tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11142623541382318212024-03-22T01:22:59.905+00:001001 Albums you must hear before you die.I am going to listen to all 1001 albums listed in the "1001 Albums you must hear before you die" book.
Here I will be posting my views of each album. Although it is only fair to warn whoever may be reading that this will be a collection of completely biased reviews heavily influenced by my own personal tastes.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-30193695622638637452009-04-28T08:25:00.002+01:002009-04-28T08:54:41.832+01:00Album 28. Behind the Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6yDG2dQkxUqo23Bu4i4Oguxpo3dOtbkYYNx-87m4QAV5WIS0P0tRTQZYb8LcE3pA9nFwWouruTpbgojwlmp7Og4gIU56OAj0R0_P5WQwf54bYs4ilkvADFQnHGTEDzAwPOAEvZ4yRgn4/s1600-h/Chickenshack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6yDG2dQkxUqo23Bu4i4Oguxpo3dOtbkYYNx-87m4QAV5WIS0P0tRTQZYb8LcE3pA9nFwWouruTpbgojwlmp7Og4gIU56OAj0R0_P5WQwf54bYs4ilkvADFQnHGTEDzAwPOAEvZ4yRgn4/s320/Chickenshack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329646660660895746" border="0" /></a>I have heard mention before of Jimmy Smith's influence as an organist, all I can bring myself to say of this particular recording is "yawn".Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-40725280293499667952009-03-07T13:05:00.002+00:002009-03-07T13:36:19.012+00:00Album 27. A Date With The Everly Brothers - The Everly Brothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocYrkCjAw7RCEsVuuhyfGu8Cy6Omlvf8jSw8kpaP7C_Y24c58pulBw35RmK2KFdO-H86M2Ou2HMzJ42JEot7-Ci_VCmyXgL3KsTX8kScJOqnlnCLGYaSiOlqRvCeyu1GpjWAy4sRcvdV6/s1600-h/Adatewiththeeverlybrothers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocYrkCjAw7RCEsVuuhyfGu8Cy6Omlvf8jSw8kpaP7C_Y24c58pulBw35RmK2KFdO-H86M2Ou2HMzJ42JEot7-Ci_VCmyXgL3KsTX8kScJOqnlnCLGYaSiOlqRvCeyu1GpjWAy4sRcvdV6/s320/Adatewiththeeverlybrothers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310432644020478914" border="0" /></a>The Everly Brothers, actually real brothers, not that like those annoying fake brother bands that try and fool you into thinking they're brothers with their name. Yes I'm looking at you Doobies.<br /><br />Anyway, My first thought upon reaching this was "Oh great, The Everly Brothers", but after a couple of tracks it became quite clear I had confused them with someone else.<br /><br />This a great example of early, country coloured rock and roll. Vocally they employ a very similar close harmony style to that of The Crickets, later to appear on much of The Beatles early work, although the lyrical content of the songs leads me to believe that the pair of them have suffered a long string of failed relationships.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-7774790693827093562009-03-07T11:36:00.002+00:002009-03-07T12:14:39.324+00:00Album 26. Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80GC5mzMbG8Ge9Ew9IsMegJtoGXQ35U0GTQFI8QQfL64GpjdMbxzQ4kf48N_FAHWDeGqqGMGqx-ZtowcLgsCn-qv2iJZfEsoaWpv7lxpC3WMljJ6Utllk-nq3DtZtnF1WDGG7ZClkXzmN/s1600-h/MM1960.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80GC5mzMbG8Ge9Ew9IsMegJtoGXQ35U0GTQFI8QQfL64GpjdMbxzQ4kf48N_FAHWDeGqqGMGqx-ZtowcLgsCn-qv2iJZfEsoaWpv7lxpC3WMljJ6Utllk-nq3DtZtnF1WDGG7ZClkXzmN/s320/MM1960.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310409818845122578" border="0" /></a>Now, Miriam Makeba is a name I have heard before, but only really through her political work rather than her music.<br /><br />Many people have tried to fuse different musical styles with varying degrees of success and I'm glad to report that the mix of traditional African vocals with western istrumentation works very well here to produce a very entertaining record.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-63542473559371463972009-02-08T10:44:00.002+00:002009-02-08T11:05:08.326+00:00Album 25. Elvis is Back! - Elvis Presley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaOcH3dUGgfsA6smAZSHx_KW_DlTBdgKBgtH3D8v2S9hIZOq92MFVpcdZWdD5Os_VkxDNmBxxZreVRf1Jzwc0t1v3g1OCopn_F99wBwQzJbl1s6zxWl504jhsbbZHouH99x-SVCX59H9Q/s1600-h/200px-Elvis_is_Back!.