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Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Welcome to the Chapter 2 of the 50s & 60s acclaimed music forum poll. This month we will deal with the years 1953, 1954 and 1955. Jazz still dominates the albums lists but in the songs lists a new style of coming up strong: rock ‘n’ roll!

Please submit at least 5 songs and/or albums, preferably but not necessarily with ranking, lists without ranking will get an average score of 10 points per song/album. The deadline is midnight on the 28th of February. For the scoring, rules and other details check here.

You may find useful to have a look at the albums and songs lists of:
- Acclaimed Music: 1953 albums, 1954 albums, 1955 albums, 1953 songs, 1954 songs and 1955 songs
- Rate Your Music: 1953 albums, 1954 albums, 1955 albums, 1953 songs, 1954 songs, 1955 songs and, since some of the album considered compilations in Rate Your Music are eligible on this poll, the 1953 compilations, 1954 compilations and 1955 compilations.

Have a nice poll…

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

I haven’t had time enough this month (too busy looking for release dates) for preparing the votes for 1953-1955 but as an advance I will post my Top 5 albums.
1. FRANK SINATRA "In the Wee Small Hours" (#45 in my all-time list, 1955)
2. LOTTE LENYA "Lotte Lenya singt Kurt Weill" (1955)
3. GEORGES BRASSENS "Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)" (1953)
4. CHET BAKER "Chet Baker Sings" (1954)
5. SARAH VAUGHAN "Sarah Vaughan" (1955)

You can listen to these albums in my preliminary Spotify list: Albums 53-55

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Spotify playlists of the songs on AM and/or in the top of the RYM charts:

1953
1954
1955

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Here's my playlist for 1953

Not very different from the "official" one so far, but I'll feed it with some cool blues and country songs it and create 1954 and 1955 soon.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

I'm having a wonderful time listening to Chet and to Sarah Vaughan

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Folsom Prison Blues is listed as 1955 by RYM but as 1956 by AM. Which one is correct?

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Well according to a lot of sources, it was released by Sun on dec 15, 1955. So it is technically a 1955 record.

The kind that gives Amers hell. Never release a record in december !!

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

One question : can we vote for re-recordings of past songs ?

Hearing Elvis Prelsey's version of his standard "Blue Moon Of Kentucky", Bill Monroe recorded a new version of the song in 1954.
And in 1953, on a Folkways album, Bascom Lamar Lunsford recorded his gorgeous "Mole in the ground" for the second time (first time in 1928 I guess)

I suppose it's OK if I include these songs in my lists

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955
Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

... and for 1955

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

So I start with my album list

1. Moondog And His Friends - 1953
2. Stan Kenton - New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm - 1953
3. Laurindo Almeida / Bud Shank - Brazilliance Vol. 1 - 1953
4. Yma Sumac - Inca Taqui - 1953
5. Les Baxter & Bas Sheva - The Passions - 1953
6. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee - 1953

1. Odetta - The Tin Angel (Odetta & Larry) - 1954
2. Dizzy Gillespie - Afro - 1954
3. Lord Kitchener [Kitch] - King Of Calypso, Vol. 1 - 1954*
4. Fumio Hayasaka - The Seven Samurai - 1954
5. Turk Murphy Jazz Band - A Natural High - 1954
6. The Art Van Damme Quintet - The Van Damme Sound - 1954
7. Cal Tjader - Plays Mambo - 1954

1. Kenny Dorham - Afro-Cuban - 1955
2. Lotte Lenya - Singt Kurt Weill - 1955
3. Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Study In Brown - 1955
4. Stan Kenton - Contemporary Concepts - 1955
5. Pérez Prado & Shorty Rogers - Voodoo Suite - 1955

* Difficult thing. Liner notes say: Kitchener "was born 32 years ago", 1922 plus 32 makes 1954. Unclear too, if it is an original album or a compilation; RYM lists it as compilation in 1956. Maybe one of you out there knows more.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Great lists as always, Charlie !

BTW, could you give us the tracklist of the Lord Kitchener album ? That might be helpful, and if it is eligible maybe I'll vote for it too (I love Lord Kitchener. Is it a 10 inch record ? Do you have itslabel and reference number ? Is it the Melodisc MLP 500 that we see in the RYM page ?

And while we're at it, could we make a decision about "Folsom Prison Blues" because if people start to give their songs list they might omit it if it is really from 1955 as I think.

Hope I was clear...

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

The album I listened to, obviously a re-release, you'll find here, nicolas. Maybe this is the original tracklist.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Albums

1. HANK WILLIAMS: The Hank Williams Memorial Album
2. LES PAUL & MARY FORD: The Hit Makers!
3. ANITA O'DAY: Collates
4. GEORGE BRASSENS: George Brassens chante les chansons poétiques
5. EARTHA KITT: That Bad Eartha
6. PEGGY LEE: Black Coffee with Peggy Lee
7. DUKE ELLLINGTON: The Duke Plays Ellington (Piano Reflections)
8. LÉO FERRÉ: Chante
9. FRED ASTAIRE: The Astaire Story
10. BILLIE HOLIDAY: An Evening with Billie

11. THELONIOUS MONK: Thelonious Monk Trio
12. DUKE ELLINGTON: Ellington Uptown


Songs

1. HANK WILLIAMS: Kaw-Liga
2. HANK WILLIAMS: Your Cheatin’ Heart
3. HANK WILLIAMS: Take These Chains from My Heart
4. AMOS MILBURN & HIS ALADIN CHICKENSHACKERS: Let Me Go Home, Whiskey
5. EARTHA KITT: Santa Baby
6. THE CROWS: Gee
7. BIG MAMA THORNTON: Hound Dog
8. FATS DOMINO: Going to the River
9. RAY CHARLES: Mess Around
10. ANITA O’DAY: Love for Sale
11. THE DRIFTERS: Money, Honey
12. JOE TURNER: Honey Hush
13. BILL HALLEY: Crazy Man Crazy
14. JACQUES BREL: La foire
15. LES PAUL & MARY FORD: Vaya con Dios
16. THE ORIOLES: Crying in the Chapel
17. PEGGY LEE: Black Coffee
18. NAT KING COLE: Pretend
19. LÉO FERRÉ: Monsieur William
20. JACQUES BREL: Il y a

21. LEROY ANDERSON AND HIS POPS CONCERT ORCHESTRA: The Type Writer
22. BILLIE HOLIDAY: Tenderly
23. RUTH BROWN: Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean
24. PEGGY LEE: Love Me or Leave Me
25. ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Would You Like to Take a Walk


Films

1. Les vacances de M. Hulot (Monsieur Hulot's Holiday) – Jacques Tati
2. From Here to Eternity – Fred Zinnemann
3. Roman Holiday – William Wyler
4. I Confess – Alfred Hitchcock
5. Bienvenido, Mr. Marshall – Luis García Berlanga
6. The Glen Miller Story – Anthony Mann
7. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Howard Hawks
8. Stalag 17 – Billy Wilder
9. Mogambo – John Ford
10. The War of the Worlds – Byron Haskins


I’ve searched the year of release of "That Bad Eartha" and, according to allmusic and bayside-jazz, this album is from 1953. But according to RYM, tralfaz-archives and hipwax, is from 1954. And according to discogs is from … 1957!

“The Memorial Album” and "The Hit Makers" probably can be considered compilations. So I have two albums “in spare”: "Thelonious Monk Trio" and "Ellington Uptown".

And here, an interesting website about Léo Ferré and his discography.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

My songs of 1953

1 Ruth Brown - (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean
2 Odetta - John Henry
3 Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog
4 Moondog - Theme And Variations
5 Ray Anthony - Dragnet
6 Moondog - Pastoral Suite: Before The Storm / The Storm / After The Storm
7 Stan Kenton - Lonesome Train
8 Yma Sumac - Chuncho
9 Big Maybelle - Maybelle's Blues
10 LaVern Baker - Soul On Fire
11 Guitar Slim - The Things That I Used to Do
12 Laurindo Almeida / Bud Shank - Amor Flamengo
13 Lord Kitchener - If You're Not White You're Black
14 Little Junior's Blue Flames - Mystery Train
15 Odetta - Pay Day At Coal Creek
16 Hank Williams - Ramblin' Man
17 Stan Kenton - Taboo
18 De Wayon [Franco] - Esengo Ya Mokili
19 Harry Belafonte - Matilda, Matilda
20 Shorty Rogers - The Wild One (Hot Blood)
21 Duke of Iron - Big Bamboo
22 Moondog - Surf Session: Snaketime Rhythms / Duet / Recorded Soliloquy
23 Laurindo Almeida / Bud Shank - Inquietacao
24 Young John Watson - Motor Head Baby
25 Alain Romans - Quel temps fait-il à Paris [Les vacances de monsieur Hulot]

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

I'll post a 1953-55 album list, but I will post songs lists year by year.

Here is my ongoing list (under construction).

Some albums managed to squeeze in between the Brassens records !

And to Charlie Driggs : I will also include "If You'r enot White, You're black" in my 1953 song list. Fascinating song !

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

I'll post a 1953-55 album list, but I will post songs lists year by year.

Here is my ongoing list (under construction).

Some albums managed to squeeze in between the Brassens records !

And to Charlie Driggs :

1) I will also include "If You're not White, You're black" in my 1953 song list. Fascinating song !

2) I love Moondog but can't find his 1953 album. Do you have a link ?

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

nicolas

And to Charlie Driggs :
1) I will also include "If You're not White, You're black" in my 1953 song list. Fascinating song !
2) I love Moondog but can't find his 1953 album. Do you have a link ?

Agree on both counts... Kitch is great, but I'm relying on Charlie for the song dates. And Moondog is very hard to find, going for several hundred dollars on Amazon.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

nicolas


2) I love Moondog but can't find his 1953 album. Do you have a link ?


I found the 2006 CD reissue from "Moondog and his Friends" in some online stores (1 2) . Some pieces of the album you'll find on the compilation "The Viking Of Sixth Avenue". More about Moondog 1953 EPs here and here.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Merci beaucoup
I'm gonna check it out

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

I continue with my 1954 song list

1. Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band - Skokiaan
2. Odetta - John Henry
3. Akira Ifukube - Suite from "Godzilla"*
4. Yma Sumac - Cha Cha Gitano [1955?]
5. James "Sugar Boy" Crawford - Jock-A-Mo
6. Boris Vian - Le déserteur
7. Lennie Niehaus - How About You?
8. John Lee Hooker - It's My Own Fault
9. Marilyn Monroe - River of No Return
10. Lord Kitchener - Alphonso In Town
11. Big Maybelle - I'm Gettin' 'Long Alright
12. Nolan Strong & The Diablos - The Wind
13. Dizzy Gillespie - Con Alma
14. Professor Longhair - Tipitina
15. African Jazz (Le Grand Kalle) - Ambiance Kallé Catho
16. Howlin' Wolf - Evil (Is Going On)
17. The Robins - Riot In Cell Block #9
18. Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant - Stratosphere Boogie
19. Emerante De Pradines - Manman'm Voye'mpote Cafe
20. Johnny 'Guitar' Watson - Space Guitar

Honorable Mentions (and substitute for non-eligible songs)
Dizzy Gillespie - Manteca Theme
Odetta - Pay Day At Coal Creek
Shorty Rogers - The Wild One (Hot Blood)
Lord Kitchener - Trouble In Arima
Nino Rota - La Strada (Theme)
George Jones - No Money In This Deal

* From the album "A History Of Horror: From Nosferatu To The Sixth Sense". I don't know if there was an original release in 1954 or 55.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Great list again, Charlie

Those African bands from the '50s are just fabulous;

I have a great ET Mensah compilation but cant find any dates

"Le Déserteur" is also high on my list, but it is not from 1954, as Wikipedia says, since it was recorded in 1955 (April 27).

Vian wrote the song in 1954 (end of the Indochine war and the beginning of the Algerian war)and had it sung live by Mouloudji, another singer. The song was banned from airplay but Vian himself recorded it later.

The date of the first 45 RPM is uncertain, 1955 or 1956.

The first (and only) LP "chansons possibles et impossibles " was released in 1956.

