The Best 60s Los Angeles Psychedelic Scene Albums Ranked

Watch the Psychedelic San Francisco video here : • The Best 60s San Franc...

[@mazzysmusic]

A SLIP OF THE LIPS: OF COURSE IT WAS ARTHUR LEE WHO WAS IN LOVE AND NOT ALVIN LEE WHO WAS IN TEN YEARS AFTER!

[@jeffplus6652]

Hey Mazzy, I think everybody's been in love!

[@mrheem44]

Im Going Home

[@lorimarcus6096]

Easy m iui stake,you're forgiven!

[@hashburystumble8808]

Hi Mas ! If you get to read my comment below you will see me mention sampler albums which were a great way of introducing me to a wide range of music which I would not otherwise have heard. I don't know if these samplers were issued in the USA but here in Scotland they were invaluable to me. They include albums from CBS, Liberty, Atlantic, Island & I think A&M. It might be interesting if you could do a review/ranking of sampler albums, possibly by year. Keep on keeping on.

[@SDsailor7]

The name of the docu is Gypsy rock and roll nomads. And it's here on YT

[@warble83]

I was 13 when I found Forever Changes in a flea market bin shortly after it was released. It was the first album I ever bought...still in my top 5 of all time.

[@jamboree.]

Forever Changes is the best.

[@richierugs6544]

the live dvd brings me to tears every time

[@CStevenBlue]

So, thanks for this. I really appreciate your perspective. I was one of the original Hippies on the Sunset Strip, so the L.A. music scene for me was like the San Francisco scene for you. I was 16 in '66, 17 in the Summer of love and 18 in 1968, 19 in '69. Our Summer of Love included the love-ins in Griffith Park, as yours did in Golden Gate. The music scene in L.A. was a catalyst for so much of what would materialize around the country and world. Thanks for including L.A. in your videos reviews. I do disagree about CSN. The had plenty of psychedelic music in their albums. I sat in on the recording sessions of Strawberry Alarm Clock's second album. They were from my home town, Pasadena, before I moved to Hollywood in high school. I was a DJ in a teenage nightclub on the Sunset Strip in '66-'67. It was called It's Boss. Love played there (from my home town, Pasadena), The Bobby Fuller Four, The Byrds. John Kay used to bum cigarettes off me at the front door, before his first album even came out. I danced in Cher's fashion show in the club where I worked. After hours we'd often go to Barnie's Beanery, where more than once Jim Morrison would stagger out the door with a Hippie girl on each arm. Sky Saxon's brother was my upstairs neighbor and we used to go to Sky's parties in Malibu. Also, one of our lesser known music celebrities on the Strip was Wild Man Fisher, who's brother, Norm was a friend of me and my wife. Later on in my life, I got to jam with Doug Ingles, of Iron Butterfly, as well as Dick Dodd of The Standells, who did the music soundtrack for the movie Riot On Sunset Strip, which mock chronicled the Hippie riot at Pandora's Box in 1966, which I was in the middle of. It was about the L.A. police enforcing a new curfew on the Strip for anyone under 18, and also trying to change the admission age of the teenage night clubs, in an attempt to drive the masses of teen Hippies from the Strip. Stephen Stills wrote the song, "For What It's Worth," that night, while watching the riot. Later on, I also worked with Julius Chambers, who was one of the brothers of The Chambers Brothers. We worked together in stage production for years. The band I worked with in 1967 played at Gazzarris West, on La Cienega Blvd., where Spirit came in one night and auditioned. They were turned down by the owner as being too out there, too strange. If only he knew. I was also a regular dancer on American Bandstand and other teenage dance shows that were filmed/taped in L.A. It was an awesome time to be growing up in L.A., and I was right in the heart of the Psychedelic, Hippie, Counterculture, Summer of Love, war protest scene!

[@stringdoc]

I'm jealous!

[@keithwalker8090]

Wild Man Fisher could produce so many sounds by pinching his throat, give him a dime and he never disappointed. Gazzarris, Standells and Pandora's box. That purple door from Pandora's box, is on the wall in a music room of a friend. Thank you Steven.

[@tomhanley4946]

I was 16 in '66 as well. I attended a love-in or two. "For What It's Worth" was my anthem.

[@cosmicvinyl2937]

Man! Another brilliant list from the Norman Maslov catalog ! This was so great Mazzy! I’m proud to say I have many of these records but I am also reminded of many that I still need to hunt down I was glad you included such garage/psych stuff like the Music Machine, my favorite Pop/garage rock album even over the Doors (Blasphemy?) and also the Seeds debut! I think the organ playing on that Seeds album is what makes it fit into the psych category. Darryl Hooper was great just like Manzarek! Tim Buckley! The Byrds! Beef heart! Zappa and the Mothers! This was amazing! Thanks for taking the time to put this together and share it with us! Peace ☮️✌️👽🤘☮️

[@flatrocker6675]

Glad to see Spirit in your top 10. Including the first LP, I think The Family That Plays Together, Clear and 12 Dreams are great examples of how far ahead of their time this band was. I like your list. Keep up the good work!