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaOcH3dUGgfsA6smAZSHx_KW_DlTBdgKBgtH3D8v2S9hIZOq92MFVpcdZWdD5Os_VkxDNmBxxZreVRf1Jzwc0t1v3g1OCopn_F99wBwQzJbl1s6zxWl504jhsbbZHouH99x-SVCX59H9Q/s320/200px-Elvis_is_Back!.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300376046347476098" border="0" /></a>A second outing for the King, this time with his third album.<br /><br />The recording sessions for this album were closely watched by both managment and record company alike, as both feared Elvis may have "lost it" during his military service.<br /><br />They needn't had worried as Elvis sounds just as good as he did before. Expanding on his rock 'n' roll sound to include elements of doo-wop, gospel, blues and, with his version of "Fever", even a little jazz.<br /><br />Probably the best album in the Elvis catalogue.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-18132277367511626482009-02-08T10:12:00.003+00:002009-02-08T10:43:55.469+00:00Album 24. Joan Baez - Joan Baez<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRmTrrPLbAkrHPdIzspy4X8IA6CXzC609aAEJG7Wmf3GkyntxdntSdM5SYFdhGTUWjoKnUr_cdSO_Xe_S0OgxOqYZTg0XBd-UFjSzN9ENq9PcPuW3fq2CB5DL4ivQBKiHgyr-IM0hLxhj/s1600-h/200px-JoanBaezAlbum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRmTrrPLbAkrHPdIzspy4X8IA6CXzC609aAEJG7Wmf3GkyntxdntSdM5SYFdhGTUWjoKnUr_cdSO_Xe_S0OgxOqYZTg0XBd-UFjSzN9ENq9PcPuW3fq2CB5DL4ivQBKiHgyr-IM0hLxhj/s320/200px-JoanBaezAlbum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300368243785366498" border="0" /></a>The 60's then, openning with a bit of folk.<br /><br />Now I'm sure Ms Baez is very talented but 13 traditional folk numbers presented with acoustic guitar and vocals is hardly an original concept.<br /><br />I'm not saying this is a bad album or anything, I'm just not sure why some one out there deemed I must hear it.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-11619392658490007992009-01-21T09:41:00.003+00:002009-01-21T10:00:48.875+00:00Album 23. Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpr1UhQER_QO2gPBGPlvgdLokY1zMSyeHA9rQkpEsj2TQym26cz4RdKk-68e5ek2KvJN7cpORcZaMl_rDtd_AbH0tk2ufloUXXN1hXuZhFUo6GPFhz1ne-pQC_K4AO9w8lpWm8rTXPlLI/s1600-h/Dave_Brubeck_Quartet-Time_out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpr1UhQER_QO2gPBGPlvgdLokY1zMSyeHA9rQkpEsj2TQym26cz4RdKk-68e5ek2KvJN7cpORcZaMl_rDtd_AbH0tk2ufloUXXN1hXuZhFUo6GPFhz1ne-pQC_K4AO9w8lpWm8rTXPlLI/s320/Dave_Brubeck_Quartet-Time_out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293679997495831570" border="0" /></a>Woooo! I'm coming back with a jazz attack.<br /><br />Dave Brubeck, and the 3 other blokes, records what is on the much more listenable end of the jazz scale. Even with the time signiture exploration undertaken on this album it never becomes too "arty" or inaccesable for a more casual listener, and with the track "Take Five" features one of the most widley recognised jazz pieces.<br /><br />If you fancy a little light jazz definatley worth a look.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-23369720422989957902008-12-07T16:53:00.005+00:002008-12-07T17:11:43.594+00:00Album 19. Sings the Gershwin Songbook - Ella Fitzgerald, 20. The Genius of Ray Charles - Ray Charles, 21. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis, 22. Marty Rob...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYOkgLAHDRMyCsqW_a4klvme-DuzPqJ23GkZC3X_knKmY7mtt5Vkf_ULoPsDHr34ulcsxXTosKN5EXAUX2UPaPapsdx10AkGeAT9Z_n4MtHsS1CzvTmQx4jvkRGkxdx7s3Ah0YShh9rWI/s1600-h/200px-EllaFitzgeraldSingsTheGershwinSongbook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYOkgLAHDRMyCsqW_a4klvme-DuzPqJ23GkZC3X_knKmY7mtt5Vkf_ULoPsDHr34ulcsxXTosKN5EXAUX2UPaPapsdx10AkGeAT9Z_n4MtHsS1CzvTmQx4jvkRGkxdx7s3Ah0YShh9rWI/s320/200px-EllaFitzgeraldSingsTheGershwinSongbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277093921682535426" border="0" /></a>...bins - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.<br /><br />I am finding that I'm faultering a little with this challenge. Listening to the albums is no problem, but I'm finding it quite difficult to write about anything that doesn't provoke any strong feelings. It's easy to write about stuff I really like and even easier with stuff I hate.