Capsule review: Beach boys - 20/20 (1969)

Wrapping up before heading off, but for now that's a strength. Even more democratic - side A is a succession of individual productions. Side B is Brian's, waving at us from the past.

Capsule review: The Band - The Band (1969)

It just wouldn't be the same coming from a pianoteacher, a failed filmstudent and three rockers from the Canadian Squires. Mythmakers extraordinaire.

Capsule review: Burt Bacharach - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

(alternate ending)
Butch: 'We're surrounded, Sundance. Police, sherrif, marksmen, the works.'
Sundance: 'I know I should be worried, but listen...'
Butch: 'Worried? We should get armed to the teeth and bust out!'
Sundance: 'Yeah, but listen to the soundtrack. It's so lovely and summery and unhurried. Not a care in the world. I just can't motivate myself for all that violence just now, Butch.'
Butch: '...'

Butch: 'Screw this, I'm busting out!'
Sundance: 'See you on the other side of this bossa, Butch...'

Capsule review: NRBQ - NRBQ (1969)

One of the greatest American bands starts here. No band captures the wide-eyed optimism and madcap inspiration of the USA at its best. Sun Ra, Eddie Cochran, Carla Bley, Bruce Channel, and some of the wildest, most wayward selfwritten songs from Terry Adams' and Steve Ferguson's imaginations. And it was only the start.

Capsule review: Kevin Ayers - Joy of a toy (1969)

Ayers is a fauvist painting in a grey city street. He's the picaresk ideal: living the good life, taking off to the Mediterranean sun, dedicating himself to the moment, benign absurdity. Songs about eating cake and cake eating you. And for 45 minutes I can step into that world. What can go wrong?

Capsule review: Association - Association (1969)

Hey, what if CSN had 7 singers and no egos? A sentimental favorite. Not a shred of revolution in it.