22. Marty Robbins- Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

Release Date: 1959
Label: CBS

After a couple of 'poorer' efforts from Miles Davis and Ray Charles, it was nice to listen to something that I could enjoy. Occasionally country music gets a bad reputation, but I've always had a soft spot for the Nashville Blues. If that phrase hasn't been used before, I'm claiming it by the way. I don't know much about Matry Robbins- I don't even know if he's still alive- (I've just checked, he died in 1982)- but I'm fully prepared to explore some more of his work after listening to this record- which is described by allmusic as the 'the single most influential album of Western songs in post-World War II American music'. Of course, one of the problems of listening to a single album by an artist you're otherwise naive towards is that sometimes it's unrewarding because it's not always representive of their other work.

Overall: 8.5/10
Favourite Track: They're Hanging Me Tonight.

21. Miles Davis- A Kind of Blue

Release Date: 1959
Label: Columbia

Second time around for Miles Davis, and the album which is generally regarded as the best of his career. Not by me though. I once owned A Kind of Blue, but I took it back to the man behind the counter. I have never understood its appeal (obviously my slight jazzphobia is partly to blame). I make no attempt to suggest it's not as good as critical/public opinion says it is; it's just not for me. I think there's a few more records to come from Miles so hopefully I'll appreciate those more. Otherwise I'll just have to suffer.

Overall: 6/10
Favourite Track: So What

Next Album: Marty Robbins- Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

20. Ray Charles- The Genius of Ray Charles

Release Date: 1959
Label: Atlantic

I confess to having a pamphlet sized knowledge of Ray Charles. I know he was blind, he was portrayed by Jamie Foxx in the 2004 biopic, and I know he wrote What'd I Say. Apart from that, I don't know much. According to this album though- and it's a very bold statement to make- the man is a genius. Now, I don't want to start and arguments here, but I think the word 'genius' is a tad too strong. Whilst Mr. Charles is certainly talented (if the evidence of this record is to go by), he is no genius. If Mr. Charles or his record company don't want to get sued for false advertising, perhaps the album should be titled 'The Appreciative Talents of Ray Charles' instead. This album started of well, but just couldn't keep it up and seemed to fall away at the end.

Overall: 5/10
Favourite Track: Let The Good Times Roll

Next Album: Miles Davis- A Kind of Blue

19. Ella Fitzgerald- Sings The Gershwin Song Book

Release Date: 1959
Label: Verve

Coming soon after Lady In Satin, I was expecting Ella to bare a strong similarity to Billie Holiday. I was both right and wrong. Whilst they're both female, jazzy and great, Ella has the better voice and songs. This album, which would be perfect for a Sunday, was a delight. Now, I'd heard of George Gershwin already; assuming this album would be about him alone, but I wasn't aware his brother (Ira) wrote the lyrics for a lot of G.Gershwin's compositions. And it was the lyrics I particularly enjoyed on this record. Of course, they were your typical Tin Pan Alley couplets, but they managed to be both original, catchy and memorable. This should take nothing away from Ella Fitzgerald's vocal performance, however, which is beautiful throughout.

Overall: 8/10
Favourite Track: Someone To Watch Over Me

Next Album: Ray Charles- The Genius of Ray Charles

18. Sarah Vaughan- Sarah Vaughan at Mister Kelly's

 

Release Date: 1958
Label: EmArcy

True fact - Sarah Vaughan is related to former Big Breakfast host Denise Van Outen. In other news, this is another album I've had to go back and listen to having missed it first time round. Spotify have a version with extra tracks which lasts for over an hour, but I listened to the original which lasts for just over thirty minutes. Vaughan's vocals are by far the highlight of this record, as the music allows her to showcase her talents.

Rating: 8/10

17. Jack Elliot- Jack Takes The Floor

Release Date: 1958
Label: Topic

Jack takes the floor, takes the walls and the door. Jack takes to the stage and takes his acoustic guitar from its case. Jack steps up to the microphone and starts to strum. Jack sings a folk song, and another one. Jack sounds like a folk singer should sound in 1958. If he were performing live today, he'd be constantly drowned out by inane chatter and mumbling. As it is, he is clear and concise on this record. It clearly influenced Bob Dylan's debut album.

Rating: 5/10


Next Album: Sarah Vaughan- Sarah Vaughan at Mister Kelly's

16. Billie Holiday- Lady In Satin

Release Date: 1958
Label: Columbia

Reading the reviews of this album, it's been said that Billie Holiday's voice was torn to shreds by the time she recorded these dozen songs; but because I've not heard much of her before, I don't really have anything to compare her with. Still, she does unfortunately, sound a little like Macy Gray on this album. Fortunately, she gets over this by providing an emotional depth to the songs (a couple of which appear on the two Sinatra albums I've already listened to). The fragility of her voice is somewhat complimented by the context of the songs; for forty minutes Holiday mourned tragedy, love lost and generally felt a little blue- which is fair enough, being a heroin junkie and all (she's like a female Renton). It's a shame she wasn't at her peak when this album was recorded, because it'd make what is a fine album even better. Eleanora Fagan, I'm glad I heard you and you're far better than Macy Gray!

Overall: 7/10
Favourite Track: You've Changed

Next Album: Jack Elliot- Jack Takes The Floor