<br /><br />These 4 albums have inspired nothing in me at all. Not terrible, but not great either, they just are what they are.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbC1Ro7Vi27eEyncvNep-7tTDIS16fIOFD2_zBEvJT_vTJEfxrMjGe4omZhBpVn5xvibw1IjMPwwbXf1mhyP_CdoBbzAvWtZUN0_3GyWShwO-GChwXlFoca1o0bjU1lC0-VZENMo1zaYz/s1600-h/Ray_Charles-The_Genius_of_Ray_Charles_-Atlantic-_(album_cover).jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbC1Ro7Vi27eEyncvNep-7tTDIS16fIOFD2_zBEvJT_vTJEfxrMjGe4omZhBpVn5xvibw1IjMPwwbXf1mhyP_CdoBbzAvWtZUN0_3GyWShwO-GChwXlFoca1o0bjU1lC0-VZENMo1zaYz/s320/Ray_Charles-The_Genius_of_Ray_Charles_-Atlantic-_(album_cover).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277093288062245730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWwhtWb0-ppVqISgeTIdNL_381f8rQk3PQuwjWk-9GZY80Re3OLmj_hanxjDhiCVNxzuX136DZ0ROLcjuhevdZL6ztWTacppYmV86OGjmwb_cTHzHwsHxZs5g15FvUmJJ-a3buZlv0TdB/s1600-h/200px-MilesDavisKindofBlue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWwhtWb0-ppVqISgeTIdNL_381f8rQk3PQuwjWk-9GZY80Re3OLmj_hanxjDhiCVNxzuX136DZ0ROLcjuhevdZL6ztWTacppYmV86OGjmwb_cTHzHwsHxZs5g15FvUmJJ-a3buZlv0TdB/s320/200px-MilesDavisKindofBlue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277092943139241666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxexFy-bc63eN4w2yseZfOYcvy1KmTDpS6cOSsCzvmLV6GQsKY5VL_v4b8ORg2mABN0nlEjWYG6sKrorUaVGKA_JclNh91DSae79wfhf6IoC2ZgpmVlZSNGaLwI6JK4OVX5mTbq2oZA6gH/s1600-h/200px-Gunfighter-Ballads-Robbins-CD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxexFy-bc63eN4w2yseZfOYcvy1KmTDpS6cOSsCzvmLV6GQsKY5VL_v4b8ORg2mABN0nlEjWYG6sKrorUaVGKA_JclNh91DSae79wfhf6IoC2ZgpmVlZSNGaLwI6JK4OVX5mTbq2oZA6gH/s320/200px-Gunfighter-Ballads-Robbins-CD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277092475450556274" border="0" /></a>Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-89305795103852267032008-11-29T08:34:00.002+00:002008-11-29T08:42:05.978+00:00Album 18. At Mister Kelly's - Sarah Vaughan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm1baVhXelifj36WPXgtkOB78QUeczak9U0empmXJ8PgEEQHxfC-JcTfhCjlLDLVygSbWelZGuTq5LBAqWo2QYTqTaIR9F6wHOwxVHa31ixCTh4EL_NsxbD_oj0WV4UoJbIF31FbZtK3V/s1600-h/51XOlKqx2lL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm1baVhXelifj36WPXgtkOB78QUeczak9U0empmXJ8PgEEQHxfC-JcTfhCjlLDLVygSbWelZGuTq5LBAqWo2QYTqTaIR9F6wHOwxVHa31ixCTh4EL_NsxbD_oj0WV4UoJbIF31FbZtK3V/s320/51XOlKqx2lL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273995426604291138" border="0" /></a>I'm not always convinced by live albums. The potential for them to be not very good is quite high, especially when taken from large outdoor shows.<br /><br />Fortunatley this recording is from a small nightclub venue so the recording quality is quite high. Miss Vaughan has a great voice and not too bad a pianist to boot, but ultimatley it's just not my kind of thing really.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-88907830209441902792008-11-23T11:51:00.002+00:002008-11-23T13:34:19.826+00:00Album 17. Jack Takes the Floor - Jack Elliot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGjsFyCGdfrwmyx3IjRTTypURj6pDCP_tJYHIhEzFPjS0s066s2tor1aHwsMwTKAlp83JIOSuCy3BO_cunJq4tj1GFc9FF0PdZ1-NWs4ux7X1ajIBaJuDZq0n68SlNIAAe8-lmRAiuHmT/s1600-h/Jack+Elliott+-+Jack+Takes+The+Floor+%281958%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGjsFyCGdfrwmyx3IjRTTypURj6pDCP_tJYHIhEzFPjS0s066s2tor1aHwsMwTKAlp83JIOSuCy3BO_cunJq4tj1GFc9FF0PdZ1-NWs4ux7X1ajIBaJuDZq0n68SlNIAAe8-lmRAiuHmT/s320/Jack+Elliott+-+Jack+Takes+The+Floor+%281958%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271827544210345314" border="0" /></a>The cover of this album did bring about some concern that it was time for some more sad cowboy songs, thankfully, that was quite a long way from the truth.<br /><br />His playing and singing style is very much cowboy by the campfire but the mixture of blues, country and folk songs are genrally quite jolly in nature and are performed with just the right amount of humour to really put a smile on your face.