25. Elvis’ Christmas Album
Artist: Elvis Presley
Genre: Pop
Even though you might get sick of them every winter, both “Blue Christmas” and “White Christmas” are eternal holiday classics. They’re not only two of the best rock ‘n’ roll Christmas songs ever recorded; they’re actually some of the most memorable material that Elvis Presley ever performed. Continue reading…
24. Anita Sings the Most
Artist: Anita O’Day
Genre: Vocal Jazz
Compared to her contemporaries (including Dinah Washington, Julie London, Helen Merrill and Peggy Lee, to name a few), Anita O’Day was easily the most charismatic. On Anita Sings the Most, O’Day’s voice bends and stretches in perfect harmony with the music. Her timing is impeccable. Continue reading…
23. With His Hot and Blue Guitar
Artist: Johnny Cash
Genre: Rockabilly
Even though Johnny Cash was only 23-years-old when he recorded “Folsom Prison Blues” in 1955, he sang with the world-weariness of a folk singer in his late-fifties. Continue reading…
22. ‘Round About Midnight
Artist: Miles Davis
Genre: Hard Bop
On the title track, Miles Davis plays a piercing, muted trumpet that harkens back to Birth of the Cool. This lonely, late-night ballad is one of the master’s seminal recordings. Continue reading…
21. Thelonious Himself
Artist: Thelonious Monk
Genre: Hard Bop
Thelonious Monk’s idiosyncratic piano style has always been an acquired taste, and that has never been more blatantly obvious than on this dark and somewhat-depressed solo album. Without any backing accompaniment to provide a discernible groove, Monk has the listener anticipating notes that never come and drowning in silences that last uncomfortably long. It’s one of his most moving performances. Continue reading…