Album 17. Jack Takes the Floor - Jack Elliot

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.

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.

Album 14. Here's Little Richard - Little Richard

Little Richard's debut was leap forward in rock 'n' roll.

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.

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.

Album 12. Birth of the Cool - Miles Davis

This aptly titled album provides a great example of why I can actually listen to Miles Davis.

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.

For anyone looking for an easy introduction to jazz this is a great place to start.

Album 8. The "Chirping" Crickets - The Crickets

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.

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.

The Crickets did continue after the loss of Holly but never really reached the heights of the early work they did.

Album 4. The Wildest - Louis Prima

This is just what I needed after the Louvins.

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.

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.

This album will put a smile on the face of any genuine music lover, I recomende you listen now.

Album 2. Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley

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.

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.

Album 1. In the Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra

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.

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.

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.