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-66535792532108606662008-11-23T09:52:00.002+00:002008-11-23T10:24:24.497+00:00Album 16. Lady in Satin - Billie Holiday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lGf-oPvkB1_3rY4MosOve10SFK3svKCub-qQ0V4ep8qfdGjMMwp8UeT6LeM-j9GgxD3z19vrRnAM_UvviyFALqd-Ap9_XChj-J0luRmgjeeNMxPqOC7F1-E4FYG3gBkBLWlCBoMicpRN/s1600-h/200px-LadyInSatin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lGf-oPvkB1_3rY4MosOve10SFK3svKCub-qQ0V4ep8qfdGjMMwp8UeT6LeM-j9GgxD3z19vrRnAM_UvviyFALqd-Ap9_XChj-J0luRmgjeeNMxPqOC7F1-E4FYG3gBkBLWlCBoMicpRN/s320/200px-LadyInSatin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271788779678757362" border="0" /></a>I didn't enjoy this album, but I don't think I ever expected to.<br /><br />Musically I found the arrangments to be quite bland and uninteresting, while Holiday's vocals, though quite emotional, were rough, grumbly and lacked range.<br /><br />Maybe if I was a woman struggling to find love the lyrics might speak to me, but I'm not so they didn't.<br /><br />Next please.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-69032221655148110162008-11-21T21:40:00.002+00:002008-11-21T21:49:46.766+00:00Album 15. Dance Mania Vol.1 - Tito Puente & His Orchestra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjq5JTw0hpGHPZldrrjjzsu9q4ekFo5OvOOx5WXImMHAAZwIzVq9ZIWpNNAh4CPN0QJmF2obP8puMICwmo9lgYRzaOfuUQ_nP5e82ouqz3IZEqTQNd66-01bsykBFFhxpav6HssDmz8pD/s1600-h/516uVbSgD8L._AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjq5JTw0hpGHPZldrrjjzsu9q4ekFo5OvOOx5WXImMHAAZwIzVq9ZIWpNNAh4CPN0QJmF2obP8puMICwmo9lgYRzaOfuUQ_nP5e82ouqz3IZEqTQNd66-01bsykBFFhxpav6HssDmz8pD/s320/516uVbSgD8L._AA240_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271229077304762962" border="0" /></a>Now Tito Puente is a name I recognized, but only from his guest slot in The Simpsons and sadly the track listing doesn't seem to feature a slanderous mambo to set Mr. Burn's soul afire.<br /><br />Unfortunatley it didn't set my soul afire either. It's not a bad album by any stretch, but from the reputation I just expected something more.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-13170136590761150892008-11-19T09:33:00.004+00:002008-11-19T10:09:47.861+00:00Album 14. Here's Little Richard - Little Richard<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sOZggATcfI2WAbYRk_hysa8SEHVKMSbVJe08GdlycNXtJo1jg5D6ktntJL0L47ic5stWn-LEwOecDoT6w6MhZC_LcSZB9SUPwkMM3osmSE_tVvngxeLFZ5OXUqC1hmM-qg8ArJ4DGnyq/s1600-h/200px-Hereslittlerichard.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sOZggATcfI2WAbYRk_hysa8SEHVKMSbVJe08GdlycNXtJo1jg5D6ktntJL0L47ic5stWn-LEwOecDoT6w6MhZC_LcSZB9SUPwkMM3osmSE_tVvngxeLFZ5OXUqC1hmM-qg8ArJ4DGnyq/s320/200px-Hereslittlerichard.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270299883425187714" border="0" /></a>Little Richard's debut was leap forward in rock 'n' roll.<br /><br />Musically it combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, boogie-woogie and funk. Add this to the flamboyance of the rasping almost shouted vocals, accentuated with screams, yelps and moans, you get a fresh new sound with a raw intensity that wasn't matched at the time.<br /><br />The importance of Little Richard can't be overstated as his music inspired many of the greats of not only rock 'n' roll but also many soul and funk artists.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-47971746559368573442008-11-18T17:09:00.003+00:002008-11-18T17:22:51.066+00:00Album 13. Kenya - Machito<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2KMox-TnnvsHfYbhZzl1ZCB-3T6Rai1OduCWSEB9qwfn76Ejufcx7Vi7JKj1_q0aaNEQSQ2YrIMmuHd6YFl5OzDLaoRj855VhwX3uhxWfY0v-7UU3rJoi4oUSX2E6Hu8Kq1TWVCuaCPC/s1600-h/kenya200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2KMox-TnnvsHfYbhZzl1ZCB-3T6Rai1OduCWSEB9qwfn76Ejufcx7Vi7JKj1_q0aaNEQSQ2YrIMmuHd6YFl5OzDLaoRj855VhwX3uhxWfY0v-7UU3rJoi4oUSX2E6Hu8Kq1TWVCuaCPC/s320/kenya200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270046036178710962" border="0" /></a>Afro-Cuban Jazz? I'm starting to think they're making these genres up, but then I listened to it and that's exactly what it is.