Album 28. Behind the Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith

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".

Album 27. A Date With The Everly Brothers - The Everly Brothers

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.

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.

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.

Album 26. Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba

Now, Miriam Makeba is a name I have heard before, but only really through her political work rather than her music.

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.

Album 25. Elvis is Back! - Elvis Presley

A second outing for the King, this time with his third album.

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.

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.

Probably the best album in the Elvis catalogue.

Album 24. Joan Baez - Joan Baez

The 60's then, openning with a bit of folk.

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.

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.

Album 23. Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet

Woooo! I'm coming back with a jazz attack.

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.

If you fancy a little light jazz definatley worth a look.

Album 19. Sings the Gershwin Songbook - Ella Fitzgerald, 20. The Genius of Ray Charles - Ray Charles, 21. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis, 22. Marty Rob...

...bins - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.

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.

These 4 albums have inspired nothing in me at all. Not terrible, but not great either, they just are what they are.