3 “Bad” Albums from 1956
Not every album from 1956 was good. Here’s 3 bad albums that level the playing field. Continue reading 3 “Bad” Albums from 1956
3 Underrated Miles Davis LPs
1957 was the year Miles Davis and his First Great Quintet began blazing new trails in the world of jazz. The foundations for that success mere made the year prior, in which Davis released three LPs showing his continued development … Continue reading 3 Underrated Miles Davis LPs
1956: A Stan Kenton Resurgence
Reviews of two Stan Kenton albums from 1956. Continue reading 1956: A Stan Kenton Resurgence
In the Wee Small Hours – Frank Sinatra
The first, great pop album.
Grade: A+ Continue reading In the Wee Small Hours – Frank Sinatra
Concert by the Sea – Erroll Garner
For piano lovers especially – the performance of a lifetime.
Grade: A Continue reading Concert by the Sea – Erroll Garner
Dinner in Caracas – Aldemaro Romero
A worthwhile primer of Venezuelan folk songs, played by a classical orchestra.
Grade: A- Continue reading Dinner in Caracas – Aldemaro Romero
Thelonious Monk continued his hot streak into 1955
Reviews of two Thelonious Monk LPs from 1955. Continue reading Thelonious Monk continued his hot streak into 1955
Blue Moods – Miles Davis
One of Miles Davis’ most underrated and anomalous early releases.
Grade: A Continue reading Blue Moods – Miles Davis
In a Romantic Mood – Oscar Peterson
One of the more underrated LPs in the jazz catalogue.
Grade: A Continue reading In a Romantic Mood – Oscar Peterson
Classical Check-Up – 1955
Pierre Boulez’s “Le Marteau sans Maître” was perhaps, aside from “4’33,” the most talked-about premiere of the decade. It showed that high modernism could indeed be “popular,” and that classical could still drive the musical conversation. Though it’s hardly the best … Continue reading Classical Check-Up – 1955
The Many Guises of Stan Getz
Before he gained international stardom with his early ‘60s bossa-nova recordings, tenor saxophonist Stan Getz made his bones by practicing with the greats in Scandinavia. Stints with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Horace Silver, Al Haig and Max … Continue reading The Many Guises of Stan Getz
“Nostalgic” doesn’t mean “good”
This 1955 LP from The Four Freshmen is vocal heaven, but musically it represents everything bad about the decade.
Grade: B Continue reading “Nostalgic” doesn’t mean “good”