<br /><br />The very infectious Caribbean and Latino rhythms do make the over widdly North American jazz they are fused with more bearable. I'm sure if you were in Cuba enjoying a rum based cocktail on a hot and steamy evening this would suit you right down, but sat in my bedroom on a dark and gloomy winters eve it doesn't really work for me.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-54250002033495968522008-11-18T16:26:00.002+00:002008-11-18T16:55:02.915+00:00Album 12. Birth of the Cool - Miles Davis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4rc85KbiA6f2aV3mTk3wHQV41CxAINxSKxFFtBwuEZetKY5eF4BCB0ORhbV4hDYlSt8r_nAZK1ciu_kUu9va0MnHV7A_ec64hYd5ik7XDNpawtTfVlrOEkorpUXziyw6PeT7SqhB2FTV/s1600-h/200px-Birth_of_the_Cool.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4rc85KbiA6f2aV3mTk3wHQV41CxAINxSKxFFtBwuEZetKY5eF4BCB0ORhbV4hDYlSt8r_nAZK1ciu_kUu9va0MnHV7A_ec64hYd5ik7XDNpawtTfVlrOEkorpUXziyw6PeT7SqhB2FTV/s320/200px-Birth_of_the_Cool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270035169779772226" border="0" /></a>This aptly titled album provides a great example of why I can actually listen to Miles Davis.<br /><br />While being no less complex than the material of any other top jazz performers, the laid back "cool" style of playing makes it so much more accessible for the occasional listener. The playing has a loose feeling, but is never sloppy, that makes it very welcoming.<br /><br />For anyone looking for an easy introduction to jazz this is a great place to start.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-85627581018933639592008-11-17T12:16:00.003+00:002008-11-17T13:01:40.406+00:00Album 11. Palo Congo - Sabu Martinez<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx7MeoZsM42ZWXGqt5nLUjM-W85cLkm2Y-QCluUAP5JGIsea4yo6HELjiCvoLAXgkWLF4wJG3-UoR0xMMvyak7YjrWm81pYZ3SbV9XcjvI9SyN-dg0Suh4Xstk5Fu0qWDh7b3aUhKomV2/s1600-h/e03459wknd5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjx7MeoZsM42ZWXGqt5nLUjM-W85cLkm2Y-QCluUAP5JGIsea4yo6HELjiCvoLAXgkWLF4wJG3-UoR0xMMvyak7YjrWm81pYZ3SbV9XcjvI9SyN-dg0Suh4Xstk5Fu0qWDh7b3aUhKomV2/s320/e03459wknd5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269599613251183154" border="0" /></a>Errm, drums. Lots and lots of drums. Then some more drums. Sometimes the rhythms are Latino, sometimes more african. There are a few moments where there is a tune, but not many.<br /><br />Not sure what else I can really say about this one.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-44373394412029546052008-11-16T12:17:00.003+00:002008-11-16T12:30:00.188+00:00Album 10. Brilliant Corners - Thelonious Monk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZXr18BN3AGm-D01ZkXdwVElN4PHZN6rr6R10_J0IlzrtpbCNnvniQ8fMOudwRkrPS_gzBkJdGbTr-P8LRAC2rOAZvTcJxGyHP3vGs6q6yJuCL5nCQ7yIC5vmsFZk7GEaZMYhH0A97LEe/s1600-h/BrilliantCornersTheloniousMonk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZXr18BN3AGm-D01ZkXdwVElN4PHZN6rr6R10_J0IlzrtpbCNnvniQ8fMOudwRkrPS_gzBkJdGbTr-P8LRAC2rOAZvTcJxGyHP3vGs6q6yJuCL5nCQ7yIC5vmsFZk7GEaZMYhH0A97LEe/s320/BrilliantCornersTheloniousMonk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269228698312113506" border="0" /></a>And the jazz keeps coming, this time moving into more of an improvisational "bebop" style of playing.<br /><br />My mother often said if you can't say anything nice then say nothing at all, but I just can't. The only thing stupider than this mans name is his music. I could hit random keys on a piano at odd time intervals and call it a tune, but I don't becasuse, quite frankly, it wouldn't be and it isn't when Monk does it either. Can he even play the instrument properly? I don't know because he never actually tries to.<br /><br />This is musical masturbation of the highest order with lengthy, tuneless, directionless pieces that just leave your head screaming when will it fucking end!Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-19504423043156627042008-11-16T11:23:00.002+00:002008-11-16T11:33:25.829+00:00Album 9. Atomic Mr. Basie - Count Basie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeumOf0FoM1piDanJW3SyEbI0f8I8bj6eHUOST915aIWFuzSJW8wxkRFdDOv0z55LdPipKCx3p8iVZ879LXmoch2L38i1oWwZSQq0HcP_zkLJkJCElj1HeTF1kYlkDkmBi_Kyen2Ido-0/s1600-h/200px-The_Complete_Atomic_Basie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGeumOf0FoM1piDanJW3SyEbI0f8I8bj6eHUOST915aIWFuzSJW8wxkRFdDOv0z55LdPipKCx3p8iVZ879LXmoch2L38i1oWwZSQq0HcP_zkLJkJCElj1HeTF1kYlkDkmBi_Kyen2Ido-0/s320/200px-The_Complete_Atomic_Basie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269215041720940658" border="0" /></a>More Jazz, this time more of a big band swing based sound though.