Tag: three dog night

10 Albums That Prove the Summer of ’69 Was a Hot One for Music

August 8, 2019

It’s been 50 years since the summer of 1969, three months that remain one of the most memorable periods in modern music history. Of course, many associate the summer of ’69 with the Woodstock music festival, which featured now legendary performances by Santana, Grateful Dead , Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, to name just a few. But it was also an incredible time for album releases.

As the warm-weather months of 2019 comes to a close, here’s a look back at 10 of the many albums that rocked the world during the summer of ’69.

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash

This album, Cash’s 31st, was the follow-up to his groundbreaking 1968 performance and album recorded at Folsom Prison. The show also marked the first live performances of “San Quentin” and “A Boy Named Sue.” At San Quentin was later nominated for Album of the Year.

First Take by Roberta Flack

First Take is still considered an extraordinary debut from an artist of any genre. It went on to top the charts in 1972 after Ewan MacColl’s cover of her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was included in the 1971 Clint Eastwood film Play Misty for Me.

Suitable for Framing by Three Dog Night

Suitable for Framing included hits like the instantly recognizable “Feeling Alright,” as well as “Lady Samantha,” written by then-unknown Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The band’s previous album from 1968 featured “One,” written by Harry Nilsson, which was still in the top 10 by the summer of ’69. (Nilsson’s song “Gotta Get Up” was rediscovered recently in the hit Netflix series Russian Doll.)

From Elvis in Memphis by Elvis Presley

The tenth studio album by The King was considered one of his best ever, both at the time of its release and now. Recorded in a country-soul style in Memphis, the album came after a long dry spell in which Elvis mostly focused on soundtracks for the films in which he starred. The album’s single “In the Ghetto,” written by Mac Davis, hit number three on the charts.  

The Soft Parade by The Doors

The fourth studio album by the band, The Soft Parade marked The Doors’ transition to a more mainstream sound. It features one of their biggest hits, “Touch Me.”

Bubblegum, Lemonade, and… Something for Mama by Cass Elliot

This effort had two big hits from Elliot’s five-album solo career after her time in The Mamas & The Papas, including “It’s Getting Better” and “Make Your Own Kind of Music,” the latter of which was added to the album when it was re-released later in the year.

The Stooges by The Stooges

Although it was initially dismissed by critics, the debut album from Iggy Pop and his bandmates is now considered a classic—essentially punk before punk existed. The band broke up after a couple years, but was revived by Stooges fan David Bowie.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Not only is the album itself impressive, with its hits “Green River” and “Bad Moon Rising,” but this was the second of three classic full-length albums the band released in 1969 alone.

My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder

Wonder’s 11th studio album is just one in a long string of successful records, but this one stands out for its original songs “My Cherie Amour” and “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday,” as well as Wonder’s inventive cover of “Light My Fire” by The Doors.

Santana by Santana

If nothing else, Santana knows not to squander an opportunity. The band, featuring guitarist Carlos Santana, got its big break at Woodstock and delivered a memorable performance ahead of their debut album’s release.

Want to tap into the sentiment of ’69 even more? Stream Parcast’s new Summer of ’69 true-crime podcast series.

Soothing Sounds for Spot: How Streaming Can Help Your Dog Relax

April 25, 2019

From $200 webcam treat dispensers to foie gras dog biscuits, there’s no shortage of products created to keep pups well behaved or happy. But dog owners might not know that they already have something to achieve the same effect: music. Streaming a playlist—not adding to the collection of half-eaten squeaky toys—might be all you need to help Fido keep calm.

Even though it might be one of your first thoughts, skip the Snoop Dogg. No Three Dog Night, no Temple of the Dog, and definitely no “Who Let the Dogs Out.” Classical is what works. In fact, there are hundreds of dog-relaxation playlists on Spotify that have been collectively streamed 8.6 million times in the past three months—all of them featuring soothing classical tracks.

“We are unsure why classical music has such a calming effect, but it does appear to be inherently enriching,” says Dr. Deborah Wells. As Reader in the School of Psychology and Director of the Animal Behaviour Centre of the Queen’s University Belfast, she’s published multiple studies on animal welfare and behavior—domestic dogs being her primary focus. She specifically advises: No heavy metal. It only increases anxiety.

Two playlists, Dog Music and Relaxing Sounds for Your Dog, are especially popular. They account for more than 60% of the abovementioned 8.6 million streams. Given the frequency at which they’re played, it’s likely one or the other will lull your dog into a relaxing state as well or better than a new rawhide bone.

Think of playing music for your pooch after you’ve left the house? No problem. It’s easy to stream Spotify from your phone, tablet or desktop while you’re at work, out for dinner, or just running errands. Follow the simple instructions for setting up a Google Home, Alexa, or other speaker.

Once you’re up and running, queue up a playlist. Hopefully, you’ll arrive home to a happy, mellow dog—who has a taste for Claude Debussy in lieu of leather oxfords.

Stream the most popular dog relaxation playlist, Dog Music.