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King of the Delta Blues Singers by Robert Johnson

Whole lot of spirit on this album. The speed of Johnson’s playing is mixed up, with his voice adding another layer of interest to the songs. Several songs may follow the same basic blues pattern but there’s more than enough going on to hold your attention

Complete Jazz Series 1938-1939 by Pete Johnson

Excellent collection of piano based boogie jazz. An hour long compilation that flies by. The Boogie aspects of these songs really stands out, and of course just makes this a really fun listen

Leadbelly Vol. 1 1939-1940 by Leadbelly

Huddie Leadbetter has one of the finest recording voices I’ve ever heard. The man can sing super softly and bellow when needed, and has an incredible sense of rhythm in his voice. Oh and he’s a fine guitar player too. Everyone should check him out at some point in their lives

Les Paul’s New Sound, Vol. 2 by Les Paul with Mary Ford

Unlike the first volume, this one has Mary Ford’s beautiful vocals, which make these songs, and the record as a whole, a lot more emotion than New Sound Volume 1.

A strong mix of upbeat songs and slower, heartfelt ballads. There’s a country flavour splashed around, and an almost skiffle sound to some which adds a little energy. I’d recommend this to people interested in music of the time

Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Derby Sticks McGhee

Fun time songs drenched in wine. Stick McGhee has a crisp voice that always has a twinge of happiness just under the surface. I find it hard not to just sit back and enjoy this. Opening title track is a song I’ll be listening to for the rest of my life

The Hit Makers by Les Paul and Mary Ford

How High The Moon is a joy, the rest of this album is another showcase for Paul’s and Ford’s obvious talents

Classics in Jazz by T-Bone Walker

A great swirling mix of blues and jazz, which makes one nice album. A real good way of spending 35 minutes

Jumpin’ with Pete Johnson by Pete Johnson

The clue is in the title - an album mostly of jaunty jazz piano songs with some blues thrown in for good measure, ordered nicely and a fun way to spend 25 mins

T-Bone Blues by T-Bone Walker

The first 2/3 or of this album is a really nice mix of jazz and blues songs where it’s hard to pick holes at. I think the version I listened to has bonus tracks so it’s longer than the regular record. Mean Old World is a typical blues number where you almost expect the guitar to burst out of the regular beat but doesn’t quite make it, yet it still sounds all in place

Musings of Miles by Miles Davis

Recently knowingly heard Miles Davis for the first time (Kind of Blue) so was happy this was the next album on my list.

Great opener, sad second song, jumpy cool third. Miles Davis is great. Every song here is excellent, and this album should be played more often

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and his Comets

Rock Around The Clock and Shake, Rattle & Roll both still sound like the fun early rock songs they are. And there’s a few more like that here which suits me fine, and a few others which I’m sure were massively appealing to American teenagers in the 1950’s. Good singles collection

The single Rock Around the Clock is also the biggest selling single world wide ever

Frisco Bound by Jesse Fuller

Wow, this is excellent and really surprised me as it sounds much more jumpy and rocky than most other acoustic acts I’ve heard from this time, and any. A true one man band, this collection of some of his 1950’s recordings has been excellent and definitely something to recommend anyone with an interest in this period of music to check out.

I hear the influences this had on Led Zeppelin at least, and I imagine a whole bunch of prog bands were into this as well

1/3

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley

I’m not going to write a history of Elvis. I’ve listened to all his studio albums at least once before, and this one was my favourite when I did them front to back a couple of years ago.

Blue Suede Shoes. An excellent opener to an album and an excellent cover. 50’s rock n roll like this is beautiful to my ears, a bop and not a note wasted.

1/2

The New Miles Davis Quintet by Miles Davis

I first put this album on when I was feeling a little work-stressed, and by the end I was feeling better. Put it on again and again felt much much better. Smooth jazz has the power to soothe, who knew?

The Wildest by Louis Prima

A fine mix of a jazz influenced swing and blues. Prima’s vocals work well with those of Keely Smith, his wife. There’s a party atmosphere that’s been recorded on here which is inescapable. Really good record

1/2

Gospel Train by Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Given the title of this album, I was expecting a record of gospel music. The opening song, Jericho, let me know straight away that I should know better from Sister Rosetta Tharpe - it’s an organ based track with religious overtones for sure, but it has a rock drum beat and guitar. The next song has high and low pitched backing singers akin to a doo wop group. I realise I’m being led down a gospel path that I didn’t know existed.

1/2

This is Fats Domino by Fats Domino

I love Fats Domino’s voice. He sounds smooth and joyful, and I’m also a fan of his music. His piano based style of early rock and roll, with added sax is just great to hear.

1/4

Johnny Burnette and the Rock ‘N Roll Trio by Johnny Burnette & The Rock ‘N Roll Trio

This must be one of the earliest records with rock & roll in the title, and the opening track starts with a low toned electric guitar, letting you know what you’re in for

1/3

Dance Songs of Carl Perkins by Carl Perkins

What a way to start a record. While it’s not the most famous version of Blue Suede Shoes, it’s still a cracking song.

The album sounds like a country artist writing new songs in the burgeoning Rock and Roll style of the time. I can see why Elvis loved Carl Perkins so much given he was a fan of both styles. There’s also the sound of skiffle in this record without the traditional skiffle instruments being used.

1/4

After School Session by Chuck Berry

The debut album of another of the early greats of rock and roll. Chuck Berry may not have been a nice person but he sure does make some excellent music, and his talent and ear for what he wants to do is all there from the opening track. Hail Hail Rock and Roll indeed

3/4

Brown Eyed Handsome Man is worthy of comment on it’s own. The song sounds utterly tremendous while addressing serious issues with a playful tone: black men being arrested/in trouble, but then women saying for the brown eyes handsome man to be released. It’s been going on 3000 years as the song says, and stands out as a hugely inspirational song both sonically and as a social comment.

Berry’s delivery of songs is also varied. The way he sings Downbound Train reminds me of Mick Jagger

4/4

This is a fine collection of songs. The idea of an album wasn’t really mainstream at this time, there’s a good bunch here though and I’ve enjoyed listening to this