Day 14 - The Everly Brothers - A Date With The Everly Brothers (1960)

This was a nice album from the Everly Brothers who, at the time it was released, were extremely cute. They harmonised brilliantly and their voices were lovely. The songs were a nice blend of pop and rock & roll. I previously heard "Love Hurts" from Joan Jett but the version the Everly's sang is by far the loveliest and most emotional one i've ever heard. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Love Hurts, Made To Love, A Change Of Heart, Always It's You & That's Just Too Much.

Day 14 - Miriam Makeba - Miriam Makeba (1960)

I've had this album on my computer for a while now but I only just heard it today. Wow, i've been missing out! Miriam has one of the loveliest voices i've ever heard, she sounds so angelic. I loved the African songs, they were fun and made me wanna dance. "The Click Song" is especially interesting because, as she explains before she starts singing, the real title can't be pronounced by non-Africans because we can't make the 'click' sound in our throats. "One More Dance" is also interesting because the story is about a woman who doesn't care her old husband is sick and dying as she just wants to keep dancing with her friends and when a man, who keeps laughing more and more as the song goes on, tells her the will is being announced she finally stops dancing to get her money. Miriam is completely straight-faced in this song and I respect that because I know if a man was laughing louder and louder as I sang i'd crack up and laugh too. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Suliram, The Click Song, House Of The Rising Sun, One More Dance & Where Does It Lead?

Day 14 - Elvis Presley - Elvis Is Back! (1960)

This is the second Elvis album i've heard and I liked this one more than The King's debut. When this was released Elvis had just ended his service in the army and the studios were trying to put him back in the spotlight as fast as possible. The songs on this album were all recorded professionally and sound good and Elvis sounds smoother and more confident in his voice here. His version of "Fever" is particularly sensual. This is an Elvis album everyone should hear. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Fever, Make Me Know It, Dirty, Dirty Feeling, Such A Night & Reconsider Baby.

Day 13 - Joan Baez - Joan Baez (1960)

Welcome to the 60's! For our first helping of the 60's we have Joan Baez's remarkable debut album. This album was spectacular. I'd never heard of Joan before but apparently her and Bob Dylan teamed up in the 60's and were a big hit. Her folk songs here spoke of some hard hitting issues like murder and infanticide. Her voice is lovely and unique and i'm now a big fan. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Silver Dagger, Donna Donna, Mary Hamilton, All My Trials & El Preso Numero Nueve.

Day 13 - The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (1959)

So we come to the last album from the 1950's. This last 50's album is another jazz one but Dave Brubeck's jazz is very unlike Count Basie or Miles Davis. Dave Brubeck may very well play the smoothest jazz I've ever heard. I've heard some people compare this album to music from Charlie Brown, I suppose they're right somewhat but 'Time Out' is so much better than any music on that show. 'Time Out' was so mellow I wanted to melt right out of my seat. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Blue Rondo à la Turk, Kathy's Waltz, Pick Up Sticks, & Strange Meadow Lark.

Day 12 - Marty Robbins - Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs (1959)

This album was an absolute joy to listen to. I previously heard several of these songs in the videogame 'Fallout: New Vegas'. I didn't know Marty by name then but I loved those cowboy songs and am so glad to know who sang them now so I can listen to them over and over again. Cowboy ballads are awesome and Marty really makes me wish I was out in the Wild West riding horses, rustling cattle and fighting outlaws. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Big Iron, Cool Water, The Master's Call, El Paso, They're Hanging Me Tonight & Utah Carol.

Day 12 - Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue (1959)

For my second helping of Miles Davis we have 'Kind Of Blue'. I liked this album more than 'Birth Of The Cool'. Miles is more relaxed here and the songs are better. A couple of them are really sad and I love that. Miles really honed his craft on this record and that made 'Kind Of Blue' his best selling album and one of the most influential jazz albums of all time. The piano and trumpet are superb and I felt so relaxed and dreamy while listening to this. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: So What, Blue In Green, All Blues & Flamenco Sketches.

