [Collectables, 1991; Capitol, 1993; Ace, 1997]
  10. Ike & Tina Turner: The Sound Of (Sue) [Collectables, 1994]
  11. Joan Baez: II (Vanguard) [id., 2001 (with 3 bonus tracks)]
  12. Ray Charles: Genius + Soul = Jazz (Impulse)

1962

TM, ®, Copyright © 1998 Piero Scaruffi
     
    6/10
  1. Howling Wolf (Chess 1469) [reissued with: Moanin' In The Moonlight; id., 1987]
  2. Attilio Mineo: Man in Space with Sounds (1962)
    5/10
  3. Beach Boys: Surfin' Safari (Capitol) [id., 1994 (with 2 bonus tracks); Prime Cuts, 1997; also reissued with: Surfin' USA; Capitol, 1990]
  4. Duane Eddy: Dance With The Guitar Man (RCA) [reissued with: Twistin' & Twangin'; One Way, 1998. CAREFUL: other homonymous releases don't conform to original]
  5. Roy Orbison: Crying (Sony) [Collectors' Series, 1993; Columbia, 1995; also reissued with: Lonely & Blue; Globetrotter, 2000]

    6. 4/10
  6. Tokens: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Warwick, 1962)
  7. Four Seasons: Sherry (Vee Jay) [Curb, 1995]
  8. Drifters: Save The Last Dance For Me (Atlantic) [Avid, 1995 (with 13 bonus tracks); also reissued with: The Good Life; Collectables, 2000]
  9. Dick Dale: Surfer's Choice (Deltone)
  10. Freddy Cannon: At Palisades Park (Swan)
  11. Alexis Korner: R&B From The Marquee (Ace Of Clubs) [Mobile Fidelity, 1996 (+ 5 bonus tracks); Ultradisc, 1996 (GOLD)]
  12. Isley Brothers: Twist And Shout (Wand) [Sundazed, 1993 (with 3 bonus tracks); Prime Cuts, 1995]
  13. King Curtis: It's Party Time (Tru-Sound)
  14. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Shop Around (Tamla)

    15. 3/10
  15. Peter Paul & Mary: self-titled (WB) [id., 1988]

1963

TM, ®, Copyright © 1998 Piero Scaruffi
     
    8/10
  1. Sandy Bull: Fantasia For Guitar & Banjo (Vanguard) [id., 2001]

    2. 6.5/10
  2. Lonnie Mack: The Wham Of That Memphis Man (Fraternity)
    6/10
  3. Lee Hazlewood: Trouble Is A Lonesome Town (Philles) [Smells Like, 1999]
  4. Jack Nitzsche: The Lonely Surfer (Collectors Choice, 2002)
  5. Davy Graham: Guitar Player Plus (Pye)
    5/10
  6. Bob Dylan: Freewheeling (CBS) [Columbia, 1988; also reissued with: Another Side/The Times They Are A-Changin'; Columbia, 1996]
  7. Beach Boys: Little Deuce Coupe (Capitol) [reissued with: All Summer Long; Capitol, 1990]
  8. Surfaris: Play Wipe Out (Decca) [reissued with: Fun City Usa; Repertoire, 1990]
  9. Jan & Dean: Surf City (Liberty) [EMI, 1990; K-Tel, 1995; also reissued with: Folk 'n Roll; One Way, 1996]
  10. Booker T & The MGs: Green Onions (Stax) [WEA, 1991; Atlantic, 1995]
  11. Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger (Chess)
  12. Serge Gainsbourg: Confidential
  13. Jim Kweskin: The Jug Band (Vanguard) [reissued as: Unblushing Brassiness; id., 1998]

    14. 4/10
  14. Kingsmen: In Person (Wand) [Sundazed, 1994]
  15. Del Shannon: Little Town Flirt (Big Top) [later included in: Little Town Flirt/Handy Man; BGO, 1998]
  16. Solomon Burke: If You Need Me (Atlantic) [Musicrama, 1997; also reissued with: Rock 'n' Soul (Collectables, 1998)]

    17. 3/10
  17. Gerry And The Pacemakers: How Do You Like It (Columbia) [Repertoire, 1994 (with 10 bonus tracks); EMI, 1997]
  18. Searchers: Sugar & Spice (Pye) [Castle, 2001; songs both mono & stereo, with 6 bonus tracks]
  19. Beatles: Please Please Me (Parlophone) [Capitol, 1987; also reissued with: Ask Me Why (Capitol, 1991)]

1964

TM, ®, Copyright © 1998 Piero Scaruffi
     
    7/10
  1. Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry: Two Great Guitars (Chess)
    6/10
  2. Rolling Stones (Decca) [London, 1995]
  3. Yardbirds: Five Live Yardbirds [Charly, 1993; Repertoire, 1999 (with 6 live bonus tracks)]
  4. Kinks: Kinks (Pye) [Castle, 1992; Essential, 1998; with bonus tracks and first EP]
  5. Trashmen: Surfin' Bird [Sundazed, 1995; with 4 bonus tracks]
  6. Roy Orbison: Oh Pretty Woman (London) [Madacy, 1998; included also in homonymous box set: Goldi, 2000]
  7. Bob Dylan: Another Side (CBS) [Columbia, 1990]
  8. Phil Ochs: All The News That's Fit To Sing (Elektra) [Hannibal, 1995; later included in: Farewells & Fantasies; Rhino, 1997]
  9. Joseph Spence: Happy All The Time
  10. Jesse Colin Young: The Soul Of A City Boy (Capitol) [One Way, 1995]