<br /><br />Very easy to listen to compared with a lot of jazz that I've heard over the years, but this also means that it never really wows either.<br /><br />It's very much the sort of thing you could picture 30 something couples of the 50's and 60's playing as background accompaniment to one of there cocktail parties.<br /><br />Official score: Meh out of 10.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-80553373976534885392008-11-16T09:48:00.004+00:002008-11-16T11:22:16.373+00:00Album 8. The "Chirping" Crickets - The Crickets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuDs5dUO4od4JIfWLSENe0fEqyznRNGXAV2LXKi7bzCu85XKf2Oho_ZR_3i9b0qCqt0W_jKJ-afJjKKr6F0FuEys0as-7G5HtmHk2TvVbPLX_0bjOFMgcquYVLqR6Wph8N_Jkmd3TKhy2/s1600-h/200px-Chirping_Crickets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuDs5dUO4od4JIfWLSENe0fEqyznRNGXAV2LXKi7bzCu85XKf2Oho_ZR_3i9b0qCqt0W_jKJ-afJjKKr6F0FuEys0as-7G5HtmHk2TvVbPLX_0bjOFMgcquYVLqR6Wph8N_Jkmd3TKhy2/s320/200px-Chirping_Crickets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269211588885134290" border="0" /></a>One of the great rock 'n' roll debuts, the Crickets influence can be heard throught the early 60's as they provided the blueprint for "beat combos" on both sides of the atlantic.<br /><br />No one knows for sure what would've happened if Buddy Holly hadn't taken that plane, but judging from the work he and the rest of The Crickets did before that faithful night it would have been good.<br /><br />The Crickets did continue after the loss of Holly but never really reached the heights of the early work they did.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-82535640066168231112008-11-15T12:43:00.003+00:002008-11-15T13:59:22.197+00:00Album 7. Song for Swinging Lovers! - Frank Sinatra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aOyinRrwFAn_2WCFr82SHcbI_9dLYUKV_jvCVGJrbDZbFhyphenhyphenclH5mXKITlWFz0JdKuCBYrnPhEGO560vhhPfjjHGScVOyYTMZCDcRvQ1X9AvnkampmVThFnn_S1UPqBrtDxqEdxDjkdA8/s1600-h/200px-Songsforswinginlovers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aOyinRrwFAn_2WCFr82SHcbI_9dLYUKV_jvCVGJrbDZbFhyphenhyphenclH5mXKITlWFz0JdKuCBYrnPhEGO560vhhPfjjHGScVOyYTMZCDcRvQ1X9AvnkampmVThFnn_S1UPqBrtDxqEdxDjkdA8/s320/200px-Songsforswinginlovers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268866941298098562" border="0" /></a>A second outing from "Ol' Blue Eyes", this one is what I would call a ronseal album. It does exactly what it says on the sleeve. 15 love songs in a swing stlye.<br /><br />It's the typical Sinatra stuff that we all associate with his name and contains a few of his more well known recordings, most notably "You Make Me Feel So Young" and "I've Got You Under My Skin".<br /><br />I think this maybe down to familiarity of the material, but it failed to make a big impact on me. Good but not brilliant.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-46011658048452268252008-11-15T10:32:00.005+00:002008-11-18T17:08:08.096+00:00Album 6. Ellington at Newport - Duke Ellington<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOxGz38G8ZyzYNWfh1kUBXvP54ChQs8rnPBbO9k0daFyw25f9NzBmIdyqxLx_K1eZPSUuKkGFlcXVWFDiHelxZz5DDYy_eI_iZdu7guNihxh3eTULmebux_uFYVLMgzUcn8Jww326eSwe/s1600-h/200px-EllingtonAtNewport.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOxGz38G8ZyzYNWfh1kUBXvP54ChQs8rnPBbO9k0daFyw25f9NzBmIdyqxLx_K1eZPSUuKkGFlcXVWFDiHelxZz5DDYy_eI_iZdu7guNihxh3eTULmebux_uFYVLMgzUcn8Jww326eSwe/s320/200px-EllingtonAtNewport.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268833269924862626" border="0" /></a>Mmmm, Jazz. Nice.<br /><br />When it comes down to it I like my jazz how I like my women, fast and swinging! (Sorry).