I'll put the Vian songs (they are ALL great, Vian wrote like 500 songs but only performed a dozen ones) in my 1955 list and the album in 1956, but Honorio, I will let you judge. Maybe it is more convenient to place them all in 1956 ??


here's an excellent discography

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Thanks, Nicolas, I was planning to answer Charlie about “Le déserteur” but you did it first. Yes, the song was composed by Boris Vian in February of 1954 and first published in 7 of May of 1954. The first broadcast was made by Marcel Mouloudji (with some of the verses already self-censored!) and after this it was immediately banned (it was going to be banned till 1962!). Boris Vian recorded his own version of the song with Jimmy Walter et son ensemble in 27 of April of 1955without any censorship, including the celebre last verse: Prévenez vos gendarmes, que je serai en arme et que je sais tirer (“Warn your gendarmes that I shall be armed, and that I can shoot well”). It was released as part of the EP Chansons impossibles in 1955 according RYM and in 1956 according de Vian la zizique, a very complete French discography, and later as part of the album Chansons possibles ou impossibles in 1956. So probably we should consider the eight songs on the EPs from 1955 and the other two from 1956 (“Bourrée des complexes” and “On n’est pas là pour se faire engueuler”). Or else consider everything from 1956 (it’s the way is listed on “de Vian la zizique” who seems quite reliable) but since we are considering RYM as the main source for release dates probably the songs from 1955 and the album on 1956.
Edit: Charlie, the rest of the songs on your 1954 are eligible, although it seems that "Godzilla Suite" was not released on record till 1992 but it was premiered on the movie on 1954.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Thank You Hon, it's cool that way because I had ranked the Vian songs in my 1955 list.

But about the lyrics, in the recording he sings"prévenez vos gendarmes, que je serai sans armes, et qu'ils pourront tirer", which is the contrary of what you wrote, and which means

"tell your policeman that I shall be unarmed and that they can shoot"
In fact he had written the song like you said with the "armed" ending, but Mouloudji changed that, arguing that being against war meant being non violent, and Vian finally kept that line,
which in my opinion is even stronger. This song is wonderful, and only "tutti Frutti" beats it so far in my (unfinished) 1955 list.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1954

Albums

1. JAQUES BREL: Jacques Brel et ses chansons (Grand Jacques) - Tracks 1-9
2. SARAH VAUGHAN: Images
3. CHET BAKER: Chet Baker Sings
4. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Plays W.C. Handy
5. ELLA FITZGERALD: Lullabies of Birdland
6. GEORGE BRASSENS: Vol. 2 - Le vent
7. ELLA MAE MORSE: Barrelhouse, Boogie and the Blues
8. SARAH VAUGHAN: The Divine Miss Sarah Sings - Tracks 2-9
9. FRANK SINATRA: Songs for Young Lovers - Tracks 1-8
10. BILLIE HOLIDAY: Billie Holiday

11. ELLA FITZGERALD: Songs in a Mellow Mood
12. DINAH WASHINGTON: After Hours with Miss D



Songs

1. BILL HALLEY AND HIS COMETS: Round Around the Clock
2. THE CHORDETTES: Mr. Sandman
3. ELVIS PRESLEY: That’s All Right
4. SARAH VAUGHAN: Shulie a Bop
5. SARAH VAUGHAN: Lover Man
6. BIG JOE TURNER: Shake, Rattle & Roll
7. RAY CHARLES: I Got a Woman
8. CHET BAKER: My Funny Valentine
9. JACQUES BREL: Grand Jacques (c’est trop facile)
10. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: St. Louis Blues
11. JACQUES BREL: La haine
12. NAT KING COLE: Tenderly
13. THE PENGUINS: Earth Angel
14. NAT KING COLE: Smile
15. THE SOUL STIRRERS: He's My Friend Until the End
16. JACQUES BREL: Le diable “ça va”
17. RAY CHARLES: Don’t you Know
18. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Skokiaan (South African Song)
19. THE SOUL STIRRERS: Jesus, I'll Never Forget
20. HANK WILLIAMS AND HIS DRIFTING COWBOYS: Low Down Blues

21. FARON YOUNG: A Place for Girls Like You
22. THE SOUL STIRRERS: Any Day Now
23. FATS DOMINO: You Done Me Wrong
24. LES PAUL: Mandolino
25. GEORGE BRASSENS: Brave Margot


Films

1. Rear Window – Alfred Hitchcock
2. Sabrina – Billy Wilder
3. The Barefoot Contessa – Joseph L. Mankiewicz
4. Dial M for Murder – Alfred Hitchcock
5. The Cain Mutiny – Edward Dmytryck
6. Johnny Guitar – Nicholas Ray
7. On the Waterfront – Elia Kazan
8. The Naked Jungle – Byron Haskin
9. Rudolph Mate – The Black Shield of Falworth
10. Brigadoon – Vincente Minelli

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1954

miguel, great list and thank you for your support of French chanson (and of Hank too). Given yours and Honorio's lists, it seems to be popular in Spain.
Hope your 1955 list will feature some Boris Vian !

The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

1953 Albums and Songs

Albums
Rank Artist Album
1 Duke Ellington - Ellington Uptown
2 The Quintet - Jazz At Massey Hall, Vol. 1 (10")
3 The Quintet - Jazz At Massey Hall, Vol. 2 (10")
4 Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk Trio
5 Eartha Kitt - That Bad Eartha (10")
6 Yma Sumac - Inca Taqui (10")
7 Anita O'Day - Collates (10")
8 Georges Brassens - Vol. 1: Georges Brassens chante les chansons poetiques
9 Peggy Lee - Black Coffee With Peggy Lee

Songs
Rank Song Artist
1 Hound Dog - Willa Mae "Big Mama" Thornton
2 Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams
3 Going To The River - Fats Domino
4 There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down - Brother Claude Ely
5 My Heart Belongs To Daddy - Eartha Kitt
6 Bye-Ya - Thelonious Monk
7 The Bible's Right - Sister O.M. Terrell
8 Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
9 Death In The Morning - Rev. Anderson Johnson
10 Crying In The Chapel - The Orioles
11 The Big Bamboo - Duke of Iron
12 I've Got The World On A String - Frank Sinatra
13 Inchacho (Royal Anthem) - Yma Sumac
14 Malaya! (My Destiny) - Yma Sumac
15 Bemsha Swing - Thelonious Monk
16 The Lady Is A Tramp - Anita O'Day
17 Money Honey - Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters
18 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Eartha Kitt
19 Monk's Dream - Thelonious Monk
20 If You're Not White You're Black - Lord Kitchener
21 Mystery Train - Junior Parker
22 I Want To Be Evil - Eartha Kitt
23 Let's Do It - Eartha Kitt
24 Black Coffee - Peggy Lee
25 Esengo ya mokili (Pleasure In This World) - Franco
26 Rock 'N Roll Blues - Anita O'Day
27 Mess Around - Ray Charles
28 Anna (El negro Zumbon) - Silvana Mangano
29 Chuncho (Forest Creatures) - Yma Sumac
30 My Heart Belongs To Daddy - Peggy Lee
31 Sandy's Tune - Eartha Kitt
32 Honey Hush - Big Joe Turner
33 I'm Mad - Willie Mabon
34 C'est si bon - Eartha Kitt
35 La Marine - Georges Brassens
36 Just Walkin' In The Rain - The Prisonaires
37 As The Life Of A Flower - Chuck Wagon Gang
38 Shake A Hand - Faye Adams
39 Feelin' Good - Little Junior's Blue Flames
40 Under The Bridges Of Paris - Eartha Kitt
41 Love My Baby - Little Junior's Blue Flames
42 Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Ruth Brown
43 Crazy Man, Crazy - Bill Haley and His Comets
44 Young At Heart - Frank Sinatra
45 Who's Been Fooling You - Professor Longhair
46 La foire - Jacques Brel
47 When The World Was Young - Peggy Lee
48 Love Me Or Leave Me - Peggy Lee
49 Little Rootie Tootie - Thelonious Monk
50 A t'regarder - Charles Aznavour
51 Love For Sale - Anita O'Day
52 Strawberry Moon - Anita O'Day
53 In The Night - Professor Longhair

1954 and 1955 are forthcoming...

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

A fine list so far, Brad!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

In my opinion early rock'n'roll hasn't left many magic moments. Listening to Bill Haley, most doo-wop bands and even Elvis makes me sick. The best r'n'r songs are those with a strong foundation of blues, gospel or latin (Jock-a-mo). Of course there are some performers with a unique and sublime personal style like Bo Diddley, Screaming Jay Hawkins (coming 1956), and sometimes Chuck Berry. But the real heroes of these three years stand elsewhere: Odetta whose intense gospel-folk prepared the ground for soul music just as well Ray Charles did. Moondog with his atmospheric sound collages from the borderland of pop, jazz and minimal music. Lotte Lenya who introduces early (German) Kurt Weill in pop history. Other important tendencies are the massive clash of jazz and popular latin rhythms which leads to the groundbreaking albums of Sabu Martinez in 1957/58, and the sophistication of calypso showing first contours of ska and rocksteady. Not to forget what happened in other parts of the world (especially Africa), from where only few rudiments are known. My songs of 1955:

1 Mahalia Jackson - I'm Going To Live The Life I Sing About In My Song
2 Bo Diddley - I'm A Man
3 Boris Vian - Le déserteur
4 Sarah Vaughan - Whatever Lola Wants
5 Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
6 Little Willie John - All Around the World
7 Lotte Lenya - Alabama-Song
8 Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Cherokee
9 Nancy Jacobs & Her Sisters - Meadowlands
10 Tennessee Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons
11 Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
12 Little Willie John - Need Your Love So Bad
13 The Cosmic Rays - Daddy Gonna Tell You No Lies
14 [Sam Cooke &] The Soul Stirrers - The Last Mile of the Way
15 Little Walter - My Babe
16 Lennie Tristano - Turkish Mambo
17 Chuck Berry - Downbound Train
18 Elmer Bernstein & Orchestra - Frankie Machine [1956?]
19 Small Island Pride - Carnival Celebration
20 Manhattan Brothers - Tula Ndivile
21 Li'l Millet And His Creoles - Rich Woman
22 Kenny Dorham - Minor's Holiday
23 The Cosmic Rays - Dreaming
24 Lennie Tristano - Line Up
25 The Brute Force Steelband - Alec Betsa
26 Pixinguinha - Coralina (Choro)
27 Lotte Lenya - Surabaya-Johnny
28 Big Maybelle - Don't Leave Poor Me
29 Lord Invader - Where Jonah Gone
30 Chuck Berry - Wee wee hours

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

Charlie, great list, great statement. i agree with everything ewcept the first sentence. I'm a big fan of early rnr : Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry et al. They are, along with all the blues, soul and country artists of the 50s, the very foundations of "classic rock" of the 60s and 70s.
Elvis will top my 1954 list, and Little Richard my 1955 list.

I'll post my list in the end, but my ongoing song lists are more or less in the same order as my spotify playlist

1953

1954

1955

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953

It's a little bit complicated to get a spotify access in Germany, but it's worth the trouble. Exciting playlist, nicolas. What a pity that my lists are already done.

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

Merci, Nicolas! I must say I haven’t heard anything from Boris Vian, yet. I'll get on to it now!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

If anyone wants a spotify access, ask us !

Charlie, thanks for the props. I always wait for the last moment to give my lists, because I like to follow other people's recommendations.
But I post ongoing lists to recommend songs too.

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

nicolas
If anyone wants a spotify access, ask us !

Is this available in the U.S.? I thought not, but if it is, I definitely want it... would love to see your lists!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

"Spotify is currently available in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, France and Spain."

