107 tracks, runtime 5h 40m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (all of which are available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube
THE BIRTH OF ROCK n ROLL
The LP still has a long road to travel as it strives to find its place as the foremost outlet for an artists’ recorded works, but the format really begins to build momentum as the 1950s progress. In the summer of '51 DJ and music promoter Alan Freed broadcasts his first Rhythm and blues radio programme from station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio. He uses 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 / Rockabilly LP for a few years yet.
The Folk Music revival continues to grow, and Harry Smith's remarkable 5 disc anthology plays a big part in this. Artists such as Jean Ritchie, Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl explore these traditional roots, and all of this fire-stoking will go some way to igniting flames on both sides of the Atlantic in the decade which follows.
BO DIDDLEY [1958] Bo Diddley Chess LP-1431 (1958) “A classic”Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Who Do You Love?” (9.9) • “I’m A Man” (9.8) • “Bring It To Jerome” (9.3) Rock n Roll - Bo Diddley style. Raw, hypnotic and super exciting. Side after side after side after side. The Bo Diddley ...more →
WORD JAZZ Ken Nordine and The Fred Katz Group Dot Records DLP-3075 (1957) “Excellent”Avant-Garde
Jukebox picks: “Flibberty Jib” (9.6) • “My Baby” (9.5) • “Roger” (9.3) Magnificent pieces flow one after the other from this loveable absurdist. He’s a laugh and a half and it’s a real pleasu...more →
THE FABULOUS LITTLE RICHARD Little Richard Specialty LP-2104 (1959) “Excellent”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Shake A Hand” (10) • “She Knows How To Rock” (9.2) • “Early One Morning” (9.2) “The Fabulous Little Richard” arrived in March – a full year and a half after the unpredictable star had retired from Ro...more →
MOANIN’ IN THE MOONLIGHT Howlin’ Wolf Chess LP-1434 (1959) “Excellent”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “How Many More Years” (10) • “Smoke Stack Lightning” (9.7) • “Evil Is Goin’ On” (9.5) Twelve single sides (issued 1951-1959) are gathered to make up the powerful Howlin’ Wolf long-play debut. “Moanin’ At...more →
ROCK AND ROLLIN’ WITH FATS DOMINO Fats Domino Imperial LP-9004 (1956) “Excellent”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Going To The River” (10) • “Ain’t It A Shame” (9.8) • “The Fat Man” (9.5) Released March 1956 (Imperial LP-9004) and issued in the UK on London Records as “Carry On Rockin’”. The Imperial Label ...more →
LITTLE RICHARD Little Richard Specialty LP-2103 (1958) “Excellent”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Send Me Some Lovin’” (10) • “Good Golly Miss Molly” (9.4) • “Lucille” (9.0) After having delivered the album of the decade and 18 dynamic hit singles in 3 years, the true king of Rock n Roll shock...more →
BUDDY HOLLY Buddy Holly Coral CRL-57210 (1958) “Brilliant”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Pop; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Rave On” (10) • “Everyday” (9.6) • “Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues” (9.5) The “Chirping” Crickets had been a really good album in 1957, the “solo” LP released just a few months later (in Februar...more →
THIS IS FATS DOMINO! Fats Domino Imperial LP-9028 (1956) “Brilliant”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Blue Monday” (10) • “Blueberry Hill” (9.7) • “So Long” (9.1) Released December 1956 (Imperial LP-9028). Fats was buzzin’ on his a-game in 1956 – this was his third LP of the year an...more →
IVOR CUTLER OF Y’HUPː OBLIQUE MUSICAL PHILOSOPHER Ivor Cutler Fontana TFE-17144 (1959) “Brilliant”Avant-Garde
Jukebox picks: “Size 9½” (10) • “Here’s A Health To Simon” (8.8) • “Pickle Your Knees” (8.6) Cracking debut EP from the 36 year old Glaswegian humourist, immediately revelling in his own brand of absurd surrealism...more →
