We have made it to our own final four. I wish I could say that we have a VCU and Butler in our distinguished four, but, the tournament has not seen many upsets. While many great albums were released in 1967, only a few were extraordinary, and of those we have our final four. Voting ends on April 8 and then we will have our two. Will the #1 seed and #2 seed remain or will we see a disturbance in the chalk.
The #1 seed Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band continues to move on in our voting. In the elite eight it beat Dylan‘s John Wesley Hardingby nine votes. But, will it be able to get past the #5 seed (highest left in the tournament) which is coming off the heels of upsetting Magical Mystery Tour. Do I smell a little revenge from the Beatles for the last match? Voting time.
The battle of the #2 and #3 seed. A classic match of awesome albums. We have the Doors eponymous first album first. The album wrecked Surrealistic Pillow, ending Jefferson Airplane’s chances of a Cinderella run. Are You Experienced did the same with Strange Days, also by the Doors. Another potential revenge battle.
Who will be in the final four of the greatest albums of 1967. In a week we will know for sure. That is, if you vote, of course. Voting has already begun on the first two match-ups of the elite eight. Haven’t had a chance to vote yet? Follow the link below to vote in the first match-ups.
A peculiarity has developed as this music bracket has narrowed. The 1st and 4th seed, both Beatles‘ albums, advanced to the elite eight. The Doors share the spotlight with the Beatles. They hold both the #2 and #6 seed, which will both be voted on below. Can this be a final four of Beatles vs. Doors? 1967 was an incredible year for both bands. Let’s get to the voting.
Are You Experienced never trailed against Procol Harum‘s debut album, winning 9-3. The debut album for the band led by Hendrix is one of rock’s finest, ranked 15th on the Rolling Stones list of greatest albums of all time. Strange Days pulled ahead of the Left Banke at the last moment to take a commanding lead and win its first round battle. The album is as musically cogent as its covers oddness.
The Doors is an iconic album that may very well be the band’s best work, as well as being their first. In its first match-up it destroyed Days of Future Passed and it will look to do the same to Surrealistic Pillow, which massacred Love’s Forever Changes in the first round battle of the two psychedelic albums.
Remember to Vote! Voting ends on April 1 and the Final Four will be uploaded that day.
The NCAA Men’s March Madness Tournament has been mercurial thus far. It is close to impossible to pick games correctly. Solid favorites have been outplayed by low-seeded teams. If your bracket is busted, do not fret. Welcome to the Music Court’s 1967 Album Tournament where you choose the best albums from 1967. We have just finished up our first round (16 albums) and we are on to our elite eight. For those who voted in the first round, thank you. If you are new to the tournament, please vote. I am eager to hear all opinions. Remember this cannot work if you do not vote. We begin the elite eight with two matches. The other two matches will be posted on Friday, March 25 and voting for the elite eight ends on Friday, April 1.
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, the consensus #1 seed in The Music Court’s 1967 album bracket pool flew by Always Free in The Beatles’ first round match (12-0). The album that features “A Day in the Life” will move on to face the upset winner in the 8 vs. 9 match-up, John Wesley Harding, which beat Aretha Franklin’sI Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. Dylan, who is keen to upsets, matches “A Day in the Life” with his “All Along the Watchtower.” Does he have enough to pull off a dramatic elite eight upset, or will he be blowing in the wind?
#4 seed: Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles vs. #5 seed: Disraeli Gears by The Cream
The Beatles do not like to lose. In a well-fought opening round match, Magical Mystery Tour (released only four months after #1 seed Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band), beat out the scrappy Velvet Underground and Nico 8-5. Disraeli Gears, a very strong five seed, crushed Pink Floyd’s debut album 10-2. Will Disraeli Gears stop the Beatles from having a guaranteed path into the finals, or will Magical Mystery Tour face its predecessor in the final four match? Magical Mystery Tour is perhaps more touted because of its artistic draw, but the track listing still does include “I Am The Warlus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever,” two of the Beatles most psychedelic pieces. Clapton and The Cream do put up a fantastic fight with “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Badge,” two awesome blues/psychedelic fusion songs. This is going to be a battle.
The first round keeps on trucking along. The higher seeded match-ups for the best album of 1967 have garnered a lot of attention and votes continue to come in. Currently, the 1,2,3 seeds are rolling along but Magical Mystery Tour, the 4th seed, is having issues with Velvet Underground and Nico, the 13th seed, which only trails by ONE VOTE! It’s an exciting potential upset. Haven’t had a chance to vote in the higher seeded first round matches yet? Follow the below links before voting in the last four first round match-ups below.