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

Brad, I can email you my lists if you want
I guess I still have your email from the album poll

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

nicolas
Brad, I can email you my lists if you want
I guess I still have your email from the album poll

That would be great... thanks Nicolas!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

ALBUMS:

1. FRANK SINATRA "In the Wee Small Hours" (#45 in my all-time list, 1955)
2. LOTTE LENYA "Lotte Lenya singt Kurt Weill" (1955)
3. GEORGES BRASSENS "Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)" (1953)
4. CHET BAKER "Chet Baker Sings" (1954)
5. SARAH VAUGHAN "Sarah Vaughan" (1955)
6. GERRY MULLIGAN QUARTET "Gerry Mulligan Quartet (Fantasy)" (1953)
7. DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH "Symphony Nº 10 in E Minor" (1953)
8. DUKE ELLINGTON "Ellington Uptown" (1953)
9. LOUIS ARMSTRONG "Louis Armstrong Plays WC Handy" (1954)
10. DIZZY GILLESPIE "Afro" (1954)
11. PÉREZ PRADO & SHORTY ROGERS "Voodoo Suite (Plus 6 All-Time Greats)" (1955)
12. BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS "Rock Around the Clock" (1955)
13. HANK WILLIAMS "Memorial Album" (1953)
14. ODETTA "Odetta and Larry" (1954)
15. GEORGES BRASSENS "Georges Brassens interprète ses dernières compositions" (1954)
16. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH "Study in Brown" (1955)
17. STAN KENTON "New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm" (1953)
18. STAN GETZ "West Coast Jazz" (1955)
19. BILLIE HOLIDAY "An Evening with Billie Holiday" (1953)
20. ANITA O’DAY "Anita" (1955)
21. PEGGY LEE "Black Coffee With Peggy Lee" (1953)
22. CHET BAKER "Sings and Plays with Bud Shank, Russ Freeman and Strings" (1955)
23. FRANK SINATRA "Swing Easy!" (1954)
24. JACQUES BREL "Jacques Brel et ses Chansons" (1954)
25. EARTHA KITT "That Bad Eartha" (1953)


SONGS:

1. ELVIS PRESLEY, SCOTTY and BILL "Mystery Train" (#67 in my all-time list, 1955)
2. LOTTE LENYA "Moritat vom Mackie Messer" (1955)
3. SARAH VAUGHAN "Lullaby of Birdland" (1955)
4. CHET BAKER "My Funny Valentine" (1954)
5. JOHNNY CASH "Folsom Prison Blues" (1955)
6. ELVIS PRESLEY, SCOTTY and BILL "Baby Let’s Play House" (1955)
7. BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS "Rock Around the Clock" (1955)
8. LITTLE RICHARD "Tutti Frutti" (1955)
9. RAY CHARLES "I’ve Got a Woman" (1954)
10. BO DIDDLEY "Bo Diddley" (1955)
11. WILLIE MAE ‘BIG MAMA’ THORNTON "Hound Dog" (1953)
12. DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH "Symphony Nº 10 in E Minor: III. Allegretto" (1953)
13. LOTTE LENYA "Seeraüberjenny" (1955)
14. GEORGES BRASSENS "La marine" (1953)
15. TRÍO LOS PANCHOS "Lo dudo" (1953)
16. BILLIE HOLIDAY "My Man" (1953)
17. FRANK SINATRA "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" (1955)
18. CHET BAKER "I Fall in Love Too Easily" (1954)
19. MARILYN MONROE "River of No Return" (1951)
20. SILVANA MANGANO "Anna (El Negro Zumbón)" (1953)
21. GERRY MULLIGAN QUARTET "Frenesi" (1953)
22. PÉREZ PRADO & SHORTY ROGERS "Voodoo Suite" (1955)
23. DIZZY GILLESPIE "Caravan" (1954)
24. STAN KENTON "23 Degrees North – 82 Degrees West" (1953)
25. DUKE ELLINGTON "A Tone Parallel to Harlem (The Harlem Suite)" (1953)
26. LOUIS ARMSTRONG "St. Louis Blues" (1954)
27. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH "Cherokee" (1955)
28. BULAWAYO SWEET RHYTHMS BAND "Skokiaan" (1954)
29. LORD KITCHENER "If You’re Not White You’re Black" (1953)
30. FATS DOMINO "Going to the River" (1953)
31. MUDDY WATERS "Mannish Boy" (1955)
32. HOWLIN’ WOLF "Evil Is Going On" (1954)
33. CHUCK BERRY "Maybellene" (1955)
34. ELVIS PRESLEY, SCOTTY and BILL "That’s All Right" (1954)
35. HANK WILLIAMS & HIS DRIFTING COWBOYS "Your Cheatin’ Heart" (1953)
36. WEBB PIERCE "There Stands the Glass" (1953)
37. BASCOM LAMAR LUNSFORD "Mole in the Ground" (1953)
38. ODETTA "John Henry" (1954)
39. GEORGES BRASSENS "Pauvre Martin" (1953)
40. BORIS VIAN "Le déserteur" (1955)
41. LOTTE LENYA "Bilbao Song" (1955)
42. PEGGY LEE "Black Coffee" (1953)
43. FRANK SINATRA "I Get Along Without You Very Well" (1955)
44. JULIE LONDON "Cry Me a River" (1955)
45. THE PLATTERS "Only You (and You Alone)" (1955)
46. THE CROWS "Gee" (1953)
47. THE PENGUINS "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (1954)
48. THE CHORDETTES "Mr. Sandman" (1954)
49. DUKE ELLINGTON "Satin Doll" (1953)
50. SARAH VAUGHAN "Embraceable You" (1955)


FAVOURITE COMPILATION: MILES DAVIS "Classics in Jazz/Birth of the Cool" (1954)


Spotify lists:
Albums 53-55
Songs 53-55

The accents in French, German and Spanish shows incorrectly (hope it's temporary)

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

I didn't know Shostakovitch was eligible...
I don't know if I have time to listen to it.
Great list, Honorio !!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

Many thanks, Nicolas.
Sorry, some date mistakes in my votes: “Rock Around the Clock” was 1954, “River of No Return” was 1954 and “Lo dudo” 1954 too (the latter is really difficult to trace, no information at all on the net, I’ve changed to 1953 looking a CD compilation on my collection of songs from Almodóvar movies but in Rockdelux list it as 1954 and I prefer to trust on RDL so 1954 again).
About other votes:
- THE QUINTET “Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 2””: Brad, I suppose that your are voting for Vol 3 because Vol. 2 was credited to Bud Powell Trio (without Dizzy and Bird, see eligibility thread).
- Charlie, the song “The Last Mile of the Way” was recorded in August of 1955 but all the discographies that I can find on the web list as released for the first time in… 1970! (see here or here). I counted the points till your #21.

And, Nicolas, I voted for "Mole in the Ground" because I've listened to it and the version is (slightly) different that the one on Harry Smiths' "Anthology of American Folk Music" and on Folkways page says that the Bascom Lamar Lusnford was recorded and released in 1953 so probably is a 1953 re-recording of the song.

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

Honorio

- THE QUINTET “Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 2””: Brad, I suppose that your are voting for Vol 3 because Vol. 2 was credited to Bud Powell Trio (without Dizzy and Bird, see eligibility thread).

You're correct, that should be Vol. 3. Thanks!

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1952, 1953, 1954

About "Mole In The ground" I've come to the same conclusion as you and I'll vote for the song and the album. I've listened to both versions yesterday too !

Speaking of re-recordings I strongly recommend Bill Monroe's 1954 remake of "Blue Moon Of Kentucky"
IMO it is better than both the original and Elvis' version

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1954

My 1954 List:

Albums
Rank Artist Album
1 Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy
2 Art Blakey - A Night At Birdland, Vol. 1
3 Frank Sinatra - Songs For Young Lovers
4 Art Blakey - A Night At Birdland, Vol. 2
5 Yma Sumac - Mambo!
6 Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings
7 Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
8 Les Baxter - The Passions: Featuring Bas Sheva
9 Odetta - The Tin Angel
10 Bud Powell - The Amazing Bud Powell, Vol. 2
11 Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio - Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio #2
12 Jacques Brel - Jacques Brel et ses chansons
13 Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio - Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio #1

Songs
Rank Song Artist
1 That's All Right (Mama) - Elvis Presley
2 I Get A Kick Out Of You - Frank Sinatra
3 I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters
4 Long Gone (From The Bowling Green) - Louis Armstrong
5 Joy Spring - Clifford Brown
6 (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets
7 Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Elvis Presley
8 A Foggy Day - Frank Sinatra
9 Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes
10 My Funny Valentine - Chet Baker
11 The Thrill Is Gone - Chet Baker
12 Annie Had A Baby - The Midnighters
13 Ole Miss Blues - Louis Armstrong
14 Bo Mambo - Yma Sumac
15 Jungla - Yma Sumac
16 Water Boy - Odetta
17 My Funny Valentine - Frank Sinatra
18 Evil - Howlin' Wolf
19 I Just Want To Make Love To You - Muddy Waters
20 Rotten Cocksuckers Ball - The Clovers
21 The Wind - Nolan Strong & The Diablos
22 Jordu - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
23 Jock-A-Mo - James "Sugar Boy" Crawford
24 St. Louis Blues - Louis Armstrong
25 Shake, Rattle and Roll - Bill Haley and His Comets
26 John Henry - Odetta
27 Beale Street Blues - Louis Armstrong
28 Shake, Rattle and Roll - Big Joe Turner
29 Despair - Les Baxter
30 Forty Four - Howlin' Wolf
31 Space Guitar - Johnny "Guitar" Watson
32 Five Bottle Mambo - Yma Sumac
33 I Get Along Without You Very Well - Chet Baker
34 Lo Dudo - Los Panchos
35 Daahoud - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
36 Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite - The Spaniels
37 Earth Angel (Will you Be Mine) - The Penguins
38 Sh-Boom - The Chords
39 Work With Me Annie - Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
40 The Memphis Blues (Or Mister Grump) - Louis Armstrong
41 Old Cotton Fields At Home - Odetta
42 Sur la place - Jacques Brel
43 Young At Heart - Frank Sinatra
44 Gopher - Yma Sumac
45 Time After Time - Chet Baker
46 Atlanta Blues (Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor) - Louis Armstrong
47 Malambo No. 1 - Yma Sumac
48 Rock Island Line - Odetta
49 La haine - Jacques Brel
50 Jealousy - Les Baxter
51 Tipitina - Professor Longhair And His Blues Scholars
52 Cross Over The Bridge - Patti Page
53 I Want Jesus To Walk With Me - Dorothy Melton
54 Riot In Cell Block #9 - The Robins

Still to come: 1955

Re: The Best Albums and Songs of 1954

great list, Brad, great # 1 !

Props for adding Brel ! The very early Brel is not my favorite, but that's my humble opinion. He really took off after 1962 when he signed at Barclay (except of course a couple of songs from the late 50s like "Ne me quitte pas").

For 1955, my "foreign" recommendations are Boris Vian (the songs, because the album is 1956) and Lotte Lenya.

Folsom Prison Blues is from 1955

And for those who are about to make their 1955 lists

Dont forget that "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash is eligible as 1955 if you want to include it in your list.

Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1955

Albums

1. BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS: Rock Around the Clock
2. SARAH VAUGHAN: Sarah Vaughan
3. LOTTE LENYA: Sings Kurt Weill
4. BEVERLY KENNEY: Sings for Johnny Smith
5. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Satch Plays Fats
6. ELLA FITZGERALD: The First Lady of Song
7. PEGGY LEE & ELLA FITZGERALD: Songs From “Pete Kelly's Blues”
8. THE FOUR FRESHMEN: The Four Freshmen and Five Trombons
9. THELONIOUS MONK: Thelonious Monk Plays the Music of Duke Ellington
10. SARAH VAUGHAN: In the Land of Hi-Fi
11. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Ambassador Satch
12. FRANK SINATRA: In the Wee Small Hours


Songs

1. FRANKIE LYMON AND THE TEENAGERS: Why do Fools Fall in Love
2. FATS DOMINO: Ain’t That a Shame
3. LOTTE LENYA: Moritat vom Mackie Messer
4. THE PLATTERS: The Great Pretender
5. THE PLATTERS: Only You
6. LITTLE RICHARD: Tutti Frutti
7. CHUCK BERRY: Maybellene
8. TENNESSE ERNIE FORD: Sixteen Tons
9. BIG JOE TURNER: Flip, Flop & Fly
10. ELVIS PRESLEY: Mistery Train
11. SARAH VAUGHAN: Lullaby of Birdland
12. LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Mack the Knife
13. THE CADILLACS: Speedo
14. SARAH VAUGHAN: September Song
15. JOHNNY ACE: Pledging My Love
16. LITTLE WALTER: My Babe
17. BORIS VIAN: Le déserteur
18. SARAH VAUGHAN: Embraceable You
19. THE FOUR FRESHMEN: Speak Low
20. BO DIDDLEY: Bo Diddley

21. ELLA FITZGERALD: I’ve Got the World on a String
22. JOHNY CASH: Folsom Prison Blues
23. THE TURBANS: When you Dance
24. THE PLATTERS: Bark, Battle and Ball
25. LONNIE DONEGAN: Rock Island Line


Films

1. Rebel Without a Cause – Nicholas Ray
2. All That Heaven Allows – Douglas Sirk
3. Bad Day at Black Rock – John Sturges
4. The Quatermass Xperiment – Val Guest
5. Guys and Dolls – Joseph L. Mankiewicz
6. Muerte de un ciclista (Death of a Cyclist) – Juan Antonio Bardem
7. The Man with the Golden Arm – Otto Preminger
8. The Trouble With Harry – Alfred Hithcock
9. The Desperate Hours – Willliam Wyler
10. To Catch a Thief – Alfred Hitchcock
11. Night of the Hunter – Charles Laughton
12. Historias de la radio (Radio Stories) – José Luis Sáenz de Heredia
13. Lady and the Tramp – Clyde Geronimi
14. Kiss Me Deadly – Robert Aldrich
15. The Ladykillers - Alexander Mackendrick

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1955

I'm even more sure that there won't be any albums lists from me this time (I have only heard Sinatra's albums in full), but here are my favorite songs.

