29. Muddy Waters - Muddy Waters At Newport

Release Date: 1960
Label: Chess

I first tried to get into Blues whilst I was at university by buying a 3CD compliation which, in retrospect was a terrible idea. For every great blues track, there was one that I just couldn't stand and said compilation is sat gathering dust on my shelf as we speak. Having said that, if I were to buy this album, I wouldn't skip it if it came up on my iPod. Muddy Waters (no relation to Roger) had me enthralled from the very beginning of his set, and he sounds like he wasn't even trying that hard. I've heard two 'Live at Newport' albums thus far, the other being from Duke Ellington and this was the best.

Overall: 8/10
Favourite Track: I Got My Mojo Working

Next Album: Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard

28. Jimmy Smith - Back At The Chicken Shack

Release Date: 1960

Label: Blue Note

The front cover is terrible, and sadly the dog is long dead. Going into this I'd never heard of Jimmy Smith, and the album art does nothing to suggest what kind of music he might perform. To put it simply, the album was smooth. It mainly consisted of lots and lots of Hammond Organ, hi-hats and bass scales. That's not to say I didn't like it, in fact I rather enjoyed it. I just think it was a little linear for my taste.

Overall: 6/10

Favourite Track: When I Grow Too Old To Dream

Next Album: Muddy Waters - Muddy Waters At Newport

27. The Everly Brothers - A Date With The Everlys

Release Date: 1960
Label: Warner Bros.

Now, I'm no expert when it comes to dating, but it's advisable not to date two guys at the same time if you can help it. It's probably recommended that you don't date two guys who are likely to know each other; I'd even go as far as saying you shouldn't date brothers. You should definitely not date brothers at the same time so they both feel inspired to write a whole album about you and then screw them over by leaving them both for some other dude at the end of it. Yes Cathy, I'm speaking to you!

I am a big fan of The Everly Brothers, so I was looking forward to this, and it did not disappoint. It was short, sharp and to the point. The harmonies are glorious and I could listen to the record again and again. The only thing preventing it from getting 5/5 is because, at under thirty minutes, it feels a little short. No doubt one of the reasons why Cathy left them both for the clown.

Overall: 8.5/10
Favourite Track: Love Hurts

Next Album: Jimmy Smith - Back At The Chicken Shack

26. Miriam Makeba- Miriam Makeba

Release Date: 1960
Label: RCA Victor

Unfortunately this album wasn't available on Spotify.

Next Album: The Everly Brothers-  A Date With The Everly Brothers

25. Elvis Presley- Elvis is Back!

Release Date: 1960
Label: RCA

If the first Elvis album in the list is the one to play during the party, this second offering is the album to play when you've walked your date home for the night and gone in for a cup of coffee. It begins with the upbeat 'Make Me Know It' and immediately slows down with Elvis's cover of 'Fever', which is a surprising highlight. I can only presume the criteria for songs on this album were 'ones you can dance in the kitchen too'. It's probably not 'cool' to admit it, but this was far better than his self-titled debut in the sense that it was more structured and less all over the place.

Overall: 7/10
Favourite Track: The Girl of My Best Friend

Next Album: Miriam Makeba- Miriam Makeba

24. Joan Baez- Joan Baez

Release Date: 1960
Label: Vanguard

Taking us softly into the 1960s is the charming self-titled debut from Joan Baez. I must admit, I came to this with skepticism, and although it dragged a little towards the end, it was by no means the terrible record I was expecting. She can certainly sings, and although the songs are generally what you'd expect from a folk album, there are no space-fillers. Surprisingly it ends with a song sung entirely in Spanish, I've no idea what the song is about though.

Overall: 7/10
Favourite Track: All My Trials

Next Album: Elvis Presley- Elvis Back!

23. The Dave Brubeck Quarter - Time Out

Release Date: 1959
Label: Columbia

I've not logged into this blog for nearly four years, so it's difficult to remember how I felt about Time Out when I first listened to it. However, the fact I bought it suggests I enjoyed it quite a lot. Therefore, I won't review the album again, and instead I'll go straight into the 1960s with Joan Baez.

Overall: 8/10
Favourite Track: Take Five

Next Album: Joan Baez - Joan Baez