Day 12 - Ray Charles - The Genius Of Ray Charles (1959)

I've always liked Ray Charles ever since I saw him sing 'Shake A Tail Feather' in 'The Blues Brothers' as a kid. I didn't listen to any of his other music however until I listened to this album tonight. I really enjoyed 'The Genius Of Ray Charles'. The first half contains upbeat songs and the second half  contains ballads. I enjoyed every song on the album. Ray sings ballads wonderfully and his voice is soothing to listen to. I'll definitely listen to more of his music now :). 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Let The Good Times Roll, It Had To Be You, Two Years Of  Torture, Come Rain Or Come Shine, You Won't Let Me Go & Tell Me You'll Wait For Me.

Day 11 - Ella Fitzgerald - Sings The Gershwin Songbook (1959)

This album was so huge I had to listen to it over several days. "Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George and Ira Gershwin Song Book" is 4 discs and 4 hours long. I only listened to the first 3 discs as the 4th disc is just mono versions of the same songs and alternate takes. Despite the length I loved this album. I've always loved Lady Ella. Her voice was lovely and mellow, she interpreted classics better than any jazz singer i've heard and she could scat amazingly. The Gershwins were amazing composers and lyricists as well. Every song on this album was a triumph. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: But Not For Me, (I've Got) Beginner's Luck, The Man I Love, A Foggy Day, Strike Up The Band, Aren't You Kind Of Glad We Did, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Embraceable You, Boy! What Love Has Done To Me & Treat Me Rough.

Day 10 - Marina And The Diamonds - Electra Heart (2012)

I know that this album is not in the '1001 Albums...' book but I figured i'd review every album I listen to, not just the critically adored ones. 'Electra Heart' was the first album of Marina's i've heard and suffice it to say i've never heard of her before her single 'Primadonna' became a hit. I loved that song and decided to give the album a go. This is an amazing album. Her songs sound old, yet new. It's like a mix of pop from the 50's - 80's with modern electro beats. Her lyrics are fun, campy and dark and naughty at times. I recommend this album to everyone. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Primadonna, Homewrecker, Hypocrates, Starring Role, The State Of Dreaming & Fear And Loathing.

Day 9: Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (1957)

This album was recorded live at the popular Chicago jazz club, Mister Kelly's, in 1957. Reviewers have said it was Sarah at her best and I am apt to believe them. I enjoyed the album. Not many of the songs were the fast kind of jazz I've come to enjoy but I do like slow love songs too. Sarah's banter with the crowd and her impersonation of Ella Fitzgerald were entertaining. Her voice is lovely and mellow which makes this album a joy to listen to. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Willow Weep For Me, Thou Swell, Embraceable You, Be Anything (But Be Mine) & Honeysuckle Rose.

Day 8: Ramblin' Jack Elliott - Jack Takes The Floor (1958)

Having never heard of Ramblin' Jack Elliott before or caring much about old folk music I was not looking forward to hearing this album, however once I started listening to it I quite liked it. Some of Jack's songs are humorous, some are interesting, all tell a story. His guitar playing is excellent and I really liked the anti-war songs at the end. 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: The Boll Weevil, Old Blue, Brother Won't You Join The Line, There Are Better Things To Do & Cocaine.

Day 7: Billie Holiday - Lady In Satin (1958)

This was the first Billie Holiday album I heard all the way through. I knew of Billie beforehand from timeless songs like "God Bless The Child" and "Strange Fruit" and a compilation my dad lent me but "Lady In Satin" was a whole new experience. The album comprises of sad songs of lost love which Billie turns into torch songs with her gravelly voice that echoes emotions such as pain and longing. I really loved it. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: I'm A Fool To Want You, You Don't Know What Love Is, I Get Along Without You Very Well, But Beautiful & The End Of A Love Affair.

Day 6: Tito Puente And His Orchestra - Dance Mania, Vol. 1 (1958)

Tito Puente is a name I first heard on "The Simpsons" in the episode when everyone wants to kill Mr. Burns. Tito and his band sing a song about how much they hate him called "Señor Burns". It was a very funny moment and the song was catchy as all hell, I sang it to myself several times after watching it. This album was  fun, dancy and sexy. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Complicacion, 3-D Mambo, Cuando Te Vea, Hong Kong Mambo & Mi Chiquita Quiere Bembe.

Day 6: Little Richard - Here's Little Richard (1957)

The only things I knew about Little Richard before I heard this album is that he was a rocker, can hit high notes and that he's a closet queen. His questionable personal life aside this was a great debut album from him. It contains two of his biggest hits: Long Tall Sally and Jenny, Jenny. I thought this was a fun early rock album with plenty of songs to dance to and sing along with. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Tutti Frutti, Ready Teddy, Slippin' and Slidin' & Long Tall Sally.

