Tommy Steele "Singing the Blues" (1957) (ep)

Singing the Blues, 7'' EP

udgivet: feb. 1957

format: vinyl (DFE 6389) (1957 genoptryk)

[vurdering: 3,5 / 5] [3,45]

producer: ?

selskab: Decca - nationalitet: Engalnd, UK

Numre: A) 1. "Singing the Blues" - 2. "Rebel Rock" - - B) 1. "Knee Deep in the Blues" - 2. "Elevator Rock"

EP-udgivelse af Tommy Steele - på bagsiden af coveret og på selve vinyl-etiketterne er EP'en krediteret 'Tommy Steele and the Steelmen'. Numrene #A1 og #B1 er krediteret den amerikanske sangskriver Melvin Endsley, mens både #A2 og #B2 er sange skrevet af Tommy Steele selv. Endsleys titelsang var et stort hit i USA for Guy Mitchell og blev udgivet næsten samtidig med Steele's version; sidstnævnte blev til gengæld et britisk nummer 1-hit og et ret stort hit over hele Europa. Ganske finurligt skiftedes Mitchell's og Steele's versioner til at indtage førstepladsen på singlehitlisterne i adskillige lande.

Dette specifikke genoptryk stammer fra mine forældres pladesamling. Jeg husker tydeligt at have spillet den i 7-12-årsalderen, og den var en tidlig favorit på et tidspunkt, hvor jeg mest lyttede til The Beatles, til country, beat og rock & roll. Jeg husker også sangen "A Handful of Songs" (fra soundtrack The Tommy Steele Story fra maj 1957) som sandsynligvis den mest populære Steele-sang i mine barndomsår. De tidlige sceneoptrædener, hvor Steele mimede til sine mest populære sange, præsenterede ham som en mere velfriseret Bill Haley- eller Elvis Presley-klon. Det gjorde formentlig rock & roll mere acceptabelt for dem, der ellers forbandt genren med uopdragne og uregerlige unge mennesker. Tommy Steele er gået over i historien som den første britiske rock & roll-stjerne, men han blev hurtigt efterfulgt af Cliff Richard, der i længden viste sig som en mere holdbar popstjerne.

Set i bakspejlet er denne EP et vigtigt dokument over den tidlige rock & roll-historie, men den placerer også Steele i en kategori for sig selv som en kunstner, der ihærdigt forsøgte at kopiere amerikanske ikoner uden egentlig at have ret meget selvstændigt at byde på. Jo, han hjalp med at transformere rock & roll til noget mere letfordøjeligt, og han eksemplificerede en ny type rock-and-roller, men han leverede primært gennem sine covernumre. På denne EP lyder Steele's egne to bidrag kraftigt inspireret, eller måske endda som kopier af Bill Haley og Chuck Berry, og hans andet album - soundtracket til filmen 'The Tommy Steele Story' - vidner om en prioritering af form over indhold med kun lille relevans for, men også lille forståelse for, hvordan musik bliver til legende. Når det er sagt, har Steele bestemt en plads i historiebøgerne angående, hvordan rock & roll blev et internationalt fænomen, og han spiller en væsentlig rolle i populærmusikkens stilmæssige udvikling.

~ ~ ~

Dette opslag er en del af MyMusicJourney, som lister de vigtigste udgivelser, der har formet min musiksmag gennem min opvækst og frem til 14-årsalderen. De fleste af disse udgivelser stammer fra mine forældres og / eller min storebrors samling.

Ella Fitzgerald "Sings the Essential Cole Porter Song Book" (1956)

Sings the Essential Cole Porter Song Book

release date: May 1956

format: vinyl (2022 reissue - Colored Series - yellow)

[album rate: 4 / 5]

producer: Norman Granz

label: 20th Century Masterworks - nationality: USA

Album by Ella Fitzgerald, which happens to be a shortened version of the double album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (May 1956) released on Verve Records containing 32 tracks. This 'truncated' version contains 14 tracks, and despite all fourteen songs truly are essential, I see no good reason to leave out the remaining tracks. The album has been reissued in various formats, including longer editions with alternate recordings. Good news is, Verve Records have reissued the 2 lp vinyl album in its original form, which of course is the right one to get.

1956 double album

Chet Baker "Chet Baker Sings" (1954)

Chet Baker Sings
release date: Apr. / May 1954
format: vinyl (2018 reissue, yellow vinyl) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,94]
producer: Richard Bock
label: WaxTime In Color

A very young (23 years old) Chet sings vocal jazz and standards of the time. He is often mentioned as the jazz world's first pop star, or at least a kind of role model celebrity. Photos of him from the 1950s show how he was promoted almost in the same manner as Sinatra, and later stars like James Dean and Cliff Richard - a pop star with a message to all teenagers.