1953
1. Leroy Anderson - The Typewriter
2. Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog
3. Duke Ellington - Satin Doll
4. The Orioles - Crying in the Chapel
5. The Harptones - Sunday Kind of Love
6. The Flamingos - Golden Teardrops
7. Ray Charles - Mess Around
8. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee
9. Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby
10. Silvana Mangano - Anna

1954
1. Elvis Presley - That's All Right
2. Bill Haley - Rock Around the Clock
3. Lars Gullin - Danny's Dream
4. Chet Baker - The Thrill Is Gone
5. Frank Sinatra - Like Someone in Love
6. The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman
7. Dean Martin - Sway (Quien Sera)
8. Erroll Garner - Misty
9. Chet Baker - My Funny Valentine
10. Ray Charles - I've Got a Woman

1955
1. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
2. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
3. Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
4. Frank Sinatra - What Is This Thing Called Love
5. The Platters - The Great Pretender
6. Louis Armstrong - Mack the Knife
7. Frank Sinatra - Love and Marriage
8. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
9. Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
10. Fats Domino - Ain't That a Shame

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Mixed:
1. Georges Brassens - Chante Les Chansons Poétiques (…Et Souvent Gaillardes) (1953)
2. Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours (1955)
3. Georges Brassens - Vol. 2 - Le Vent (1954)
4. Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan (1955)
5. Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk Trio (1953)

1953:
1. Hank Williams - Your Cheatin' Heart
2. Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton - Hound Dog
3. Georges Brassens - La Marine
4. Professor Longhair and His Blues Scholars - Tipitina
5. The Orioles - Crying In The Chapel

1954:
1. Bill Haley and his Comets - (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
2. Elvis Presley - That's All Right (Mama)
3. Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man
4. Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle And Roll
5. Georges Brassens - Ballade des Dames du Temps Jadis

1955:
1. Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
2. Chuck Berry - Maybellene
3. The Platters - The Great Pretender
4. Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy
5. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti

I obviously need to listen to a lot more 1950s stuff, but that's why I love this poll. :)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

My lists are mixed, hope that isn't too painful to compile:

Albums

[01] Chet Baker | Chet Baker Sings
[02] Dmitri Shostakovich | Symphony No. 10 in E Minor
[03] Moondog | Moondog and His Friends
[04] Frank Sinatra | In The Wee Small Hours
[05] Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan (aka Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown)
[06] The Quintet | Jazz At Massey Hall, Vol. 1
[07] Thelonious Monk | Thelonious Monk Trio
[08] Dizzy Gillespie | Afro
[09] Art Tatum | The Tatum Group Masterpieces Vol. 4
[10] Yma Sumac | Mambo!
[11] Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers | A Night At Birdland, Vol. 2
[12] Clifford Brown and Max Roach | Study in Brown
[13] Kenny Dorham | Afro-Cuban
[14] Clifford Brown | Clifford Brown With Strings
[15] Erroll Garner | Concert By The Sea

Songs

[01] Johnny Cash | Folsom Prison Blues
[02] Chet Baker | I Get Along Without You Very Well
[03] Elvis Presley | Mystery Train
[04] Chet Baker | Time After Time
[05] Dmitri Shostakovich | Symphony No. 10, Movement II
[06] Art Tatum with Lionel Hampton & Buddy Rich | How High The Moon
[07] Moondog | Theme and Variations
[08] Frank Sinatra | Glad To Be Unhappy
[09] Nolan Strong & The Diablos | The Wind
[10] Sarah Vaughan | Lullabye of Birdland
[11] Bo Diddley | Bo Diddley
[12] Clifford Brown and Max Roach | I Get a Kick Out Of You
[13] Howlin' Wolf | Evil
[14] Thelonious Monk | Bemsha Swing
[15] Johnny Ace | Pledging My Love
[16] The Quintet | Salt Peanuts
[17] Hank Williams | Your Cheatin' Heart
[18] Little Richard | Tutti Frutti
[19] Professor Longhair and His Blues Scholars | Tipitina
[20] Ray Charles | Mess Around
[21] Frank Sinatra | I've Got The World on a String
[22] Chet Baker | But Not for Me
[23] Big Mama Thornton | Hound Dog
[24] Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers | A Night In Tunisia
[25] Dizzy Gillespie | Manteca Theme
[26] Billie Holiday | Come Rain or Come Shine
[27] The Orioles | Crying In The Chapel
[28] Chuck Berry | Maybellene
[29] Yma Sumac | Five Bottles Mambo
[30] Peggy Lee | Black Coffee
[31] Muddy Waters | Hoochie Coochie Man
[32] Horace Silver Quintet | Doodlin'
[33] Erroll Garner | Misty
[34] Elvis Presley | That's All Right (Mama)
[35] Duke Ellington | Satin Doll
[36] Fats Domino | Ain't That a Shame
[37] Julie London | Cry Me a River
[38] Big Joe Turner | Shake, Rattle and Roll

Plus 2 honorable mentions that are not eligible, but would be in my Top 10 otherwise:

Iannis Xenakis | Metastaesis (written, not released, absolutely terrifying)
Lennie Tristano | Descent Into The Maelstrom (recorded, not released until years later)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Many thanks everyone for his votes so far, excellent lists again. Some comments:
- Brad, your song #20 for 1955 cannot be counted. The story is very interesting though (and I didn’t know it previously). The Clovers came to a recording session in 1955 and asked Ahmed Ertegun if they can record a funny a-cappella number. Atlantic refused to release it (for obvious reasons, you can read here the lyrics and listen here to the song). After being covered by Frank Zappa for his “Does Humour Belong in Music?” it has surfaced on many X-rated compilations with suggestive titles as “Raunchy Rock & Roll” or “If It Ain’t a Hit I’ll Eat My…”. Given the fact that this was not (at least officially) released I can’t count it but the whole thing is hilarious. Many thanks, Brad.
- Miguel, Armstrong’s “Ambassador Satch” was probably released in 1956 (see eleigibility thread) so you can vote for it again next month. I wanted to point to your excellent movie lists. Maybe the 60s were the golden decade for pop music (although someone can argue that) but the 50s were no doubt the golden decade for movies. And not only for the astonishing string of Hitchcock movies. Excellent choices for Spanish movies, especially Berlanga’s “Bienvenido Mr. Marshall” and Bardem’s “Muerte de un ciclista”.
- Henrik, no problem about your lack of album list, fortunately the position of “Wee Small” seems quite safe so far. It’s an album really beloved by the H-squad.
- Many thanks, Stephan! Welcome to the 50s club!!
- Sonfosamiam, you can reserve “Concert by the Sea” till next month. Many sources date the recording session (a live concert) on September 19 of 1955 but both RYM and especially the highly reliable bnspubs date the release in 1956. And sorry sonofsamiam for not participating in the 00s poll while you are participating in the 50s one (next year will be for me my particular 00s revival).

There are some participants on the 1950-1952 poll that still had not sent their lists. I know that Nicolas had his lists ready to go but I got no news from Harpo, Stone, nj and Mindrocker. Hey, Mindrocker, I hope that you’re not completely exhausted after your (impressive) Top 2000, your lists are too good to let it go. And, netjade, you used to vote quite early in the month but I still expect (in fact I anxiously need) some list from yours. Remember, only 48 hours for the deadline.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Honorio
Given the fact that this was not (at least officially) released I can’t count it but the whole thing is hilarious. Many thanks, Brad.

Oh well, I gave it a shot... I suppose that moves "The Wind" up to #20!

Best Albums of 1953, 1954 and 1955

1 . Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (1953)
2 . Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings (1954)
3 . Georges Brassens - n°3 (Les Sabots d'Hélène) (1955)
4 . Georges Brassens - n°2 (Le Vent) (1954)
5 . Hank Williams - Memorial Album (1953)
6 . Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong Plays WC Handy (1954)
7 . Lord Kitchener - King of Calypso (1954)
8 . Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1954)
9 . Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan (1955)
10 . Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning (1955)
11 . Bascom Lamar Lunsford - Smoky Mt. Ballads (1953)
12 . Bill Haley & His Comets - Rock Around The Clock (1955)
13. Julie London - Julie Is Her Name (1955)
14. Miles Davis - All Star Sextet (1955)
15. Gerry Mulligan - Gerry Mulligan Quartet (LP Fantasy)(1953)
16. Philippe Clay- Philippe Clay (1954)
17. Art Blakey - A Night at Birdland, vol. 1 (1954)
18. Horace Silver Quintet - Horace Silver Quintet (1955)
19. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee with Peggy Lee (1953)
20. Lotte Lenya - Singt Kurt Weil (1955)

Best songs of 1953

Making these song lists is a real pleasure. The opportunity to go down into my big pre-1960 archives, and to investigate new territories, especially Africa and the West Indies, and listen to a lot of great recommendations.


1953

1 . Georges Brassens - La Marine (Chanson) : A superb song about sailers and one night love affairs.

2 . Hank Williams - Your Cheatin' Heart (Country)

3 . Bascam Lamar Lunsford - Mole In The Ground (Appalachian folk) : An almost identical re-recording of a classic Appalachian folk song that you can hear on the Harry Smith anthology of American folk music)

4 . Hank Williams - Take These Chains From My Heart (Country) : A lesser known, but heart wrenching Hank song

5 . Georges Brassens - Brave Margot (Chanson) : Great story of a girl who gives breast to a cat

6 . Webb Pierce - There Stands The Glass (Country) : Another country classic ballad to cry in your beer

7 . Georges Brassens - Pauvre Martin (Chanson) : A song about a poor peasant that dug his own grave because he didn't want to disturb people

8 . Big Mama Thornton - Hound Dog (Blues)

9 . Lord Kitchener - If You're Not White You're Black (Calypso) : Kitch was not only a great Calypso artist, but a top notch songwriter before all

10 . Cowboy Copas - (I'm So Blue I Could Cry) Feelin' Low (Country): excellent pre-rock'n'roll country song

11 . Harry Belafonte - Suzanne (Ev'ry Night When the Sun Goes Down) (pop) : Beautiful , beautiful ballad

12 . Ray Charles - Mess Around (R&B) : The early Ray Charles could rock

13 . The Harptones - A Sunday Kind of Love (Doo-wop)

14 . Big Walter Horton & Jimmy DeBerry - Easy (Blues) : Great harmonica instrumental from the early Sun catalogue

15 . Little Junior Parker - Mystery Train (Blues)

16 . The Orioles - Crying In The Chapel (Doo-wop)

17 . LaVern Baker - Soul on Fire (R&B)

18 . The Gerry Mulligan Quartet - The Lady is A Tramp (Jazz)

19 . Rufus Thomas - Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (Blues) : Hilarious answer to Big Mama Thornton

20 . Jim & Jesse - Air Mail Special (Country/ Bluegrass) : Another bluegrass duet : the Everlys'big brothers

and also...