[@michaelward9880]

I could never understand why Spirit wasn't more popular than they were. Great band and definitely psychedelic.

[@DodgeDartSongs]

Thanks for including Notorious Byrd Brothers. Great songs and ridiculously great-sounding as well.

[@juanitaldiggs]

OMG Arthur Lee and Love. Forever Changes, Da Capo 💙♥

[@VagueRANT100]

I have ALL the SPIRIT albums....geat,great band!!!!

[@garyolshan4177]

Agree. I play the shit out of The Best of Spirit.

[@tomhanley4946]

You bet Fresh Garbage got me started!

[@tambohclement3062]

For sure

[@michaelward9880]

Me too!

[@user-tm3bn8hz6b]

The Electric Prunes, Penny Arkade (Not The Freeze), St. John Green, Clear Light, Kim Fowley (Outrageous) - 60s L.A. psych LPs I listen to often. Great episode!

[@positivelivingmusic5497]

Clear light! I wore that debut out. One of those guys landed in Styx.

[@poppyonepug1]

Here's some trivia for you. Ed King from Strawberry Alarm Clock went on to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. He came up with the intro to Sweet Home Alabama. The Strat he used on that song is for sale for $500,000.

[@sh230968]

Joni Mitchell is my favorite in many ways. Thank you for including her. Now your LA video is one of the best on KZbin for me.

[@AlterMann57]

Mazzy, I absolutely love your videos, you're a couple years older than me, and you're a San Francisco person (I love your accent when you say Sanfercisco). I'm an east coast person, a New Jersey person, so I was introduced to Soul and R & B before I got into Rock music. I was an attendee of Woodstock, I was there with my older cousins, and that was the first time I saw my favourite band (Grateful Dead) in person. My favourite band leading up to Woodstock was Jefferson Airplane, and I was thrilled to see them too, but that show was my biggest intro to the San Fran feel and style of music, since Country Joe & The Fish, Santana, and CCR were at the show. This video features the L.A. version of the Psychedelic phase of music, and I agree with you completely! Thank you for posting these outstanding videos!

[@stevendreith4343]

What about Freak Out by the Mothers of Invention. Like you, on buying albums for their cover; I took the bus from the coast, to Market Street in San Francisco (that's what we did, when bored) and saw Freak Out in a record bin. I said WTF, and had to have it. For a 16 year old, it was quite a revelation. Keep up the great work, I love your reviews.

[@thomasbedell4770]

I was 16 when I first heard Freak Out. Went for Absolutely Free immediately and We’re Only In It For The Money likewise. What a trio of albums.

[@terrynak]

One album not included here is Da Capo by Love, a wonderful early psychedelic album. I even like the jam "Revelation" which takes up the entire second side.

[@michelraffin7006]

I love the spirit album. the family that plays together

[@juanitaldiggs]

This is fun for a collector like myself. Spent most of my funds on records concerts and equipment in the 60's and 70's. Was based in Wash. DC then moved 1st to LA and then SF for 10yrs. Loved them both. Thanks for these posts. Brings back fond memories.

[@jlovebirch]

Was waiting the whole time for that Buffalo Springfield record -- nice to see it make #1. Also The Monkees "The Porpoise Song" deserves honorable mention.

[@sugadelicsavagesoul8623]

Although "Porpoise Song" was a single from the album HEAD, yes, I also agree "HEAD" should've been included an honorable mention, but it's his list. We cannot say what should & shouldn't be on there, but yeah I get it.

[@robinjones6999]

as a londoner I agree with you totally, which I find strange since we live so far apart - keep up the great work

[@mazzysmusic]

Well London is one of my top three favorite cities ✌🏽

[@tomdemaline8869]

i just found your channel and this is what Ive been looking for. Someone my age that has the same taste in music as i do. thank you so much. and yes i agree about the Mamas and Papas. Cass Elliot was just so involved with the Laurel Canyon scene and introducing people.

[@tomdemaline8869]

i really like the fact that you included Joni Mitchell on your list. David Crosby was asked what album should every young person listen to he said Blue. And it is a wonderful album

[@erikdolnack2737]

Love's "Forever Changes" and the Doors' debut album top the LA-Psych list for me.

[@DanG12342]

Zappa....an artist I absolutely love one minute and the next, I have a wtf moment!

[@TODDTAMANENDCLARK]

That first STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK album has an excellent long song entitled "THE WORLD'S ON FIRE"!

[@williambaxter4628]

Saw them play it live. Sounded just like the lp. Except a WHOLE lot louder!

[@haroldfridkis9235]

Speaking of the Seeds, I too have a copy of their 1967 album Future. It contains A Thousand Shadows. As a single, it peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the summer of '67. That song sounds like their earlier hit Pushin' Too Hard.

[@stephenchapman9198]

Very enjoyable review of many of my record collection, east end boy from the late 60s who fell in love with the doors spirit love and springfield great 👍

[@davidnilles3117]

Great video, as always. I was excited to see Tim Buckley on your list. He’s probably my all time favorite musician. Happy Sad is in my Top Five favorite albums of all time. 👍

[@finylvinyl66]

The most psychedelic Monkees album was their fourth Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd. It was also their best. Nesmith's Daily Nightly was one the first songs to feature Moog synthesizer and it's a classic.