<br /><br />I have a lot of respect for anyone that can play jazz well, because it's not easy, I just have a hard time listening to a lot of it. That's probably why the first half of this live recording, from the Newport Jazz Festival, past me by stirring very little interest. I don't think it was helped by the crowd which apart from a small smattering of applause here and there was mostly silent, so probably as bored as me.<br /><br />It's at this point that Duke announces that they're going to play 2 older numbers bridge by a saxophone solo. The first of the 2 pieces from the off seems to have more energy than anything that has come before and I'm finding myself actually paying attention for the first time. Then comes the sax solo, and what a solo. It seems to go on forever, but it doesn't matter because you almost don't want it to end. The strangest thing is that as I'm becoming more engaged so it seems are the festival crowd, becoming audible in the background shouting and cheering. When the end of the second piece is reached the polite applause from the previous tunes is replaced by a raucous roar from a audience that knows they've just seen a great performance.<br /><br />From here onwards the energy of neither band or crowd drops and while the best moment of the album has past the rest continues to be enjoyable right too the end.<br /><br />Is this one of the best live albums that I've heard? No, I didn't like half of it. Should you listen to it? Yes, because this is one of the few places you will find both sides of the live music coin recorded, with the band misfiring a little as well as giving a great performance.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-52102943977198008022008-11-15T09:49:00.003+00:002008-11-15T10:30:06.810+00:00Album 5. This is Fats - Fats Domino<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwPeY4mZs_7tRhiBYxIZrZuqn5QPcULxo7u18c7u5XGW38Wp49OQY99VjUwQ2pankndmQkFadiDdWUkjsAJGQHxh2oAhKgHFZtD_q73RQCzKn-n3w-fV32pmatOYj0uzSN0EMwVlZYUrk/s1600-h/1502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwPeY4mZs_7tRhiBYxIZrZuqn5QPcULxo7u18c7u5XGW38Wp49OQY99VjUwQ2pankndmQkFadiDdWUkjsAJGQHxh2oAhKgHFZtD_q73RQCzKn-n3w-fV32pmatOYj0uzSN0EMwVlZYUrk/s320/1502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268819958183724290" border="0" /></a>I think most people have encountered Fats Domino through his rendition of the song "Blueberry Hill". The rest of the material here follows a similar up tempo boogie-woogie rhythm and blues style. A particular highlight for me was the instrumental track "Fat Man's Hop" with Fats showing how good a pianist he is.<br /><br />This is a good, solid album from one of the greats of the genre, but while it was well worth the listen it didn't blow me away.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-91712746795126727652008-11-13T10:19:00.002+00:002008-11-13T10:37:59.488+00:00Album 4. The Wildest - Louis Prima<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHUyeaosGFox3TZDocvUrFejDjffJ1E-njQ_avm2XUO-u3y_OgQONDutCwCYD1uysygF3B-Hq_YMv2aod2cvgGGmHqnjzcsb5VZ1nE85otD25RDARNoCJBvMKj4xJ0lhrHFK0A1QCblzz/s1600-h/200px-Thewildest.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHUyeaosGFox3TZDocvUrFejDjffJ1E-njQ_avm2XUO-u3y_OgQONDutCwCYD1uysygF3B-Hq_YMv2aod2cvgGGmHqnjzcsb5VZ1nE85otD25RDARNoCJBvMKj4xJ0lhrHFK0A1QCblzz/s320/200px-Thewildest.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268085074711509890" border="0" /></a>This is just what I needed after the Louvins.<br /><br />The easiest way to put across what you get from Louis Prima is to say he shares quite a similarity to another Louis of the Armstrong veriety.<br /><br />This hi tempo fusion of New Orleans jazz, swing and blues is so easy to listen to and enjoy. An excellent job has been done on capturing the energy of a group of musicians having fun playing the music they love, I can only imagine what it must have been like to actually see them perferm but I doubt it would disappoint.<br /><br />This album will put a smile on the face of any genuine music lover, I recomende you listen now.