21 . Faye Adams - Shake A Hand (R&B)
22 . The Crows - Gee (Doo-wop)
23 . The Carlisles - No Help Wanted (Country)
24 . Fats Domino - Don't You Lie To Me (New Orleans R&B)
25 . Georges Brassens - La Prière (Chanson)
26 . Guitar Slim - The Things that I Used To Do (Blues)
27 . Young Tiger - I Was There (At the coronation) (Calypso)
28 . Billy Ward & the Dominos - The Bells (Doo wop)
29 . Amos Milburn - One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer (Blues)
30 . Georges Brassens - J'ai rendez-vous avec vous (Chanson)
31 . Ruth Brown - Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean (R&B)
32 . Joe Hill Louis - She May Be Yours (But she Comes To See Me Sometimes) (Blues)
33 . Henri Salvador - Elle me donne (live at Pleyel) (Chanson)
34 . Félix Leclerc - Le Québécois (Chanson)
35 . Lord Beginner - Fed-A-Ray (Calypso)
36 . Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper - Are You Walkin' and Talkin' For The Lord (Country Gospel)
37 . Big Jay McNeely - Nervous Man Nervous (R&B)
38 . Alfredito Zayas - Pa' La Mar Serena (Cuban Son)
39 . Young John Watson (Johnny Guitar Watson) - Highway 60 (R&B)
40 . Silvana Mangano - Anna (el negro zumbon) (Cuban Son)
41 . Les Paul & Mary Ford - Vaya Con Dios (Pop)
42 . Bowane - Kotiya Zolo te (Congo)
43 . Peggy Lee - Easy Living (Pop)
44 . Frank Sinatra - I've Got the World On A String (Pop)
45 . Joe Maphis - Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (Country)
46 . Hank Williams - Kaw Liga (Country)
47 . Leon Bukasa - Tokanisa Tata Ngoma (Congo)
48 . Little Walter - Blues With A Feeling (Blues)
49 . Moondog - Theme and Variations (Avant-garde)
50 . Bill Haley & his Comets - Crazy Man Crazy (Rockabilly)
51 . Fats Domino - Going To The River (New Orleans R&B)
52 . Earl King - Beggin' At Your Mercy (New Orleans R&B)
53 . Ray Price - Release Me (Country)
54 . Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters - Money Honey (R&B)
55 . Jean Shepard - A Dear John Letter (Country)
56 . Carl Smith - Hey Joe (Country)
57 . Bobby Marchand - Have Mercy (New Orleans blues)
58 . Duke Ellington - Satin Doll (Jazz)
59 . Dave Bartholomew - Air Tight (New Orleans R&B)
60 . Boogie Bill Webb - Bad Dog (New Orleans blues)

Re: Best songs of 1954

1 . Elvis Presley - That's All Right, Mama (Rock 'n' Roll) : The day when music changed

2 . Bill Monroe - Blue Moon of Kentucky (Bluegrass) : A great re-recording inspired by Elvis' cover. Better than both the 1946 original and the King's version

3 . Georges Brassens - Chanson pour l'Auvergnat (Chanson) : A song dedicated to the couple (Jeanne et Marcel) who helped him when he was homeless and poor. They gave him a roof and food, and as a reward he stayed with them in their little house until 1965.

4 . Bill Haley and the Comets - Rock Around The Clock (Rock 'n' Roll)

5 . Ray Charles - I Got A Woman (R&B)

6 . Chet Baker - My Funny Valentine (jazz)

7 . Georges Brassens - Ballade des dames du temps jadis (Chanson) : A poem by 15th century great thief and poet François Villon on which Brassens put a beautiful melody. Stephan : good pick !

8 . Chet Baker - I Fall In Love Too Easily (jazz) : For Chet, the trumpet is the extension of the voice. He sings like he plays, holding the notes with an extreme precision; and singing with this soft voice full of emotions.

9 . Grand Kalle & l'African Jazz - Ambiance Kalle Catho (Congolese Rumba) : an absolute masterpiece. In the 50's a lot of labels and record companies opened in Africa (South, West and Central). These musicians from Congo are astonishing. The guitar players are decades ahead of their times.

10 . Lord Kitchener - Red Head (Calypso) : "This argument i have daily, the blonde and the brunette lady. Speaking candidly, they don't interest me. You can take your blonde and brunette away, and give me the red head everyday. I must catch a red head before I dead”.

11 . Jacques Brel - Grand Jacques (Chanson)

12 . Muddy Waters - I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man (Chicago Blues)

13 . Professor Longhair - Tipitina (New Orleans R&B)

14 . Elvis Presley - Blue Moon of Kentucky (Rock 'n' Roll)

15 . Johnny Guitar Watson - Space Guitar (Blues) : An incredible guitar instrumental. Jimi remembered that one

16 . Louis Armstrong - Chantez-les bas (jazz)

17 . Lars Gullin - Danny's Dream (jazz) Thanks, Henrik !

18 . Chocolate - La Brocha (Cuban) Great son from Cuba, with an electric guiar that sounds like Santana 15 years earlier

19 . Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle and Roll (R&B)

20 . Los Panchos - Lo dudo (Mexican Bolero) : Gracias Honorio

Great too :
21 . Louis Armstrong - Hesitating Blues (jazz)
22 . Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Delilah (jazz)
23 . Lord Kitchener - Wife and Mother (Calypso) : “If your mother and your wife are drowning, I want to know which one you would be saving”
24 . Lydia Mendoza - Aunque Me Odies (Tejano) : This is Mexican bolero, but from across the border in Texas
25 . Ray Charles - Losing Hand (West Coast Blues)
26 . The Penguins - Earth Angel (Doo Wop)
27 . The Chords - Sh-Boom (Doo Wop)
28 . Lowell Fulson - Reconsider baby (Blues)
29 . Webb Pierce - Slowly (Country)
30 . Bill Monroe - A Voice From On High (Bluegrass)
31 . Harry Belafonte - Man Piaba (Calypso)
32 . Edith Piaf - La Goualante du pauvre Jean (Chanson)
33 . Baby Boy Warren - Hello Stranger (Detroit blues)
34 . LaVern Baker - Tweedle Dee (R&B)
35 . Negro Peregrino - El Jarabe Loco (Cuban)
36 . Jean Bosco Mwenda - Basanga Bonso (Congo)
37 . Celio Gonzalez & Sonora Matancera - Don Pantaleon (Cuban)
38 . Howlin' Wolf - Evil (Chicago blues)
39 . Sugar Boy Crawford - Jock-a-mo (New Orleans R&B)
40 . Chuck Willis - I Feel So Bad (R&B)
41 . Philippe Clay - Le Danseur de charleston (Chanson)
42 . Faron Young - If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin') (Country)
43 . Jacques Verrières - Mon pote le gitan (Chanson)
44 . J. B. Lenoir - Mama, Talk To Your Daughter (Blues)
45 . The Drifters feat. Clyde McPhatter - Honey Love (Doo Wop)
46 . Charles Aznavour - Viens pleurer au creux de mon épaule (Chanson)
47 . Billie Holiday - I Can't Face the Music (Vocal Jazz)
48 . Big Joe Turner - TV Mama (R&B)
49 . Raul Plana - Desprieta Guajira (Cuban)
50 . Luis Mariano - C'est magnifique (Chanson)
51 . Floyd Dixon - Hey Bartender (Blues)
52 . Little Richard - Rice, Red Beans And Turnip Greens (New Orleans R&B)
53 . Coy "Hot Shot" Love - Wolf Call Boogie (Blues)
54 . The Midnighters - Work With Me Annie (R&B)
55 . Michel Legrand - I Love Paris (Soundtrack)
56 . The Diablos - The Wind (Doo Wop)
57 . Baby Boy Warren - Baby Boy Blues (Detroit blues)
58 . The Moonglows - Sincerely (Doo Wop)
59 . Camille Mokoko - Ekoko Bata (Congo)
60 . The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman (Vocal pop)

Re: Best songs of 1955

1 . Little Richard - Tutti Frutti (Rock 'n' Roll)1955

2 . Boris Vian - Le Déserteur (Chanson)

3 . Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (Country)

4 . Chuck Berry - Maybellene (Rock 'n' Roll)

5 . Boris Vian - La Complainte du progrès (Chanson)

6 . Boris Vian - J'suis snob (Chanson)

7 . Little Walter - My Babe (Chicago blues)

8 . Johnny Ace - Pledging My Love (R&B)

9 . Georges Brassens - Je suis un voyou (Chanson)

10 . Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (Rock 'n' Roll)

11 . The Stanley Brothers - Angel Band (Bluegrass) : A bluegrass gem : close harmony, mandolin, acoustic guitars

12 . Elvis Presley - Mystery Train (Rock 'n' Roll)

13 . Lotte Lenya - Moritat vom Mackie Messe (Cabaret) : Fascinating, indeed, Honorio ! Thanks

14 . Léo Ferré - Pauvre Rutebeuf (Chanson) : I have a problem with Ferré : his vocals sound very affected. He has nor the straightforwardness of Brassens nor the inner fire of Brel. But this adaptation of a Middle ages poet is wonderful.

15 . Sarah Vaughan - Lullaby Of Birdland (Vocal jazz)

16 . Julie London - Cry Me A River (Vocal pop)

17 . The Platters - The Great Pretender (Doo Wop)

18 . The Platters - Only You (R&B)

19 . Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy (Chicago blues)

20 . Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame (New Orleans R&B)

et aussi

21 . Boris Vian - Je bois (Chanson)
22 . Boris Vian - On n'est pas là pour se faire engueuler (Chanson)
23 . Georges Brassens - La Mauvaise herbe (Chanson)
24 . Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line (Skiffle)
25 . The Louvin Brothers - When I Stop Dreaming (Bluegrass)
26 . Eddie Bond - Talking Off The Wall (Rock 'n' Roll)
27 . Chuck Berry - Thirty Days (Rock 'n' Roll)
28 . Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning (Vocal pop)
29 . Tennessee Earnie Ford - Sixteen Tons (Country)
30 . Flatt & Scruggs - You Can Feel It In Your Soul (Bluegrass)
31 . George "Harmonica" Smith - Blues in the Dark (Blues)
32 . Lord Messam & His Calypsonians - Linstead Market (Jamaican mento)
33 . The Hawketts - Mardi Gras Mambo (New Orleans R&B)
34 . The Mighty Terror - No Carnival in Britain (Calypso)
35 . BB King - Everyday I Have the Blues (Blues)
36 . Jesse Fuller - San Francisco Bay Blues (Folk Blues)
37 . Smiley Lewis - I Hear You Knockin' (New Orleans R&B)
38 . Franco & le TPKO Jazz - Tika Kondima Na Zolo (Congolese Rumba)
39 . Miles Davis - Walkin' (Jazz)
40 . Kitty Wells - Making Believe (Country)
41 . Clifton Chenier - Eh, Petite Fille (Zydeco)
42 . George Jones - Why, Baby, Why (Country)
43 . The Cadillacs - Speedoo (Doo Wop)
44 . Compito Flores Valdes - Azucar Mami (Cuban)
45 . Sonny Boy Williamson - Don't Start Me to Talkin' (Chicago blues)
46 . Mouloudji - La Complainte de la Butte (Chanson)
47 . Horace Silver Quintet - Creepin' In (Jazz)
48 . Eddy Arnold - Cattle Call (Country)
49 . Johnny Ace - How Can You Be So Mean ? (R&B)
50 . The Davis Sisters - I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (Country)
51 . Billy Boy Arnold - I Wish You Would (Blues)
52 . Carl Perkins - Turn Around (Country)
53 . Big Maybelle Smith - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (R&B)
54 . Big Joe Turner - Flip, Flop and Fly (R&B)
55 . Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love ? (R&B)
56 . The Nutmegs - Story Untold (Doo Wop)
57 . Etta James - The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry) (R&B)
58 . Bo Diddley - I'm A Man (Blues)
59 . Doris Day - I'll Never Stop Loving You (Vocal pop)
60 . Eddie Taylor - Bad Boy (Blues)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Merci bien, Nicolas. Not only your lists are excellent but the presentation too.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Some mighty fine lists, Nicolas. By the way, I checked out your River's invitation blog. Wow. Must be great to have such a site by your own. Lots of great music to be found on it, compliments!
In fact, I'd visited this blog before, but then of course I didn't know it was yours :)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Albums
1. Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours
2. Miles Davis - Birth of the Cool
3. Art Blakey - A Night At Birdland, Vol. 1
4. The Quintet - Jazz at Massey Hall
5. Dave Brubeck Quartet - Jazz goes to College

Songs
1. The Penguins - Earth Angel
2. Chuck Berry - Maybellene
3. Bill Haley - Rock Around the Clock
4. Tenn. Ernie Ford - 16 Tons
5. Fats Domino - Ain't That a Shame
6. Ray Charles - I Got a Woman
7. The Platters - Sh-Boom
8. Elvis Presley - That's All Right, Mama
9. Frank Sinatra - Last Night When We Were Young
10. The Platters - Only You
11. The Platters - The Great Pretender
12. The Cordettes - Mr. Sandman
13. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
14. Frank Sinatra - Mood Indigo