#1 Seed: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles vs. #16 Seed: Absolutely Free by The Mother’s Invention
Let’s move on to some excellent first round matches. While many of the higher seed battles are going to be won by the higher seeds, we may see some mini-upsets in some of these mid-level upsets. You all ready? Let’s do it. Remember vote if you want your favorite to pass through. First round voting ends March 21!
Disraeli Gears may be The Cream’s best album. It was the second release by this supergroup and it featured classics like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew.” It was ranked 112 in Rolling Stones’ best albums of all time. It is a great example of the talent that oozed from this band. But, it does have some competition with The Pipers at The Gate of Dawn. While this is not Pink Floyd’s best album (by any argument), it is the debut from one of the most influential British rock bands that would later take progressive psychedelic rock to a new level. Syd Barrett provided direction for this album (the only Floyd album he would) and songs like “Interstellar Overdrive,” “Astronomy Domine” and “Bike” are featured, all excellent examples of psychedelic rock.
#6 seed: Strange Days by The Doors vs. #11 seed: Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina by The Left Banke
Do not write this one off as a clear win for the Doors quite yet. Many may be looking at this and thinking who is The Left Banke and how did they manage an 11 seed. Well, they are a dark horse in the competition because of the absolute excellence of this release. On it is “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina” two of the best examples of baroque pop ever to be released. Listen to the songs before you vote. This is not intended to sway your vote. Strange Days is an excellent album that probably deserved a higher rating (that’s how good 1967 was for album releases). Released just eight months after their first release, the album features “Strange Days” and “People are Strange.”
#7 seed: Forever Changes by Love vs. #10 seed: Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
The battle of two psychedelic juggernauts. This may come down to matter of preference. On one side you have Love who with Forever Changes pretty much defined the genre of psychedelic rock. It is some of the most crisp and fine examples of the genre ever. Surrealistic Pillow, on the other hand, features “Somebody To Love” and “White Rabbit” two other exceptional examples of psychedelic rock. In a way, Jefferson Airplane’s music is more rock-oriented and Love, more psychedelic. Let the battle of the 1967 California psychedelic bands commence.
#8 seed: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You by Aretha Franklin vs. #9 seed: John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan
The diversity of 1967 album releases is striking. I do love how we go from Love vs. Jefferson Airplane (two bands playing psychedelic music) to Aretha vs. Bob Dylan, soul vs. folk. So, which way will you go? “Respect” or “All Along the Watchtower”
Did you know that UCLA won the 1967 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament? The 3-seeded album of our tournament was created by a man that would have one of the most amazing live performances in California come June of that year. Let’s continue with our tournament. Will we see an upset in the first round. Can our 13 seed take down the heavily favored four.
REMEMBER: In order for this to work, vote, vote, vote for your favorite!
A solid first round match-up. The albums are both exceptional in their own right. Days of Future Passed is an early example of progressive rock. It has their most famous song “Nights in White Satin.” But, the Doors’ debut album will be tough to beat. The album is stacked with big-time songs like “Light my Fire” and “Break on Through.”
Are You Experienced features some of the best work by Hendrix and his band. The jam-packed album is rock n’ roll history. It is one of the greatest albums of all time (and it is a third seed – shows you how good 1967 was). In the North American release, songs like “Purple Haze,” “Hey Joe,” and “Fire,” spin off the record in mind-blowing fashion. But, do not underestimate Procol Harum. Procol Harum, the band’s first release, features an interesting mix between psychedelic rock and classic elements. “A White Shade of Pale” is one of the more beautiful, haunting songs ever released. And, Robin Trower‘s guitar work is great. Obviously not what Jimi Hendrix was doing, but still excellent.
#4 seed:Magical Mystery Tourby The Beatles vs. #13 seed: The Velvet Underground With Nico by The Velvet Underground
Do I smell an Andy Warhol banana upset. The Velvet Underground and Nico (also a debut album) features the work for pioneers Lou Reed and John Cale who, with this album, pretty much created the genre of protopunk and set the foundation for the late 70’s. “Heroin” and “I’m Waiting for My Man” are two pieces of lyrical candor and genius by Reed. Magical Mystery Tour, the Beatles’ second appearance on our list (released in December of 1967) does have “I Am The Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever,” two psychedelic masterpieces. This is going to be a tough battle.
We have made it to our own final four. I wish I could say that we have a VCU and Butler in our distinguished four, but, the tournament has not seen many upsets. While many great albums were released in 1967, only a few were extraordinary, and of those we have our final four. Voting ends on April 8 and then we will have our two. Will the #1 seed and #2 seed remain or will we see a disturbance in the chalk.
The Music Court 