    11. 5/10
  11. Hollies: In The Hollies Style (Beat Goes On) [id., 1996]
  12. Drifters: Under The Boardwalk (Atlantic) [Legacy, 1999; Sequel, 1996 (with 5 live bonus tracks); also reissued with: Up On The Roof; Collectables, 1998]
  13. Animals: self-titled (Columbia) [later included in: Complete Animals; EMI, 1999]
  14. Temptations: Meet (Gordy) [Motown, 1999; with 2 bonus tracks; also reissued with: The Temptations Sing Smokey; Motown, 2000]
  15. Beach Boys: All Summer Long (Capitol) [reissued with: Little Deuce Coupe; Capitol, 1990; EMI, 2001]
  16. Beatles: A Hard Day's Night (Parlophone) [Capitol, 1988]
  17. Simon & Garfunkel: Wednesday Morning 3 AM (Columbia)
    4/10
  18. Ian And Sylvia: Four Strong Winds (Vanguard) [id., 1990]
  19. Alex Harvey: His Soul Band (Polydor. CAREFUL: not to be confused with 1999 homonymous issue by Bear Family)
  20. Buffy St Marie: It's My Way (Vanguard) [id., 1992]
  21. Manfred Mann: Five Faces (Ascot) [EMI, 1997]
  22. Marvin Gaye: When I'm Alone I Cry (Tamla) [Motown, 1994 (tracks both mono & stereo)]
  23. Supremes: Where Did Our Love Go? (Tamla) [reissued with: I Hear A Symphony; Motown, 2000]

1965

TM, ®, Copyright © 1998 Piero Scaruffi
     
    8/10
  1. Bob Dylan: Highway 61 Revisited (CBS) [Columbia, 1992]

    2. 7/10
  2. Byrds: Mr Tambourine Man (CBS; reissued in 1975 with: Turn! Turn! Turn!) [Columbia, 1990 (with 6 bonus tracks)]
  3. Donovan: Fairy Tale (Pye) [Castle, 1992]
  4. Robbie Basho: The Seal Of The Blue Lotus (Takoma)
  5. Sandy Bull: Inventions For Guitar And Banjo (Vanguard) [Timeless, 1995]
  6. Bola Sete: The Solo Guitar (Fantasy)
  7. Who: My Generation (Brunswick) [MCA, 1988]
  8. Jesse Colin Young: Young Blood (Capitol)
    6/10
  9. Fred Neil: Bleecker & McDougal (Elektra) [id., 1998; reissued with: Tear Down The Walls (Collector's Choice, 2001)]
  10. Fugs: Village Fugs (ESP) [(reissued as: The Fugs First Album) Fantasy, 1994; Phantom, 1999 (with 4 bonus tracks)]
  11. Sonics: Here Are (Etiquette) [Norton, 1999]
  12. Bob Dylan: Bringing It All Back Home (CBS) [Columbia, 1987]
  13. Animals: Animal Tracks (Columbia) [later included in: Complete Animals; EMI, 1999]
  14. Eric Andersen: Bout Changes And Things (Vanguard) [id., 1992]
  15. Rolling Stones: Out Of Our Heads (Decca) [Abkco, 1987; London, 1995]
  16. Sonics: Boom (Etiquette) [Norton, 1999; with bonus tracks]
  17. Them: The Angry Young Them (Decca) [London, 1988; Polygram, 1990]
  18. James Brown: Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (King) [Special Music, 1992]
  19. Bert Jansch: self-titled (Transatlantic) [later included in: Bert Jansch/It Don't Bother Me; Essential, 1996]
  20. Otis Redding: Sings Soul Ballads (Volt) [Atco, 1991]
  21. McCoys: Hang On Sloopy (Bang) [later included in: Hang On Sloopy/You Make; Repertoire, 1992 (with 5 bonus tracks)]
  22. Lee Hazlewood: Not So Very Important People (Philles)
  23. Beach Boys: Today (Capitol) [later included in: Today!/Summer Days & Nights; id., 1994 (with 4 bonus tracks)]
  24. Kinks: Kontroversy (Pye) [Castle, 1992 (with 3 bonus tracks); JVC Japan, 2000]

    25. 5/10
  25. Lovin' Spoonful: Do You Believe In Magic (Kama Sutra) [id., 1994]
  26. Beau Brummels: Introducing (Autumn) [Sundazed, 1995 (with 4 bonus tracks); Repertoire, 1998]
  27. Barry McGuire: Eve Of Destruction (Dunhill) [Word, 2000]
  28. Beatles: Rubber Soul (Parlophone) [Capitol, 1987]
  29. Beach Boys: Summer Days (Capitol) [later included in: Today!/Summer Days & Nights; id., 1994 (adds 4 bonus tracks)]
  30. Wilson Pickett: In The Midnight Hour (Atlantic) [Rhino, 1993]
  31. Phil Ochs: I Ain't Marching Anymore (Elektra) [Hannibal, 1994; also included in: Farewells & Fantasies; Rhino, 1997]
  32. Turtles: It Ain't Me Babe (White Whale) [Sundazed, 1994]
  33. Sonny And Cher: Look At Us (Atco) [Sundazed, 1998]
  34. Four Tops: self-titled (Motown)
  35. Martha And The Vandellas: Dance Party (Gordy)
  36. Spencer Davis Group: Their First (Fontana; also issued as: Every Little Bit Hurts; Wing, 1965) [later included in: 8 Gigs A Week (with complete works of Steve Winwood with the group); Polygram, 1996]
  37. Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs: Wooly Bully (MGM)
1966
1967
1968
1969
selected by piero scaruffi
with discographical notes by Rocco Stilo (titles in red are out of print)
(Revised in 2003 by Chris Ford) TM, ®, Copyright © 2001 Piero Scaruffi