CHUCK BERRY IS ON TOP Chuck Berry Chess LP-1435 (1959) “Brilliant”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Maybellene” (9.6) • “Johnny B. Goode” (9.4) • “Roll Over Beethoven” (9.1) Surely a vital album for any self-respecting music fan in the 1950s, this was the quintessential Chuck Berry, all fired ...more →
ELVIS PRESLEY Elvis Presley RCA Victor LPM-1254 (1956) “Brilliant”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Rock n Roll Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Blue Suede Shoes” (9.2) • “One Sided Love Affair” (9.0) • “Blue Moon” (8.4) “Let’s go cat” encourages Elvis… Scotty Moore on guitar rises to the challenge on the exciting album opener… “aw...more →
JERRY LEE LEWIS [1958] Jerry Lee Lewis Sun Record Company LP-1230 (1958) “Really good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “It All Depends (On Who Will Buy The Wine)” (9.2) • “Crazy Arms” (8.8) • “Ubangi Stomp” (8.7) Issued in June was the first Jerry Lee Lewis LP. There was no place for his biggest single sellers “'Whole Lotta Shakin’...more →
HERE STANDS FATS DOMINO Fats Domino Imperial LP-9038 (1957) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “You Can Pack Your Suitcase” (8.9) • “I’m Walkin’” (8.6) • “Detroit City Blues” (8.1) Released March 1957 (Imperial LP-9038). The previous LPs were current with oldies padding, this one’s oldies with curren...more →
I’M JIMMY REED Jimmy Reed Vee Jay Records VJLP-1004 (1958) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Honest I Do” (9.8) • “You Don't Have To Go” (8.3) • “My First Plea” (7.9) Released in August, Jimmy’s debut LP followed normal protocol for the era, by serving as a round-up of his hit sides fro...more →
JOHNNY CASH WITH HIS HOT AND BLUE GUITAR Johnny Cash Sun Record Company LP-1220 (1957) “Really good”Country
Jukebox picks: “I Walk The Line [1956]” (9.4) • “Cry! Cry! Cry!” (8.4) • “So Doggone Lonesome” (8.2) The first Sun Records artist to release an LP and what a debut it was. An instant pop up country star to go. The song-wr...more →
THE BEST OF MUDDY WATERS Muddy Waters Chess LP-1427 (1957) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “I Can’t Be Satisfied” (9.4) • “Just Make Love To Me” (8.8) • “Louisiana Blues” (8.3) It’s not uncommon for the debut albums of the 1950s to serve as round-ups of preceding single sides, and such is the cas...more →
ROCK AND ROLLIN’ Fats Domino Imperial LP-9009 (1956) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Swanee River Hop” (8.3) • “Fat’s Frenzy” (8.1) • “I’m In Love Again” (7.9) Released August 1956 (Imperial LP-9009). Fats second LP in 5 months is led by his recent pop smash “I’m In Love Again...more →
THE BEST OF LITTLE WALTER Little Walter Chess LP-1428 (1957) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Mean Old World” (8.2) • “Blues With A Feeling” (8.1) • “Can’t Hold Out Much Longer” (7.8) Walter’s “debut album” follows the trend of his peers… serving as a singles round up, it features Chess sides released b...more →
HANK WILLIAMS AS “LUKE THE DRIFTER” Luke The Drifter MGM Records E-203 (1953) “Really good”Country
Jukebox picks: “Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw” (9.1) • “I Dreamed About Mama Last Night” (8.5) • “Men With Broken Hearts” (7.5) The sole Luke The Drifter album compiled eight single sides all recorded and released between 1950 and 1952. Biographer ...more →
N°4 Jacques Brel Philips B 76.483 R (1959) “Really good”Crooner / Cabaret
Jukebox picks: “La Valse À Mille Temps” (9.7) • “Ne Me Quitte Pas” (8.1) • “La Dame Patronnesse” (7.8) In early 1959 Brel renewed his contract with Philips, and the fourth album was soon to follow. “N°4” was all recorded in...more →
CHANTILLY LACE The Big Bopper Mercury MG-20402 (1959) “Really good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “White Lightning” (9.6) • “Chantilly Lace” (9.2) • “Big Bopper’s Wedding” (8.4) At the time of his death Big Bopper had quite a lot “in the can”, as demonstrated here on his one and only LP, issued by...more →
