“Black, Brown and Beige” Album Review
Duke Ellington’s original “Black, Brown and Beige” suite premiered in 1943. Read this album review of the 1946 LP release.
“The Wayfaring Stranger” Album Review
Long before he was the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Burl Ives was The Wayfaring Stranger.
“Work Songs of the U.S.A.” Album Review
Lead Belly performs railroad tunes, maritime shanties and more on “Work Songs of the U.S.A.”
“Play Parties in Song and Dance” Album Review
In 1941, blues legend Lead Belly released an album of children’s songs called “Play Parties in Song and Dance.”
“The Midnight Special” Album Review
Lead Belly’s 1940 album “The Midnight Special” turns back the clocks to trace the origins of blues music.
The Top 10 Music Artists of the 1930s
The Top 10 Music Artists of the 1930s, including Bing Crosby and Robert Johnson, helped pull the world out of the Great Depression.
Top 10 Music Artists of the 1920s
The Top 10 Music Artists of the 1920s shaped the sound of the world we know today.
“Voice of the Xtabay” Album Review
One of the most popular exotica albums of the early 1950s, “Voice of the Xtabay” showcases Yma Sumac’s incredible vocal talent.
“Stan Kenton Presents” Album Review
“Stan Kenton Presents” is a combination of modern classical and big band jazz that sounds remarkably ahead of its time.
“Ella Sings Gershwin” Album Review
Album: Ella Sings Gershwin Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Year: 1950 Genre: Vocal Jazz Grade: A- Always a pleasure to hear one of the greatest singers of all time. Especially when she’s singing Gershwin. Ella Fitzgerald was already 33-years-old when she released Ella Sings Gershwin, yet she sounded as youthful as ever. Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella Sings Gershwin […]
“Piano Solos” Album Review
While not as good as the sequel, Bud Powell’s original “Piano Solos” album is an important landmark of bebop.
“Change of the Century” Album Review
On “Change of the Century,” saxophonist Ornette Coleman delves even deeper into his avant-garde jazz experiments.