[@JohnJohnson-cn9fh]

very true peter,this gem is as great as anything released that year,very eclectic too.jpj

[@syater]

I agree. Their sound on Love is Only Sleeping is pretty psychedelic too,

[@calvinwboaz7085]

Head only has a few actual songs on it. A lot of the album is clips from the movie, but it is their most psychedelic album. Their second record wasn't very psychedelic, and the band didn't even know the record was finished when they saw it in the stores. My personal favorite is The Birds, The Bees and the Monkees.

[@syater]

​@@calvinwboaz7085 It's true that Head really only had six songs on it, but only two or three of which were any good and might be called psychedelic. The clips were filler for the lack of actual songs. The single from the album was "Porpoise Song" b/w "As We Go Along" both of which were Carole King songs and the best of the album, in my view.

[@sugadelicsavagesoul8623]

@@syater I'll agree with you about Porpoise Song, as it is one of my all-time favorites, and a bonafide psych classic--especially the longer version, however I have to vehemently disagree that half of the few songs on HEAD were any good. They are unsung classics! It's unfortunate these songs are overlooked as that album is CRIMINALLY underrated.

[@42.0fmthefever5]

Norman: shows a record Me: pause video goes on Discogs adds to my want list *repeat*

[@vinylshawn4757]

So true. Your not alone on that!

[@42.0fmthefever5]

@@vinylshawn4757 my want list keeps going up I was hoping to get it lower but Norman keeps showing these psychedelic video and makes me want more and more haha

[@teckertime]

Me Too!

[@markspooner1224]

I loved this! What a great selection, I want to hear all of that immediately.

[@Astronomapper]

The two songs that made me want to learn guitar and form a band are ‘Burning of the Midnight Lamp’ (Hendrix) and ‘August’ from ‘Four Sail’ by Love. Great list !

[@mushroomqween9705]

I'm 23 and trying to get into more psychedelic music and the doors are my favorite band and I already love the seeds, Jefferson airplane, iron butterfly, the mamas and papa's, the turtles etc.. I'm going to check these out! thanks man✌🏻

[@mazzysmusic]

So much great stuff if you like the mood and style of this music. Thanks for watching and commenting ✌🏽

[@tomhanley4946]

I'm 70 and still love the Doors, Seeds, Jefferson Airplane and Iron Butterfly. My girlfriend loved the Mamas & Papas bought her the album. Saw the Seeds and Iron Butterfly in concert several times. One show at the Shrine Auditorium included CCR (the headliners), Iron Butterfly and Albert King. A fantastic concert for $3 !!! Albert King stole the show! His soulful blues guitar just blew everybody away! Everybody was lighting up and passing joints to each other thinking this guy is amazing...who is he? Started my love for the blues.

[@mushroomqween9705]

@@tomhanley4946 how cool! You're so lucky to live through those times ✌🏻

[@tomhanley4946]

@@mushroomqween9705 Yes, those were crazy times but looking back there was an innocence and idealism. We hoped the world would change for the better that John Lennon and Paul McCartney would be right: All You Need is Love

[@tomhanley4946]

@@mazzysmusic Thanks, your record reviews (and comments by your audience) have been fun and brought back a lot of memories. I watched your psychedelic SF record review and was going to comment there but before I did I was here. Do you know Rodney Albin (older brother of Peter, the Big Brother & the Holding Company musician)? I moved to Frisco in the early 70s and learned how to build to build an acoustic guitar under Rodney's guidance in the back of a music store on Haight Street.

[@grinningplanetvideo]

Thanks for including the first Spirit album, a masterpiece that easily equals popular (and the also much-loved) Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus album. On the Monkees, I must preferentially promote the next two albums -- "Headquarters" and "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd." as better examples of the Monkees' psych offerings, especially the latter.

[@grinningplanetvideo]

And also thanks for including "Forever Changes," a much under-appreciated album.

[@kevinmauch5622]

As a bassist, I feel it incumbent upon me to point out that The Doors used bass guitarists extensively on their studio recordings. Larry Knechtel, Doug Luban, Harvey Brooks and Leroy Vinnegar are just some of the bass players on Doors records.

[@himmeluberdeutschland401]

Thank you! It's so annoying to keep hearing people say that Ray played the bass parts when he only did that live.

[@billkeon880]

Tim Buckley’s debut, while not truly psychedelic, is so unusual sounding like it was made on a different planet, like Astral Weeks. The Buckley album does feel like folk/psych sort of, and for a guy who was in his teens to make it and in 1966 is crazy. One of my favourites. Trout Mask Replica is fast and bulbous the Mascara Snake.... The three Beach Boys albums after Smile were huge discoveries for me about six or seven years ago. Fairly psychedelic. They need more love. All three Byrd’s records from ‘66-68 are in my top 15 albums of all time for me. Couldn’t live without them, and that includes Forever Changes

[@bobburroughs6241]

Saw the great Spirit in '70 on England tour (4 wonderful albums) and Love 'Four Sail' band. 'Forever Changes' still the best ever for me. Saw Beefheart twice in England too - 'Trout Mask' can still be a tough listen even now. 'Safe as Milk' with 'Electricity' still a phenomenal first album. And The Doors first two - had so many of these. Thanks for another great episode Norman.

