Tag: The 1950’s
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Eddie Cochran ‘Singin’ To My Baby’ (1957)
Eddie Cochran’s Singin’ To My Baby captures the restless creativity of one of early rock and roll’s true pioneers. More than just a singer, Cochran was a studio innovator who experimented with multitrack recording, distortion, and overdubbing at a time when those techniques were still new. He played nearly everything himself—guitar, piano, bass, and drums—giving…
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Bill Evans ‘Everybody Digs Bill Evans’ (1959)
The cover of Everybody Digs Bills Evans says it all– glowing quotes from jazz legends like Miles Davis, George Shearing, and Ahmad Jamal stretch across the album cover, underscoring the bold title of this jazz pianist’s solo album. Evans plays with a sense of space and touch that made him one of the most revered…
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Frank Sinatra ‘Songs For Young Lovers’ (1954)
When Frank Sinatra signed with Capitol Records in 1953, he was emerging from a career slump but armed with a newfound sense of confidence and artistic direction. The dude was seasoned by countless nights on the stages of Las Vegas and refined a more intimate yet sophisticated lounge jazz style. Songs for Young Lovers has…
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John Lee Hooker ‘House of the Blues’ (1959)
John Lee Hooker was a seminal figure in the development of modern blues, known for his raw hypnotic guitar style and deeply emotive vocal delivery that bridged the gap between Delta blues and electric urban blues that were starting to become en vogue by the end of the century. His distinctive approach to guitar– marked…
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The Dave Brubeck Quartet ‘Time Out’ (1959)
As we mentioned during our review of Thelonious Monk’s brilliant album Brilliant Corners (yes, the pun was intended, yes, I know I’m annoying) only five jazz musicians have ever graced the cover of TIME magazine. Dave Brubeck was one of them, a savant pianist and composer who rose to prominence during the 50’s. He is…
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Flatt & Scruggs ‘Foggy Mountain Jamboree’ (1957)
Earl Scruggs’ banjo playing would forever change the way the instrument was played, elevating it from a rhythmic backup to a main focal point of the bluegrass genre.
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Sammy Davis Jr. ‘Starring Sammy Davis Jr.’ (1955)
Sammy Davis Jr. was a multifaceted entertainer, known for his work as a singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. His debut album in 1955 kicked off his career of captivating audiences with his remarkable talent and charm.
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Dean Martin ‘Dean Martin Sings’ (1954)
When you think of old school cool it’s hard not to think of a guy like Dean Martin. As a key member of the infamous Rat Pack (which also included Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop), Martin played the role of the laid-back, wisecracking, hard-drinking charmer who helped define the group’s…
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Mary O’Hara ‘Down by the Glenside’ (1958)
Mary O’Hara’s Down by the Glenside is a beautiful collection of traditional Irish songs, showcasing her whimsical soprano and delicate harp playing that bring these folk melodies to life. Her voice floats effortlessly in these hauntingly beautiful and bitter sweet renditions, capturing the deep emotion and storytelling of Irish music. One of the standout tracks,…
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Yma Sumac ‘Voice Of The Xtaby’ (1950)
Yma Sumac was a Peruvian soprano with an astonishing five-octave vocal range, and in the early 1950’s she was nothing short of a phenomenon– she reshaped the landscape of world music in the mid-20th century, bringing her talent to the masses, and her debut album Voice of the Xtabay sold over a million records in…
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Art Pepper ‘Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section’ (1957)
Sometimes great art can be born in the most dire of circumstances. Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section that kind of album, a somewhat miraculous triumph born from chaos, desperation, and sheer talent. At the time Pepper was battling a crippling drug addiction and hadn’t touched his instrument in six months when he found himself…
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Billie Holiday ‘Lady In Satin’ (1958)
In 1958 Billie Holiday entered the studio to record Lady in Satin and was a woman bearing the weight of a lifetime of hardship and heartbreak. The years of substance abuse, turbulent relationships, and brushes with the law had taken a significant toll on Holiday, both physically and emotionally. Her once-crystalline voice now carried a…
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Bo Diddley ‘Bo Diddley’ (1958)