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-28325507431466000692008-11-13T09:48:00.003+00:002008-11-15T14:11:22.299+00:00Album 3. Tragic Songs of Life - The Louvin Brothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb98TWAlL0LxIYydQ1Zf7eXxTOi9WqCeGKG3_XITBIVx2KqAJ9g5yRG48cVBUTJTdSJaNyuZzvqwwJqBklCe8JhdJ9XEP2WpFQBXNchR6lpHG41WfEmwbiVB2UgIVPzjjNQxOxn0wLo8bB/s1600-h/34487.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb98TWAlL0LxIYydQ1Zf7eXxTOi9WqCeGKG3_XITBIVx2KqAJ9g5yRG48cVBUTJTdSJaNyuZzvqwwJqBklCe8JhdJ9XEP2WpFQBXNchR6lpHG41WfEmwbiVB2UgIVPzjjNQxOxn0wLo8bB/s320/34487.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268076812822579618" border="0" /></a>Upon spying the title and cover of this album it wasn't difficult to deduce that the Louvin Brothers were going to give me a dose of country of somesort, and they certainly did.<br /><br />The brothers, I'm assuming they are, seem to be a very accomplished close harmony duet, the vocals are set over a simple rhythm guitar and the songs are interspersed with what sounds like mandalin solos. It's a pretty usual formula in country and something I could easily listen to, if they offered something other than very depressing tunes about old dead cowboys.<br /><br />Through the stories of each song on this album not a single character catches a single break, it's all dead dogs, heartbreak, quite often death and on a few occasions murder.<br /><br />I just hope what comes next is a bit cheerierMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-73039467439525006022008-11-12T10:09:00.003+00:002008-11-12T10:47:04.168+00:00Album 2. Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBVjxWUoaK_TDZixR48MTEhc7tfjC-sgPwMe5-xA2LE2QIvnFF4KNnfjWDuWY8nvfGNNw9ij7uj_RtfXFXO23SiAL61VRTRAkRszInA3JoaP_Gn-VjjytmsI_6FV1p-qvVXRCOdxNC5Qe/s1600-h/200px-Elvispresleydebutalbum.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBVjxWUoaK_TDZixR48MTEhc7tfjC-sgPwMe5-xA2LE2QIvnFF4KNnfjWDuWY8nvfGNNw9ij7uj_RtfXFXO23SiAL61VRTRAkRszInA3JoaP_Gn-VjjytmsI_6FV1p-qvVXRCOdxNC5Qe/s320/200px-Elvispresleydebutalbum.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267711241144363586" border="0" /></a>This one is pretty easy. I love early Elvis so know all the tracks on offer here quite well. It still impresses me at how it was possible to take what is quite an unusual vocal style and successfully apply it across so many musical genres. This debut, along with "Elvis", "Elvis is Back" and "From Elvis in Memphis" (Imaginative titles) represents what I believe to be his best work.<br /><br />It's worth noting that I'm listening to the 1999 CD re-issue of the album which contains 6 extra tracks not on the original release as practice at the time was to not include singles on albums.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1114262354138231821.post-57927925248378166902008-11-12T00:31:00.001+00:002008-11-12T10:46:29.230+00:00Album 1. In the Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSj1YyyqxwerNJAAtyfTYJwBQ7ceMghBQgJwzaIBmfYuSerWIs3uALj14zWI-Tau1D38PcP7aA1YK_anuIBDq9wFMnHojg2gFtT4FLI1vu-5SoT_TZlKd8HDUEyCw7oZ3HVPy4749O4kf/s1600-h/200px-Weesmallhours.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSj1YyyqxwerNJAAtyfTYJwBQ7ceMghBQgJwzaIBmfYuSerWIs3uALj14zWI-Tau1D38PcP7aA1YK_anuIBDq9wFMnHojg2gFtT4FLI1vu-5SoT_TZlKd8HDUEyCw7oZ3HVPy4749O4kf/s320/200px-Weesmallhours.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267562504915536834" border="0" /></a>My knowledge of Frank Sinatra's music comes entirely from various "best of" collections featuring mostly the well known up tempo swing numbers and not much else, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.<br /><br />What I found here are 16 ballads of a well written and performed quality, which wasn't all that shocking. What did come as a surprise was the selection of material. This isn't just a collection of popular hits, but an album of carefully selected numbers designed to complement each other, something I always thought was more of a revelation of the 60's.<br /><br />All in all a pleasant start to my musical journey, I just hope that all the material I have little knowledge of is just as entertaining, although I fear it will not be.Markhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14783667785674597787noreply@blogger.com0