| ← 1950 |  |
1952 → |
| Album Chart of 1951 |
HANK'S EX-JUKEBOX CUTS MAKE UP DEBUT ALBUM
By 1951, the LP still had a long road to travel as it strove to find its place as the foremost outlet for an artists recorded works.
In July, DJ and music promoter Alan Freed broadcast his first Rhythm and blues radio programme from station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio. He used the term rock and roll to describe R&B, in an effort to introduce the music to a broader white audience – but there would no sign of an actual Rock n Roll LP for quite a few years yet.
Hank Williams, at the peak of his considerable popularity in 1951, had an album with his name on it – but many regarded it as a second class affair. Producer Fred Rose took songs from previous single releases (1946-1949) that did not sell well at the moment of their release. As Williams’ biographer Colin Escott put it:
“Rose used Hank's first album as a dump site for oddball tracks that hadn't sold elsewhere. With the exception of 'Wedding Bells,' the tracks were the dogs of Hank's catalog, like 'I've Just Told Mama Goodbye,' 'Wealth Won't Save Your Soul,' and 'Six More Miles.'”
Harsh words – not entirely justified for the very decent “Hank Williams Sings” offering – but he has a point of sorts. The days where the new LP would routinely showcase an artist’s brand new recordings were still far off in 1951.
“Hank Williams Sings” also demonstrated that the rival formats were still clinging on for dear life – the album was released on ten-inch LP, a four 45rpm packaged set and a four 78rpm set.
The Jukebox Rebel
21-Oct-2015
Hank Williams with his Drifting Cowboys
MGM Records E-107
“Decent enough” CountryJukebox picks: “Wedding Bells” (6.7) • “Mansion On The Hill” (6.6) • “Wealth Won’t Save Your Soul” (6.3)
Strategically issued in November to coincide with Hank’s appearance on The Perry Como Chesterfield Show, Hank’s debut LP...more →
Édith Piaf
Columbia FL-9527
“Below average” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Don’t Cry” (6.5) • “My Lost Melody” (5.9) • “La P’tite Marie” (5.3)
The second of three new music albums from Édith Piaf in 1951 – all tracks were new to her LP discography, and were recor...more →
Édith Piaf
Columbia FL-9520
“Poor” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Le Chevalier De Paris” (6.2) • “C’est D’la Faute” (5.2) • “Tous Les Amoureux Chantent” (4.8)
The first of three new Édith Piaf LPs to be issued in 1951, and the first which could perhaps be deemed as a true new mu...more →
Édith Piaf
Columbia FL-9535
“Lame” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Demain” (5.4) • “La Valse De L’Amour” (5.3) • “Rien De Rien” (5.2)
All recorded and released in 1951 – how refreshing. “La P’tite Lili” (The Maid Lili) was a short film directed by French...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1951 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s