Known for his signature “Bo Diddley beat”—a syncopated, chugging rhythm that drew from African and Latin grooves— Bo Diddley introduced a powerful new pulse to blues music that paired along with his dynamic guitar playing. This beat, with its hypnotic “bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp” rhythm, became the backbone of his songs and inspired countless…
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Cannonball Adderley ‘Somethin’ Else’ (1958)
Recorded during Julian Cannonball Adderley’s time with Miles Davis’ First Great Quintet, this album features Davis in one of his rare sideman roles after 1955. He not only plays several initial solos but also composed the bluesy title track and selected most of the material. Notably, “Autumn Leaves” became a staple in the Davis repertoire,…
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Ray Charles ‘The Genius of Ray Charles’ (1959)
Ray Charles’ impact on soul music cannot be understated– he almost single-handedly paved the way for soul and blues to be commercially viable and that fact in and of itself has cemented his place as an American icon. His one-of-a-kind baritone vocal melodies and brilliant piano playing legitimately transformed the way soul music was delivered…
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Miles Davis ‘Kind of Blue’ (1959)
Kind of Blue is one of those albums you see everywhere– best of lists, college dorm rooms, your father’s vinyl record collection, a poster in a music store. It’s undoubtedly the de facto initial phase of the “I’m expanding my musical tastes and diving into jazz” starter pack that all music lovers hit somewhere around…
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Art Blakey ‘Moanin’ (1959)
Moanin’ is cornerstone of hard bop jazz that showcased Art Blakey’s prowess and exceptional talent as a drummer and bandleader. It’s filled with infectious grooves, soulful piano melodies, and powerful drumming that creates a dynamic interplay which highlights each musician’s strengths– the album’s blend of bluesy influences and intricate rhythms is a fun as hell…
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Ornette Coleman ‘The Shape of Jazz to Come’ (1959)
Despite being released 65 years ago The Shape of Jazz to Come remains a cornerstone of the avant-garde jazz movement that upended the genre at the conclusion of the decade. At the time it was radical departure from conventional jazz structures, heralding a new era in the genre with its innovative approach, primarily its removal…
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Tito Puente ‘Dance Mania’ (1958)
A whirlwind of vibrant mambo and cha-cha beats. Fiery timbales and brass-fueled arrangements. Dance Mania is everything that makes Latin music cool, energetic, and simply just fun as hell. Composer Puente masterfully blends traditional Cuban sounds with the sizzle of New York’s late night dance scene, creating a fiesta of infectious grooves and exhilarating performances…
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João Gilberto ‘Chega de Saudade’ (1959)
João Gilberto’s debut album Chega de Saudade is largely credited with being the first Bossa Nova album of all-time, setting the stage for the proliferation of the genre to gain immense popularity in its native country of Brazil during the 60’s and 70’s. João Gilberto fused samba rhythms with the harmonies and sophistication of jazz,…
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Carl Perkins ‘Dance Album’ (1957)
Carl Perkins is sort of a forgotten pioneer of American rockabilly, a musician whose influential sound helped shape the early days of rock and roll and gave birth to some of its biggest stars. Take for example his massive hit “Blue Suede Shoes”– most people associate that song with Elvis Presley (for obvious reasons), but…
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Duke Ellington ‘Such Sweet Thunder’ (1957)
Duke Ellington’s piano playing was a cornerstone of his influential career, characterized by its sophistication, creativity, and emotional depth. Ellington’s approach to the piano was as distinctive as his compositions– blending intricate jazz harmonies with a robust drive, and combining the elegance of classical music with the rhythmic vitality of jazz. His expressive touch on…
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Buddy Holly ‘Buddy Holly’ (1958)
Buddy Holly’s impact on rock and roll is profound and enduring. He shaped the genre’s evolution in a few pivotal ways, from his innovative approach to songwriting and his distinctive style which set a new standard for rock and roll. With hits like “Peggy Sue” and “Everyday”, Holly’s sound combined energetic rhythms with a blend…
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Horace Silver ‘The Stylings of Silver’ (1957)
Horace Silver’s album The Stylings of Silver is a tidy romp through the hard bop genre which showcases Silver’s distinct blend of rhythmic innovation and melodic sophistication. Featuring a formidable lineup of pianist Silver, trumpeter Art Farmer, saxophonist Hank Mobley, bassist Teddy Kotick, and drummer Louis Hayes, the record combines intricate jazz arrangements with Silver’s…
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Marty Robbins ‘Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs’ (1959)