The album came out at the time when Elvis and Sinatra were top of the pop, and Chet was launched accordingly to that tradition, although his music was very different. His singing voice isn't all that fantastic but it has its very own beauty. The album is the first where Baker sings, as he had previously been promoted exclusively as an instrumentalist. The original issue of the album was released by Pacific Jazz in 10'' and 2 x 7'' formats only and contained eight tracks. In 1956 the label reissued the album for 12'' format with 14 tracks - the same songs appear on the 2018 remaster on WaxTime In Color. The original album contained the following songs: "But Not for Me", "Time After Time", "My Funny Valentine", "I Fall in Love Too Easily", "There Will Never Be Another You", "I Get Along Without You Very Well", "The Thrill Is Gone", "Look for the Silver Lining".

The album originally came out to luke-warm reviews, and some critics found Baker's vocal unsuited for commercial releases, to put it mildly 'cause he was also publicly mocked; however, the album was a commercial success and led in 1956 led to the expanded version and earlier it was followed by Chet Baker Sings and Plays (1955).

Highly recommended.

[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings 3,5 / 4 stars ]

1954 original issue
on Pacific Jazz

Edmundo Ros "Patricia / Little Serenade" (1958) (single)

Patricia / Little Serenade, 7'' single

release date: 1958

format: vinyl (reissue)

[single rate: 2 / 5] [2,08]

producer: ?

label: Decca - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) "Patricia" - - B) "Little Serenade"

Single release by Edmundo Ros (aka Edmund William Ross) in a Danish-versioned single credited 'Edmundo Ros Og Hans Orkester'.

This single was part of my parents' record collection, and it's a song I don't remember all too well. In addition, the cover has gone missing many years ago.

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Nina Simone "Little Girl Blue" (1959)

Little Girl Blue [debut]

release date: Feb. 1959

format: cd (2013 remaster) / vinyl (2021 remaster)

[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,26]

producer: ? (arr. by Nina Simone)

label: Bethlehem Records / BMG - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Mood Indigo" - 2. "Don't smoke in Bed" - 3. "He Needs Me" (5 / 5) - 4. "Little Girl Blue" (5 / 5) - 5. "Love or Leave Me" (5 / 5) - 6. "My Baby Just Cares for Me" (5 / 5) (TV performance) - 7. "Good Bait" (instr.) - 8. "Plain Gold Ring" - 9. "You'll Never Walk Alone" (instr.) - 10. "I Loves You Porgy" - 11. "Central Park Blues" (instr.)

Studio album debut by Nina Simone (aka Eunice Kathleen Waymon) with 11 tracks stemming from the only recording sessions she did while associated with Bethlehem Records. Regardless, the label would go on for many years after by issuing releases from these recordings - be it compilations, or single releases, and all without Simone's consent. Despite the label did little to promote this album, it soon crept up on the charts and in people's consciousness. The album is one of jazz' great classics, and only one of many outstanding by Nina Simone. Although recorded in 1957, the sound is remarkably dynamic - perhaps due to great remastering, and even though Simone herself alledgedly wasn't thrilled with the compositions, the selected style, the album is a fine document and proof of her eneormous versatility. She may have seen herself as a classic pianist at the time, but the recordings are luckily there to show that she could perform on highest level in any genre and style. Here, she performs as jazz vocalist, as an outstanding interpreter, arranger, and pianist. It's just... mindblowing 'waow'!

Highly recomended.

EDIT 2021:

The 2021 Bethlehem / BMG vinyl remaster is a fine pressing, although, it's in stereo and remastered, but it sounds like a studio recording, although there's probably a lot of adjustments involved, you need to appreciate the end result, and thats quite an accomplishment.

[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Four Jacks "De glade rensdyr" (1959) (single)

De glade rensdyr, 7'' single

release date: 1959

format: vinyl (45-DK 1510)

[single rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,55]

producer: ?

label: Odeon - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: A) "De glade rensdyr (The Happy Reindeer)" - - B) "Bare man har det godt"

Single release by Danish vocal group Four Jacks following the release of Waterloo. The A-side title song is credited Harold Rustigan and Robert Plaisted, the B-side is by Peter Mynte and Hans-Ole Nielsen. Both songs are arranged by John Mogensen and Jørn Grauengård.

This single is part of my parents' record collection and a B-side, I frequently played when 6-7 years old.