ROCK AND ROLL Ruth Brown Atlantic 8004 (1957) “Really good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Hello Little Boy” (9.8) • “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours Of The Day)” (8.7) • “Oh What A Dream” (8.2) In all, between 1949 and 1955, Ruth Brown had stayed on the R&B chart for a total 149 weeks, with sixteen Top 10 records...more →
JACQUES BREL ET SES CHANSONS Jacques Brel Philips B 76.027 R (1954) “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 →
PATSY CLINE Patsy Cline Decca DL-8611 (1957) “Really good”Country
Jukebox picks: “Walkin’ After Midnight [1957]” (9.1) • “Hungry For Love” (9.0) • “Fingerprints” (8.5) It’s hard to believe, but the young Patsy Cline had great difficulty in converting her extraordinary vocal talent into h...more →
THE FABULOUS MR. D Fats Domino Imperial LP-9055 (1958) “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Mardi Gras In New Orleans” (9.5) • “Long Lonesome Journey” (8.8) • “44” (8.3) Released September 1958 (Imperial LP-9055). Mostly recent material on this one although the monster cut “Mardi Gras In...more →
DANCE ALBUM OF CARL PERKINS Carl Perkins Sun Record Company LP-1225 (1958) “Good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Sure To Fall” (8.4) • “Honey Don’t” (8.4) • “Matchbox” (7.2) On 11th December 1957 Carl recorded his final session at Sun Records, spawning a final single for the label, “Glad All...more →
THE EVERLY BROTHERS The Everly Brothers Cadence CLP-3003 (1958) “Good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Bye Bye Love” (9.1) • “Brand New Heartache” (8.1) • “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (7.7) Debut album from the 21 year old Don and his 19 year old brother, Phil. It’s all about the vocal harmonies with these tw...more →
WE ARE THE CHANTELS The Chantels End LP-301 (1958) “Good”Rock n Roll Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Maybe” (8.9) • “Every Night (I Pray)” (7.5) • “Whoever You Are” (7.3) End LP-301. First issued in October 1958 as “We Are The Chantels”, re-issued in September 1959 (also End-301 LP) as “The...more →
THIS IS FATS Fats Domino Imperial LP-9040 (1957) “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “You Know I Miss You” (7.5) • “The Rooster Song” (7.4) • “Don’t You Hear Me Calling You” (7.1) Released August 1957 (Imperial LP-9040). Split down the middle between new material and sides from the previous years. T...more →
BAD LADS AND HARD CASES Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger Riverside Records RLP-12-632 (1957) “Good”Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Ballad Of Bentley And Craig” (7.9) • “Go Down You Murderer” (7.7) • “Gilderoy” (7.3) An album which is thematically linked on subject matter which has fascinated readers and listeners for centuries; the wr...more →
I’M JOHN LEE HOOKER John Lee Hooker Vee Jay Records VJLP-1007 (1959) “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Boogie Chillun” (8.5) • “Crawlin’ King Snake [1959 version]” (7.3) • “I Love You Honey [1958 version]” (7.2) The prolific John Lee Hooker entered the frame as an album artist in 1959 with two releases. First in his “A-list” was a...more →
SONGS OF OUR SOIL Johnny Cash Columbia CS-8148 (1959) “Good”Country
Jukebox picks: “The Caretaker” (8.5) • “It Could Be You” (8.0) • “The Man On The Hill” (7.8) A more than decent set of American folk ballads notable for “The Caretaker”, “I Want To Go Home” (aka Sloop John...more →
ONE DOZEN BERRYS Chuck Berry Chess LP-1432 (1958) “Good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Sweet Little Sixteen” (8.0) • “Rock And Roll Music” (8.0) • “How You’ve Changed” (7.0) As the title suggests, the second Chuck Berry album features 12 tracks penned by the man himself. “One Dozen Berrys” is ...more →