[@hashburystumble8808]

So glad you included the United States of America. I first heard them on a CBS sampler album, Rock Machine Turns You On. A few months later if found a 45rpm single in a clearance bin which had my favourite track on the 'b' side "Love Song For The Dead Che". The album's opening track "American Metaphysical Circus" has a marching band which comes in through one ear, crosses through your head & exits the other. Just an amazing album.

[@iconicshrubbery]

Totally. Up there in its eclecticm with Sgt. Pepper, but with electronics and the icy voice of Dorothy Moskovitz.

[@johnryan3913]

Steppenwolf seem completely underrated in recent decades, thanks to grossly overexposed Born to Be Wild. The debut is spectacular AND sounds fantastic on the Classic (?) Label reissue. All the Dunhill albums (except the misguided Monster) have much to offer.

[@surfraptor]

I saw Steppenwolf at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, They sucked big time live. We walked out. Lazy soul covers.

[@renegonzalez1336]

Steppenwolf is killer, it sad how people only think of them as the band that wrote Born to wild and magic carpet ride.

[@MrKelleyzinho]

I think people associate them with bikers and rough guys. They were right at the center of the San Francisco scene and would even stretch out live, e.g. , a half hour “Pusher.”

[@johnryan3913]

Well I was a kid not a rough guy when I was buying their records. The have a cool non lp 45 called 'For Madmen Only' that is 9 min of spooky sounds...And they did a very good proto feminist lp, "For Ladies Only"...their last before breaking up

[@tomhanley4946]

They sounded real nice too me in LA !

[@scottdemayo9567]

That was fun. A few that I'm not familiar with. Love and Spirit are two of my favorites. I would have found a spot for Da Capo very cool. LA had such a great music scene in those years.

[@alandonald9008]

Loved this. I know what I'll be listening to for the next week. How about a sunshine pop list next?

[@alembic65]

Regarding Spirit--- indeed the 1st album and "12 Dreams.." are a must; I would include their 2nd album ("The Family That Plays Together") as one of the essential three. Also, I found "Forever Changes" and "Notorious Byrd Bros." as a high school kid stuck in the early 80s and both have never left my top 5 list.

[@michaelkaiser5994]

I liked “Clear” too!

[@mordecaicarroll]

I agree that The Family That Plays Together is a fantastic record

[@paulperkins1615]

To me, the best Spirit album was 12 Dreams, a truly great one. Next best was Clear, a little further out in space, but in a wonderful way. The other Spirit albums have some great tracks, but don't really sustain my interest for the whole album.

[@grinningplanetvideo]

I would also add that there are some great tracks on the "Mercury Years" albums, though admittedly that material is not overall as good that the first album and 12 Dreams.... For Star Trek TOS fans, "Future Games" is a must-have.

[@mitchabate]

Glad you mentioned Tim Buckley - Amazing Artist!

[@markhammer643]

I think I wore out my copy of Goodbye and Hello. Released in 1972, so it can't be included in 60's albums, Buckley's Greetings from L.A. is one of my favorite records of his. His song "Get on Top" is just one of the dirtiest rock songs ever recorded. Right up there with Randy Newman's "Leave Your Hat On", Joan Osborne's "Right Hand Man", or the Gainsbourg/Birkin tune "Je t'aime, Moi non plus".

[@sh230968]

@@markhammer643 Phantasmagoria In Two is a great song (Tim Buckley).

[@warmswarm]

Hi Norman, great video. The second Tim Buckley you showed (at 20:50) was Goodbye and Hello, not Happy Sad. You already mentioned Happy Sad earlier at 9:15.

[@mazzysmusic]

I guess I misspoke. Thank you!!

[@DocJJohnson]

Great list that brings back many colorful memories...

[@joncaradies3155]

Sooo Cool that you gave a nod to Neil Young's first solo album ..... Still one of fav LPs ...... I'm about the same age as you and one of my sister's friends was the head of the buffalo Springfield fan club . With regular access to the band .... Ha ! so many funny stories ....... Oh . Spirit was my favorite band for a time back then and got to see them ...... They were amazing live ..... Funny having your parents drop you off alone for a rock show when you are 13 ..... Couldn't imagine that now ......

[@jtsrecordroom3963]

Hey Mazzy.. really like how you are ranking albums. I so agree with including Dan Hicks and we'll never forget his Hot Licks... he was in the seen, and, of course, originally in The Charlatans as well.. Love how you put "Clouds" by Joni on the So Cal list.. Man, in L.A. all the great artists worshipped her. Great video, again Cheers JT

[@pauldaniels2019]

I enjoyed your list. I kept waiting for Buffalo Springfield Again to come up. So when you said can anybody guess what number 1 is, that was my guest. Personally, I like Everbody Knows This Is Nowhere by NY & CH much better than his first record. I wouldn’t mind seeing Love’s first two albums on your list too. Loved that you had 3 Byrds albums. I was lucky enough to see 4 original members together in the late 70s In small clubs . . . Pure magic.

