22. Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
1959


Brie: Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am the opposite of a country music fan. That being said, I didn't hate this album. This album is one of those rare exceptions to my hatred for all things country music. Marty Robbins' voice is so melodic and pleasant to listen to. These songs make me want to wander around the old west or watch a western film. This album is so influential because there are songs that Robbins wrote himself as well as traditional songs. The songs "Big Iron" and "El Paso" are well written stories by Robbins. When you are listening, specifically keep your ears open for the exquisite guitar playing. As you can probably tell, I was pleasantly surprised by my love for this album, and I definitely want this on my ipod.

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Amanda: Trust me to like the first lame album so far on the list.  Yes, this is country but not the obnoxious country like the Louvin Brothers.  It is much more western and reminded me of cowboy movies which in turn reminded me of my grandfather.  I also love stories of any kind so it was nice to listen to a few unique ones like "Billy the Kid" and "El Paso".  Though you would certainly not be cool from listening to this album, it certainly made me feel good after listening to Robbins' pleasant voice and the lazy guitar.  Best of all, it isn't jazz!

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P.S.  Now I want to go watch Tombstone!

21. Kind Of Blue

Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
1959



Brie: I may be biased, as Miles Davis is my favorite jazz musician of all time. This album is probably the most cutting-edge, ingenious albums of all time. Also, John Coltrane plays on this album, so obviously that makes it even better (if that was possible to begin with). This album was recorded in only nine hours. And according to the book Davis didn't show the other musicians the music before beginning to record, because he thought that would make them focus more. So spontaneity is the key. Miles Davis is other-worldly. (Do I hyphenate that?)

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Amanda: First of all, I am sorry our posts are off (not that anyone reads our posts).  I think 19 is like after 14 and then 18 jumps to 20.  We do not suffer from number dyslexia, but I have no idea how to fix it so deal with it.  Moving on...

Ah, jazz.  I really don't like you.

I started doing a movie blog that tracks the 1001 movies awhile ago.  I had to start at like 1902, so of course that meant around fifty silent films.  At first, I hated silent movies, citing reasons such as "dialogue makes a movie" and "slapstick isn't my thing".  Now, after watching so many, I have a huge appreciation for their subtle art.  I keep expecting a love of jazz to kick in at any moment after listening to so many tracks but it hasn't happened yet.  I am forced to conclude that me and jazz will never like each other, and I should open myself up to better relationships with other genres in the future.  We gave it a shot.

As for this album, it was rather enjoyable as far as jazz albums go.  Don't really get what is so special but I will give in to peer pressure and give it a high rating.

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P.S.  I did, however, think the track "Flameco Sketches" was pretty beautiful.

20. The Genius of Ray Charles

The Genius of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
1959

Amanda: I have to say, it was a relief to have a pretty short album after the insanely long one we listened to yesterday.  And this was...pleasant.  Ray Charles has a very good voice but even if I just had to listen to the instrumental versions of these tracks, I think I would have still enjoyed it.  Still, this album did not get me on any emotional level. My favorite track would probably be "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying". The songs were rather forgettable and I have a feeling that I will not remember this album for long.  It was nice while it lasted.  Sorry for the excruciatingly boring post.

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Brie: It is very interesting to listen to the different genres mixed into these songs. The listener can hear a bit of blues, jazz, R&B, and some rock at times. One can tell that the first six songs (or side A) and the last six songs (or side B) are completely different. Obviously this album was meant to be listened to on a vinyl record. As much as I loved the jazzy numbers on "side A", I prefered the ballads of "side B". It was also interesting to hear someone other than Sinatra sing "It Had To Be You". Although I loved Ray's version of the song, my heart will stay with Frankie's rendition. My favorites included "Let The Good Times Roll", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", "Just For A Thrill", and "Come Rain Or Come Shine".

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18. At Mister's Kelly's

At Mister's Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
1958

Amanda: Finally!!  A brilliant album that
a) isn't horribly depressing
b) has interesting, relatable songs
c) is sung by the best female vocalist I have ever heard in my life

I loved this album!  Sarah Vaughan has the most amazing voice.  It makes me feel so...full.  I am sorry if that sounds cliche or lame but that is the best way to describe it. I like her so much better than Ella Fitzgerald. She also cannot really remember lyrics to songs so a couple on this album are pretty much her just singing nonense ("Just a Gigolo" and "How High is the Moon").  My favorite track was "Thou Swell" but there is not a single song that I disliked.  I even want to get the ones that she messed up on for my iPod.  Would that be weird?