BLOW BOYS BLOW (SONGS OF THE SEA) Ewan MacColl and A. L. Lloyd Tradition Records TLP-1026 (1957) “Good”Folk
Jukebox picks: “Handsome Cabin Boy” (8.0) • “Paddy West” (7.2) • “Whup Jamboree” (7.1) Sea songs and shanties sung by A.L. Lloyd and Ewan MacColl, accompanied by Alf Edwards (concertina), Ralph Rinzler (guit...more →
SINGIN’ THE BLUES B.B. King Crown Records CLP-5020 (1957) “Good”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Please Love Me” (7.9) • “3 O’Clock Blues” (7.9) • “Every Day I Have The Blues” (7.0) Issued in June 1957. His debut album included some new material combined with some select single cuts from his short car...more →
WANDA JACKSON Wanda Jackson Capitol Records T-1041 (1958) “Good”Country; Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Rock n Roll Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Here We Are Again” (7.3) • “Let’s Have A Party” (7.2) • “Happy, Happy Birthday” (7.1) Issued in July, this was the debut LP set from the 20 year old country glamour-gal-cum-rockabilly-raver. She has a fine ...more →
GO CHAMPS GO The Champs Challenge CHL-601 (1958) “Good”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Tequila” (9.3) • “El Rancho Rock” (7.6) • “Train To Nowhere” (6.8) The first of four LP’s from The Champs (Challenge CHL-601). The title on the cover is “Go Champs Go”, whereas the title ...more →
SCOTS FOLK SONGS Ewan MacColl accompanied by Alf Edwards and Brian Daly Riverside Records RLP-12-609 (1956) “Decent enough”Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Bonnie Lass O' Fyvie” (8.3) • “Lassie Wi' The Yellow Coatie” (7.6) • “The Wee, Wee German Lairdie” (7.5) As Ewan tells in his sleeve notes, the collecting and publication of Scots folk music has been something of a national s...more →
PALO CONGO Sabu Blue Note BLP-1561 (1957) “Decent enough”Latin; Africana
Jukebox picks: “Tribilin Cantore” (7.3) • “Billumba-Palo Congo” (7.1) • “El Cumbanchero” (7.0) ”First I played on tin cans in backyards. Then when I was 11 years old I joined a trio and got a job on 125th playing...more →
THE FABULOUS WAILERS The Wailers Golden Crest CR-3075 (1959) “Decent enough”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Dirty Robber” (8.5) • “High Wall” (7.9) • “Beat Guitar” (7.4) Arriving at the very tail end of ’59 was “The Fabulous Wailers”, quite possibly the first artists’ album to grunge thing...more →
KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS SONGS Jean Ritchie Elektra EKLP-25 (1954) “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 →
ÉDITH PIAF SINGS [1950] Édith Piaf Columbia FL-9510 (1950) “Decent enough”Crooner / Cabaret; Folk
Jukebox picks: “Dany” (8.6) • “Pour Moi Tout’ Seule” (6.8) • “Dans Les Prisons De Nantes” (6.7) All 8 tracks on this 10” LP are new to the Édith Piaf album discography thus far. 5 of the 8 were recorded recently in 1...more →
RAY CHARLES Ray Charles Atlantic 8006 (1957) “Decent enough”Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Soul Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I’ve Got A Woman” (7.6) • “Mess Around” (7.5) • “Greenbacks” (7.2) Atlantic 8006. Released June, 1957. A fine debut from the inspirational 26 year old who’d been completely blind since 7....more →
SINGS THE SONGS THAT MADE HIM FAMOUS Johnny Cash Sun Record Company LP-1235 (1958) “Decent enough”Country
Jukebox picks: “There You Go” (9.6) • “I Walk The Line [1956]” (9.4) • “Ballad Of A Teenage Queen [1957]” (7.4) Although he was Sun’s most consistently selling and prolific artist at that time, Cash felt constrained by his contract ...more →
SONNY TERRY AND HIS MOUTH HARP [1952] Sonny Terry Stinson (1952) “Decent enough”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Silver Fox Chase” (7.9) • “Tell Me Litte Woman” (7.0) • “South Bound Express” (6.5) 10" LP, thought to have had a low-key issue in 1952, and a higher profile 12" LP re-issue in 1963. Not to be confused (a...more →
