Greatest Albums of the 1920s
Even though “albums” didn’t necessarily exist in the 1920s, here are my picks for the greatest recordings you should own from the decade.
Ellington at Newport
One of the most famous live albums in jazz history, featuring one of the greatest solos of all time.
Grade: A
The Wildest!
One of the most fun albums ever released.
Grade: A
Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street
The final LP released by the legendary hard bop leaders.
Grade: A
Blue Serge
The best album from one of jazz’s most tragic figures.
Grade: A
Bud Powell’s Moods
Bud Powell’s Moods builds on the nervous energy found in his previous LPs.
Grade: A-
Piano Interpretations
Piano Interpretations by Bud Powell is a rather routine effort. But routine for Powell is still amazing.
Grade: A-
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 in hard bop. His work in 1956 remains underrated in light of his future masterpieces. […]
Monk and Powell: Jazz Pianists in 1954
A look at two albums from two all-time jazz greats.
“Black Coffee” – Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee’s smooth and sultry “Black Coffee” album is one of the finest female vocal jazz albums of the 1950s.
The Duke Plays Ellington – Duke Ellington
It’s great to hear famed big-band maestro Duke Ellington in a trio setting, reminding listeners he could’ve been a great pianist, too.
Billie Holiday Sings – Billie Holiday
Album: Billie Holiday Sings Artist: Billie Holiday Year: 1952 Genre: Jazz Grade: A- An underrated gem in the vast discography of jazz music’s all-time greatest singer, Billie Holiday Sings (I miss when album titles were extremely simple) is a solid showcase of her unique vocal abilities, even at this later stage of her career. Holiday’s […]