[@brianfrost2695]

Love didn't tour to support their releases or Forever Changes would have been given the lofty praise it deserves. It's number one to me and always will be as it is unequaled from that era. Ask that era's musicians.

[@mazzysmusic]

The did play the Fillmore but even underground FM radio rarely played this album 🌸

[@brianfrost2695]

@@mazzysmusic I was lucky to see Arthur Lee and Love open for Eric Clapton at The Boston Garden in 1974. I was jumping up and down with joy literally. Sadly, the vast majority of the audience had no clue who they were seeing. Love was promoting their release Reel To Real. It was Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard tour.

[@cosmonaut9942]

I saw Love at the Whiskey A-Go-Go.

[@michaelr4063]

I couldn’t agree more

[@thomasrobinson182]

The band was so drugged out and untogether, that the producer brought in session men to record the album. Only two tracks were recorded this way. The band got it together and recorded the rest.

[@davidwerther7724]

I did guess your #1. I kept waiting for Buffalo Springfield Again and when it did not come up, and the #1 spot was all that was left, I knew it had to be Buffalo Springfield Again. Expecting to Fly is majestic and transcendent. David

[@guillermosantamarinalagune6184]

thank you again Norman. I missed Canned Heat, but it was probably too bluesy for your list

[@stringdoc]

Where was Canned Heat from? I always thought they were from Northern California

[@guillermosantamarinalagune6184]

Is Topanga Canyon out of South Carolina?

[@allencrider]

_Living the Blues_ LP had a lot of psychedelia on it.

[@tomhanley4946]

They lived in Topanga Canyon (LA). I jammed with them backstage in San Berdoo. Sunflower left his guitar so I picked it up and jammed real hard with the band. Bear told me to mellow out lol ! Can't believe I was so brazen! Jeff Beck was the headliner!

[@teamlotus13]

Thanks again for another great list which took me way back. Unlike the SF list, I don’t know many of these. I enjoyed the very appropriate inclusion of pop-based acts Monkees, Paul Revere and Turtles. In that vein another good choice would be Johnny Rivers self-produced “Realization. It was definitely psychedelic, both musically and the cover art, unlike anything he did before or after. Interesting song choices, from Dylan and Procol Harum, to the beautiful “Look To Your Soul” And of course the ubiquitous “Hey Joe”! It did very well on the charts, riding the success of the unavoidable hit “Summer Rain”. “Everybody kept on playing Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band…”

[@coolfurillo8169]

My favorites: The Doors: The Doors, Strange Days, Waiting for the Sun Love: Forever changes, Da Capo, Four Sail The Byrds: Younger than Yesterday, Fifth Dimension Spirit : Spirit, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus The Beach Boys : Pet Sounds Buffalo Springfield : Again Tim Buckley : Goodbye and Hello Captain Beefheart: Safe as Milk The Monkees : Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

[@brendanwiant2929]

So. Mazzy. I really dig what you do and your taste and style and all that. And I know you prefaced this video as being YOUR list. I appreciate that too! But, here is a plea for you to explore the Strawberry Alarm Clock a little more as these cats are one of the best psych bands of all time. Check their second LP. You'll see what I mean... Listen to Black Butter for instance. But also, listen to The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band as these guys were simply spectacular in terms of being *Psychedelic*. It's all there. And to place ANY Monkeys album ahead of either of these bands is just... not right, lol. Peace my man. Keep do'n what you do!

[@mazzysmusic]

I have heard those records and of course Ive been waiting to stumble on OGs of West Coast Exp.Psych Pop. I probably should just grab reissues. Thank for the reminders....

[@raoulduke-k9d]

Thank you! Tim Buckley "Starsailor" is hyper psychedelic album. Forever...

[@jjquinn2004]

Thanks for another great video. Glad to see In-a-Gadda-da-Vida on your list. Bought that album in 1969, the first album I'd ever bought after a couple of years of buying 45s; I was 14 years old at the time (just a few weeks younger than you!)

[@sh230968]

I am always in the mood for Trout Mask Replica. It is essentially unusual but exceptionally well made one.

[@billkeon880]

I missed Spirit’s debut for decades until about five years ago. I still haven’t forgiven myself.

[@ryanblackcat1326]

Love was the same way for me. I am about 10 years younger then you. I found it in the early 90’s. Out of all people I huge out with. I never saw anyone with a copy no one ever said you have to hear this. I just bought it one day. It is still one of my favorites. It is unlike anything and so much like every thing. Thanks for the video.🌞

[@stringdoc]

I love the guitar solo with the failed outtakes on Forever Changes. Once he finally got it going, it rocks!

