Let’s continue our June 1968 wrap up:
Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly’s second and most well-known album was released June 14, 1968. The title track, released as a single the same day, holds an odd place in rock history in my mind. It’s almost become a punchline due to the garbled title and the fact that it takes up the entire second side of the album. But the album stands on its own as the highest selling release of 1969. It was also the biggest seller for Atlantic Records until Led Zeppelin IV.
Fairport Convention – Fairport Convention
This was the English folk-rock band’s debut album, and I can’t write intelligently about it because I haven’t listened to it. As with many other groups I’ve wanted to get to know, I familiarized myself with Fairport Convention by purchasing a hits collection before branching out, but the compilation didn’t include any songs from this self-titled debut. Judy Dyble was the lead singer on this record, but she would be replaced by the siren Sandy Denny for the next few releases, and they are among my favorite albums from the era. I’ll have more from Fairport Convention next January when I have a clue what I’m talking about.
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Single: Fire
This single from the band’s debut album reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US Billboard charts.
I’ll just leave this dose of insanity here…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_(album)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairport_Convention_(album)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_(Arthur_Brown_song)
-Stephen
50th Music Anniversaries and Other Musings 
I like Fairport Convention’s sound and songs I’ve heard but I don’t know a whole lot by them.
I have always liked Fire… I didn’t know about the song until I read a Who bio in the 80s and read that Pete Townshend helped produce it so I sought it out… No other song with that vibe.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida… Playing in a band and if we needed time to fill in a bar set…this was a go to…I had no clue it sold so many copies.
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I recommend checking out Fairport’s “Liege & Lief” or “Unhalfbricking” for starters.
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Thank you I’ll do that.
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I have a two disc best of type thing on Fairport- but not individual albums. Iron Butterfly I listened to a week ago- a sign post to 1968. I wasn’t overwhelmed by the album. Got to listen to Arthur Brown album… welcome back.
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That Fairport debut is weaker than what followed IMO. It’s folk-rock, but more in the Jefferson Airplane sense than the Olde English sense. I didn’t like the Iron Butterfly album beyond the title track.
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Worth streaming that first Fairport Convention album when you get a chance. Interested in your thoughts.
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