Re: Best of 1955

1955:
Albums
Rank Artist Album
1 Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown - Sarah Vaughan/Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown
2 Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours
3 Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats
4 Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Study In Brown
5 Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Brown and Roach, Incorporated
6 Georges Brassens - Vol. 3 - "Les sabots d'Hélène" (10")
7 Julie London - Julie Is Her Name
8 Kenny Dorham - Afro-Cuban ("10")
9 Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington

Songs
Rank Song Artist
1 Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters
2 Mystery Train - Elvis Presley
3 Why Do Fools Fall In Love? - Frankie Lyman (and the Teenagers)
4 Maybelline - Chuck Berry
5 Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
6 All That Meat And No Potatoes - Louis Armstrong
7 Tutti Frutti - Little Richard
8 This Love Of Mine - Frank Sinatra
9 I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone - Elvis Presley
10 The Great Pretender - The Platters
11 Only You (And You Alone) - The Platters
12 Cry Me A River - Julie London
13 I'm A Man - Bo Diddley
14 What Is This Thing Called Love - Frank Sinatra
15 Lullaby of Birdland - Sarah Vaughan
16 Baby, Let's Play House - Elvis Presley
17 I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling - Louis Armstrong
18 It's Crazy - Sarah Vaughan
19 George's Dilemma - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
20 Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
21 Ain't Misbehavin' - Louis Armstrong
22 April In Paris - Sarah Vaughan
23 I Get Along Without You Very Well - Frank Sinatra
24 Don't Start Me Talkin' - Sonny Boy Williamson (II)
25 Ain't That A Shame - Fats Domino
26 Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin
27 Let's Get Lost - Chet Baker
28 Minor's Holiday - Kenny Dorham
29 Le déserteur - Boris Vlan
30 Cry! Cry! Cry! - Johnny Cash
31 Mood Indigo - Frank Sinatra
32 Mack The Knife - Louis Armstrong
33 Rock Island Line - Lonnie Donegan
34 Cherokee - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
35 Angel Band - The Stanley Brothers
36 Last Night When We Were Young - Frank Sinatra
37 April in Paris - Count Basie
38 When Your Lover Has Gone - Frank Sinatra
39 Django - The Modern Jazz Quartet
40 I See Your Face Before Me - Frank Sinatra
41 Mikcow Blues Boogie - Elvis Presley
42 Basheer's Dream - Kenny Dorham
43 Je bois - Boris Vlan
44 Je suis un voyou - Georges Brassens
45 Glad To Be Unhappy - Frank Sinatra
46 I Get A Kick Out Of You - Clifford Brown & Max Roach
47 La mauvaise herbe - Georges Brassens
48 Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now - Louis Armstrong
49 (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue - Louis Armstrong
50 I'll Never Be The Same - Frank Sinatra
51 Afrodisia - Kenny Dorham
52 I'm In The Mood For Love - Julie London
53 Easy Street - Julie London
54 Can't Help Lovin' That Man - Julie London
55 He's My Guy - Sarah Vaughan


Special thanks to Nicolas for his list & suggestions!

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Many thanks for your list, VanillaFire1000 and welcome to the 50s poll! Anyway I’m not going to count your vote for Davis’ “Birth of the Cool” because it was considered not eligible giving the fact that all the songs were previously released as 78 RPM singles during 1949 and 1950. Please go to the eligibility thread for more details.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Here are my lists for the years '53-'55


Albums 1953:

01. THELONIOUS MONK-Thelonious Monk Trio
02. HANK WILLIAMS-Memorial album
03. GERRY MULLIGAN-Gerry Mulligan Quartet
04. J.J. JOHNSON-With Clifford Brown
05. YMA SUMAC-Inca taqui
06. MOONDOG-Moondog & his friends
07. SONNY STITT-Tenor sax
08. EARTHA KITT-RCA Victor presents Eartha Kitt
09. JOHNNY SMITH-Johnny Smith Quartet
10. GEORGE BRASSENS-Chante les chansons poétiques
11. BEN WEBSTER-King of the tenors
12. The QUINTET-Jazz at Massey Hall vol. 3
13. FERRANTE & TEICHER-Hi-fireworks
14. STAN GETZ-Jazz at Storyville vol. 2
15. STAN KENTON-This modern world



Songs 1953

01. SWAN SILVERTONES-Trouble in my way (Gospel)
02. EARTHA KITT-I want to be evil (Popular 50s)
03. LAVERNE RAY-Drunk, that's all (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z13hRsaX9PE
04. HOLLYWOOD FLAMES-Let's talk it over (Doo wop)
05. The DUKE OF IRON-Loving women is a waste of time (Calypso)
06. HANK WILLIAMS-Weary blues from waitin' (Country)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4qXmHQ_Sjo
07. DR. ROSS-Going to the river (Blues)
08. RUFUS THOMAS-Bear cat (Rhythm & blues)
09. JIMMY LIGGINS-Drunk (Rhythm & blues)
10. JOHN LEE HOOKER-My baby don't love me (Blues)

11. ROY BROWN-Laughing but crying (Rhythm & blues)
12. HANK WILLIAMS-Kaw liga (Country)
13. RAY ANTHONY-Dragnet (Soundtrack/Jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYwzvziDff0
14. LAVERN BAKER-How can you leave a man like this (Rhythm & blues)
15. BIG JAY MCNEELY-Nervous man nervous (Rhythm & blues)
16. EMITT SLAY-My kind of woman (Blues)
17. RUFUS THOMAS-Tiger man (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9TRP2NLCus
18. LITTLE ESTHER-Cherry wine (Rhythm & blues)
19. B.B. KING-Woke up this morning (Blues)
20. THELONIOUS MONK-Little rootie tootie (Jazz)

21. CLARENCE GARLOW-Crawfishin’ (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=votTMo6iYPw
22. BIG MAMA THORNTON-Hound dog (Rhythm & blues)
23. BEN WEBSTER-Cottontail (Jazz)
24. BUDDY & ELLA JOHNSON-Hittin' on me (Rhythm & blues)
25. RAY CHARLES-Mess around (Rhythm & blues)
26. AMOS MILBURN-Let me go home whiskey (Rhythm & blues)
27. LEFTY FRIZZELL-Never no mo' blues (Country)
28. FATS DOMINO-Please don't leave me (Rhythm & blues)
29. WILLIE MABON-I'm mad (Rhythm & blues)
30. YMA SUMAC-Incacho (Z. Amerika-Peru)

31. LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS-Another fool in town (Blues)
32. GERRY MULLIGAN-CHET BAKER QUARTET-Limelight (Jazz)
33. DU DROPPERS-I found out (Doo wop)
34. JIMMY DeBERRY & WALTER HORTON-Easy (Blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU2sbVaS36w&feature=PlayList&p=95BA0BB6EA6C8C61&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=54
35. OTIS BLACKWELL-Daddy rollin' stone (Rhythm & blues)
36. PEGGY LEE-Black coffee (Popular 50s)
37. BIG JOHN GREER-Bottle it up & go (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSvOH-5WNLE
38. TOBY STROUD & THE BLUE MOUNTAIN BOYS-Jesse James (Country)
39. FIVE ROYALES-Baby, don't do it (Doo wop)
40. ANNISTEEN ALLEN-Baby, I'm doing it (Rhythm & blues)

41. MOONDOG-Oasis (Avantgarde)
42. JUNIOR PARKER-Feelin’ good (Rhythm & blues)
43. FERRANTE & TEICHER-Oye negra (Popular 50s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLTUbdbU1XM&feature=PlayList&p=8A114648587AE850&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
44. CHAMPION JACK DUPREE-Stumbling block blues (Blues)
45. The QUINTET-Wee (Jazz)
46. SONNY KNIGHT-But officer (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OnpaHB1uNw
47. ROY BROWN-Hurry hurry baby (Rhythm & blues)
48. 'KISS ME KATE' BROADWAY CAST with ANN MILLER-From this moment on (Popular 50s)
49. ROYALS-That's it (Doo wop)
50. BIG MAYBELLE-Maybelle’s blues (Blues)

51. DR. ROSS-Shake 'em on down (Blues)
52. LEROY ANDERSON-The typewriter (Popular 50s)
53. EDDIE BOYD-24 Hours (Blues)
54. J.J. JOHNSON-Turnpike (Jazz)
55. JAMES 'SUGAR RAY' CRAWFORD-Overboard (Rhythm & blues)
56. SMILEY LEWIS-Blue monday (Rhythm & blues)
57. EYDIE GORME-Love me not just a little (Popular 50s)
58. DRIFTERS-Money honey (Doo wop)
59. WILLIE NIX-Just can't say (Blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66oceB6lXTA
60. IKE CARPENTER-Pachuko Hop (Jazz)

61. WYNONIE HARRIS-The deacon don't like it (Rhythm & blues)
62. FRANK SINATRA-I've got the world on a string (Popular 50S)
63. JIMMY REED-High and lonesome (Blues)
64. FIVE ROYALES-Laundromat blues (Doo wop)
65. LONESOME PINE FIDDLERS-Lonesome Pine breakdown (Country)
66. GEORGE STOGNER-Hard top race (stock car boogie) (Rock 'n' roll)
67. JIMMY WITHERSPOON-Move me baby (Rhythm & blues)
68. FIVE KEYS-My saddest hour (Doo wop)
69. SISTER O.M. TERRELL-The bible’s right (Gospel)
70. BOB GADDY-Slow down baby (Rhythm & blues)

71. PERRY COMO-Wild horses (Popular 50s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH_bbWN4j1k
72. LITTLE WALTER-Blues with a feeling (Blues)
73. JUNIOR PARKER-Mystery train (Rhythm & blues)
74. OSCAR PETERSON-It ain’t necessarily so (Jazz)
75. DAVE BARTHOLOMEW-Country gal (Rhythm & blues)
76. JOHNNY SHINES-Evening sun (Blues)
77. TAMPA RED-So crazy about you baby (Blues)
78. DINAH WASHINGTON-My man's an undertaker (he's got a coffin just your size) (Rhythm & blues)
79. JOHNNY SMITH-Jaguar (Jazz)
80. RUTH BROWN-Mama, he treats your daughter mean (Rhythm & blues)

81. THELONIOUS MONK-Tinkle tinkle (Jazz)
82. BILL HALEY-Fractured (Rock 'n' roll)
83. HAL PAIGE-Thunderbird (Rhtyhm & blues)
84. PRISONAIRES-Walking in the rain (Doo wop)
85. WEBB PIERCE-There stands the glass (Country)
86. STAN GETZ-Budo (Jazz)
87. BERNIE HARDISON-Love me baby (Rhythm & blues)
88. TODD RHODES-Your mouth got a hole in it (Rhythm & blues)
89. YMA SUMAC-Cuncho (World/Latin/Peru)
90. BILLY WARD & THE DOMINOES-You can't keep a good man down (Doo wop)

91. GUITAR SLIM-Well I done got over it (Rhythm & blues)
92. BIG MAYBELLE-Way back home (Blues)
93. BEN WEBSTER-The iron hat (Jazz)
94. EARL BOSTIC-Cherokee (Rhythm & blues)
95. JOHNNY ACE-The clock (Rhythm & blues)
96. OSCAR PETTIFORD-In a cello mood (Jazz)
97. FOUR TUNES-Marie (Doo wop)
98. OSCAR MCLOLLIE & THE HONEY JUMPERS-All that oil in Texas (Doo wop)
99. JOHN LEE HOOKER-It's stormin' and rainin' (Blues)
100. STAN KENTON-A trumpet (Jazz)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Albums 1954:

01. YMA SUMAC-Mambo!
02. ART BLAKEY-A night at Birdland vol. 2
03. ART BLAKEY-A night at Birdland vol. 1
04. ODETTA-The Tin Angel presents Odetta & Larry
05. DIZZY GILLESPIE-Afro
06. FUMIO HAYASAKA-The Seven Samurai
07. CHET BAKER-Sings
08. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Clifford Brown & Max Roach
09. JACQUES BREL-Et ses chansons
10. THAD JONES-The fabulous Thad Jones
11. LES BAXTER-The passions
11. MAX ROACH-Max Roach Quintet featuring Hank Mobley
12. SARAH VAUGHAN-Images
13. HARRY BELAFONTE-Mark Twain
14. OSCAR PETTIFORD-The new Oscar Pettiford Quartet
15. CHET ATKINS-A session with Chet Atkins