There’s been a recent resurgence of old Country Western melodies as of late in Indie Rock bands. It’s hard to tell why this is happening– perhaps it’s a desire for something innately human in the early age of Artificial Intelligence, or a reaction to the COVID pandemic that led us to put a greater importance…
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Bud Powell ‘Inner Fires’ (1952)
Any biography that has the opportunity to start with Herbie Hancock describing you as “the foundation out of which stemmed the whole edifice of modern jazz piano” is a pretty damn good one. Bud Powell was an iconic jazz songwriter whose life as a black artist in New York City during the 40’s led to…
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Frank Sinatra ‘In The Wee Small Hours’ (1954)
The legendary voice of Frank Sinatra played frontman to the musical march of many different types of numbers over his illustrious career– the grandiose “Strangers In The Night”, the big band ballsiness of “My Way”, the swingy playfulness of “Fly Me To The Moon”– but as the name would suggest In the Wee Small Hours…
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Peggy Lee ‘Black Coffee’ (1956)
Black Coffee was Peggy Lee’s first album but one that came well after she was already firmly established at the top of the charts. Her 1943 single “Why Don’t You Do Right?” sold over a million copies and kickstarted what would eventually become a seven-decade recording career that earned her the moniker “Queen of American…
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The Louvin Brothers ‘Tragic Songs of Life’ (1956)
Tragic Songs of Life is the epitome of traditional country music, featuring the aspects that has made the genre an American mainstay for the past 100 years. Two-part harmonies (one low, one high), 3/4 time signatures with a pitter patter of drum brushes, jangly acoustic guitars that skip and bounce between rapid-fire notes, and songwriting…
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Bobby Day ‘Rockin’ with Robin’ (1959)
Bobby Day had a long career in R&B after moving to Los Angeles at the age of 15 years old. As a member of The Hollywood Flames in the late 40’s Day received a modicum of success with his first song “Young Girl”, and went on to record under several pseudonyms during his lifetime. He’s…
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Thelonious Monk ‘Brilliant Corners’ (1956)
As one of America’s five jazz musicians to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine (joining the ranks of Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Wynton Marsalis) Thelonious Monk’s contributions to American jazz music cannot be overrstated. Along with being the second-most recorded jazz composer in history (behind the aforementioned Duke Ellington), Monk’s…
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Nat King Cole ‘Just One Of Those Things’ (1957)
Nat King Cole’s prodigious career for three decades was somewhat of a watershed moment for America. During a period of significant racism and social upheaval, Cole broke the color barrier in various ways during his career– despite facing intense discrimination Cole recorded over 100 songs that landed on the pop charts, became the top-selling act…
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Sonny Rollins ‘Way Out West’ (1957)
Called “the greatest living improvisor” for his masterful ability to improvise over just about everything (which frankly is one of the best nicknames you could give a jazz musician), jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins’ chops are indisputable. On Way Out West Rollins drags you into deep waters, utilizing a style known as “strollin’” for the first…
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Frank Sinatra ‘A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra’ (1957)
Christmas has changed a lot in America since 1957’s A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra was released. The holiday has certainly become a much more consumeristic affair, filled with month-long advertisements and shopping sprees, and by and large the holiday has effectively become a secular celebration. There’s no hiding the fact that religion’s popularity is…
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Elvis Presley ‘Elvis Presley’ (1956)
Elvis Presley certainly wasn’t the inventor of rock and roll, and his relationship with the Black musicians he copied during the 1950’s was a complicated one that ran the gamut of personal opinion at the time, but he was undoubtedly America’s first rock and roll star, a landmark in pop culture and one of the…
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The Everly Brothers ‘They’re Off & Rolling’ (1958)
The Everly Brothers were at the crossroads of country music and R&B in the late 1950’s and served as an influential act on a generation of bands that followed them in the 1960’s. The most notable band they influenced was The Beatles– early in John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s career they actually referred to themselves…
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