Day 6: Machito - Kenya (1957)

We're now onto my second Latin Jazz album and I loved this one even more than "Palo Congo". Machito's album was exclusively instrumental unlike Sabu's but the songs were catchier and made me want to dance like crazy while listening to it. Whereas "Palo Congo" was reminiscent of a street band in Havana, "Kenya" made me imagine I was in a stylish jazz club in Miami with couples dancing on the floor. Truly great stuff. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Wild Jungle, Kenya, Oyeme, Cannonology & Minor Rama.

Day 5: Miles Davis - Birth Of The Cool (1957)

Miles Davis created cool jazz and this is a compilation of some of his hit songs. While I am getting used to listening to jazz all the time I found pretty much all of these songs to sound similar if not the same. Don't get me wrong, they're all good and they were great travelling music while I was reading on the bus but after a while I just wished there would be a song with lyrics in it. Thankfully my wish was granted with the final song on the album, a lovely love song called 'Darn That Dream'. 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Darn That Dream, Move, Budo & Rouge.

Day 5: Sabu - Palo Congo (1957)

This album was my first foray into the world of Latin Jazz. I enjoyed it but some songs seemed a bit overly long. Listening to it I felt as though I was in Havana watching a jazz band performing on the streets surrounded by a crowd. Several songs were upbeat and I enjoyed them the most, whereas 'Simba', the African track, I didn't care for that much. 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: El Cumbanchero, Choferito-Plena & Tribilin Cantore.

Day 4: Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners (1957)

Ah jazz, you are quickly becoming my constant companion with so many of the acclaimed albums of the 50's  beings jazz records. Thelonious Monk was unlike Duke Ellington or Count Basie in that his album was slow, piano heavy and most of the songs were over 5 minutes long. I enjoyed this record, "Brilliant Corners" is an album you can put on in the background and think about your life as you listen to it. 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Brilliant Corners, I Surrender Dear, Bemsha Swing & Pannonica.

Day 3: The Crickets - The "Chirping" Crickets (1957)

This was Buddy Holly's first album, and the only album released during his short lifetime. It's full of upbeat rock & roll songs that make you bop and sing along with them. Prior to hearing this album I didn't pay attention to Buddy Holly and my only thought of him was that he looks like a nerd and wears glasses that are the same style as my dads'. After hearing it I think he's great. All the songs were fun and, even though I didn't know any beforehand, I sang along to a few. 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Oh, Boy!, That'll Be The Day, Not Fade Away & An Empty Cup (And A Broken Date).

Day 3: Count Basie - The Atomic Mr. Basie (1958)

With each jazz album I hear I am falling deeper and deeper in love. "The Atomic Mr. Basie" was a fantastic album from Count Basie and I loved it. The songs are fast, loud, crazy and make you wanna get up out of your seat and dance for the full 45 minute duration of the album. I listened to the hour long re-release with bonus tracks but since they weren't a part of the original release I won't mention them here. Hearing this has inspired me to check out more of what The Count offers and other jazz artists as well. I feel classier already haha. I give this album 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Duet, Flight Of The Foo Birds, Splanky, Double-O & the slow romantic piece Lil' Darlin'.

Day 3: Frank Sinatra - Songs For Swingin' Lovers! (1956)

Finally, this is the Sinatra I know and love! "Songs For Swingin' Lovers!" is full of classic Sinatra songs that are fun, upbeat and make you wanna dance all night. I loved the energy in this album, and i'm glad Frank broke out of the depression he was in during the recording of "In The Wee Small Hours". I loved the first one but this second Sinatra album was much better, I thought. I've got you under my skin, Frankie! 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: You Make Me Feel So Young, Old Devil Moon, I've Got You Under My Skin & Anything Goes.