THE COUNTRY BLUES OF JOHN LEE HOOKER John Lee Hooker Riverside Records RLP-12-838 (1959) “Decent enough”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Tupelo Blues” (8.9) • “Water Boy” (7.1) • “I’m Prison Bound” (6.7) Ever the journeyman, John Lee stepped aside from his commitment to VeeJay with this set for Riverside Records, recorded ...more →
WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN’ Carl Perkins Columbia CL-1234 (1958) “Decent enough”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “That’s All Right” (7.0) • “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” (6.4) • “Where The Rio De Rosa Flows” (6.4) Bashed out in two recording sessions in June, the second Carl Perkins LP screams “no imagination”. The performances are ...more →
THE HANK WILLIAMS MEMORIAL ALBUM Hank Williams MGM Records E-202 (1953) “Decent enough”Country
Jukebox picks: “Cold, Cold Heart” (8.0) • “Kaw-Liga” (6.9) • “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (6.0) The shock of Hank Williams death on New Year’s Day led to a surge in public demand for records, sheet music and pictures...more →
YES INDEED! Ray Charles Atlantic 8025 (1958) “Decent enough”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Lonely Avenus” (7.8) • “It’s All Right” (7.4) • “I Want To Know” (7.1) Atlantic 8025. Released October, 1958. His 5th album in 2 years. Having said that, it’s another compilation, 14 sides fr...more →
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL Bill Haley and his Comets Decca DL-5560 (1955) “Decent enough”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Shake, Rattle And Roll” (7.9) • “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock” (7.5) • “Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town)” (6.7) Big sound, great production on Bill’s first album for Decca, although the material beyond the mega-hits is a bit patchy ...more →
THE FABULOUS JOHNNY CASH Johnny Cash Columbia CL-1253 (1958) “Decent enough”Country
Jukebox picks: “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town” (7.7) • “Suppertime” (6.7) • “I Still Miss Someone [1958]” (6.4) The 3rd Cash LP was released in November 1958 and was his first for Columbia with whom he’d signed a deal earlier in the...more →
THE TIN ANGEL PRESENTS ODETTA AND LARRY Odetta and Larry Fantasy 3-15 (1954) “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 →
EVERYBODYS ROCKIN’ The Champs Challenge CHL-605 (1959) “Decent enough”Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Subway” (8.0) • “Mau Mau Stomp” (7.5) • “Everybody’s Rockin’” (6.3) The irreverent Californians return for a second album for Challenge (CHL-605) and continue much where they left off on l...more →
ELVIS [1956] Elvis Presley RCA Victor LPM-1382 (1956) “Decent enough”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “So Glad You’re Mine” (7.3) • “Rip It Up” (6.8) • “How’s The World Treating You?” (6.5) Following “Elvis Presley” in March came “Elvis” in October. This time it was a clean, straight-forward, affair with all ...more →
HANK WILLIAMS SINGS Hank Williams with his Drifting Cowboys MGM Records E-107 (1951) “Decent enough”Country
Jukebox 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 →
HIT KIT Sam Cooke Keen 8-6101 (1959) “Decent enough”Pop; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Win Your Love (For Me)” (7.8) • “You Send Me” (6.9) • “Little Things You Do” (6.6) The second Sam Cooke album of 1959 rounds up 11 single sides from 1957-1959, with a reworked version of “Lonely Island...more →
LOVING YOU Elvis Presley RCA Victor LPM-1515 (1957) “Average”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do!” (7.7) • “Don’t Leave Me Now” (7.0) • “Blueberry Hill” (6.7) Arriving in July were both the second Elvis film and the third Elvis album – “Loving You” was his first soundtrack LP an...more →
CHANSONS PARISIENNES, VOL. 2 Édith Piaf Columbia FL-9507 (1950) “Average”Crooner / Cabaret
