Music Gourmets Presents 60 Years of Great Music - 1958

[Zeeba Neighba]

Welcome to Week Two of the MG's "60 Years of Great Music" series
Great participation on week one. Here's the rules:

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.

Together we will compile quite the canon of "Great Music" and, who knows, maybe inspire each other to check out some new artists (or to revisit old forgotten classics).

This week - the albums of 1958
My pick will follow later tonight, but don't wait for me. Feel free to post one if you got 'em!

 

[earcartoons]

The Everly Brothers Debut

Without question for me this year. It was the sound of the year I was born.
It was the sound of the tight, melodic harmonies that formed what I still love to listen to, play and seek out to this day.

What a debut by the way!

 

[Mattafett]

What to do.
I actually own a few from this year. Do I stick to my normal protocol of only picking from what I own (when I can), or do I go outside my own crazy system???????

 

[Unsomnambulist]

What to do.
I actually own a few from this year. Do I stick to my normal protocol of only picking from what I own (when I can), or do I go outside my own crazy system???????

Maybe just pick what you like the most?

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Zeeba's 1958 Pick:
Ahmad Jamal Trio - But Not for Me: Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Pershing




Like so many years ahead, I imagine, I was torn between several albums. Four rose to the top (three jazz, one vocals), but even late tonight, I found myself listening to my top two choices again. I'm going to go with the one though that I'm pretty sure no one will pick besides myself (here's hoping my other pick, a jazz classic, gets picked by another fan - picking early in the week is tough!)

I don't think it's a misstatement to say many jazz listeners are drawn to horns (whether brass or reeds) - full, brash, exciting...great for ballads or cutting sessions where musicians blow their lungs out. Piano trios, often seem, I don't know, quieter and (when leaning on standards) run the risk of falling into piano bar stylings. Still, a really great piano trio allows the pianist to stretch out and use space to bring out indescribable nuance in the music. Monk was an expert at the pauses, the phrasing that defines this "space", and so was Jamal (in fact, Miles Davis once apparently instructed Red Garland to play like Jamal). While this is an album of standards, the music never sounds old or trite (even with songs like "Surry With the Fringe on Top" or "Music Music Music" (put another nickel in...in the nickelodeon)). The most famous piece is "Poinciana", a 7-1/2 minute piece, slow and atmospheric; an edited version became somewhat of a hit by jazz standards. Today, some may listen and feel (like an early Down Beat review) that this is "cocktail music". Don't be fooled by what seems at face value so simple; this is one of the best piano trio albums ever.

 

[Nickyboy]

Serge Gainsbourg- Du Chant a la Une!


His debut album which would set the jazzy, cool, swinging tone for the Ye-Ye to come. Gotta have Serge!

 

[Worm]

http://rateyourmusic.com/charts/top/album/1958

For new peeps, you can browse the year here.^

ETA: for each new year, just change the year at the end.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

^
Thanks, Worm!

 

[Worm]

I have a special place in my heart for this movie, so I'm going with its soundtrack for this year.

 

[LeslieC]

Great one Worm!!

Buddy Holly - Buddy Holly

This was considered his lone solo album but the Crickets backed him.... Peggy Sue the monster hit!

 

[Ojai Sam]

Here's the Spotify playlist for 1958:

https://open.spotify.com/user/ojaisam/playlist/6CyGvVAB9byrF305PaJ5U1

I'll keep this updated. No Everly Brothers, unfortunately.

 

[patrikc325]

Have 'Twangy' Guitar Will Travel - Duane Eddy

Twangy guitar which is still today!

 

[earcartoons]

Zeeba's 1958 Pick:
Ahmad Jamal Trio - But Not for Me: Ahmad Jamal Trio at the Pershing




Like so many years ahead, I imagine, I was torn between several albums. Four rose to the top (three jazz, one vocals), but even late tonight, I found myself listening to my top two choices again. I'm going to go with the one though that I'm pretty sure no one will pick besides myself (here's hoping my other pick, a jazz classic, gets picked by another fan - picking early in the week is tough!)

I don't think it's a misstatement to say many jazz listeners are drawn to horns (whether brass or reeds) - full, brash, exciting...great for ballads or cutting sessions where musicians blow their lungs out. Piano trios, often seem, I don't know, quieter and (when leaning on standards) run the risk of falling into piano bar stylings. Still, a really great piano trio allows the pianist to stretch out and use space to bring out indescribable nuance in the music. Monk was an expert at the pauses, the phrasing that defines this "space", and so was Jamal (in fact, Miles Davis once apparently instructed Red Garland to play like Jamal). While this is an album of standards, the music never sounds old or trite (even with songs like "Surry With the Fringe on Top" or "Music Music Music" (put another nickel in...in the nickelodeon)). The most famous piece is "Poinciana", a 7-1/2 minute piece, slow and atmospheric; an edited version became somewhat of a hit by jazz standards. Today, some may listen and feel (like an early Down Beat review) that this is "cocktail music". Don't be fooled by what seems at face value so simple; this is one of the best piano trio albums ever.

This site/thread is really going to expand my listening in the jazz area (which is much needed). In the past I've tried without much direction and failed miserably.
How could I not check this out with that eloquent review? Two copies on the way. One for me, one to trade.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

This site/thread is really going to expand my listening in the jazz area (which is much needed). In the past I've tried without much direction and failed miserably.
How could I not check this out with that eloquent review? Two copies on the way. One for me, one to trade.

Here's hoping you enjoy it

 

[axolotl]

Here's hoping you enjoy it

It's one of the first Jazz LPs that I have any memory of picking up. It's a good'un.

I remember thinking at some point: Is this Argo the same as the one putting out the ones by the King's College Choir?

 

[jazzbo]

Sonny Rollins - Freedom Suite


Feel free to jump ahead 44 years and continue your travels here.

 

[axolotl]

Sonny Clark ~ Cool Struttin'



This album is simply too much fun not to pick. Whether or not this fulfills Zeeba's dream of being selected, I can't say. [If it does, Sir, then I salute you. If it does not, then I blow my nose at you, so-called Arthur "King."]

Truth is, Sonny Clark has a cool, swinging vibe that carries the day on this one. Art Farmer and Jackie McLean are tremendous, of course. Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones are each allowed leeway to strut their stuff, as well - and may I say, do so - masterfully and coolly?

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Ravi Shankar - India's Master Musician



I know nothing about Indian classical music, but I know what I like. This is exquisite, trippy without being druggy.

 

[axolotl]

Ravi Shankar - India's Master Musician



I know nothing about Indian classical music, but I know what I like. This is exquisite, trippy without being druggy.

You done good... and well.

 

[Nickyboy]

I know nothing about Indian classical music, but I know what I like. This is exquisite, trippy without being druggy.

Every album of his I have is outstanding.