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Four Jacks "Waterloo" (1959) (single)

Waterloo, 7'' single

release date: 1959

format: vinyl (45-DK 1496)

[single rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]

producer:

label: Odeon - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: A) "Waterloo" - - B) "Personality"

Single release by Danish standards / vocal group Four Jacks, here consisting of John Mogensen, Poul Rudi, Bent Werther, and James Rasmussen. Both tracks here are covers. The A-side is an American song by John Loudermilk and Marijohn Wilkin, and the B-side is a Logan & Price song (Harold Logan & Lloyd Price) - both translated by Robert Arnold Nielsen and arranged by John Mogensen and Jørgen Ingmann.

The group has its origin in a duo founded in 1956 by Rudi and Otto Brandenburg. Shortly after, Mogensen was included and the three for a short time went under the name 'De 3 Båthorn' before Werther was included and they became Four Jacks. Mogensen took over as musical arranger of the group, and when Brandenburg in '58 left to pursue a solo career, Rasmussen became stable new member. In '63, the group changed line-up when Erik Aae Jensen replaced Werther, and in '64, songwriter and musical arranger Mogensen left to initiate a lasting and nationally legendary solo career, and the remainders went under changing names: Three Jacks, Scandinavian Four whenever Mogensen found the time to perform, and / or as 'De Nye Four Jacks' [The New Four Jacks']. Their heydays as a highly popular quartet, however, was in the days with Mogensen, Rudi, Werther, and Rasmussen from 1958 to 1963 - a period which includes this single.

This single was part of my parents' record collection, and I recall playing this quite quite often at the age of 6-7 on a portable turntable, and I also recall that I liked the B-side the most.

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Bill Haley and His Comets "Rock'N'Roll Stage Show Vol. 1" (1956) (ep)

Rock'N'Roll Stage Show Vol. 1, 7'' EP

release date: 1956

format: vinyl (BME 9278)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]

producer: Milt Gabler

label: Decca - nationality: USA

Tracklist: A) 1. "Hook, Line and Sinker" - 2. "Rudy's Rock" - - B) 1. "Calling All Comets" - 2. "Rockin' Through the Rye"

EP by Bill Haley and His Comets with four tracks from the band's '56 album Rock'N'Roll Stage Show with which it shares same front cover.

This seven inch comes from my parents' record collection. It's an ep I used to play on a portable turntable when 6-8 years old, and already then, I found it strangely oldish, although, still quite party-like.

This is one of my very first music memories that wasn't purely children's songs.

👉 Another one from that earliest stage.

~ ~ ~

This post is part of MyMusicJourney, which enlists key releases that have shaped my musical taste when growing up and until age 14. Most of these releases come from my parents' and / or my older brother's collection.

Jacques Brel "La valse à mille temps" (1959)

La valse à mille temps
release date: 1959
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]

Track highlights: 1. "La valse à mille temps" (5 / 5) live - 4. "Je t'aime" - 5. "Ne me quitte pas" (4 / 5) - 6. "Les flamandes" (4 / 5) - 10. "La colombe"

4th full-length studio album by Jacques Brel aka "Jacques Brel 4". Like many of his early albums this release is just a self-titled album but is also known as "La valse à mille temps" (taken from the first track). I also enjoy his three earlier albums from the '50s but this particular album is considered one of his best ever original releases, and his first big hit album. It's his second release featuring the great French conductor François Rauber with whom Brel wrote two of the original 10 songs, although, the album's strongest tracks are written by Brel only.

Ella Fitzgerald "Hello, Love" (1959)

Hello, Love
release date: 1959
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

A 1950s studio album with Ella Fitzgerald with recordings made between 1957-1959. My cd edition is the 2004 remastered edition on the original label, Verve Records. I enjoy most albums with this great singer, although, I like her most when she sings vocal jazz only. But there's absolutely nothing wrong about her versions of the 'Great American Songbook' of standards, it's just that so many other good and great artists have made their versions, and it's sometimes hard to tell the big differences. And then again: singing the standards was what brought her fame! Several of the songs here, appear (in different versions) on previous albums including her two albums with Louis Armstrong, Ella & Louis (1956) and Ella & Louis Again (1957).

