Music Gourmets Presents 60 Years of Great Music - 1957

[Zeeba Neighba]

Hey all! Since we've had a nice influx of members in the new board, seems like a nice time to reboot a series we did a few times on the old site, the "Great Music" series.

Each Friday, I'll introduce a new year from 1957 through 2016. Each member selects an album released in that year with a few lines (or more) on why you picked it/enjoy it. Your selection does not have to be the most important release or the most admired release of that year (though it certainly can be), simply an album that grabs you and that you really love.

However, once an album is selected by a member, you must choose a different album.

We'll start with 1957 early in the album era. I know starting so early might limit some members whose wheelhouse might start later, but even if we can get 10 selections per year, it'll create quite a canon of great music. Who knows? Perhaps it will lead to checking out an album that you've never hear before.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Zeeba Neighba's 1957 Pick:

Sonny Rollins - Way Out West (1957)

Yes, 1957 is an early year in the LP, but once one looks at the picks from this year, so much great music comes to the forefront (leading to some tough choices).
I will go with a jazz pick as the late 1950s to early 1960s was truly a golden era in jazz music, and I will choose a saxophonist at his peak, Sonny Rollins. While he would soon be eclipsed by John Coltrane whose solo debut was also in 1957 (Rollins was not helped by a 3-year "retirement" from 1959-62, a peak period in jazz), Rollins pioneered the technique of "strolling" over simply a bass and drums on this album. The use of this piano-less trio (explored even further on his Village Vanguard live recordings) allowed Rollins to stretch out and highlighted his master improvisation. In addition, he steered his selections away from the Great American Songbook by choosing country-Western standards like "Wagon Wheels" and the novelty number "I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)" (anyone remember that song on I Love Lucy). He even showed a bit of sense of humor with the album cover.

Close second (and still eligible to be picked): so difficult for me to pass up Sinatra's A Swingin' Affair! which is IMO the equal of the more touted Songs For Swinging' Lovers released a year earlier. Every song's fantastic!

Now it's your turn - peruse the albums on Rate Your Music or Best Ever Albums and post your pick

 

[Nickyboy]

Martin Denny- Exotica
[url=http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/martin_denny/exotica/][/URL]

Put on your Hawaiian shirt, pick up a Mai Tai, and slip away to an exotic locale. Jazzy riffs and animal sounds round out this Lounge-style album. Each track has its own feel, although the overall theme is "relax, man!". The opening track, "Quiet Village" sets the tone. Years ago I bought a lot of the Cocktail Lounge series disc compilations (which are fun). "Exotica" was the only full length original I bought.

 

[Mattafett]

I just subscribed to Amazon music unlimited. So I should be able to participate in these earlier years. I don't own a single thing from this year but I did find a record that I would be interested in listening to. There are definitely some familiar artists.

 

[axolotl]

Lee Morgan had no fewer than four releases in 1957. Although he recorded a few of these albums in 1956, no recorded sound of his was heard in that year, at least in mass production.

All things considered, I have to hand the trophy to this one, though. Here he performs with Gigi Gryce, Benny Golson, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Charlie Persip. The producer was Alfred Lion, and the engineer was RVG.

Lee Morgan ~ Lee Morgan, Vol. 3

 

[Nickyboy]

Alfred Lion as in Blue Note records?

 

[axolotl]

Alfred Lion as in Blue Note records?

Yes, and Rudy Van Gelder as in Blue Note Records.

To complete the circuit, this release is on Blue Note Records.

 

[Nickyboy]

Yes, and Rudy Van Gelder as in Blue Note Records.

To complete the circuit, this release is on Blue Note Records.

Keepin' it all in the family. Smart.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Zeeba, thanks a lot for reviving this project for our new home. I'm hoping it will lure some of our old friends back. I will be along with my pick next week.

 

[Mattafett]

Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar

Description in a bit.

 

[JazzyRandy]

When the new MG was announced, I eagerly anticipated a new Great Music iteration. When I awoke this morning to see this I felt less happy and more "I'm not ready!!!!"

I thank Axo for taking one Lee Morgan off my list to consider. I'm glad my list of '57 albums is relatively short, but dagnabbit, it's going to be a little trickier than I thought to sift out a choice.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar

Description in a bit.

There goes one of my picks.

 

[axolotl]

There goes one of my picks.

I was there when it happened.

Cry cry cry.

 

[Ojai Sam]

I was there when it happened.

Cry cry cry.

If The Good Lord's Willing, I will

Get Rhythm from another pick.

 

[Nickyboy]

Well, I don't want to take sides, so I will just walk the (center) line.

 

[axolotl]

When the new MG was announced, I eagerly anticipated a new Great Music iteration. When I awoke this morning to see this I felt less happy and more "I'm not ready!!!!"

I thank Axo for taking one Lee Morgan off my list to consider. I'm glad my list of '57 albums is relatively short, but dagnabbit, it's going to be a little trickier than I thought to sift out a choice.

People get ready, there's a chain a-comin'...

 

[Unsomnambulist]

People get ready, there's a chain a-comin'...

At what point did he shoot someone, just to watch them die?

 

[patrikc325]

Frank Sinatra - A Swingin Affair!

 

[LeslieC]

Tough choices here as this was way before my time. (cough, cough) but this is a nice album that will make you feel calm and peaceful.

Nat King Cole - After Midnight

 

[Mattafett]

Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar

Description in a bit.

I have nothing from this year, so off to RYM I went. After looking through the chart, I settled on a few contenders, this not being one of them, as it felt obvious. I really wanted Duke Ellington, but it was dullsville. The couple other big band/swing albums I checked out were also boring. I guess this genre really is best during war. So I had to come back to this because it had songs I knew, and really liked.