Near the Beginning cover

Near the Beginning

Vanilla Fudge · 1969

58 min · 7 tracks · hard rock · psychedelic rock

Psychedelic rock meets hard-hitting rhythms, creating a swirling, immersive sonic landscape filled with emotional depth.

Why this album works

'Near the Beginning' is notable for its blend of hard rock and psychedelic elements, which contributed to the evolving sound of late 1960s rock. The album features the single 'Some Velvet Morning,' which has been influential in shaping psychedelic rock aesthetics and received critical acclaim upon release.
Career context
Released in early 1969, 'Near the Beginning' was Vanilla Fudge's fourth studio album, following their commercially successful 'Renaissance.' At this point in their career, they were cementing their reputation for elaborate arrangements and deep musical experimentation, especially in a post-Beatles landscape that embraced psychedelic influences.
Stylistic neighbors
Blue Öyster Cult· Steppenwolf· Pink Floyd

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Shotgun Standout 6:14
  • 2 Some Velvet Morning Standout 7:32
  • 3 Where Is Happiness 7:02
  • 4 Break Song (live) 23:26
  • 5 Good Good Livin’ Standout 5:48
  • 6 Shotgun (single version) 2:36
  • 7 People (single version) 5:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata