Album Chart of 1954

← 1953

1955 →

BONJOUR DE BELGIQUE

It’s an indisputable fact that the United States dominated the album releases from the 1930s to the 1950s but there were one or two exceptional talents who made sure there was some sort of European representation on the world stage – at least retrospectively if not immediately apparent at the time. Brussels-born Jacques Brel was one such talent and the confident debut from the 25 year old singer-songwriter is the stand out for 1954, according to Rebel sensibilities.

Elsewhere, there are debut albums for Ella Mae Morse (who delivered my song of the year in 1942) and Bill Haley and his Comets (the first ever Rock n Roll LP).

Jean Ritchie maintains her good form and MGM continue to find enough material for a fourth “A-list” album for the Hank Williams discography.

The Jukebox Rebel
24-Oct-2015

JACQUES BREL ET SES CHANSONS
Jacques Brel
Philips B 76.027 R

“Really good” Crooner / Cabaret

Jukebox picks: “C’est Comme Ça” (9.2) • “Le Diable (Ca Va)” (8.0) • “Il Pleut (Les Carreaux)” (7.7)
“Jacques Brel Et Ses Chansons” was the aptly titled debut album from the talented 25 year old, a relatively late starter...more →

ROCK WITH BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS
Bill Haley and his Comets
Essex Records ESLP-202

“Decent enough” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly

Jukebox picks: “Real Rock Drive” (7.3) • “Rock The Joint [single version '52]” (7.2) • “I'll Be True” (7.0)
“We're gonna tear down the mailbox, rip up the floors, Smash out the windows and knock down the doors, We're gonna roc...more →

KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS SONGS
Jean Ritchie
Elektra EKLP-25

“Decent enough” Folk

Jukebox picks: “Nottamun Town [album version ’54]” (8.7) • “The Hangman Song” (7.2) • “False Sir John” (6.7)
Another enchanting set from the talented Jean Ritchie, steeped in the ancient ballads of the British Isles and mainland ...more →

THE TIN ANGEL PRESENTS ODETTA AND LARRY
Odetta and Larry
Fantasy 3-15

“Decent enough” Folk

Jukebox picks: “Payday At Coal Creek” (7.1) • “John Henry [live]” (7.0) • “Water Boy” (6.9)
These recordings, made in 1953 and 1954, were mostly made in the studio, although a few were taken from live sessions at...more →

THE SINGING REVEREND
Blind Gary Davis with Sonny Terry
Stinson SLP-56

“Average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues

Jukebox picks: “Bad Company Brought Me Here” (6.6) • “You Got To Move [1954 recording]” (6.3) • “I Can’t Make This Journey By Myself” (5.8)
Recorded by Kenneth Goldstein in NYC in April, 1954. Although Stinson SLP56 is widely agreed as Gary Davis debut LP, the...more →

BARRELHOUSE, BOOGIE AND THE BLUES
Ella Mae Morse with Big Dave and his Orchestra
Capitol Records H-513

“Average” Blues / Rhythm n Blues

Jukebox picks: “Money Honey” (6.3) • “Rock Me All Night Long” (5.8) • “I Love You, Yes I Do” (5.7)
After hearing 1942s “Cow Cow Boogie” I completely flipped for Ella Mae and splashed out on her 1997 boxset “Barrelhouse,...more →

HONKY TONKIN’
Hank Williams
MGM Records E-242

“Average” Country

Jukebox picks: “Honky Tonkin’” (6.4) • “Howlin’ At The Moon” (5.9) • “Honky Tonk Blues” (5.7)
The fourth and final “A-lister” in the Hank Williams story, featuring 8 cuts recorded between 1947-1952, and all previou...more →

CLASSICS IN JAZZ
Miles Davis
Capitol Records H-459

“Terrible” Jazz

Jukebox picks: “Moon Dreams” (5.5) • “Jeru” (4.2) • “Venus De Milo” (3.5)
For the last release in Capitol’s “Classics in Jazz” 10” LP series, Miles Davis was the featured artist and tunes from h...more →

OSCAR MOORE [1954]
Oscar Moore
Skylark SKLP-19

“Dire” Jazz

Jukebox picks: “Blues In B Flat” (3.7) • “Roulette” (2.9) • “The Nearness Of You” (2.2)
A joyless 21 minutes, during which the outstanding technical proficiency of the jazz guitar wizard leaves me stone-cold ...more →

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

“B-list”

1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s