29. Muddy Waters at Newport

Muddy Waters at Newport
Muddy Waters
1960

Amanda: So today instead of going about my chores and getting ready to an album, I had The Treasure of Sierra Madre on (my favorite Bogie).  So for this album, I listened to it without doing anything else.   It actually had a positive effect.

This was one of those live albums that enables you to hear people in the background.  I don't like these as much as studio recordings but it was still enjoyable.  This style of music felt immensely different and I have no idea what any of the lyrics mean (I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man?) but it still was rather pleasant.  Not great.

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Brie: I already had this album on my iPod. I really love the soulful, bluesy tone to Muddy Waters' voice. The fact that the album is live just makes it so much better. I can tell that Muddy makes quality music (not like the digitalized "music" produced today). Our International Studies teacher in high school actually had a poster of Muddy Waters framed on his wall. Very cool. If you haven't heard this album, I would definitely recommend giving it a listen. My favorite is "I've Got My Mojo Working".

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28. The Incredible Jimmy Smith: Back at the Chicken Shack

The Incredible Jimmy Smith: Back at the Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
1960

Amanda: And our good music streak comes to a close with this album.  Well, it was fun while it lasted.  God, we had some good times.  Remember the Everly Brothers?

But alas, we are back to jazz.  This album, however, is unique because Jimmy Smith used an organ in his songs.  Up until then, organs were only used in church and not by cool cats like Jimmy here.  It certainly wasn't annoying or aggravating but it was purely background music to me while I made my bed and made calls.  I was also pretty sad today and this didn't really cheer me up.  Oh well.  At least it wasn't Billie Holiday.

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Brie: Amanda. I love Billie Holiday. Try to be a bit more sensitive. When I saw the title "Back At The Chicken Shack" I thought this was going to be a country album. Boy was I relieved when I realized it wasn't. Jimmy Smith is one cool dude. This album keeps it coolie cool boy. Easy listening. LOVE the use of the organ. It is so jazzy and cool! I will be adding this to my jazz collection now.

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27. Date with the Everly Brothers

Date with the Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
1960

Amanda: This album was about as different as you can get from the last one but that wasn't a bad thing.  This music was kind of the Backstreet Boys of the sixties because it mainly appealed to a young female audience.  This is pretty important because this was just when Elvis had made his comeback so they had tough competition.  I really liked this album.  It was fun and catchy.  It is also kind of lame, but you could probably get away with it because it is so old.  I think I am going through a teen angst phase;  I liked this album and I watched The Breakfast Club for the umpteenth time yesterday.  Next thing you know I will be obsessed with vampires.

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Brie: Are the Backstreet Boys your boy band of choice? You cannot watch The Breakfast Club too many times. It is impossible. Do not turn to vampires! I had a bat in my house today, and I suspect it was a vampire bat. This is going to be one of those guilty pleasure albums for me. It doesn't really make us cooler to like this... but are we really doing this blog to gain popularity? I am kidding. Overall, really catchy and cute.

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26. Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
1960

Amanda: The sixties have made an excellent impression on me so far.  This album is so different but so beautiful that it is a wonder that I haven't heard of it.  Most of the album is sung in Swahili so I couldn't understand the words but it really didn't matter because the music itself was what made the album beautiful.  It is hard to describe unless you have listened to it but the Makeba's voice is beautiful and comforting.  Unfortunately, this wasn't very popular because of the sheer uniqueness of it but I loved it!

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One of the songs is "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" but it is sung so differently that I almost didn't recognize it.

Brie: I completely agree with Amanda. Miriam Makeba makes such beautiful music. My favorite was "Mbube" or "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The only bad thing about this album is the song "The Naughty Little Flea". What was that about??? Skip that song. You'll thank me. I also really liked Miriam's version of "House Of The Rising Sun" even though I am a die-hard fan of Dave van Ronk's version. But so many people covered it that I have to be open to all versions. :) I've always wanted to get into more "world music" so this is especially amazing to me. I think this is the first album we have reviewed that is not "made in the USA". Keep this world music coming!

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25. Elvis is Back!

Elvis is Back
Elvis Presley
1960

Amanda: Yay! Elvis is back! Now this might be similar to the feeling the monarchs had when Napoleon returned to some people but to me it is exciting.  My name is Amanda and I am an Elvis lover.

This album is fantastic for many reasons.  Elvis' voice in some of the songs (particularly "Fever") is a lot less flashy and much more tender in these tracks.  The songs are also less recognizable so it wasn't like you were listening to something you have heard a hundred times.  Overall, great album and great songs.

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Brie: Some of you may remember my extremely unfavorable review of Elvis' debut album. This album was a bit better than the first one we listened to, but not much better for me. I kind of feel bad not liking such an iconic singer, but maybe I will have my breakthrough with the next album. My favorites included "I Will Be Home Again", and I actually found myself smiling and dancing along with "Such A Night".  I agree that because this album wasn't filled with hits that I've heard a thousand times growing up (my dad is a huge Elvis fan) it was much more interesting. Maybe Amanda will make an Elvis fan out of me yet. :)

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24. Joan Baez (1960)

Joan Baez (1960)
Joan Baez
1960


Brie: This is Joan Baez's first album, and most of the songs are traditional or public domain songs. As you can tell on this album, Joan was a wonderful guitar player, and still is. This album was the first step she took to gaining her title "Queen Of Folk" to Bob Dylan's "King Of Folk". (Yes, I know Bob hates that title. After all, I ain't looking to simplify him, classify him, deny, defy, or crucify him.) If I remember correctly, Bob first saw Joan perform on a television show and he thought "That girl looks like she needs a singing partner".

I already had this album on my ipod, as I am a huge Joan Baez fan. Joan has such a melodic, angelic quality to her voice. My favorite track is "Silver Dagger".

RATING: Not sure why it let Amanda put in album units but not me... But I give this album a 5/5!!!

Amanda: First of all, I would like to say that with the start of the sixties, there is a clean slate.  My reviews have been anything but complimentary but I do want to open myself up to music.  My brother says I am picky (mostly because I am a vegetarian) but I still hate that that word is associated with me.  So, I am really going to start trying to be more happy with the albums.  Except jazz.

Moving on to the review, I really liked this album and I am not just saying that to prove a point.  Joan Baez has a beautiful voice and her songs kind of just flow.  After listening to her, I felt lazy and nolstagic.  Great, relaxing album.


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23. Time Out

Time Out
David Brubeck
1959

Amanda: Okay, so every jazz fan out there (I imagine they would be a pretentious lot) from what I have read would hate on this album because it is "overdone".  I, however, only listen to jazz when forced by a list, so I really couldn't tell you which albums are overdone and which aren't.  Now, I liked this album more than some of the other jazz ones out there because I could hear the piano which reminds me of my mom and her sisters.  I am not saying this is a reason for you to like it (that would be creepy if it was) but since most jazz albums have their brass drown out the piano, this was refreshing.  I also really enjoyed the first track, "Blue Rondo A La Turk".  So give it a listen; it isn't very long.

RATING:
WE ARE DONE WITH THE FIFETIES!!!!!!!!!

Brie: This album is more for jazz newcomers. There isn't anything really that is unusual or different for a jazz album, so big jazz fans would probably go for something a little more off the beaten path. I just liked this album. After Miles Davis, anything would sound kind of plain, I guess. But I am definitely considering adding this to my ipod. I also loved "Blue Rondo A La Turk", and most of you have probably have heard "Take Five".

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Well, the fifties were awesome... I am sad to see them go. But I consider myself somewhat of an expert on sixties music, so I am so excited to begin a new decade! :)