Jukebox picks: “Mariage” (8.2) • “Les Trois Cloches” (7.9) • “C’est Pour Ca” (5.6) Her 3rd LP for the “A-list” is another compile, all from 78s recorded between 1946 and 1947, but all-new to her album di...more →
N°3 Jacques Brel Philips B 76.423 R (1958) “Average”Crooner / Cabaret
Jukebox picks: “Dors Ma Mie, Bonsoir” (7.5) • “Voici” (7.3) • “L’homme Dans La Cité” (7.0) 10 brand new recordings from March-April 1958, issued on 33RPM here on “N°3” in June of 1958. As with the last album, Br...more →
MOANIN’ THE BLUES Hank Williams MGM Records E-168 (1952) “Average”Country
Jukebox picks: “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (7.9) • “I’m A Long Gone Daddy” (6.3) • “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” (6.2) Compiling recordings from 1947 to 1951, the second album from the 29 year old was packed full of hits including three #1...more →
THAT’LL BE THE DAY Buddy Holly Decca DL-8707 (1958) “Average”Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “That’ll Be The Day [jul ’56 version]” (6.7) • “Ting-A-Ling” (6.5) • “Modern Don Juan” (6.4) Following a string of successful releases for Brunswick and Coral, Decca seized the opportunity to package up their old ...more →
THE SOUNDS OF INDIA Ravi Shankar Columbia WL-119 (1958) “Average”Desi
Jukebox picks: “Dádrá” (7.2) • “Bhimpalási” (5.9) • “Máru-Bihág” (5.8) Released in January 1958, “The Sounds of India” featured a 37 year-old Ravi Shankar leading an improvised set on his sit...more →
THE SINGING REVEREND Blind Gary Davis with Sonny Terry Stinson SLP-56 (1954) “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 →
PIANO RED IN CONCERT Piano Red Groove LG-1002 (1956) “Average”Blues / Rhythm n Blues
Jukebox picks: “Got You On My Mind [live ’56]” (8.3) • “Pay It No Mind” (7.5) • “Goodbye” (7.1) Probably somewhere around late 1953 RCA decided that they would make a stab at breaking into the R n B market in a bigge...more →
TIME OUT The Dave Brubeck Quartet Columbia CL-1397 (1959) “Average”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Take Five” (7.8) • “Blue Rondo A La Turk” (7.1) • “Pick Up Sticks” (5.7) Interesting set from the innovative cool-jazz pianist and his band, beloved of the ad agencies for their brand of sophis...more →
KING CREOLE Elvis Presley RCA Victor LPM-1884 (1958) “Average”Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Pop
Jukebox picks: “King Creole” (8.5) • “Trouble” (6.9) • “Hard Headed Woman” (6.2) 1958 was a tumultuous year for Elvis – “King Creole” was the last album he would record before his 2-year stint in the A...more →
SONGS OF ROBERT BURNS Ewan MacColl Folkways Records FW-8758 (1959) “Average”Folk
Jukebox picks: “Tibbie Dunbar” (6.9) • “A Braw Wooer” (6.5) • “Wha'll Mow Me Now?” (6.1) In true Scots tongue, Ewan turns his hand to the works associated with Scotland's national bard, and does a fine job, eq...more →
GREATEST! Johnny Cash Sun Record Company LP-1240 (1959) “Average”Country; Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
Jukebox picks: “Get Rhythm [1956]” (7.5) • “Thanks A Lot” (6.7) • “Goodbye Little Darlin’ Goodbye [1956]” (6.0) Released in January, and the first of 3 new Johnny Cash albums in 1959. All tracks were recorded for Sun Records between...more →
HONKY TONKIN’ Hank Williams MGM Records E-242 (1954) “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 →
BASIE Count Basie and his Orchestra Roulette R-52003 (1958) “Below average”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Duet” (6.8) • “Splanky” (6.2) • “The Kid From Red Bank” (6.1) A snazzy set for sure. “The Kid From Red Bank” gets proceedings off to a frenzied start before “Duet” and “Aft...more →
AT NEWPORT [CL 934] Duke Ellington Columbia CL-934 (1956) “Below average”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue [live ’56]” (7.7) • “Jeep’s Blues [studio ’56]” (5.7) • “Blues To Be There [studio ’56]” (5.5) A full 21 years before The Sex Pistols, “Team Ellington” had pulled off the great Jazz ‘n’ Swing Swindle. Live albums we...more →