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Brie: J'adore live albums. Sarah's nickname was "Sassy"! Love that! From the beginning of the first track "September In The Rain" I fell in love. I know exactly what Amanda means about feeling full. Tears came to my eyes while listening to this. Sarah Vaughan is just that good. Sarah also took part in the formation of bebop music. She has a voice close to perfect and this album cannot get onto my ipod fast enough! Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald are pretty much the trifecta of perfect female vocalists. Why can't I find this album online? I like albums, not compilations! As I listen to this album, I can feel the atmosphere at Mister Kelly's and imagine that I am there! Do yourself a favor and listen to this.

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17. Jack Takes the Floor

Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack
1958

Amanda: Holy shit, that was just awful.

We are talking yodeling, crooning, and songs about bed bugs.  Add that to the fact that I am not a country fan (I couldn't even watch The Last Picture Show without feeling upset) and you have my least favorite album so far.  Any album that has the lyrics "bed bugs as big as a jackass will come out and bite you with a grin on the face" is not for me.  Thankfully, I could not relate to the songs at all and I found them incredibly obnoxious.

That was just horrible.

RATING: no album units!

Brie: I knew Amanda would hate this! :) Jack Elliott influenced so many people! Including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards These songs are pure iconic folk songs. When he was playing Greenwich Village coffeehouses in the sixties he was known as the "Son of Woody". Woody, of course, being Woody Guthrie. And Bob Dylan was known as the "Son of Jack". I found it very difficult to find music by Ramblin' Jack, which disappoints me very much, as this could be described as one of the most important albums of all time. I was particularly happy to listen to Jack's version of "Dink's Song", although no one does it better than Dave Van Ronk!

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16. Lady In Satin

Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
1958

Amanda: Well, anyone who has ever seen Clueless (excellent movie by the way) knows that Billie Holiday is a woman.  Just wanted to clear that up for people.  Moving on...

This is one of the most depressing albums I have ever listened to.  It was even worst than In the Wee Small Hours. One of her songs is even called "Glad to be Unhappy."  Maybe I would have been happier with it if I just got out of a relationship but thankfully I am in a good mood today and was not prepared for the kick in the pants that this album was.

That being said, this is a really good album.  I think I have said this before, but I really like the interesting, different voice (even if the reason for it is kind of sad).  Still, I can't see listening to this album a lot since it has such a negative effect on my mood.  I have to go eat my feelings with some cookies now...

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P.S. Brie is right.  I am getting sick of the 50s.

Brie: Billie Holiday is one of my favorite vocalists of all time. Her voice is so raspy and raw because of the addictino to heroin that she was struggling with at the time. She died from a liver problem a year after this album was recorded. Even though the songs are very melancholy, as Amanda said, I still loved listening to this album. Billie puts so much emotion into her voice. The songs are perfect to listen to on a rainy day like today. The instrument arrangements in the background on some songs such as "You Don't Know What Love Is" was breezy and dreamy as they try to cover up Billie's struggles. If you are looking to hear more Billie Holiday sans depression her "Jazz At the Philharmonic" album is really good. Amazing version of "Strange Fruit" on there. Even if you hate the album, sit back and admire the moment this album captures in the life of one of the most important female vocalists ever.

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15. Dance Mania

Dance Mania
Tito Puente
1958

Amanda: This was very different than the other music we have listened to so far.  It is the kind of music that you tango or mumba to.  I, of course, can't do either (in high school gym class once I was pulled aside by the gym teacher because I couldn't spin).  Still, I enjoyed listening to this album, and if I had been wearing a puffy skirt, I would have probably tried to dance.

I liked this a lot better than some of the crap we have listened to lately.  Still, not my favorite genre nor will you find these tracks on my iPod.

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Brie: This is Tito Puente's best selling album. Dance Mania, Vol. 1 is comprised completely of, what else, dance music. Puente was a Puerto Rican-American, which shows on this album. You can also hear Afro-Cuban beats, and jazz styles.

I agree that this is better than a lot of the music we have been reviewing lately. The first track, "El Cayuco", made me want to have a dinner party. I found that I prefer the all instrumental tracks to the ones that have vocals on them. I just found the voice a bit annoying. Basically, all of the songs are fun to dance to, and that is as far into a review I can currently go. I cannot do the mambo, but maybe if I could I would have much more intelligent things to say about this. I liked it, but it's not my favorite.

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