[@MrKelleyzinho]

I stumbled upon a used copy of Love’s first album in the mid-80s, but didn’t hear Forever Changes until the 90s. There was definitely a concerted resurrection of it as it had become rare by the 80s. Didn’t the Brits have a lot to do with it becoming a classic must-have. Arthur Lee was given the Brian Wilson treatment by the indie world.

[@tomhanley4946]

Love is great...."boo bip bip yeah...!

[@pietmunsterman1510]

Thank you for your list of LA albums.

[@tomhanley4946]

Indeed brings back many fond memories!

[@deweygill1973]

I got a Mono copy of Forever Changes as a freebie at a teen dance in the day. Already familiar with 7 and 7 Is and Little Red Book, it was a let down at the time, and ended up in the back of one of my album boxes gathering dust. In the 70's I worked at a record store and to my surprise found the album was becoming highly regarded among collectors. So I now have a new appreciation for it, still not sure if it beats their debut for me WCPAEB, Standells, Electric Prunes (especially Underground which is very Psychedelic) and Chocolate Watch Band were fun L.A. bands, too, I'm not sure where I'd rank their importance as far as influence is concerned, though

[@nigelr7890]

Great presentation Mazzy - pour yourself a stiff drink!. Such good times!

[@charlesjefferis8812]

Bravo. . . I couldn’t agree with you more with Buff Springfield Again as #1 . . . I was betting on the Springfield being in your top 3 but betting that with your love of the Byrds, they would be #1. . . I’m slipping on my Neil young Buff Springfield fringe jacket to celebrate 👍 . . . both their first and second albums are brilliant major influences in the 60’s psych/pop/whatever style you want to include in LA scene and beyond. . . Again is more diverse in music styles than the first album but both are 2 of the finest. . . FWIW, people totally discount the 3rd album “last time around”, but it has some brilliant work even with Neil’s absence (songs penned by Furay, Stills and now Jim Messina). . for the mid-late 60s LA scene, give me the Mothers, Doors, Byrds and of course The Springfield. Thanks again, Mazzy. . always entertaining!

[@n.g.a.e.g.4534]

You surprised me with your n 1 choice. Its my favorite of all. I agree on all the choices Fantastic video thank you from Italy. Head Monkees yes is missing xx

[@StylusMeetsVinyl]

Excellent video Mazzy. I was definitely surprised by your number one pick, but they were all great. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[@jean-lucpernel2202]

Norman this IS my collection!!!!!same taste thanks i'm not alone !😊

[@papagrimbo4457]

Pleasantly surprised to see not one but two Tim Buckley records on here! Curious to hear what you think about his weirder more out there records, Lorca and Starsailor, as they are some of my personal favorites.

[@DSRacer]

I would have considered dropping a Firesign Theater album into the video somewhere. Definitely LA all the way, as psychedelic as comedy will ever be. They definitely embodied the spirit of their place and times.

[@mazzysmusic]

Oh gosh yes. LOVE Firesign. They wouldn't make my top 30 but they totally deserve it. Maybe I'll sneak them into my next MIX video. Leftover parts and pieces.

[@roberthurley1685]

the Antelope Freeway bit was when I really understood how "stereo" should really work ... loves me some Firesign Theatre

[@johnryan3913]

Re The Monkees, "Head" is a true psych classic, thanks to great songs and the collage structure. The record and the movie were an unprecedented act of commercial self destruction...

[@mazzysmusic]

Yeah I should have included Head 🌸

[@lopezb]

A few of my psychedelic fave tracks: -Doors Crystal Ship -Airplane Coming Back to Me, Se Has Funny Cars, Saturday Afternoon -Byrds Renaissance Fair (led into by Time Between) -Country Joe Grace -Hendrix Purple Haze, Third Stone -Spirit Fresh Garbage (just a few)

[@richbillionair]

Airplane is from San Francisco. Just like in the other video about the San Francisco scene people were naming LA bands.

[@BobIrving2]

Thanks for doing the LA psych scene! There are several there I never heard, so I'll have to look them up and see if they were really worth replacing the first two Love albums. But that's the point of these kinds of lists, to generate discussion... No problem with BS Again as #1 on my part. I love the Byrds too, but not sure I'd put that many in the top ten. Da Capo!

[@michaellewis9167]

Interesting list, Mr. Maslov. First, props to you for including Paul Revere and the Raiders. I feel Mark Lindsay is one of the great singer/front men of that era and is overdue for a major critical re-evaluation. My vote for the best LA psychedelic album of the sixties goes to Touch (the record's title and the name of the band), released in 1968. A very tight, accomplished rock band (a rarity in this genre - no Wrecking Crew here) who created one of the great rock records of any style. Should be listened to on headphones for maximum mind-expansion! Touch included Don Gallucci on keyboards. Gallucci went on to produce other acts, among them Crabby Appleton, another underappreciated LA band. Crabby Appleton was fronted by Michael Fennelly, who was a guitarist and vocalist on The Millennium album from your list.

[@teckertime]

I've gotten heavy into Tim Buckley after you recommended Greetings from L.A. a while back.

[@juanitaldiggs]

Was gifted Tim Buckley Happy/Sad by a dj friend in DC. Loved it. Also British singer John Marytn.

