Springsteen and Clapton on their favorite, heh, band.

The before and after album impact is an interesting idea, but I would then argue that MFBP wasn't even the most impactful album released in 1968.  Aretha Franklin's "Lady Soul" takes that prize.  People have been trying to sing like Aretha for the past 50 years.  Jerry Wexler produced, Tom Dowd engineered with the late great Roger Hood and the Swampers anchoring the band.  Eric Clapton even plays on one song.


The Mothers Of Invention's "We're Only In It For the Money" and "Cruising With Rueben & the Jets" also came out in 1968.


My vote for the album that changed rock is 1967's "Velvet Underground & Nico".  A critical and commercial disaster, but to quote Brian Eno -- The Velvet Underground didn’t sell many records, but everyone who bought one went out and started a band.

BDP24, nothing but respect for your love of the Band.  I'm just quibbling about things that need to be quibbled.

Correction -- meant Roger Hawkins on "Lady Soul".

@onhwy61: No disrespect taken! Roger Hawkins is one of my three favorite drummers, about who Jim Keltner says he wishes he played more like. Don’t we all!. I have studied the drumming of Hawkins for years, and benefited greatly from his musical wisdom. Jim also said he would give up his technical abilities in exchange for Levon’s musical sensibilities.

Another real good band were The Dominos, Clapton’s band on Layla. Their drummer was Jim Gordon, as good a drummer as I’ve ever heard. Too bad about his mental and emotional problems, a real tragedy.

The Dominos singer/organist/songwriter Bobby Whitlock is making and frequently posting on YouTube videos recorded in his home, wherein he discusses his entire musical history, beginning with Delaney & Bonnie. He’s very charming and entertaining, and a fountain of information.

I loved Springsteen and the E Street Band. Sincerity. Energy. The singularity of mood and purpose they could invoke.  Comedy.  Drama. The concerts were long, to be sure, but the numbers never degenerated into endless, self-indulgent jamming...something that afflicted other bands I could (but won't) mention.   

Gee, what memories!  Thanks to the OP and all comments for this.  Have not thought about this (actual) music in a while--been busy moving.

As for all the various albums mentioned, the NRPS one, all The Band albums, and of course both CSNY, Byrds, and Springfield, and the artists and workers--Hawkins, Dowd, Wexler et. al., makes me nostalgic for those days.

If you read articles from Guitar Player from back then (I have them put away somewhere!) you will see the way these bands influenced each other both technically--GP used to be a technical mag, not sure about now--and what changes went down when each influencer found its way to others music.

What a GREAT TIME for music--all those REAL musicians working on learning and evolving to become better at their craft, listening and working with each other--it was a magic time, well, for me anyway.

The Band remains one of the best ever, and like Paul said of Pet Sounds--it brought forth Sgt. Pepper--real musicians are constantly listening and learning and evolving.  The musicians in The Band are superb, and the work they recorded was groundbreaking in many ways.  (Reading that Keltner loved Helm's work was fun--he's not exactly a slouch himself...).

Thanks for bringing this thread to this forum.  About time we did some thinking about the actual MUSIC!

Cheers!