With my #1 song for 1954 in mind, this seems like a good opportunity to turn the spotlight on Howlin' Wolf. My favorite Blues artist, bar none. Of the big blues names he is the one with a more, shall we say, 'alternative' sound, and therefore may appeal most to the AM crowd. You'll hear a lot of Howlin' Wolf in a contemporary band like the Black Keys, while Captain Beefheart has modeled his voice completely to the blues giant's. Here are links to the first two albums by Howlin' Wolf.
Moanin' In The Moonlight (1959), is #6 in my all-time top 10...
http://sircharliepalmer.blogspot.com/2009/01/moanin-in-moonlight-howlin-wolf-1959.html

...while second album Howlin' Wolf (The Rocking Chair) (1962) is almost as good. I know, these are links to illegal downloads, but hey it's for an, erm, good cause.
http://mississippimoan.blogspot.com/2009/01/howlin-wolf-rockin-chair-album-1962.html


Songs 1954:

01. HOWLIN' WOLF-No place to go (Blues)
02. FLOYD DIXON-Chicken crowing (Rhythm & blues)
03. BIG MAYBELLE-I've got a feeling (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk--XSnUBqo
04. PERCY MAYFIELD-You don't exist no more (Rhythm & blues)
05. FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA-Living for my Jesus (Gospel)
06. ART BLAKEY-Mayreh (Jazz)
07. YMA SUMAC-Taki rari (World/Latin/Peru)
08. MUDDY WATERS-I just want to make love to you (Blues)
09. BILL HALEY-Shake, rattle & roll (Rock ‘n’ roll)
10. LES BAXTER-Terror (Popular 50s)

11. BIG MAYBELLE-Don't leave poor me (Rhythm & blues)
12. ODETTA-The car-car song (Folk)
13. BLANCHE THOMAS-You ain't so much a much (Rhythm & blues)
14. FRANK SINATRA-I get a kick out of you (Popular 50s)
15. DOROTHEA FLEMING-The devil is mad (Rhythm & blues)
16. THAD JONES-Sombre intrusion (Jazz)
17. DU DROPPERS-Boot 'em up (Doo wop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To2ajmYNVq8
18. FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA-Oh Lord, stand by me (Gospel)
19. PROFESSOR LONGHAIR-Tipitina (Rhythm & blues)
20. JACQUES BREL-La haine (Chanson)

21. ELVIS PRESLEY-That’s alright, mama (Rock ‘n’ roll)
22. JOHNNY 'GUITAR' WATSON-Space guitar (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVsNlchp0GE
23. NIGHT RIDERS-Women and Caddilacs (Rhythm & blues)
24. FUMIO HAYASAKA-The Seven Samurai title theme (Soundtrack)
25. JOHN LEE HOOKER-I’m mad (Blues)
26. SARAH VAUGHAN-Shulie a Bop (Jazz)
27. BILL MONROE-White house blues (Country)
28. PAPA LIGHTFOOT-Wine, women, whiskey (Blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFDTznn6bj8
29. JULIETTE GRECO-Ça va le diable (Chanson)
30. AMOS MILBURN-I done done it (Rhythm & blues)

31. ODETTA-Timber (Folk)
32. ROBINS-I must be dreaming (Doo wop)
33. BULAWAYO SWEET RHYTHMS BAND-Skokiaan (World/Africa/Zimbabwe)
34. HOWLIN' WOLF-Evil (Blues)
35. MAX ROACH-Kismet (Jazz)
36. JOHN O' NEAL-John's dream (Blues)
37. FRANK MOTLEY-New hound dog (Rhythm & blues)
38. MUDDY WATERS-Hoochie coochie man (Blues)
39. LORD KITCHENER-Alphonso is in town (Calypso)
40. BILLY WARD & THE DOMINOES-I'm gonna move to the outskirts of town (Doo wop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGo0wPRja28

41. DAVE BARTHOLOMEW-Jump children (Rhythm & blues)
42. RAY CHARLES-I got a woman (Rhythm & blues)
43. JUNIOR PARKER-Love my baby (Rhythm & blues)
44. ART BLAKEY-Quicksilver (Jazz)
45. WYNONIE HARRIS-Quiet whiskey (Rhythm & blues)
46. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Delilah (Jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyIgWBxdkT0
47. JACQUES BREL-Grand Jacques (Chanson)
48. WILLIE RESTUM-One note boogie (Rock 'n' roll)
49. JOHN BRIM-Rattlesnake (Blues)
50. OSCAR PETTIFORD-Tamalpais (Jazz)

51. LEFTY FRIZZELL-Making believe (Country)
52. EARTHA KITT-The Blues (Popular)
53. PIANO RED-Wildfire (Rhythm & blues)
54. WILLIE EGAN & LLOYD ROWE-I don't know where she went (Rhythm & blues)
55. DIZZY GILLESPIE-Caravan (Jazz)
56. YMA SUMAC-Bo Mambo (World/Latin/Peru)
57. BIG JOE TURNER-Shake, rattle and roll (Rhythm & blues)
58. ANNISTEEN ALLEN-Fujiyama mama (Rhythm & blues)
59. MEDALLIONS-Buick '59 (Doo wop)
60. BILL HALEY-Rock around the clock (Rock ‘n’ roll)

61. ROY MILTON-What can I do ? (Rhythm & blues)
62. JIMMY WILSON-Jumpin' from 6 to 6 (Rhythm & blues)
63. ELVIS PRESLEY-Good rockin' tonight (Rock 'n' roll)
64. TERRY FELL-Truck driving man (Country)
65. HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS-Annie had a baby (Rhythm & blues)
66. HOWLIN’ WOLF-Forty four (Blues)
67. CHET BAKER-The thrill is gone (Jazz)
68. The SLY FOX-I'm tired of beggin' (Rhythm & blues)
69. OSCAR MCLOLLIE & THE HONEY JUMPERS-Hot banana (Doo wop)
70. SOUL STIRRERS-Any day now (Gospel)

71. JOE HOUSTON-All night long (Rhythm & blues)
72. PLATTERS-Voo vee ah bee (Doo wop)
73. ART BLAKEY-Confirmation (Jazz)
74. LAVERN BAKER-You'd better stop (Rhythm & blues)
75. PAUL WILLIAMS-Women are the root of all evil (Rhythm & blues)
76. CAL TJADER-Ritmo caliente (Fusion/Jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGRMXSpJMDE
77. BUDDY JOHNSON-Crazy 'bout saxophone (Rhythm & blues)
78. ROY BROWN-Fannie Brown got married (Rhythm & blues)
79. GLEN BARBER-Ice water (Rock 'n' roll)
80. HARRY BELAFONTE-Kalenda rock (Popular)

81. BIG MAYBELLE-Ain't to be played with (Blues)
82. CARLISLES-Woman driver (Country)
83. FREDDIE BELL & THE BELLBOYS-Move me baby (Rock 'n' roll)
84. MAX ROACH-Sfax (Jazz)
85. RED PRYSOCK-Blow your horn! (Jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_hnKVt9cEw
86. DRIFTERS-Such a night (Doo wop)
87. PATTI JEROME-No mama-no papa (Popular 50s)
88. JAMES 'SUGAR BOY' CRAWFORD-Jock-a-mo (Rhythm & blues)
89. RUTH BROWN-Bye bye young men (Rhythm & blues)
90. SARAH VAUGHAN-Lover man (Jazz)

91. TED WEST-Parking worries (Country)
92. HONEY BEARS-One bad stud (Doo wop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG6T9sKarFQ
93. CHET ATKINS-Alabama jubilee (Country)
94. TOMMY RIDGLEY-Jam up (Rhythm & blues)
95. RALPH MARTERI-Crazy 'bout lollypop (Jazz)
96. JOHNNY RAY-Such a night (Popular 50s)
97. FOUR TOPHATTERS-Go baby go (Popular 50s)
98. DADDY CLEANHEAD-Something's going on in my room (Rhythm & blues)
99. LEE KONITZ-Limehouse blues (Jazz)
100. FIVE ROYALES-I’m on the right road now (Doo wop)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

20. There Stands the Glass- Webb Pierce
19. Shake, Rattle and Roll- Joe Turner
18. Mister Sandman- The Chordettes
17. Crying in the Chapel- The Orioles
16. Bo Diddley- Bo Diddley
15. Good Rockin' Tonight- Elvis Presley
14. Only You (And You Alone)- The Platters
13. Sh-Boom- The Chords
12. I Got a Woman- Ray Charles
11. Maybellene- Chuck Berry

10. Your Cheatin' Heart- Hank Williams
09. Ain't That a Shame- Fats Domino
08. Mystery Train- Elvis Presley
07. Baby, Let's Play House- Elvis Presley
06. That's All Right- Elvis Presley
05. The Great Pretender- The Platters
04.(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock- Bill Haley
03. Earth Angel- The Penguins
02. Tutti Frutti- Little Richard
01. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning- Frank Sinatra

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Albums 1955:

01. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Study in Brown
02. BILL HALEY-Rock around the clock
03. KENNY DORHAM-Afro-Cuban
04. HARRY BELAFONTE-Belafonte
05. KENNY CLARKE-Bohemia after dark
06. TITO PUENTE-Mamborama
07. MAHALIA JACKSON-The world's greatest Gospel singer
08. PEREZ PRADO & SHORTY ROGERS-The Voodoo Suite
09. CANNONBALL ADDERLY-Presenting Cannonball
10. JULIE LONDON-Julie is her name
11. JOE HOUSTON-Joe Houston
12. EARTHA KITT-Down to Eartha
13. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Incorporated
14. FRANK SINATRA-In the wee small hours
15. ALI AKBAR KHAN-Morning and evening ragas



Songs 1955:

01. ELVIS PRESLEY-Mystery train (Rock 'n' roll)
02. CILE TURNER-Crap shootin' sinner (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsLePl99sWg
03. MAHALIA JACKSON-Im going to live the life I sing about in my song (Gospel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96ujYtNW1Ps
04. STRAATZANGERS-De schooier en z’n hond (Dutch popular)
05. JULIETTE GRECO-Dieu est negre (Chanson)
06. CHUCK BERRY-Downbound train (Rock 'n' roll)
07. LITTLE RICHARD-Tutti frutti (Rock 'n' roll)
08. MUDDY WATERS-Mannish boy (Blues)
09. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-George's dilemma (Jazz)
10. BO DIDDLEY-She's fine, she's mine (Rhythm & blues)

11. TITO PUENTE-Mambo lenko (World/Latin)
12. BROWNIE MCGHEE-Anna Mae (Blues)
13. KENNY DORHAM-Minor's holiday (Jazz)
14. MEDALLIONS-Speedin' (Doo wop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCSMlWvcero
15. DOLLY COOPER-My man (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiW4yuGQSU
16. SOUL STIRRERS-Nearer to thee (Gospel)
17. ROBINS-The hatchet man (Doo wop)
18. GEORGE JONES-Seasons of my heart (Country)
19. WILLIE EGAN-Wow wow (Rhythm & blues)
20. FRANKIE LYMON & THE TEENAGERS-Why do fools fall in love (Doo wop)

21. CLAUDE CLOUD-One bone (Rhythm & blues)
22. CHARLIE FEATHERS-I've been deceived (Country)
23. BIG BILL BROONZY-Feelin' lowdown (Blues)
24. MOONDOG-Single foot (Avantgarde)
25. BO DIDDLEY-I'm a man (Rhythm & blues)
26. SMILEY LEWIS-I hear you knocking (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbdOEE5LvIw
27. LITTLE WALTER-My babe (Blues)
28. WAYNE PERDIE-Train of memories (Country)
29. LINDSEY POWERS-Jump the gun (Rhythm & blues)
30. FATS DOMINO-Ain’t that a shame (Rhythm & blues)

31. BILLY BOY ARNOLD-I wish you would (Blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SvfkAp9vAs
32. BILL HALEY-Rock-a-beatin' boogie (Rock 'n' roll)
33. HORACE SILVER-Creepin' in (Jazz)
34. ROSCO GORDON-Weeping blues (Rhythm & blues)
35. BILLY 'THE KID' EMERSON-Red hot (Rock 'n' roll)
36. JOHNNY JORDAAN-Geef mij maar Amsterdam (Dutch popular)
37. RAY CHARLES-A fool for you (Rhythm & blues)
38. EARL CURRY-Hobo (Rhythm & blues)
39. KENNY CLARKE-With apologies to Oscar (Jazz)
40. ETTA JAMES-The wallflower (roll with me Henry) (Rhythm & blues)