SCOTS DRINKING SONGS Ewan MacColl Riverside Records RLP-12-605 (1956) “Below average”Folk
Jukebox picks: “The Muckin' O' Geordie's Byre” (6.4) • “A Wee Drappie O't” (6.2) • “The Brisk Young Lad” (6.0) Ewan tackles 19 auld Scots drinking songs, 13 of which are sung as they would have been in their traditional bothy form ...more →
ELLINGTON UPTOWN Duke Ellington and his Orchestra Columbia ML-4639 (1953) “Below average”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “The Mooche” (7.6) • “A Tone Parallel To Harlem (Harlem Suite)” (6.8) • “Take The "A" Train [1952 version]” (5.2) Opens badly with “Skin Deep” as "mega-drummer" Louis Bellson gives it laldy… what a yawn-a-thon. Immediately, “T...more →
THE GENIUS OF RAY CHARLES Ray Charles Atlantic 1312 (1959) “Below average”Crooner / Cabaret; Big Band / Jive / Swing
Jukebox picks: “Let The Good Times Roll” (9.3) • “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (6.5) • “It Had To Be You” (6.0) Atlantic 1312. Released October, 1959. All new, although 1 track is reworked from the back-album catalogue – “Deed I D...more →
ENCORE Sam Cooke Keen A-2003 (1958) “Below average”Big Band / Jive / Swing; Crooner / Cabaret
Jukebox picks: “Today I Sing The Blues” (6.9) • “Mary, Mary Lou” (6.1) • “Along The Navajo Trail” (6.0) The second Sam Cooke album of 1958, issued in November, once again backed by Bumps Blackwell’s combo (although they’re n...more →
ELVIS’ CHRISTMAS ALBUM Elvis Presley RCA Victor LPM-1951 (1957) “Below average”Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” (7.5) • “Blue Christmas” (6.9) • “Silent Night” (5.7) The 4th Elvis album was issued in October 1957 and gave him his 4th consecutive Billboard chart topper. Leiber and Stoll...more →
ÉDITH PIAF ENCORES Édith Piaf Columbia FL-9527 (1951) “Below average”Crooner / Cabaret
Jukebox 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 →
FLAMINGO SERENADE The Flamingos End LP-304 (1959) “Below average”Pop Ballad
Jukebox picks: “I Only Have Eyes For You” (8.1) • “Music, Maestro, Please!” (6.4) • “I’m In The Mood For Love” (5.9) The swellegant doo woppers from Chicago had a noticeable change of direction when they started recording for George Gold...more →
JACK TAKES THE FLOOR Jack Elliott Topic Records T-15 (1958) “Below average”Folk
Jukebox picks: “Black Baby” (5.7) • “San Francisco Bay Blues” (5.5) • “Mule Skinner Blues” (5.3) Well intentioned folkster with a decent song selection but very little in the way of anything extra-ordinary to offer on...more →
NINA SIMONE AT TOWN HALL Nina Simone Colpix Records CP-409 (1959) “Below average”Jazz; Songwriter
Jukebox picks: “Exactly Like You” (5.7) • “Cotton Eyed Joe” (5.7) • “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair [live ny ’59]” (5.4) Recorded live at The Town Hall New York City on September 15, 1959 with the exception of “Cotton Eye Joe”, which had to ...more →
LITTLE GIRL BLUE Nina Simone Bethlehem BCP-6028 (1958) “Poor”Jazz
Jukebox picks: “My Baby Just Cares For Me” (8.9) • “Plain Gold Ring [1958 album version]” (7.4) • “Love Me or Leave Me [1958 album version]” (5.0) “Jazz As Played In An Exclusive Side Street Club” proclaims the front cover, boldly taking the marketing strategy straig...more →
HYMNS BY JOHNNY CASH Johnny Cash Columbia CL-1284 (1959) “Poor”Country
Jukebox picks: “Lead Me Gently Home” (8.2) • “Are All The Children In” (6.0) • “Snow In His Hair” (5.9) Cash’s second LP for Columbia, released in March 1959. He had left Sun Records because Sam Phillips wouldn’t let him rec...more →
TRAGIC SONGS OF LIFE The Louvin Brothers Capitol Records T-769 (1956) “Poor”Country
Jukebox picks: “Mary Of The Wild Moor” (6.1) • “Alabama” (6.0) • “Knoxville Girl” (5.7) Released in October, “Tragic Songs Of Life” was critically acclaimed from the off and has been held in high regard by co...more →