[@victorhawkins3461]

Great list! Thanks for including The Monkees (re-think PISCES, AQUARIUS, please, sir...). Many, many of these artists and tracks I played on radio sometime or another, so I agree with you about there being a lotta hits here. (We even used to play "The Blimp" from Beefheart's TROUT MASK on radio...) For me, I tend not to listen to whole albums when I played A LOT of the HITS on radio. But when you got to it, I realized that ABSOLUTELY FREE by The Mothers is STILL my favorite Zappa record, too, and a record I still sit and listen to start to finish. Then, you hit PET SOUNDS. Still listening to that whole album, too.

[@juancarloslopezlopez1565]

From Spain. Congratulations for your channel. Many thanks for all your hard work. I have a great friends and I talked about you. Greetings.

[@larry930legend]

Hi Norman, enjoyed your countdown. I finally finally listened to entire full album 'Strange Days', without any interruptions, always enjoyed Moonlight Drive and My Eyes Have Seen You. Very suggestive lyrics,but that's what most Doors tunes were. I also bought Buffalo Springfield greatest hits 40 years ago.

[@rickvug]

I love to see how pristine all of your records are. Rare to see someone who still has many of their originals from 50 years ago!

[@violetflame23]

Loved your video Norman. Before I watched, I made my own list and you hit almost all of them except Steppenwolf. So glad you included Spirit - one of my favorite all-time bands. They were so ahead of their time. I remember seeing them at the Rose Palace with Ten Years After and The Moody Blues - and I think it cost around $5. Times have certainly changed music-wise.

[@mazzysmusic]

I love Spirit. They seem a bit forgotten .

[@davidmincey9892]

Lots of great choices here... I could disagree with a couple, but I understand it's a subjective thing. I'd like to mention that Notorious Byrd Brothers is an all-time favorite album of mine, and despite the fact that David Crosby got his pink slip during its recording, I think he's a major part of its high standing among Byrds fans. He co-wrote 3 of its strongest tracks, Draft Morning, Tribal Gathering, and Dolphin's Smile, plays and sings on over half of the songs, and sings lead on Tribal Gathering. And in a way, he's represented on the front cover, by the horse! At least that's the way I always saw it.

[@harrydrucker5818]

You are very organized. You have fun, I like when you show front and back of Album jacket. I always was curious about the people(hippies), on the ground in LA V SF. I grad. HIGH school in Mich. In 1966. First albums I bought Bob Dylan greatest hits and FREAK OUT, THERE wS a guy Paul Sheridan, who I was inspired by, he thought The Mothers were too much. Thanks for your work man.

[@bigedhaaheo]

Aloha Norman Maslov Awesome rankings. Really enjoyed your insights & your personal commentary of why you decided to rank these records as you did. Thanks again for another great Video. Looking forward to seeing your next video. Mahalo Ed

[@shadowstealer2790]

Great to see Strange Days so high. Not always mentioned but it's an incredibly produced album for the time , so much space and texture.

[@thomasbedell4770]

I would add the first Doors album also.

[@stringdoc]

Strange Days is right up there!

[@thomasbedell4770]

@@stringdoc Absolutely! I used to lay between the ‘rents old 50s stereo and listen to this late at night while in high school. A masterpiece at the least. One of the all-time best at the most.

[@mano1971music]

Great video! I would love to add to your list if I may......Jan & Dean : "Save For a Rainy Day" (released in 1966)....great thematic album to play on, you guessed it......a rainy day!

[@richardfinlayson1524]

When I got into 60 s music in the 80sa lot of my friends were into English psych but I loved the US stuff more, especially the San Francisco underground, liked the LA stuff the Byrd's Love,Buffalo Springfield but I really love the Dead, Airplane,Quicksilver etc etc etc,.....

[@juanitaldiggs]

Hung upside down. Love Buffalo Springfield. Also last time Around.

[@briggscharleton6139]

Great list. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental band's first 2 albums are fantastic psychedelic albums - along with their funky/rootsy album Where's My Daddy. Must Mention The Chocolate Watch Band/ The Electric Prunes and Kim Fowley's psychedelic apocalypse St. John Green. Glad you mentioned 2 Seeds albums!

[@mazzysmusic]

Should have included the Prunes but Chocolate is a Bay Area South Bay band. ✌🏽

[@SDsailor7]

@@mazzysmusic I could have sworn that you had shown that Gypsy album they were a band that originated on Minneapolis and moved to L.A. and landed a gig at Gazarris then became the house band and from there they moved to the whisky a go go and became the house band. A couple of the went on to play with some of the greats like Eric Clapton. If you watch the documentary I think you will enjoy it.

[@mrswimmyboy]

"The West Coast Pop Art Experimental band's first 2 albums are fantastic psychedelic albums" I agree and what a strange situation that band experienced...

[@allenwoody5909]

Hey Mas, really digging your "countdowns". These lists are taking my 69 year old mind back in time. I do not know if my guy belongs in LA or SF but his name is Ray Stinnett, his album "A fire Somewhere" is killer.