Day 3: Duke Ellington - Ellington At Newport 1956 (1956)

This was the first jazz album I've ever listened to and I gotta say I loved it. Duke's songs were rousing, grand and fantastic. This is a live album from Duke's performance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival and from the cheers, whistles and yelling of the crowd it's clear they loved it as much as I did. When the LP was released in '56 it wasn't actually the full concert, but 5 studio re-recordings complete with canned applause and clocked in at a total of 45 minutes. The performance was remastered and re-released on CD in 1999 in its complete 2 hour format and it's this version that I listened to because when I listen to a live album I want it to actually be live and i'm a completest :). I give this great jazz album 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Festival Junction, Newport Up, Jeep's Blues & Day In, Day Out

Day 2: Fats Domino - This Is Fats Domino! (1956) & This Is Fats (1957)

DOUBLE POST!

That's right, this one's gonna be a double post because Fats released two similarly titled albums a year apart from each other and the "1001..." book got the tracklisting wrong so I thought i'd listen to them both and give y'all my impressions :)

                                                            This Is Fats Domino! (1956)

This was a great album from Fats. It had some of his biggest hits, such as Blue Monday and Blueberry Hill. I enjoyed his upbeat rock and roll songs and his slower blues-y songs. I give this album 5/5. Tracks I enjoyed the most: Blueberry Hill, Blue Monday, Poor Poor Me & The Fat Man's Hop.

This Is Fats (1957)

I couldn't ask for a better Fats Domino album to listen to for my second taste of his music. This album was superb. Fats' music is full of passion and joy on this album, as well as the obligatory sentimental blues songs. From 'The Rooster Song', to 'You Know I Miss You' each song was a gem to behold and I enjoyed it completely. A particular favourite of mine on the album was 'Thinking Of You' which is catchy, upbeat and fun. I give this album 5/5. 

Tracks I enjoyed the most: The Rooster Song, As Time Goes By, Thinking Of You & You Know I Miss You.   

Day 2: Louis Prima - The Wildest! (1956)

This album was a joy to listen to. It hadn't dawned upon me 'til today that Louis Prima was the voice of King Louie from The Jungle Book.! He sang my favourite song from that movie and I didn't make the connection until today :p haha. "The Wildest" was fun, funny, rambunctious and made me smile when I listened to it. Louis's wife Keely Smith and saxophonist Sam Butera also contributed to this album and they were both excellent. I give this album a big 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody, Oh Marie, Jump Jive An' Wail & (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You

Day 1: The Louvin Brothers - Tragic Songs Of Life (1956)

This was a nice country album by the Louvin Brothers. I never heard of them before I saw them in the book so it was good to hear something completely new. All the songs sound the same but they're all good and I enjoyed listening to this album. The lyrics of some of them, particularly 'Knoxville Girl', are very shocking considering the album was from 1956 and the tale of 'Mary Of The Wild Moor' is heartbreaking.'Tragic Songs Of Life' takes you back to another time, a simpler time and I enjoyed the ride. I give it 4/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Let Her Go, God Bless Her, In The Pines, Knoxville Girl & Mary Of The Wild Moor.

Day 1: Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)

This album was Elvis's debut. It marks his first steps into changing the course of history by bringing Rock & Roll into mainstream popularity. I liked the album, the production value of some songs aren't as high as others and throughout half the album Elvis doesn't sound like The King we've come to know and love but all in all it's a brilliant debut album and I enjoyed it very much. It has fun songs you can dance to and a few love songs too. I give it 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: Blue Suede Shoes, Tutti Frutti, Blue Moon & Just Because.

Day 1: Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours (1955)

I thought this Sinatra album was lovely. Frank's voice is smooth and calming and you always feel relaxed listening to Ol' Blue Eyes croon. In The Wee Small Hours is a concept album, the theme being sadness, melancholy and losing the one you love. Frank's marriage to Ava Gardner was failing around the time the album was released and critics say that explains the sad tone to this album. You won't find any big exciting tunes the likes of 'My Way' or 'New York, New York' here but I do love some good sad songs and thus enjoyed this album very much. I rate it 5/5.

Tracks I enjoyed the most: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, Last Night When We Were Young, Dancing On The Ceiling & Young At Heart.

The Journey Begins

This blog represents my mission to undertake the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die challenge. I love music and have a very eclectic taste in what artists and genres I like. I've seen several blogs online by people who've also undertaken the challenge and I thought it was about time I did so myself. By doing this I hope to be introduced to many new artists I've never heard of before that i'll grow to love and just because it's a fun way to pass the time. I hope you enjoy my blog everyone :)