41. PEREZ PRADO & SHORTY ROGERS-The Voodoo Suite (World/Latin)
42. CANNONBALL ADDERLEY-Caribbean cutie (Jazz)
43. GLEN BARBER-Atom bomb (Rock 'n' roll) Wildest rockabilly song of '55.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFpQumadoyY
44. DU DROPPERS-You're mine already (Doo wop)
45. JOHNNY CASH-Folsom Prison blues (Country)
46. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Sweet Clifford (Jazz)
47. HARRY BELAFONTE-Waterboy (Popular 50s)
48. L.C. MCKINLEY-Nitwit (Rhythm & blues)
49. ELVIS PRESLEY-Baby let’s play house (Rock ‘n’ roll)
50. EARTHA KITT-The heel (Popular 50s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzugG4S2kiY

51. PLATTERS-The great pretender (Doo wop)
52. HONEY BEARS-Whoa! (Doo wop)
53. GENE KRUPA & BUDDY RICH-Bernie’s tune (Jazz)
54. NAPPY BROWN-Don't be angry (Rhythm & blues)
55. ROBINS-Smokey Joe’s cafe (Doo wop)
56. CLARK TERRY-Swahili (Jazz)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQiBsf2KO3c
57. CHUCK BERRY-Maybelline (Rock 'n' roll)
58. JULIE LONDON-Cry me a river (Popular 50s)
59. BILLY NELSON & THE FIVE WINGS-Pack, shack and stack (Doo wop)
60. HANK BALLARD & THE MIDNIGHTERS-Don't change your pretty ways (Rhythm & blues)

61. CAL TJADER-A minor goof (Fusion/Jazz)
62. CHARLES BROWN-My heart is mended (Rhythm & blues)
63. OTIS SPANN-It must have been the devil (Blues)
64. WRENS-Come back my love (Doo wop)
65. BO DIDDLEY-Pretty thing (Rhythm & blues)
66. MAHALIA JACKSON-Jesus met the woman at the well (Gospel)
67. J.J. JOHNSON-Jay (Jazz)
68. YOUNG JESSIE-Mary Lou (Rhythm & blues)
69. BIG BOY GROVES-I gotta new car (Rhythm & blues)
70. DIZZY GILLESPIE-Begin the beguine (Jazz)

71. TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD-Sixteen tons (Country/Pop)
72. SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS-She put the whamee on me (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SyfFNt0fw4
73. PAT HARE-I’m gonna murder my baby (Blues)
74. HAYDEN-He like it, she like it (Calypso)
75. DEAN MARTIN-Memories are made of this (Popular 50s)
76. MULE THOMAS-Blow my baby back to me (Blues)
77. RAY CHARLES-Greenbacks (Rhythm & blues)
78. GEORGE JONES-Why baby why (Country)
79. BORIS VIAN-J' suis snob (Chanson)
80. SPENCE SISTERS-Doo bop sham bam (Popular 50s)

71. SARAH VAUGHAN-Whatever Lola wants (Jazz)
82. SMOKEY JOE-Start all over again (Rhythm & blues)
83. JOHNSTON BROTHERS-Hernando's hideaway (Popular 50s)
84. MOONDOG-Dog trot (Avantgarde)
85. LONNIE DONEGAN-Rock Island Line (Skiffle)
86. JOE HOUSTON-Rock that boogie (Rhythm & blues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcn1xR0t2UM
87. LITTLE WILLIE JOHN-Need your love so bad (Rhythm & blues)
88. DU DROPPERS-Smack dab in the middle (Doo wop)
89. FRANK SINATRA-Glad to be unhappy (Popular 50s)
90. JOHNNY JORDAAN-Bij ons in de Jordaan (Dutch popular)

91. ALI AKBAR KHAN-Misra mand-evening raga (World/Asia/India)
92. CLIFFORD BROWN & MAX ROACH-Swingin' (Jazz)
93. FLAMINGOS-Ko ko mo (Doo wop)
94. HARRY BELAFONTE-Troubles (Popular 50s)
95. BILL MACK-Long, long train (Country)
96. LIONEL HAMPTON-Airmail Special (Jazz)
97. PEREZ PRADO-Cherry pink and apple blossom white (World/Latin/Cuba)
98. COSMIC RAYS-Daddy’s gonna tell you no lie (Doo wop)
99. SPANIELS-You painted pictures (Doo wop)
100. THAD JONES & CHARLES MINGUS-Get out of town (Jazz)

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Wow, impressive lists, Mindrocker!!
Tomorrow first results...

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

So let’s begin with the results for best albums of 1953. The albums going to the final round are:
01. Georges Brassens - Chante les chansons poétiques (…et souvent gaillardes)
02. Thelonious Monk Trio - Thelonious Monk Trio
03. Hank Williams - Memorial Album
04. The Quintet - Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 1
05. Moondog - Moondog and His Friends

The open minded attitude of our forum is perfectly exemplified by our non-English number one with the (magnifique) Brassens first album and also by the election of Moondog (I didn’t voted for him because I wasn’t able to listen to it completely but I’m glad to have some avant-garde on the final round). The rest of the Top 10:
06. Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Gerry Mulligan Quartet (Fantasy)
07. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee with Peggy Lee
08. The Quintet - Jazz at Massey Hall, Vol. 3
09. Duke Ellington - Ellington Uptown
10. Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony nº 10 in E Minor

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1954

Time now for the best albums of 1954. These were the albums selected for the final round:

1. Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings
2. Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy
3. Art Blakey Quintet - A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1
4. Dizzy Gillespie - Afro
5. Georges Brassens - Georges Brassens interprète ses dernières compositions, 2ème série

I would have liked that the #6 could've entered into the final round (well, in fact any album of the rest of the Top 10 deserved it):
6. Odetta - The Tin Angel Presents Odetta and Larry
7. Yma Sumac - Mambo!
8. Art Blakey Quintet - A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2
9. Jacques Brel - Jacques Brel et ses chansons
10. Lord Kitchener - King of the Calypso

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1955

And now the best albums of 1955. These are the albums selected for the next round (with a tie on position 5):
1. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours
2. Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan
3. Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Study in Brown
4. Bill Haley & His Comets - Rock Around the Clock
5. Lotte Lenya - Lotte Lenya singt Kurt Weill
(tie) Kenny Dorham - Afro-Cuban

The rest of the Top 10:
7. Pérez Prado & Shorty Rogers - Voodoo Suite (Plus 6 All-Time Greats)
8. Georges Brassens - Sa guitare et les rythmes, 3ème série
9. Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats
10. Julie London - Julie Is Her Name

I’m not sure if we need a tie-breaker to know which album will pass to the next round, probably I should consider Kenny Dorham already the winner. I’ll explain it:
- 3 voters (Miguel, Nicolas and me) voted for Lotte Lenya and not for Kenny Dorham, so probably we would vote again for Lotte.
- 3 other voters (sonofsamiam, Brad and Mindrocker) voted for Kenny and not for Lotte.
- Only Charlie Driggs voted for both albums but he put “Afro-Cuban” over “Singt Kurt Weill”.
I’ll wait for a week or so, if somebody that had no voted for any of these albums (Henrik, Stephan, VanillaFire1000, Stone or any other Amer) wants to vote now and break the tie I’ll be glad (especially if you vote for Lotte).
If not, I’ll consider Kenny Dorham’s “Afro-Cuban” #5 for 1955 and elected for the final round.

New voters may find useful some Spotify links: Lotte Lenya singt Kurt Weill and Afro-Cuban

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1955

I would pass on voting in the tiebreaker right now due to not having listened to the Lotte Lenya album in full, a situation which I will correct today. As such, I would be in favor of a week-long tiebreaker.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1955

For diversity reason I would vote for Lotte in a tie-break. There are already some afro cuban jazz albums in the next round.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1955

OK, Charlie, I agree with you, having Lotte on the final round creates more diversity. So right now you break the tie in favor to Lotte Lenya. Anyway I'll wait a week, you never know...

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Well done, Honorio!

Honorio
- Henrik, no problem about your lack of album list, fortunately the position of “Wee Small” seems quite safe so far. It’s an album really beloved by the H-squad.
But "Songs for Young Lovers" didn't make the cut!

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

Yes, Henrik. I must admit that I chose the more uptempo “Swing Easy!” although “Song for Young Lovers”. Another big fan of Sinatra in the forum is Schwah, if I remember well you once said that sometimes you drive at night through the streets of New York listening to “In the Wee Small Hours”. I’ve tried in Valencia and, believe me, it’s not the same. If I ever go to New York I will take my Sinatra CD copy and I will rent a car to do the same. Or maybe this could be a dangerous decision for an unwary tourist.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums and Songs of 1953, 1954 and 1955

There's something I've got to confess : I don't really get Sinatra. His music sounds bland to me. Sometimes even boring.

It's too perfect, too obsessional (did you know that Frank changed his underwear 3 times a day ?)

His voice is technically good but too detached.

Maybe I've got to listen to him a little bit more, but all I can say about his music is that I "appreciate" it.

When he sings good songs (like "Dancing on the Ceiling") I like it but I never love it.

Does anybody else have the same feelings about him

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1953

Best songs of 1953. The songs going to the next round are:
1. Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton - Hound Dog
2. Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - Your Cheatin' Heart
3. The Orioles - Crying in the Chapel
4. Georges Brassens - La marine
5. Moondog - Theme and Variations
6. Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - Take These Chains From My Heart
7. Webb Pierce - There Stands the Glass
8. Fats Domino - Going to the River
9. Fats Domino - Mess Around
10. Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - Kaw-Liga

Another year dominated by country, with late Hank Williams being able to put three songs in the Top 10 (for the second time, he did it too in 1951). Only Big Mama was able to surpass Hank easily. Sadly Eartha Kitt stayed just outside with her delicious "Santa Baby" (damn, I should have voted for her).

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1954

And here are the best songs of 1954. During all the month there was a tight dispute for the number 1 between two rock ‘n’ roll originators, being finally won by:
1. Bill Haley and His Comets - (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock
2. Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill - That's All Right
3. Ray Charles and His Band - I've Got a Woman
4. The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman
5. The Penguins - Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)
6. Chet Baker - My Funny Valentine
7. Muddy Waters and His Guitar - I'm Your Hoochie Cooche Man
8. Joe Turner and His Blues Kings - Shake, Rattle and Roll
9. Professor Longhair and His Blues Scholars - Tipitina
10. Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band - Skokiaan

Mmm, another fantastic selection from AM Forum, nothing but real gems in here. Congratulations again to all the voters.

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Albums of 1955

Honorio
OK, Charlie, I agree with you, having Lotte on the final round creates more diversity. So right now you break the tie in favor to Lotte Lenya. Anyway I'll wait a week, you never know...

Honorio- After several listens, I think it's safe for me to change my vote to Lotte Lenya. I only regret not having heard this album prior to voting the first time!

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1955

And finally the best songs of 1955. Johnny Cash took the lead position during all the month but the last day was neatly surpassed by Little Richard and Elvis. The 10 songs going to the next round were:
1. Little Richard and His Band - Tutti-Frutti
2. Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill - Mystery Train
3. Johnny Cash and Tennessee Two - Folsom Prison Blues
4. Chuck Berry and His Combo - Maybellene
5. The Platters - The Great Pretender
6. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
7. Muddy Waters and His Guitar - Manish Boy
8. Fats Domino - Ain't It a Shame
9. Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
10. Boris Vian - Le déserteur

Sadly my #2 and #3 fell out of the Top 10 the last day of votations (“Moritat vom Mackie Messer” and “Lullaby of Birdland”) but it is compensated for the final inclusion of “Singt Kurt Weill” thanks to Brad's change of vote.
See you in 1956-1958 and thanks everyone.

The Excel file

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1955

Fantastic top tens !

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1955

Happy that both Boris Vlan (for Nicolas!) and (finally) a Sinatra song made a top 10!

Re: Forum Poll: The Best Songs of 1955

Sorry, I've comitted a mistake, #9 for 1953 was (obviously): Ray Charles - Mess Around