It's strange to think that, whilst the likes of Nas or 2pac or Wu-Tang Clan were emerging, there was still room for the Beastie Boys to exist. This is a good record, but I don't love it anymore than their 80s classics.
I really enjoyed the first half of this album, but by the time the second half ended I was a bit sick of it. The opening track is very apt in this sense.
Considering her chart career began in the sixties, it's perhaps surprising 'Private Dancer' - her fifth solo album - was Tina's first chart hit as a solo artist.
Bob Dylan's backing band released their second album, and like the first it's one I already own. It's difficult to choose one over the other, so for fairness I will rate them both the same.
Rating: 7/10
Favourite Track: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
QMS are one of those bands I have heard of, but never heard. Unfortunately they are now one of those bands I wish I'd never heard. My life is no better. The first 'side' of the album is a suite of song collectively entitled '... do you love?' and they range from acceptable to ghastly, and by the time the second side comes on, you're pretty much wishing you were listening to something else instead.
As a fan of Bob Dylan for the past fifteen years, it seems only natural that at some point I would investigate the music of his mid-late Sixties backing band. This is yet another album I already own, so again, I won't bother listening to it again. To be fair, I've actually listened to it recently thanks to my iPod choosing it for me.
It's been a long time since a country album has cropped up on this list. Like Frank Sinatra before him, Merle Haggard was obviously ploughing his own musical furrow in 1967 whilst everybody else dropped acid. I listened to this album this morning, but although I enjoyed it, it hasn't really stayed with me throughout the rest of the day.
Not The Beach Boys debut, but the first album deemed important enough for this list. This record marks the point where Brian Wilson begins to take the band from California Surf Rock, to something more sophisticated. I liked the album, it shows that the Beach Boys are keeping pace with their rivals, and occasionally outshining them. Sadly the album is let down by the final track, which is just pointless.
Rating: 7 stars
Favourite Track: When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
In my collection I have two Miles Davis albums (Sketches of Spain and Bitches Brew). The former I'm rather fond of, but the latter less so. I was apprehensive about hearing this album because I half expected it to be full of thirteen minute jazz noodling. Fortunately, all of the songs are in radio-friendly lengths. It took seven years for these tracks to see the light of day, though I'm not sure why? For some reason (apart from Jamie Cullum) all jazz musicians seem to be rather cool, and Mr. Davis is no exception to the rule. The only flaw with the album is that the songs did sound remarkably similar to these untrained musical ears, but they were good nonetheless.
Sinatra's second entry in the list, and the better of two. If In The Wee Small Hours is his break-up record, then this is his make-up one (not that he needs to wear make-up etc..) The songs are not as ballady or orchestral as the previous album (not that that was a bad thing), but Sinatra still posseses one of the best voices in the history of music. Out of the two, I think I prefer this one at a push, because it's more upbeat and, for want of a better word, poppy.
Overall: 8.5/10
Favourite Track: Too Marvellous For Words
Even if you've never heard of Louis Prima, you've probably heard him. Years after recording this album, he became the voice of King Louie in Disney's The Jungle Book (1967) and his vocal talents can be heard on 'I Wanna Be Like You'. If you're particularly fond of that song (and who isn't?) then you probably wont be too disappointed with this album. Featuring Keely Smith on a number of songs, it's uplifting, free and definitely wild. There's a party spirit to the album; it's fun and exciting. Of course, if you played it a party these days, you'd probably get thrown out along with the record tokens you brought along with you. You wont care though, because you'll still be grinning like a loon. The cover image is a photograph of Prima taken after he'd just heard the record (probably).
Until the other day, I'd never heard of the Louvin Brothers. The Everlys? Yes. The Outheres? Again, yes. The Chemicals? Most definitely. But Mr and Mr. Louvin, I had not. As such, I had no idea what to expect from this album; although I immediately presumed it wouldn't sound anything like Dig Your Own Hole. Perhaps, surprisingly, I was genuinely delighted by this album. The high-tenor of Ira Louvin (yes I did have to look that up) felt like it belonged in my record collection, whilst the close harmony of Charlie (baritone) compliments it like a cheese does a cracker. In fact, Ira sound a little feminine, and that's what makes the album stand out for me. The songs are tragic, and apparently these boys had their fair share of temptation, sin and tragedy. The fact that I'd not heard of them before now is one of them (sorry lads).
Overall: 8.5/10
Favourite Track: A Tiny Broken Heart
I like Frank Sinatra, he pisses all over Michael Buble, or any of the other contemporary Easy Listening acts, so I was looking forward to this album. This is Sinatra's break-up record. 50 minutes of heartache and sorrow. Whatever his love (Ava Gardner) did to him, or whatever caused the split seems to have hit poor Frank pretty bad. This is the musical equivalent of getting kicked in the guts, or catching your missus at it with the man next door. Calm orchestral music (reminding me of classic Disney) peppers the record as Frankie boy croons over the top. The instruments are used sparingly, and don't detract from the vocal- which, coming from Sinatra, is warm, relaxing and genuinely incredible. I was rather surprised to hear an earlier- less upbeat- version of 'Glad To Be Unhappy' (i.e. not the one by the Mamas and Papas). It's good, although it does drag a little; I prefer Sinatra with a bit of swing. Mind you if he sang these songs to me, I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Sniff. Ava Gardner, you should never have let him go!
There's a book you may or may not have heard of called '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'. Here is my attempt to do just that. Follow my progress from Frank Sinatra to Arcade Fire as I write my thoughts and feelings about each album.
All errors in this blog are mine, and mine only (unless they're not).