Jacques Brel "Au printemps" (1958)

Au printemps
release date: 1958
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

Track highlights: 2. "Au printemps" - 3. "Je ne sais pas" - 4. "Le colonel" - 8. "L'homme dans la cité?" - 9. "Litanies pour un retour"

3rd studio album by Jacques Brel originally released on Philips aka "Jacques Brel 3". This is another great album by Brel mostly consisting of his own compositions but also introducing 5 songs co-written with François Rauber who is also credited as orchestral conductor (tracks #2–3, #8–9, and #11–12) alongside André Popp (tracks #1, #4, #7, #10, and #13). The original lp contains tracks #1-10, with tracks #11-13 being bonus tracks on the 2003 remaster issued on Barclay Records as part of the 16-disc box set Boîte à Bonbons.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong "Ella and Louis" (1956)

Ella and Louis [debut]
release date: Oct. 1956
format: digital (2007 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5]

Tracklist: 1. "Can't We Be Friends?" - 2. "Isn't This a Lovely Day?" - 3. "Moonlight in Vermont" - 4. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" - 5. "Under a Blanket of Blue" - 6. "Tenderly" - 7. "A Foggy Day" - 8. "Stars Fell on Alabama" - 9. "Cheek to Cheek" - 10. "The Nearness of You" - 11. "April in Paris"

First collaboration album featuring Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. My cd edition was remastered in 2007. This album is simply wonderful. I don't own a lot of music from the '50s but this is definitely one of the best of a decade. It's such a warm and positive album, and it just makes you wanna smile. I have several albums with Ella 'cause I simply love her fantastic voice but this is one of a few ones with Louis.

Ella Fitzgerald "Lullabies of Birdland" (1955)

Lullabies of Birdland (compilation)

release date: 1955

format: vinyl (1960 reissue, DL 8149)

[album rate: 4 / 5]

producer: various

label: Decca - nationality: USA

Early compilation album by Ella Fitzgerald with eleven tracks stemming from older recordings, which have all been previously issued for 78rpm singles during the late 1940s and early 1950s (track #11 is recorded in 1945, tracks #5 & #8 are from 1947, track #9 from 1949, tracks #2-4 & #10 from 1952, tracks #1 & #6 from 1954, and track #7 from 1955).

These recordings are a fine treat and despite some missing dynamics, mostly issues with vocal range, this compilation is remarkably good.

Charles Mingus "Mingus Ah Um" (1959)

Mingus Ah Um
release date: Sep. 14, 1959
format: vinyl (1987 remaster) / digital (2009 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Teo Macero
label: CBS Records - nationality: USA

Studio album by Charles Mingus originally released on Columbia - here in the digitally remastered series 'CBS Jazz Masterpieces'.
The album is an essential part of any jazz collection.

[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 5 / 5, Popmatters 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Jacques Brel "Quand on n'a que l'amour" (1957)

Quand on n'a que l'amour
release date: 1957
format: cd (2003 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

Track highlights: 1. "Quand on n'a que l'amour" - 2. "Qu'avons-nous fait, bonnes gens?" - 3. "Les pieds dans le ruisseau" - 5. "La bourrée du célibataire" - 7. "Saint-Pierre" - 8. "J'en appelle"

2nd studio album by Jacques Brel originally released on Philips aka 'Jacques Brel 2'. As the debut, this consists of compositions written by Brel (except track #4 co-written with Jacques Vigouroux). And much like the debut, this hardly contains superfluous songs - and the album itself is quite remarkable. Orchestra conductors here are: André Popp on tracks #1 and #4-10, Michel Legrand on #2-3, and François Rauber is credited on track #11 (which is an alternate recording of track #1) on the 2003 remaster cd edition.

Jacques Brel "Jacques Brel et ses chansons" (1954)

Jacques Brel et ses chansons [debut]

release date: 1954

format: cd (2003 remaster)

[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

Tracks (org. album): 1. "La haine" - 2. "Grand Jacques (C'est trop facile)" - 3. "Il pleut (Les carreaux)" - 4. "Le diable (ça va)" - 5. "Il peut pleuvoir" - 6. "Il nous faut regarder" - 7. "Le fou du roi" - 8. "C'est comme ça" - 9. "Sur la place"

Studio album debut album by Jacques Brel aka 'Grand Jacques'. The tracks #1-9 represent the original vinyl lp recorded at Théâtre de L'Apollo, Feb. 15, 1954. The cd-version consists of 15 tracks, of which tracks #10-15 are bonus tracks on the 2003 remaster 'Velours Box Set', which is a part of the extensive 16-disc box set, Boîte à Bonbons. Aside Brel himself, the album also offers examples of the arrangements by André Grassis' (tracks #1-9). All compositions from the original album except two by Glen Powell are all credited Brel.

This first one out may not contain a long list of great classics but it still showcases Brel's gifts as songwriter, composer, and not least: singer.