[@poetryonplastic]

I actually like a lot of the album tracks on Incense and Peppermints. Some great stuff in here I didn't know, going to check out more Emitt Rhodes.

[@mazzysmusic]

The first Emitt Rhodes perfect intimate Lo Fi pop 🌸

[@alm5693]

I like the album Mirror. "Really Wanted You" is my favorite Emitt Rhodes song.

[@alembic65]

The next Strawberry Alarm Clock album (Wake Up ...Its Tomorrow) is more psychedelic----like it even better in certain states of mind

[@fairweatherbird]

I saw Strawberry Alarm Clock and Bo Diddley in the gym at L.A. Valley College in 68. Way cool.

[@CSMuffin]

Love Captain Beefheart, Tuetles, Monkees,The Doors, Iron Butterfly and Zappa! One 60's band I love is The Lemon Pipers but not sure if they were psychedelic. Glen Kellaway introduced me to Spirit. Love all of their early albums!

[@Soundbrigade]

I did see your latest video and was hinted about this (old) list and I instantly thought San Fransisco ... but this list and presentation was perfect and I just HAVE TO comment: A collegue meant that Iron Butterfly was also sort of a proto-hard rock band. Progressive?! Well my parents bought the Ball album to me and I still love it a lot and of course In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Got the Tim Buckley album - soooo nice. Some of his songs have been covered by this Mortal Coil btw. Chamber Brothers and Spirit were present on a series of albums made by CBS - The Rock Machine, but I think I got the very first one in that series with a multi-coloured vinyl. The odd rythm in Fresh Garbage and the transistion jo walz is absolutely fantastic. I do like The Doors' second album more, and I love many of their albums a lot (but on occassions I think their music is just inflated and pompous crap ...) Personal thoughts: I am the youngest of three siblings. My brother and sister were very much into Beatles, Rolling Stones, Buffy Saint-Marie, Bob Dylan, Byrds and my brother loved Acker Bilk and Stan Getz. But I remember there were odd music on their discs and tapes, much the kind of music I came to love. An American penfriend had gifted me the Walter/Wedy Carlos' Switched on Bach which my nephews had badly scratched so my brother gave me one of these collections with music from Love, Ars Nova and other groups. Got the Ars Nova album which I very seldom play (the Japanese rock-group with the same name is better I think). However and this may interest you, Norman, one one of those tapes with obscure music was a song titled Blue Mind. I managed much much later track down that song and the group - The Hardtimes. Much of the music is very Monkees-ish, but this song - Blew Mind - is so out of this world. The Hardtimes came from San Diego, but moved to LA, so they could have made it to your list. PS. In the small Swedish town where I grew up, I guess I was the first to discover and play bands like King Crimson, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and other progressive, rock or psychedelic bands, constantly asking the local record store to order odd music for me.

[@stevegram9000]

Ridiculously great list. I fist heard a Love song done by the damned in around 89. Then I fount that Love song and the album a few years after that. That was a great experience stumbling onto it.

[@bobcorbin7545]

Well done, Mazzy. Thank you. Agree entirely on The Byrds.

[@42.0fmthefever5]

I love psychedelic 🥰 hopefully I can find these at my local record store after our lockdown lifted in Ontario, Canada

[@claudiamartaariasferrer292]

Great selection Mazzy!

[@markvanderdrift6801]

Hey mr. Mazzy, thanks for your videos. Glad to see I'm not the only music freak with excellent taste ;-). Since your quite keen on showing the front, back and - if possible - gatefold sleeves I'd lke to suggest you also show the inner sleeves and/or inserts in your next installments.

[@JJJameson.]

This is really specific, I love it

[@GaryDAnderson]

I agree Mas…. Your ratings are more accurate than some of the others. Take care bud 👍🏻

[@mazzysmusic]

Just my personal take. Thank you ✌🏼

[@keithochsner5165]

You are right to talk up "Forever Changes." I bought it when it first came out. Very nearly perfect. I had its forerunner, too, which you referenced, but somehow it slithered off the stack. It had a song that took one whole side, yeah?...Arthur Lee was a genius, he went to the hoosgow for awhile, then made "Songs for Sail" (Sale?!) when he got out. Good stuff. Thanks, I'm luvvin' your vids.

[@jimi99colorado]

I DID guess your #1, I had my own list and was checking them off. Impossible to quibble, but I would have included or substituted: Strictly Personal Da Capo & 1st Love Heavy Family That Plays Together 1st & 2nd Steppenwolf!!! and a perhaps oddity: Clear Light ("Mr Blue"!! Cliff DeYoung!) Also, nice comments about "Time Has Come Today" but you should have mentioned the lyrics. Radical and still extremely timely.

[@saschaheusingfeld7239]

What a list ,like a travel in time this Video is.... Your taste is exzellent Sir!

[@lorinbirch6066]

Thank you. I really like your style. You are so real and honest. Kudos.

[@arthurmarx6427]

Mazzie, you need to find a copy of West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Volume 2. It's out there on CD, if only you can find someone willing to part with it. Might be the copy I lost, but someone has it.